tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4777750410141759635.post-53771740678005350102007-09-17T12:02:00.000-04:002007-09-17T12:02:00.000-04:002007-09-17T12:02:00.000-04:00My position is very close to that articulated by Mark Osgatharp. However, I'd make a small distinction: teetotalism did not just grow out of the "same liberal social movements that spawned feminism" nor is <I>19th century</I> liberalism all that similar to the reactionary totalitarianism that goes by the label "liberalism" today. Teetotalism was a very arational, <I>emotional</I> response to the abuse of alcohol in much the same arational, emotional response that someone has when hating beer because an abusive drinker killed a family member. I, too, have had a close family member killed by a drunk driver, but I placed the responsibility for the killing squarely where it belonged--on the driver--rather then on the substance abused.<BR/><BR/>As to "hat[ing] beer" because of its physical characteristics--the appearance and smell, 2 observations: condemning its use by all because of ones personal taste is silly and immoral. Yes, immoral. And... I, too, despised the smell and taste of beer, "back in the day" when all I had to go by was American mass-produced "water filtered through a Clydesdale" type of pseudo beer.<BR/><BR/>"...my personal view is that I can find no redeeming qualities in beer..."<BR/><BR/>Well, you've not looked very hard, I'd say. <A HREF="http://www.thirdworldcounty.us/?p=3204" REL="nofollow"><B>Here</B></A> are just a few redeeming qualities--and not just redeeming, downright positive health benefits!--of beer.<BR/><BR/>As to the slanted rhetorical question, "[W]hen Jesus comes, will he be drinking a beer?" I'd like to hazzard an answer. Probably not, as He'll be busy with other things at the time and might well need His hands free. But as soon as the busywork is done, I'll be sure to extend an invitation for Him to drop by the lil mansion He's prepared for me for a backyard barbeque and... a beer, if He wishes.<BR/><BR/>Condemn beer because of those who abuse it and because of personal taste? Might as well condemn preaching because of the (MANY) who abuse the pulpit and because of the (again, MANY) who are such poor expositors that they offend the tastes of those who expect those who are called to preach to at least not make the Gospel sound like idiocy to those who believe.<BR/><BR/>Wait. Maybe there is something to this anti-beer position after all...Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09963723435723078770noreply@blogger.com