#bottomsup

…or maybe tobacco isn’t your thing. Maybe that isn’t a concern of yours at all; you don’t want it, you don’t care about it, it’s not a moral issue with which you concern yourself. Maybe your issue of choice leans more towards hops and grains. That’s right my friends, today on #Hashtagfairytales we will tackle the second part of the series #illallowit: #alcohol! Tobacco was kind of a tame issue I suppose; not many are super passionate about tobacco use—for or against—any more these days. But when people talk about #alcohol I have sensed a lot of strong feelings. Most people that I have had the opportunity to observe are either head-long one way or butt-strong the other (#sh*tmygrandmasays). This issue is a bit more serious I think and a bit more morally telling.

I have seen this issue rear its head a lot and there has always been tons of debate. As I’ve said before, I was raised Holiness Pentecostal, so drinking #alcohol was completely disallowed. As a matter of fact, when kids in my class—at my Christian school—would try and argue for #alcohol (mind you none of them old enough to imbibe it) the majority of us would look at them as rebels; those bad boys that would be okay with #tobacco and #alcohol and guns and motorcycles; those girls that’d be okay with pants and kissing and makeup and hard drugs (In the Holiness mind in which I was raised it’s a very short jump from makeup to hard drugs).

As a Bible-believing Christian this seems like an open and shut case; Paul (formerly Saul of Tarsus) specifically says not to “get drunk on wine” (Ephesians 5:18) #boom #done #caseclosed. Who’s to say otherwise? I’ll tell you who: Paul (formerly Saul of Tarsus). The very same man who wrote not to get drunk also wrote the words, “a little wine is good for the stomach” (I Timothy 5:23). So I hear you saying not to get drunk, and also to have a little wine; the same guy saying don’t do it is also saying #bottomsup. Let’s put this in context. Timothy (to whom Paul wrote the second statement), was sick of the water in the city where he lived. I mean he was literally sick, he tried to follow the first statement and only drink water, but that was making him ill, so Paul told him to drink a little bit of wine.

The fermenting process ridded the liquid of some of the impurities of the regional water, but he still wasn’t getting drunk. This does not show that drinking is ok, but it certainly does not show that drinking is an absolute sin. Paul himself makes absolutely clear one thing: that the issue of #alcohol is at best an unclear issue. #Hashheads, when it comes to #alcohol, I have to say, #illallowit. Once again, it proves most useful to state: I am not trying to defend myself or justify any of my own actions. Let me make this ever clear: I was raised viewing alcohol as the sinner’s beverage of choice; I have never taken so much as a sip of alcohol; the absolute closest I have come is having food cooked with #alcohol (#beerbattered shrimp; #JackDaniels steak; #tequilalime fettuccine; et al.) and even an occasional drinker will tell you that doesn’t count! The only reason I choose to talk about it is because it is interesting and I think that it can spark meaningful conversation.

Let me say, this has been a difficult road for me; taking my deep instilled moral values and deciding at a later age that I do not hold to them as strictly as I was taught. I myself do not drink and never have, but not because I am morally opposed; I am not. I know that not everyone will agree with my ideas; proponents and opponents alike, but after wrestling and struggling with the ideas I have found these things to be true about my beliefs and ideas about #alcohol:

#cosmopolitanculture– It is a wide-accepted fact that #alcohol can change ones ways of thinking after partaking in it, but I have a problem with the changes in ones thinking that happens before they drink it. This only applies to a fraction of the proponents of #alcohol, but it frustrates me nonetheless. There is a culture that comes with #alcohol nowadays and I can’t say that I like it. #Alcohol has become to certain of these more recent generation as “the first hunt” was to the Native Americans; as the bar mitzvah is to the Jews; as the high school diploma was to our parents. It’s some sort of sign of growth or badge of honor to some people. I blame it on movies like Old School with Will Ferrell or shows like Sex and the City with the long-faced Sarah Jessica Parker. You are a REAL grown up when you can go out and get drunk; you have truly made it if you are drinking a Cosmopolitan cocktail at 1:30 in the afternoon. That is how we know you are mature; that is how we know you are cool. Miranda, Charlotte, Samantha, and Carrie, I’m calling your Bull!

#drunkonlife– That first scripture mentioned above talks about getting “drunk on wine.” In this man’s opinion, not for nothing those words are used. I believe of course, by saying wine, what is meant is all #alcohol or fermented drink, but what is specifically stated is not to get drunk on these things. Alcohol has a tendency to alter ones personality or actions (some say it makes the person more themselves), and I don’t believe that is what we are called to do. I do not believe that any Christian ought to get drunk. #Period. I believe that is more clearly stated in scripture. Besides, drunkenness is hardly attractive—I’m looking at you Snooki. I mean I get that some like it, but eventually we all need to grow up (this extends beyond Christianity), and I think a huge part of growing up is moderation.

Also, along the same lines as the last part of this series, addiction to alcohol is—while a very tough and debilitating sickness—wrong. I think people—Christians and non Christians alike—ought to consider professional help for addictions such as these. This is no easy or light matter many real people are affected by this and I believe as a people of God we must embrace those affected thereby; I 100% endorse 12 step programs. I was honored to once attend an AA meeting (as a guest) and it was phenomenally touching. If you know someone who needs it, out of love, encourage them.

#lessfilling/#tastesgreat– A softly chilled pinot grigio with a garlic infused roasted turkey breast; a cool but room temperature cabernet sauvignon with a fine cut of properly tenderized and fire-grilled steak; Beer with pizza. Whatever one’s preference, some #alcohol simply complements food. When consumed in moderation what is wrong with a bit of #alcohol with an appropriate meal? Mind you, I cannot speak from experience in this area, but cooks and food scientists agree that due to the chemicals and proteins in foods some foods (and beverages) complement each other; that’s just a #fact. Eat, drink, and be merry!

It is my holiness roots that says that Christians ought to conduct themselves in a way separate from those “of the world.” I agree. Christians ought to not get drunk, its unattractive and ungodly—once again, one man’s opinion. In the same way Christians ought to conduct themselves differently than worldly people in that those of the world tend to faction off. There are the Democrats and Republicans; the Asians and the Latinos; the 99% and the 1%; Team Jacob and Team Edward. What if the Holy people of God really were different? What if they stopped pulling away and started unabashedly, unashamedly, caring for and loving people. What if followers of Jesus believed when He said, “Other sheep I have that are not of this fold, them also I must bring, and they will hear my voice and there will be one fold and one shepherd” (John 10:16)? What if Christians showed love towards everyone no matter their moral posture? What if we gave a glass of water in the name of a prophet, or said a short prayer for a person who needed it (Christian or non-Christian)? What if Christians lived out that #lovewinsbreh. Never mind, that’s just dumb.

To finalize my thoughts on #alcohol: ultra conservative Bob Jones said this about my best friend C.S. Lewis, “That man smokes a pipe and that man drinks liquor—but I do believe he is a Christian.”

(It’s all about moderation. Also, concerning coming back to the series, sorry for the abrupt re-entry.)

(#thatswhatshesaid)