Of all the arguments made by religious teetotalers, this is probably the silliest. The very idea that there existed some kind of distinction between fermented (strong drink) and unfermente drink has no historical basis at all.
Further, do you REALLY think that the city of Denver cares much about what glorifies Jesus Christ, even if your thing about "strong drink" were true? Civil law is to refrain and restrain wickedness, not to create a pure society. Divorce was permitted under the Mosaic code, yet remains one of the most destructive elements of any society.
Unbelievers are really not very impressed with our teetotalling morality, any more than they are impressed with the moral scruples of a Hindu vegan who won't eat meat because it might be Uncle Henry.
Just an aside. During a time when our society was WAY WAY WAY more influenced by the gospel (the era immediately after the Great Awakening) under the preaching of George Whitfield, Johathan Edwards, Frelinhuysen, Samuel Davies, Shubal Stearns, and Deveraux Jarrett, it was common for preachers to BE PAID IN CORN WHISKEY. These men who shook a continent for God would have been amused a the idea that someone thought alcohol inherently sinful.
Smoking pot is a different kettle of fish, but alot of the principles are the same.
Calling me names does not endear me to your position. Slandering and demeaning one through name calling is not necessarily virtuous. But that I do not mind, other that the saying that there has been no historical basis at all of folks discussing strong drink and intoxication. It has been an issue in society for generations. Prohibition, which is widely denigrated, was a huge discussion in its time.
The abuse of alcohol and other substances has produced more deaths, more family breakups and more poverty than one would imagine. I personally have seen a dead person on the road from alcohol and I personally know of a least three personal acquaintances who lost their marriages and families through substance abuse.
The scriptures bring light upon this dark subject and the believing of them can free thousands from substance abuse slavery. This is why I've spend my time on this thread in the hopes that even one person, trapped in the slavery and substance abuse may call upon the name of the Lord and be delivered from addiction and the dementia that swirls around this subject.
It is caring, to care for one's fellow man. Jesus, on dealing with the Pharisees, on the issue of good works on the Sabbath day referred to the law on delivering a donkey from a pit on the Sabbath day and asked them if a man was worth more than a donkey? Is a man worth more than a donkey to you? Is it a worthwhile task to stand in the gap against vice and show deliverance from slavery? But before I leave you, to that question, I leave you with one more scripture; again thanking you all on this thread for bringing up the subject and the opportunity for addressing it, for perhaps the benefits of hundreds if not thousand. For believing one peace of scripture can benefit one for their entire lives and their entire lives to come. Thus I leave you with this little proverb:
Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler,And whoever is intoxicated by it is not wise.
Be wise, turn away from a lifestyle of intoxication and turn to the Lord Jesus Christ, place your life upon him. He alone has the power to deliver from addictions and degradations which are far worse than many think.