Call Me Old-Fashioned

I must be old-fashioned. I would rather not wake up in the morning with nausea and a pounding head from a hangover. To me, that would override any so-called "fun" of drinking the night before.

I would rather not spend my hard-earned money on something that blurs my vision, poisons my liver, weakens my heart, impairs my ability to drive, and makes me stumble when I walk.

I would rather not support an industry that advertises heavily to the younger generation as if irresponsible and promiscuous behavior were the norm (especially for young men).

I don't want to toy with something that causes thousands of accidental deaths and injuries on the highway every year.

It's hard enough to make good decisions; I don't need alcohol to cloud my judgment.

I don't want my children and grandchildren to learn any behavior from me that will lead them down the path to self-destruction.

I don't want to dishonor my family, my friends, or my own reputation by saying or doing something foolish while under the influence of alcohol.

I don't need to drink to have a good time. A sports event or a party is more fun when everyone is sober. I would rather start the New Year with a clear mind instead of a chemically-induced buzz. A friend told me he was so drunk on his wedding day he can hardly remember it.

I have no love for any beverage that can wreck a marriage, diminish a worker's job performance, and hinder a student's ability to learn.

My life is complicated enough already; I don't need to complicate it more with all the side-effects of booze.

Humble Abstinence

We can oppose alcohol abuse without being legalistic and judgmental. In a sermon on alcoholism (published in Voices from the Hill, CBC & S Resources, 2003), Dave Stone mentions five levels of involvement people have with alcoholic beverages: (1) the closet alcoholic, (2) the party animal, (3) the social drinker, (4) the self-righteous abstainer, and (5) the humble abstainer. I find that fifth category appealing. If we choose not to drink, we don't belong on a pedestal as if we're better than anyone else. All of us have weaknesses, and socially acceptable addictions like overworking or overeating cause problems too. In Christ, we're all sinners saved by grace.

I realize that many do not share my views about alcohol. To be fair, some medical evidence connects limited consumption of wine with good health—an idea some Bible passages suggest as well (Psalm 104:15; 1 Timothy 5:23). The apostle Paul allowed for the exercise of personal liberty when he said, "Do not allow what you consider good to be spoken of as evil. For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit" (Romans 14:16, 17). But Paul also insisted, "It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother to fall" (Romans 14:21). Personally, I have decided to err on the side of caution and avoid alcoholic beverages altogether. Scripture warns, "Wine is a mocker and beer a brawler; whoever is led astray by them is not wise" (Proverbs 20:1). And it says, "Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit" (Ephesians 5:18).

Years ago my wife and I agreed that we would not drink alcoholic beverages. I cannot pass judgment on anyone else's conscience, but I can truthfully say we have never regretted our decision.

But then again, maybe we're just old-fashioned.