Wednesday, May 2, 2007

Christians and cocktails

My last post was quickly corrected by a Jehovah's Witness who pointed out that alcohol is not forbidden in that denomination. In fact after looking some more I struggled to find any Christian denomination that forbids alcohol except the Seventh Day Adventists. The LDS Church also forbids alcohol but may or may not be Christian depending on who you ask. The Salvation Army expects its full members to abstain from alcohol, which is not quite the same as prohibition. Here is their position statement.

"Accepting that alcohol, tobacco and other addictive drugs can be harmful, and can also have consequent effects on individuals, families and society, members of The Salvation Army freely and willingly refrain from the use of these substances in their own lives. (In this instance, ‘members’ refers to Salvation Army soldiers, who commit themselves to an addiction-free lifestyle, as a condition of full membership.) This also applies to other addictive drugs, except when medically prescribed. In so doing, they are mindful that, while certain lifestyle choices may be legally and socially acceptable, some choices may be neither helpful to the person concerned, nor to those likely to be influenced by their actions (1 Corinthians 8:9, Revised English Bible)."

Here's the scripture passage cited. "Be careful, however, that the exercise of your freedom does not become a stumbling block to the weak."

Again it's a position I agree with. God's hope for our enjoyment of life should not harm ourselves or others. Given the particular work of the Salvation Army it seems reasonable to expect abstention from alcohol. I also don't drink whenever I'm with church members where my drinking might negatively effect my ability to serve as a minister.

No comments: