Focus on the Family Liquor Cabinet

Razormouth: cutting-edge Christianity ^ | Friday, February 22, 2002 | Jamey Bennett

[SamAdams76]

Trappist (monk) ales are some of my favorite beers. If I remember correctly, the monks would brew an especially strong brew for themselves that would sustain them during fasts. As well, the Catholic Church has used wine in their rituals for hundreds of years.

[southern rock]

Having grown up in a home where my Dad had a drinking problem, I am glad for every limiting factor there was.

Pay close attention folks. This is why we are losing our freedom in America. Legislation based on personal experience is becoming the norm.

"It happened to me, so I must stop it from happening to anyone else."

[SamAdams76]

I hear what you are saying. Whenever a tragedy occurs these days, there always seems to be a kneejerk reaction to "legislate the problem away." A few years ago in my neighborhood, a child was run over by his own father in the driveway. It was a horrible tragedy. The child was playing directly behind the vehicle and the father jumped in, started the engine and ran him right over as he backed into the street. Sure enough, some of the kneejerk town board members decided that some kind of new law had to be passed to prevent this from happening in the future. They actually proposed to make it illegal to pull into your driveway. Instead, you had to BACKUP into your driveway so that you could see what was in front of you before pulling out. They even suggested that policemen could go around writing up parking tickets to residents that were parked in their driveway illegally (facing forward). Fortunately they didn't get very far, which is surprising, considering this is Massachusetts and such silly laws are passed on nearly a daily basis around here. There is another town nearby that used to ban butter at restaurants and mandated margarine be used instead. What's ironic is that it was later proven that margarine is worse for you then butter!

Anyway, I feel empathy for those who have experienced alchoholism or have alcoholism in the family. While I will be the first one to boost the health benefits of moderate drinking, I realize that some people (who are prone to alcoholism) are better off not drinking at all. Yet that should be a personal choice and not a government mandated one.

[southern rock]

Right. It just seems that nobody in America wants to simply mourn a death, get over an accident, or put some tough breaks behind them anymore. Nowadays, it seems that some type of legislation has to go with these events to make those left behind or those suffering "feel better".

Hence we have Carolyn McCarthy stripping me of my rights because she wouldn't know what to do with herself otherwise.

People just don't get it anymore. I guess it is because we have become so far removed from our constitution and the vision of our founding fathers. But I find it utterly pathetic that there are people on a supposedly conservative website who feel it is totally justified for government to limit free speech because their dad was an alchoholic.

[southern rock]

I am also glad there was limits on gambling. If the lottery existed then, he would have lost the farm.
If you make it easy for people to do it, they will do it, if you make it hard, they won't.

I mean seriously, can you believe the mentality here? No accounting for personal responsibility, no blaming of the actual person with the problems. Just an all out advocating of government, nanny-state control to save people from themselves.

[SERE_DOC]

[Hacksaw]

Didn't Jesus turn water into wine? Hmmmmm

No, he turned it into beer.

[Dumb_Ox]

For the past 200 years Americans have been told that the Bible forbids drinking alcoholic beverages. Not so. By careful lexical, exegetical and theological examination, Kenneth L. Gentry concludes that Scripture allows wine to be consumed both for health and pleasure—but in moderation.

"Breaking News: Wine served at Last Supper!"

[RnMomof7]

I belong to the same demnonation as Dobson. Members do not smoke,drink or gamble.It is a "holiness" church.I am also a former alcohol and drug counselor , However I would however take issue with him on this ..drinking is not a sin..abuse of Alcohol is. There is a big difference. I have made a choice not to drink or smoke for health and religious reasons.

He is wrong on this. America allows people to worship as they please and this is a religious issue to me.

[RnMomof7]

Oppps make that denomination :>)

[TomSmedley]

He is wrong on this.

For the record, I love James Dobson for the good work he has done in so many family-related issues. Our kids grew up on "Adventures in Odyssey," for example, and acquired an appreciation for real excellence in the medium of radio. Dr. Dobson has been and is right on the vast majority of other issues, and worthy of appreciation. I suspect that, three centuries from now, his work will prove to have had more enduring value than Billy Graham's.

[RnMomof7]

For the record, I love James Dobson for the good work he has done in so many family-related issues. Our kids grew up on "Adventures in Odyssey," for example, and acquired an appreciation for real excellence in the medium of radio. Dr. Dobson has been and is right on the vast majority of other issues, and worthy of appreciation. I suspect that, three centuries from now, his work will prove to have had more enduring value than Billy Graham's.

I believe you are correct..but I do have some difference with him. He has compromised a bit ..But all in all his has been a fruitful ministry

[riley1992]

I am sorry to hear you had to grow up like that but for you to promote denying all other individuals of having drinks if they choose is simply wrong all over the place. Your father had a problem. The rest of society should not have to pay for that.

[Ben Chad]

After being baptized with American beer, the German stuff is like drinking motor oil.

[gortklattu]

uhhh....no thank you. I have lived in Colorado Springs for over 20 years, met Dobson, toured his facilities, chatted with him, etc. I know about Kevin Tobedo's proposition that was designed to be anti-gay and unconstitutional in order to thwart the gays moving into Colorado Springs, then the courting of Christian groups to move in.

I know far more about Dobson and his business ventures than you have assumed. Your minimizing Dobson's property is weak. He follows Je$u$, takes the funds, and builds beyond what is necessary. I guess the "Show" makes him more and more money. In all fairness, the Catholics are worse. Why is it that religions like to flaunt wealth?

Another question: Why is Glen Eyre restricted to religious fundamentalists? It's a historic spot, and the zelots have taken it over!

Have you ever considered how Dobson has hurt his causes?

I am against religious professionalism. It reminds me of a professional sex person. Not much difference, except the prostitutes can prove their premise.

Dobson's Focus and the Family reminds me of the Russian's copy of the B-29 bomber, but Dobson copied the Mormons. At least he should give them the credit they deserve! Aren't there mirrors at Dobson's?

[gortklattu]

You're drinking the wrong stuff. There are many light beers, some even lighter than the US versions. It's the flavor. If you're ever in Nurnburg, try Tucher Siechen, and excellent light beer.

I don't like darker beers either.

[gortklattu]

The smaller towns have their own breweries, that's where you find the good stuff. The only big-town bier that I liked was Tucher Siechen out of Nurnburg.

Some things amaze me. Bad Windsheim has a great home-town brew, but go to Rothenburg Ob Der Tauber, only 15 miles away (a big tourist town), and you'll find their Landwehr Brau will gag you. Bavaria has the good beers, but go west to the wine country and you'll have trouble getting a better beer.

I really didn't like the Pauly/Lowenbrau/Munchen stuff. The small town beers are superlative....most of the time.

[SamAdams76]

Not all German beer is like motor oil. Many German beers are just as light as American beers, but they are much more flavorful and nutritious. In fact, when I am in the mood for something crisp and refreshing, I go to pilsners and lagers of Germany and Czech Republic. Pilsner Urquell from Czech Republic, the world's orginal pilsner, is probably the most delicious and refreshing beer I have ever had in that class. Great on a hot summer day (or any other time of year). Puts the American beers to shame and I'm afraid it's even better than my favorite American brew - Sam Adams Boston Lager.

When I'm in the mood for something dark, I go for Samuel Smith's Oatmeal Stout (from England). Now that is a beer that looks like motor oil. But it is absolutely delicious and is almost a meal in itself.