Focus on the Family Liquor Cabinet

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

[TomSmedley]

James Dobson's crusade against TV ads for booze is misdirected

For years, Dr. James Dobson's Focus on the Family has been a ministry dedicated to the preservation of the Christian family. In the course of its mission, it has often advocated, in the name of the family, boycotting various television shows, networks and companies, especially Disney. Its latest boycott is of television network NBC and parent company General Electric.1 The reason? NBC is now airing hard liquor ads. Oh, the sinister evil.

After a 50-year voluntary ban on liquor advertisements, NBC has decided to lift the ban and enjoy the show. The ads would begin airing at 8 p.m., central time. Dr. Dobson is "extremely concerned" about this new action, and is convinced that the initial ban "protected kids to some degree at least, from manipulative liquor ads that would entice their young minds and, for that matter, entice older people."

To help think through the "tough" issues of the day, recently Dobson had alongside him his protégé, John Fuller, as well as big government Republican Rep. Frank Wolf from Virginia. Fuller, says Dobson, has "consistently fought for moral values and the family in the Congress," valiantly battling the evils of gambling and porn.

According to the cast of characters, these "manipulative ads" are "another snake in the grass" and the result of "raw, unbridled corporate greed." These greedy corporations, say Dobson and Co., are going to cause a great moral upheaval in our country. Catching a bad case of the slippery slope, Wolf predicted that if NBC continues airing these ads, it will not be long before they are seen "on all the shows" and all the networks, which will lead kids into premarital sex and drunk driving (Whoa! Did I miss something?). Within two years, says Wolf, you'll be seeing these ads at sporting events such as the Olympics with "former ball players" (not current ones?) advertising hard liquor. "I think it will bring about a lot more death, Jim."

Curse that deathly evil bottle. Curse every milliliter of it.

"Even though the ban is voluntary," says Fuller, "I've got a teen and a pre-teen son at home, and this makes me angry because this is obviously motivated by corporate greed, a desire to put the money in, without any regard to the consequences to the viewers and the people who are affected by those who drink that hard liquor."

There's a little problem in the logic here. Focus on the Family apparently believes that ads which say "Drink Responsibly"—at least those are the only ones that I've seen on NBC so far—are going to cause your children to have sex and die. Whoa, Dobson, whoa. What about parental responsibility and education of children? What about parents teaching their kids right and wrong?

Whatever happened to focusing on your family liquor cabinet? After all, mine is quite all right.

Dobson thinks that the real solution to all our liquor ad problems is to boycott General Electric and NBC. God-fearing families should "bombard NBC and GE with telephone calls … absolutely bury them in complaints." Yeah, and tell 'em Jesus sent ya when you call.

To most outsiders, Christians are the folks who don't drink, don't cuss, and don't have much fun. Oh yeah, and did I mention Christians don't drink? It's hard enough being a Christian in America with the stands that the Bible demands we make. But by the grace of God, I can handle that. If God said it, well bummer if I take heat for it.

The problem I have is when we start making our little clubhouse rules of all our taboos and things that we don't do, even if Scripture nowhere denounces the things that we do. We're known as the goody guys who don't do this and don't do that, yet how many outsiders can tell us what Christians really stand for? And even if they could say that, how many outsiders can say they've ever seen us live what we stand for?

Instead of rallying the troops for battle, Dobson's listeners should be encouraged to instruct their children in thinking biblically about all of life, including alcohol and its proper use. Children should be taught both the Bible's warnings about alcohol abuse and the its praise of alcohol. Employing a Christian worldview in all of life is much more important than focusing on why bumming bottled booze is bad.

But we'd rather spend our time on the phone with a minimum wage employee of General Electric—who couldn't care less about the so-called evils of the bottle—than spend our time with our kids instructing them to think biblically.

In his critique of the Religious Right, Cal Thomas rightly notes, "Only God has all the truth. To the extent that we quote him accurately, we are loaned this truth. But when we begin adding things to his agenda, we diminish his truth and are onto something else entirely."2 Once again, Dobson thinks he has God's agenda figured out, and a million fingers will be dialing GE and NBC demanding a removal of these inherently evil ads.

But how can the ads be inherently evil if the actual product is not?

As Ken Gentry notes, "the biblical record frequently and clearly speaks of alcoholic beverages as good gifts from God for man's enjoyment."3 In Deuteronomy 14:22-26, the people of Israel were instructed to set aside a tithe for celebration and rejoicing. There, God tells them to "spend the money for whatever [their] heart desires, for oxen, or sheep, or wine, or strong drink." This, says Moses, is to be done rejoicing with the whole household, and "in the presence of the LORD your God." Teaching children the value of doing all things in the presence of God is going to go much farther in the long run than any boycotts ever will.

"Here comes another, uhh, you know, problem for parents to deal with," says Dobson.

"Train up a child, uhh, you know, and he will not depart from it," says God.

Notes

1. Focus on the Family Radio Broadcast, Jan. 31, 2002.
2. Cal Thomas and Ed Dobson, Blinded by Might: Why the Religious Right Can't Save America. (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1999), 124.
3. Kenneth L. Gentry, Jr., God Gave Wine (Lincoln: Oakdown, 2001), 147. See Gentry's helpful discussion on the biblical term for "strong drink," 59-62. Also, check out the website.

[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.