[Republican Wildcat]

And the refusal to use alcohol as a beverage can and does impede our testimony, as one appears to non-believers as a holier-than-thou with a stick up one's rear

Sounds like you are doing exactly what you accuse others of doing with your wording of this sentence.

Moreover, the stuff killed my father and I grew up without him. Having a drink is not a sin, but there is no chance for alcoholism if the first drink is never taken. Therefore, I choose not to. Your claim that I'm a bad witness because I don't drink alcholic beverages is a stupid and outrageous thing to say.

[MeanWestTexan]

"Your claim that I'm a bad witness because I don't drink alcholic beverages is a stupid and outrageous thing to say."

I think your personal situation caused you to misread the post (which I agree was not artful). It was a reference to an entire group of people, in general, not a specific person(s) (such as yourself) who have legitimate reasons to avoid alcohol.