I've been thinking about writing something about drinking alcohol.
Part of me thinks it's funny and would fit at my humor blog, Almost the Truth (http://www.AlmostTheTruth.blogspot.com)...like...how I was brought up in a very conservative church and basically thought any alcohol-drinking was wrong, but then moved to Minnesota where all the Christians are more enlightened and live in the freedom of knowing that the Bible doesn't say "don't drink," just "don't get drunk," so I'm okay with people drinking, I really, really am...I just wish they wouldn't enjoy it so much! A little residual guilt wouldn't hurt, would it?
And I've thought about how some people like to drink beer and compare micro-brews and describe flavors as "hoppy" or "woody" or "whatevery"...and that I'm just as strange for my celebration of Skyline Chili and Dr Pepper...but that I've never heard anyone excuse themselves for anything because of an appreciation of soda pop: "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said those things last night, I had a little bit too much Dr Pepper." "Whoa...how did I end up on your couch? Did I really drink that much Dr Pepper?" or the saddest..."I'm going to have to take your license; you've got a blood Dr Pepper content of 0.23."
That last one is far too serious for the humor blog, so another part of me thinks this should all go to my other blog, Truth Is... (http://www.DeweyTruth.blogspot.com)...like...comparing the whole should-a-Christian-drink thing to Paul's discussion in his letter to the Romans about how meat sacrificed to idols wasn't a big deal at all...except if a person thinks it is...and how he chose to give up his freedom if it was going to injure the conscience of a brother or sister in Christ. But I've always wanted to steer clear of overt negativity or sounding judgmental or just ranting against things.
So I figured I should just think about it if I must, but give up the thought of putting the thoughts into words and putting the words into the World Wide Web. Nobody needs to know what I'm thinking, after all.
And then I saw this video...Patrick Roche counting backwards through his life and sending a chill down my spine.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6LnMhy8kDiQ
Watch that and tell me you can guarantee you would never be like his dad. Watch that and tell me you've got it all under control.
Even if a person has never...ever...had impaired decision making or reactions because of alcohol...I just don't understand the great attraction that would cause a person to risk a single step down that road. Now...some people that I love an awful lot have a little to drink from time to time and I am okay with that...but I admit right here and right now that I'm a bit conflicted about the whole thing.
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When I originally posted this as a Facebook Note, it led to a very thoughtful and respectful discussion...which is a noteworthy event of its own:
Lynn McKillip Smalling: Well said. Thanks
Jan Olson: Dewey, it's refreshing to hear this. Would love to have a chat sometime.
Johnny Guist: Are you conflicted because you think it is impossible to consume alcohol without risk? Because then you would need to apply this logic to any type of relationship between male and female...it runs the risk of leading to regret. Or doughnuts, doughnut holes, or any foodstuffs with little or no redeeming qualities.
I know that sounds silly, but I am serious. I do get your logic and I agree with it in context, for me it is situational (NOT relative). I don't see the inherent risk on the broad scale that you seem to imply.
I watched the video. I'm saddened by that kid's loss, and I'm talking about a life without a healthy Father and all of the garbage that addiction brings.
But it doesn't make the case (for me) that I risk becoming that young man's father to my children. Patrick's Dad was an addict. In the 30 years I have consumed different types of alcohol I have yet to binge, blackout, or display any type of addicted behavior. Might I in the next 30 years? It's possible, but extremely unlikely.
Either side of this discussion can lead to the twisting of scripture and the damaging of relationships. I think what you have proposed is well-written, thoughtful & thought-provoking...but I see it from a different perspective. I think you should post it on all of your blogs...it's a very real discussion to have.
I have always tried to view these types of discussions through the filter of Philippians 3:15-16. You are a dear, wise, and mature Christian brother to me Dewey, someone I cherish, respect, and trust. I hope my response was filtered through the aforementioned scripture. God bless you, bro!!
Johnny Guist: p.s. I do think people should know what you're thinking, you have some deep stuff brewing in that brain of yours!!
Eric Robert Lee: There is no way to remove all risk from life. There is no clear line between substances that are drugs and ones that are not. There is also no clear line between sobriety and intoxication. "Slippery slope" arguments are pointless because we all live our lives on countless slippery slopes, every day.
Dewey Roth: Interesting, Eric. Hmmm...
Jennifer Haapala Merhar: Wow. The video is awesome. I did not experience that kind of childhood. My father was killed in an accident working in the mines on the Iron Range. However, my memories of him are short since I was only eight at the time and unfortunately a few of them are alcohol-related. Nothing like this young man's father. Mine was always loving but I remember feeling embarrassed once because of his drinking. I do enjoy an adult beverage now and then. I am responsible. Alcoholism runs in my family and it can be a slippery slope but like Eric said we live on a lot of slippery slopes on other issues every day. I do not want to invalidate this young man's message in the video. He lived through a hell that we need to help with. Drinking responsibly also means being aware of others who are not and stepping up to the plate to stop them/ talk to them/help them. Don't feel conflicted Dewey. On this slippery slope, you are standing on solid ground.
Dewey Roth: To answer John's question, "Are you conflicted because you think it is impossible to consume alcohol without risk?" That would be a no. One, because I DO think it's possible; though one can only find out if it's possible for themselves through trial and error, and that's a dangerous learning technique. Two, Eric is right that we cannot eliminate risk from our lives...but we CAN reduce it tremendously and still have a rich, full existence.
I guess the main source of the conflicted feelings is the whole conservative upbringing thing and what it looks like to The Average Person and really wondering why drinking alcohol is attractive at all. Again, I mean no (dun-dun-dun) Judgement...just sharing my heart and appreciating y'all's input.
Jeremy Bracey: Here is where I struggle on this one. For me, no risk. Glass of wine, a beer after mowing lawn.... I am all good. I have no desire for more. I DO NOT WANT a buzz. For me, I don't see the risk that Dewey is suggesting. But for others, I may be the excuse that it's okay for them to drink. IF for that person that it's not OK, they don't have control, I don't want to be the excuse used to cause them to stumble. I am probably not going to say that I won't continue to enjoy a glass of wine from time to time. But I am going to be very careful about how I empower someone else to stumble.
David Stanley: Dewey - responding to your question on why drinking alcohol is attractive at all - I would answer that for many of us who enjoy booze, it's attractive for the same reasons Dr. Pepper is attractive to you - it's really, really good. Many wines, beers, and liquors are very complex creations that just simply taste fantastic or pair really well with certain food. The fact that they contain alcohol is often not even considered because we know our limits and are not drinking to that end. Obviously, there are many who drink because of the effects of the alcohol, but I think the vast majority of people are drinking for other reasons than just getting drunk. I trust myself enough to know when enough is enough, so am not worried about a slippery slope, but realize that is not the case for everyone. I can respect those that choose not to drink too
Johnny Guist: I like the tastes, the nuances, and there is a healthy culture as well as an unhealthy one centered around certain types of liquor.
Kitty Atchison Crary:
The June issue of Christianity Today has two articles about alcohol. The first is Why I Gave Up Alcohol. The second is called This Is What a Progressive Looks Like. It is about the Temperance movement, going back into the 1800s. You might be able to find them on ChristianityToday.com. I grew up in a family that drank beer and wine when I was small and gave up alcohol when my parents were converted to Christ. That happened when I was about 12. I think I am the only one of six children in that family who is still a teetotaler.
Eric Robert Lee: I am enjoying reading everyone's comments. This is one of those issues that is extremely complex, and I cannot find myself able to agree or disagree completely with anyone.
I am one of those beer lovers to which Dewey referred. I like sweet tropical stouts, dark German lagers, and nutty British ales (among others). While the allure to drinking is, for me, mostly the taste (I so LOVE the taste), I won't deny how I feel it can enhance social gatherings as well. On the other hand, I don't drink often enough to be considered even a moderate drinker. I go for weeks to months at a time with no beer in my fridge. In part, this is because it can irritate my acid reflux. When I do imbibe, it is rarely more than one or two beers at a time.
Having said all of that, I have become "drunk" plenty of times over the course of my life, but probably a vast number less than the average person. Still, here is where I think those who say they never get "drunk" are being disingenuous. There is no magical line that one crosses to suddenly become intoxicated. All such lines (like blood alcohol content) are arbitrary. I know that I can start to feel the difference in myself halfway through my first beer (and so can most everyone, if they are being honest).
I have never taken a recreational drug other than alcohol (unless you want to count things like caffeine, which is fair). I've never smoked a cigarette and I've never tried marijuana. I have, in the past, taken great pride in this fact, but I now find it harder to do so because I do take alcohol, and I see no difference that isn't pure justification.
Dewey is right. Those of us who drink responsibly can say, "look at how I've got it all under control," but no one knows what kind of predisposition to alcoholism they may have when they decide to take that very first sip.
As for risk reduction in life, I think 100% sobriety is an intelligent choice. On the other hand, driving a car (not talking about drunk driving here) is one of the greatest risks that we take on a daily basis. We put our children in those dangerous mobile boxes, and we turn the keys over to them when they are a mere 16 years old. I'm not so sure about the wisdom in that.
So anyway, those are some of my ramblings that I have to contribute. 🙂
Kitty Atchison Crary: I was married to a man who grew up in a family with a mean drunk as a dad. My husband was dead set against drinking as a result, which probably influences my actions today. I also agree with Jeremy's reasoning about causing others to stumble. That said, I do not condemn anyone who chooses to drink responsibly.
Eric Robert Lee: Wow! Check this out. 10% isn't all that small of a number.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/rele.../2014/06/140627140042.htm
One in 10 deaths among working-age adults in U.S. due to excessive drinking, report finds. SCIENCEDAILY.COM
