On the first point, I agree that some have already made up their mind. But I don't want my actions to be the reason why they justify in their mind it being okay.

 

Also on the first point, a good number of teenagers are LOOKING for reasons to say no to peer pressure. They are thrilled when their parents say no to things because it releases them from peer pressure. Along that line of thinking, I would hate to learn of a situation where a peer is pressuring a teen to drink and they say, "Hey, even LBBC drinks, we saw him at Pizza Hut the other night with a pitcher of beer."

 

Me drinking is not worth ONE KID making the call to drink because they think it is okay because I drink. Will that ever happen? Probably not, but it is not worth the risk to me.

 

Great post. I agree. That is how many kids look at it.

 

It is a personal choice that I am happy to make (or not make, as the case may be).

A point that is being missed is based on the norms of our society. Find me one person that believes that it is wrong for a husband and wife to have sex (with each other!). However, there are many, many people that believe that it is wrong to use alcohol (a sin). Somewhere along the way, alcohol is abused and alcoholism rises.

 

There are other societies/cultures in which alcohol is a completely accepted. As a result, alcohol abuse/alcoholism is not as much of a problem.

 

One last thing. What we show the kids is part of the issue. If you drink in public then there is a possibility that students may see you. Some have argued the point that students "know" that married couples have sex - but they don't see it (under normal circumstances).

I think a better way to word that is "it is wrong to abuse alchohol (a sin)."

 

Imagine a world where NO ADULT would sell or provide alcohol to teenagers. Would there be a teenage drinking problem. Teenagers are going to model the behavior they witness and deem "fun." So if an adult they like is participating in some behavior, they are more likely to participate in that behavior. That is simple logic.

 

We see it with what they wear, how they act and where they spend their money in what music groups they listen to, what actors they watch and the sports figures they idolize.

I think a better way to word that is "it is wrong to abuse alchohol (a sin)."

 

Imagine a world where NO ADULT would sell or provide alcohol to teenagers. Would there be a teenage drinking problem. Teenagers are going to model the behavior they witness and deem "fun." So if an adult they like is participating in some behavior, they are more likely to participate in that behavior. That is simple logic.

 

We see it with what they wear, how they act and where they spend their money in what music groups they listen to, what actors they watch and the sports figures they idolize.

 

On the other hand, countries with much more liberal drinking laws, where teenagers have the legal ability to buy alcohol, don't have the "teenage drinking problem" we have here.

There is a difference between spouses having sex and unmarried, teenagers having sex.

You're right.

 

Just like it's completely different for an adult 21 years or older to have a drink then it is for a teenager.

On the other hand, countries with much more liberal drinking laws, where teenagers have the legal ability to buy alcohol, don't have the "teenage drinking problem" we have here.

I would like to see those stats and then do they have more serious drug problems.

On the other hand, countries with much more liberal drinking laws, where teenagers have the legal ability to buy alcohol, don't have the "teenage drinking problem" we have here.

Of course, if we are going with stats, I would assume that we can find one that would support the statement that countries with strong poverty issues have lower teenage drinking problems. I would assume that some African countries have little to no teenage drinking problem.

The bolded part makes me think that maybe I am around very different teenagers than you! I have heard some students mentioning being uncomfortable in situations where they saw a teacher drinking, even though he (the teacher) was in now way drunk. They seem to have this innate (sp?) sense of what is right and what is wrong.

 

I guess that means that I feel that drinking is wrong, at least how it is portrayed in our society where alcoholism is rampant.

 

Why is it wrong for an adult to have a drink? I'm sorry but in this situation the teenager is the one with a problem, not the teacher. If a teacher wants to have a glass of wine with his/her dinner at a restaurant then he/she should regardless of the feelings of any students that MAY be uncomfortable.

A point that is being missed is based on the norms of our society. Find me one person that believes that it is wrong for a husband and wife to have sex (with each other!). However, there are many, many people that believe that it is wrong to use alcohol (a sin). Somewhere along the way, alcohol is abused and alcoholism rises.

 

There are other societies/cultures in which alcohol is a completely accepted. As a result, alcohol abuse/alcoholism is not as much of a problem.

 

One last thing. What we show the kids is part of the issue. If you drink in public then there is a possibility that students may see you. Some have argued the point that students "know" that married couples have sex - but they don't see it (under normal circumstances).

 

1. It doesn't matter what the norms of society are in this debate.

2. Unless you think alcohol consumption is a sin, your comparison is moot.

3. IMO the argument that kids don't "see it" is not very strong. Again, thats IMO.

 

However, since I'm not going to convince you or LBBC , lets slightly change the topic.

 

A teen says to an you "I want to have sex with my girlfriend/boyfriend." Steering clear of the biblical argument which is obvious, what else do you say to them in order to dissuade them? Lets assume they're not your child so you can't lay the "because I said so" line on them. What is your explanation as to why its OK for adults and not kids?

Why is it wrong for an adult to have a drink? I'm sorry but in this situation the teenager is the one with a problem, not the teacher. If a teacher wants to have a glass of wine with his/her dinner at a restaurant then he/she should regardless of the feelings of any students that MAY be uncomfortable.

Not a normal feeling for a teacher to act with no regard for their students. Teachers are not normally wired that way. Probably the reason why we take thousands of less dollars in pay that we could make in the private world to teach.

1. It doesn't matter what the norms of society are in this debate.

2. Unless you think alcohol consumption is a sin, your comparison is moot.

3. IMO the argument that kids don't "see it" is not very strong. Again, thats IMO.

 

However, since I'm not going to convince you or LBBC , lets slightly change the topic.

 

A teen says to an you "I want to have sex with my girlfriend/boyfriend." Steering clear of the biblical argument which is obvious, what else do you say to them in order to dissuade them? Lets assume they're not your child so you can't lay the "because I said so" line on them. What is your explanation as to why its OK for adults and not kids?

Responsibility of raising a child would be my first argument and I have had that discussion many, many times with students.

 

Spouses are SUPPOSED to be committed to each other. Boyfriends/girlfriends change as often as ring tones.

I think God wants us to be prudent in our actions, but if more Christians were as concerned about what comes out of their mouths (negativity, gossip, cutting words, etc.) as what goes in them, then the Kingdom would be bettered.

Outstanding point. :thumb:

Why would anyone that is a believer do something that would bring reproach upon Christ Jesus

When in the book of proverbs 23:31 it says THOU SHALL NOT LOOK upon the wine when it has turned red...with a little research one can find the meaning to be once it has fermented, dont even look at it.

What part about this do people not understand?

Drinking, Drunkeness, whatever, however you want to split hairs on it..is wrong not because Big Bubba thinks so but because God's Word teaches us that it is wrong, The marriage at Cana, and the mircale at Cana..who knows if it was in God's will or not. Just because God performed a miracle doesnt necessarily mean that is what He wanted to do. Study the passage very carefully. Sometimes God answers our prayers, not because it is what is best but because we keep praying and we change His mind. Have you ever heard the saying be careful for what you ask because you might just get it. Whoever thinks that because Jesus turned water into win makes it okay to socially drink is just being fooled and deceived by the enemy. It is a proven fact that gambling and alcohol ruins lives.

Why would anyone that is a believer do something that would bring reproach upon Christ Jesus

When in the book of proverbs 23:31 it says THOU SHALL NOT LOOK upon the wine when it has turned red...with a little research one can find the meaning to be once it has fermented, dont even look at it.

What part about this do people not understand?

Drinking, Drunkeness, whatever, however you want to split hairs on it..is wrong not because Big Bubba thinks so but because God's Word teaches us that it is wrong, The marriage at Cana, and the mircale at Cana..who knows if it was in God's will or not. Just because God performed a miracle doesnt necessarily mean that is what He wanted to do. Study the passage very carefully. Sometimes God answers our prayers, not because it is what is best but because we keep praying and we change His mind. Have you ever heard the saying be careful for what you ask because you might just get it. Whoever thinks that because Jesus turned water into win makes it okay to socially drink is just being fooled and deceived by the enemy. It is a proven fact that gambling and alcohol ruins lives.

Explain Jesus turning water into wine. Not only wine but the very best wine.

 

And then the smart alec in me wonders if white wine is then acceptable.

Outstanding point. :thumb:

 

 

Amen to that!

I just want to add that I personally do not judge people that drink, have pre-martial sex or whatever. I have enough on my own plate to handle but I do my very best to live according to God's Word. Saying drinking is a sin is not passing judgement on those that do it.