Being a Christian and being around people who drink. (Full Version)

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StephenJ -> Being a Christian and being around people who drink. (7/6/2008 4:58:20 AM)

So this has come up recently in my life and I was curious about what everyone else thought.

I've never really had the desire to drink beer or any alcoholic beverage. It's not that I haven't had the opportunity to drink (I've lived in a college college dorm [;)]), but I just had no desire to. In fact I'm a bit of an anomaly among my peers for that reason. They've wondered if it has to do with my Christianity or something else. I told them that while I don't think it's neccicerily wrong for Christians to drink non-excesively (Jesus and the water to wine thing) but I'm not really that into it. By law I could if I want to, I'm over the legal drinking age...but I guess it just doesn't appeal to me.

The thing is though that when I hang out with my classmates/friends, they usually do drink. That bothers my mother who, while telling me that I can make my own decisions on this issue, has assured me that she wouldn't do it in my place. The thing is though that it doesn't bother me at all. As long as my others don't force their drinking on me, I'm okay with being around people who are drinking. Does that make me weird? Has my conscience somehow become seared or something? I'd like to think that I'm just secure, but then who knows maybe there is something wrong with my faith and Im not a "salty" enough believer. I guess I think about the whole friendship with the world=emnity with God thing.

I'm curious to hear what everyone thinks about Christians accompnying friends to bars or clubs either as a designated driver or just to hang out.

Later, and thanks everyone.
Stephen.



FurGodWurLivin -> RE: Being a Christian and being around people who drink. (7/6/2008 6:16:22 AM)

You know what, in my last house, a couple of my roommates drank. Not heavily, mind you... I can only think of once that he was starting to slur a little and he stopped. Too much wine in one sitting. Your friends aren't stealing your soul by drinking, even when you are around. In fact, I can almost guarantee you that if Jesus was a young adult today and had a cell phone, he would have been more than happy to be a designated driver if someone had had too much. It's called servanthood and humility.

Unless you are wanting to specifically delve into the morality of alchohol in general, you sound like you are doing fine. And to put you at ease a little bit, that verse about "friendship with the world" is talking about buying into the spirit of the age (materialism, greed, excess, lust, that kind of thing) and not hanging out with unsaved people. If it was the other way around, I couldn't have a job with my current employer.

Adam



Qtman -> RE: Being a Christian and being around people who drink. (7/6/2008 8:39:13 AM)

I agree with the above post. I do not drink. It is a personal choice not a sin issue. I do not believe drinking in moderation is wrong. I definitely do not think you are doing anything wrong by associating with friends who drink. You are just fine.



drmark -> RE: Being a Christian and being around people who drink. (7/6/2008 9:00:18 AM)

I am also 100% alcohol abstinent for numerous reasons that have nothing to do with my salvation. In my profession, I lecture frequently in small groups where alcohol is imbibed, although almost never to excess. I have on rare occasion been able to use my abstinence as a witnessing tool for those few who ask about my personal life. Perhaps you may have similar opportunities in the future, StephenJ. However, I would urge you not to forget 1 Cor 15:33 - Do not be misled: "Bad company corrupts good character."



car2ner -> RE: Being a Christian and being around people who drink. (7/6/2008 9:00:26 AM)

Excellent question and the Holy Spirit will have to be your guide. He can nudge you into letting you know if you partying friends are getting too far over the line. Just make sure to listen to Him.

If you just cross you fingers and refuse to associate with them because of a few beers, then they will say, "you're just one of them christians and you're judging us". I have heard about this often hanging out with theater folks after shows. They were having a margaritta or a beer. I had ice-coffee because I was driving. They would spill about being judged and feeling guilty, etc. They could talk to me because I didn't come down on them. But then again, I had to draw a line when a too much libation made way for liscenious behavior. Because I had listened to them earlier, they respected me for not taking part in the rowdier behaviors.



Covaan_Meshuga -> RE: Being a Christian and being around people who drink. (7/6/2008 2:29:15 PM)

I completely agree with Adam (FurGodWurLivin). [:D] Is this a first? [;)]

But he is so on the money with his answer.

I have an extreme aversion to the taste of alcohol, so I don't do alcoholic drinks, but my L-rd drank wine, for sure. He was the best wine-maker in the world! But I have NEVER had wine that was even palatable. I have tried at Passover seders and other biblical observances, until I gave up. I just don't bother anymore. Furthermore, I have an ailment that makes alcohol EXTREMELY unhealthy for me. So my husband and I bring our own bottles to all religious celebrations and weddings -- either grape juice or sparkling grape (or cranberry) juice.

Sweetheart, beer stinks. And it tastes like last year's dishwater while it stinks. In fact, I think all booze stinks, and if something stinks and tastes nasty, why ingest it? If something stinks and tastes bad, the only reason left to use it is to get a buzz, and the Bible is clear that we are not to get drunk.



SovereignIsHe -> RE: Being a Christian and being around people who drink. (7/6/2008 2:51:27 PM)

We are told not to hang with fornicators... So what makes hanging with drunkards ok?

John



9drtr -> RE: Being a Christian and being around people who drink. (7/6/2008 3:07:10 PM)

Fornication is specifically prohibited; alcohol consumption is not.



rcjames -> RE: Being a Christian and being around people who drink. (7/6/2008 3:15:24 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: StephenJ
I'm curious to hear what everyone thinks about Christians accompnying friends to bars or clubs either as a designated driver or just to hang out.


I can think of no reason a Christian should hang around bars or clubs, the excuse of designater driver is not valid as the DD can hold the keys to the car and pick up the drunks when they page.

Why would a Christian hang out with someone whi is practicing sin (if they need a designated driver; then they are drunk and sinning}

Now should a Christian not eat with someone who has a glass or two of wine with dinner, or one or two beers at a cook out; I can think of no reason why not.

Drinking alcohol is not a sin; drunkedness is/

Thanks
RC



SovereignIsHe -> RE: Being a Christian and being around people who drink. (7/6/2008 3:31:07 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: 9drtr

Fornication is specifically prohibited; alcohol consumption is not.


I didn't say drinking, but being a drunk... Being a drunk is specifically prohibited...

John



StephenJ -> RE: Being a Christian and being around people who drink. (7/6/2008 3:44:34 PM)

Thanks for the insight everyone. I'm curious for the people who don't think it's okay to hang out with people who drink. What do you think about the context of Christ's first miracle? Even more what do you think of the fact that the religious leaders for some reason thought of Jesus as a friend of drunkards and people who drank to much wine?



9drtr -> RE: Being a Christian and being around people who drink. (7/6/2008 3:46:16 PM)

So I shouldn't have hung out with my father?



SovereignIsHe -> RE: Being a Christian and being around people who drink. (7/6/2008 4:06:50 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: StephenJ

Thanks for the insight everyone. I'm curious for the people who don't think it's okay to hang out with people who drink. What do you think about the context of Christ's first miracle? Even more what do you think of the fact that the religious leaders for some reason thought of Jesus as a friend of drunkards and people who drank to much wine?


The religious leaders were looking for any reason to accuse Christ... They even perverted justice in order to do so regarding the woman brought to Christ regarding adultry...

John



1970rodney -> RE: Being a Christian and being around people who drink. (7/6/2008 4:21:03 PM)

My grandpa use to say " You have to do 55 mph to get to 65 mph" So you gotta drink a little in order to drink a lot. The wine that Jesus made from the water and the wine they drank in those days was not of the same alcoholic content as today. Now you can't just up and shun your friends but I believe that God doesn't want Christians to partake of alcohol period. So you ask God about hanging with your friends. But be careful where you hang out because it's a mighty thin line that you might be walking there. I told my friends that I don't want to be around the stuff. Some are still my friends and they respect my position and some are not. But either way I took a stand against it and believe I planted some seeds of goodness. Those that reject you because you stand against wrong or sin, are the very ones who will come to you asking you to pray when they experience the hardships of this life.



SovereignIsHe -> RE: Being a Christian and being around people who drink. (7/6/2008 4:35:58 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: 9drtr

So I shouldn't have hung out with my father?


From your previous post it seems you wouldn't hang with fornicators. And its clear there is a discernable difference between one who enjoys a glass of wine and one who only drinks to see the bottom of the bottle...

John



FurGodWurLivin -> RE: Being a Christian and being around people who drink. (7/6/2008 8:28:11 PM)

Covaan... I think that is a first. I guess a broken watch is still right at least twice, eh?



Covaan_Meshuga -> RE: Being a Christian and being around people who drink. (7/6/2008 8:33:22 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: FurGodWurLivin
Covaan... I think that is a first. I guess a broken watch is still right at least twice, eh?

Yeah! I think it's great! I love it!

So which one of us is the broken watch?

Uh, don't answer that! [:D]



Liveloved -> RE: Being a Christian and being around people who drink. (7/6/2008 8:51:01 PM)

Adam did a great job dealing with your questions. You sound like you're doing fine---don't let others lead you astray. Be led by the Holy Spirit.

Be led by love---Jesus was. He asks you to be as well.[:)] LL



Stephanos -> RE: Being a Christian and being around people who drink. (7/6/2008 9:51:26 PM)

If I had friends who drank, I would have no problem with being out with them. In fact, I would jump at the chance to be their Designated Driver. Doing so in love and care for my friends. Truly what kind of friend would not want to do that?



SonInMe1 -> RE: Being a Christian and being around people who drink. (7/7/2008 12:04:11 AM)

So. your young, male and out with your drinking buddies. This very attractive girl comes up and offers to buy you a drink. You refuse. She hangs around and is very interested in you and you are having a good time with her...and she keeps asking you to drink.

You just might be tempted to drink.

I am sure there are other scenerios as well but hanging around people who drink, a lot, is definitely a temptation.

I can see doing it once in a while. Being light in the darkness. Its not bad to shine some light in a bar once in a while. Have a soda and engage people. If we have to totally seperate ourselves from sinners...

we would be isolated and very lonely. We are not to love the ways of the world, no question but we are called to love our enemies. I am not sure hanging out with them...all the time...at bars is a good thing but I could see it once in a while.

A bar should be an uncomfortable place for a christian. It ain't church. Its very probably an anti-church situation...

and I can't think of a place that needs christians anymore.

I remember the scene in Sister Act when Whoopi's charactor goes next door to a bar to listen to some music..dressed as a nun. Two of her "nunmates" follow her and after some interaction with the biker patrons, they leave.

When they do one biker leans over and tells another biker, " If this becomes a nun's bar I'm leavin"

classic.



blueshadow -> RE: Being a Christian and being around people who drink. (7/7/2008 1:34:32 AM)

There's absolutely nothing wrong with drinking, provided you're over the legal drinking age and are preferably not the one who's driving everyone home. I currently don't drink at all because I'm under the legal drinking age and would rather not break the law even when I know I could get away with it.

The problem I've run into, though, is that my friends who drink all do so in order to get drunk. There are several Scriptures which speak against drunkenness and alcoholics. Besides that, when people get drunk they tend to do stupid things they would not otherwise do, or worse they don't remember what they've been doing. I don't want to put myself in that position, and I don't want to be around drunk people, so I don't go to parties involving alcohol.

I would consider being a designated driver, but I would probably get way too fed up with any drunk people I ran into. I don't want to put myself in that situation either. If the people I was with were just drinking, though, it wouldn't be an issue and I would have no problem being around them or even joining in once I'm old enough.



SovereignIsHe -> RE: Being a Christian and being around people who drink. (7/7/2008 1:39:17 AM)

If Christians can hang with drunks they can hang with the following...

Fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with men, thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners,



SovereignIsHe -> RE: Being a Christian and being around people who drink. (7/7/2008 1:41:06 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: SonInMe1

So. your young, male and out with your drinking buddies. This very attractive girl comes up and offers to buy you a drink. You refuse. She hangs around and is very interested in you and you are having a good time with her...and she keeps asking you to drink.

You just might be tempted to drink.

I am sure there are other scenerios as well but hanging around people who drink, a lot, is definitely a temptation.

I can see doing it once in a while. Being light in the darkness. Its not bad to shine some light in a bar once in a while. Have a soda and engage people. If we have to totally seperate ourselves from sinners...

we would be isolated and very lonely. We are not to love the ways of the world, no question but we are called to love our enemies. I am not sure hanging out with them...all the time...at bars is a good thing but I could see it once in a while.

A bar should be an uncomfortable place for a christian. It ain't church. Its very probably an anti-church situation...

and I can't think of a place that needs christians anymore.

I remember the scene in Sister Act when Whoopi's charactor goes next door to a bar to listen to some music..dressed as a nun. Two of her "nunmates" follow her and after some interaction with the biker patrons, they leave.

When they do one biker leans over and tells another biker, " If this becomes a nun's bar I'm leavin"

classic.


I guess what Hustler really needs is some Christians on the staff...

John



Covaan_Meshuga -> RE: Being a Christian and being around people who drink. (7/7/2008 1:51:53 AM)

Wasn't it the owner of Hustler that claimed to have "accepted the L-rd" in the '80s or so? And the owner of rights to the NIV also owns porno. Has nothing to do with driving home drunk friends, so they won't kill themselves, but I do find those thoughts interesting.

But Sovereign, according to what I have read on CW written by SOME, we should be welcoming the other persons you have mentioned into our places of worship and making them welcome there. I was put down a time or two by SOME for saying that they need to be saved then invited.



SovereignIsHe -> RE: Being a Christian and being around people who drink. (7/7/2008 1:56:39 AM)

quote:


ORIGINAL: Covaan_Meshuga

Wasn't it the owner of Hustler that claimed to have "accepted the L-rd" in the '80s or so? And the owner of rights to the NIV also owns porno. Has nothing to do with driving home drunk friends, so they won't kill themselves, but I do find those thoughts interesting.


Driving a drunk person home is one thing, being the driver so they can get wasted isn't being their friend...


quote:

But Sovereign, according to what I have read on CW written by SOME, we should be welcoming the other persons you have mentioned into our places of worship and making them welcome there. I was put down a time or two by SOME for saying that they need to be saved then invited.


The issue there is attendance vs membership...

John



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