[Drew68]

The reason for not drinking until the age of 21 is because the liver is not fully developed until that age ... can't separate the alcohol from the blood thereby poisoning the body

With all due respect, that's simply not true.

[edweena]

Even if it were true (and I believe you are correct that it is not) there's no denying that alcohol, cigarettes, and soda pop all do lots and lots of damage to bodies of all ages that were designed for the hunter/gatherer life.

But we live in a country where we're supposed to have the freedom to make our own choices when we're 18, even they aren't "good" choices in the eyes of others. Driving drunk is not allowed because it endangers others besides the chooser.

It is completely absurd to send out young people with weapons to make life or death decisions in a split second and then argue they can't buy a six-pack of Coors. Simply absurd.

[SkyDancer]

ok, well I'm not a doctor either but it's what I learned from my rabbi - and according to him it's dietary reasons due to the fact of liver functions ... I took wine when I was eight, watered down, and half and half at twelve ... but the reasons are there from a biblical standpoint ... there are many dietary laws from the Talmud based on real physical reasons.

Other than that I'm not sure either way ...

Regards,
Jane