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Disclosure: I am a Presbyterian minister. Have been for a long time. I am also a beer drinker/snob. I agree with Ben Franklin's statement (apocryphal or otherwise) that "Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy."
Confession: I am deeply jealous of a colleague whose church is across the street from the Brickskeller in Washington, DC, where he holds a weekly Bible Study/gathering for congregants and others.
Here in Appalachia we are part of the "Bible Belt," which means, among other things, that the consumption of alcohol is a complicated issue. When it comes to the dominant organized religions of our area, the issue is simple - "No, nada, never!" (Except that true Appalachians wouldn't use even that much Spanish... ;-) When it comes to the contrarian culture of Appalachia (embodied in WV by our state motto - "Montaneri semper liberi" - Mountaineers are always free), nobody can tell us what to do or not to do. And in that context, the use of alcohol has a long and colorful history. West Virginia established its own prohibition law in 1914, six years in advance of the national amendment prohibiting the manufacture, sale, and use of alcohol. Dr. David J. Hanson notes that in addition to the religious organizers of the Temperance Movement, "One of the strongest supporters of Prohibition was the Ku Klux Klan." But there were plenty of other folks opposed to it, including labor unions who believed that it was an attempt to more easily control workers. He suggests that support for Prohibition eventually disintegrated for a number of reasons including lack of state tax revenues, but also because, "Bootleg alcohol was carelessly made and often contained creosote, lead toxins and even embalming fluid. Consumers sometimes suffered paralysis,blindness and painful death. This led some drinkers in the state to switch to opium, cocaine, hair tonic, sterno or 'liquid heat,' and other dangerous substances that they would have been unlikely to consume in the absence of Prohibition." (Hope none of you home-brewers are quite that, ummmm, "creative!") I'd bet that even today most of us in WV have tasted some kind of homemade liquor (and I'm not talking about home-brewed beer), some "shine" from a shady or unknown source.
With all those folks making, selling, and drinking illegal homebrewed liquor, one has to wonder if at least a few of them weren't part of one of the religious groups whose doctrines prohibited such activities...? Now don't get me wrong - I think there are all kinds of good reasons for some folks not to drink alcohol. Alcoholism and its many effects on families and the larger culture is a serious issue. I have several Baptist friends, and also a number of Muslim friends who all deny themselves any kind of alcohol based on religious faith. I respect their beliefs, but as with so many other issues, denying the rights to everyone for the sake of the religious beliefs of a few seems counter to some of the essential principles of our nation. (I'm guessing some may point out inconsistencies in this line of reasoning, and suspect I may get pasted over something having to do with health care, etc.)
I might go so far as to suggest that beer is part of my religious world structure. In a later article, I'll share kernels of pastoral conversations I've had over beers or in pubs that would likely never have occurred without the sharing of this element. Communion? In a way, yes. And if that makes me a heretic, so be it. I'd be in some pretty good company!
Next time: Gateway Beers: What Led You To Try the "Hard Stuff?"
Confession: I am deeply jealous of a colleague whose church is across the street from the Brickskeller in Washington, DC, where he holds a weekly Bible Study/gathering for congregants and others.
Here in Appalachia we are part of the "Bible Belt," which means, among other things, that the consumption of alcohol is a complicated issue. When it comes to the dominant organized religions of our area, the issue is simple - "No, nada, never!" (Except that true Appalachians wouldn't use even that much Spanish... ;-) When it comes to the contrarian culture of Appalachia (embodied in WV by our state motto - "Montaneri semper liberi" - Mountaineers are always free), nobody can tell us what to do or not to do. And in that context, the use of alcohol has a long and colorful history. West Virginia established its own prohibition law in 1914, six years in advance of the national amendment prohibiting the manufacture, sale, and use of alcohol. Dr. David J. Hanson notes that in addition to the religious organizers of the Temperance Movement, "One of the strongest supporters of Prohibition was the Ku Klux Klan." But there were plenty of other folks opposed to it, including labor unions who believed that it was an attempt to more easily control workers. He suggests that support for Prohibition eventually disintegrated for a number of reasons including lack of state tax revenues, but also because, "Bootleg alcohol was carelessly made and often contained creosote, lead toxins and even embalming fluid. Consumers sometimes suffered paralysis,blindness and painful death. This led some drinkers in the state to switch to opium, cocaine, hair tonic, sterno or 'liquid heat,' and other dangerous substances that they would have been unlikely to consume in the absence of Prohibition." (Hope none of you home-brewers are quite that, ummmm, "creative!") I'd bet that even today most of us in WV have tasted some kind of homemade liquor (and I'm not talking about home-brewed beer), some "shine" from a shady or unknown source.
With all those folks making, selling, and drinking illegal homebrewed liquor, one has to wonder if at least a few of them weren't part of one of the religious groups whose doctrines prohibited such activities...? Now don't get me wrong - I think there are all kinds of good reasons for some folks not to drink alcohol. Alcoholism and its many effects on families and the larger culture is a serious issue. I have several Baptist friends, and also a number of Muslim friends who all deny themselves any kind of alcohol based on religious faith. I respect their beliefs, but as with so many other issues, denying the rights to everyone for the sake of the religious beliefs of a few seems counter to some of the essential principles of our nation. (I'm guessing some may point out inconsistencies in this line of reasoning, and suspect I may get pasted over something having to do with health care, etc.)
I might go so far as to suggest that beer is part of my religious world structure. In a later article, I'll share kernels of pastoral conversations I've had over beers or in pubs that would likely never have occurred without the sharing of this element. Communion? In a way, yes. And if that makes me a heretic, so be it. I'd be in some pretty good company!
Next time: Gateway Beers: What Led You To Try the "Hard Stuff?"
Comment [11 replies]
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by posey914
Monday, 10 May 2010 15:36
I too grew up Catholic. Our priest loved to watch sports and always had a dozen or so beers in the fridge.
by Toreador
Sunday, 09 May 2010 15:57
I grew up Catholic, which included eight years of Catholic school. Our priest was an Irish priest of the old order who loved his wine and smokes. The religion of my youth may not be perfect, but drinking isn't on their "no-no" list.
by Travis
Sunday, 09 May 2010 14:34
Interestingly enough, I met a Catholic Priest yesterday who is a homebrewer.
by Toreador
Sunday, 09 May 2010 10:19
I really have nothing to add, except that I found the blog to be well written and that I find myself agreeing with pretty much all of the replies, as well. I don't see how the Creator is all stressed about us having a beer.
by deanocamino
Thursday, 06 May 2010 14:30
and the congregation says AMEN Travis
by Travis
Thursday, 06 May 2010 08:57
The family that I bought my house from used to hold bible studies here and they usually involved beer.
In my opinion, and I know it is not really this simple, but any Christian that judges another, weather it be for drinking beer or listening to rock music, or whatever, is not a very good Christian to begin with. Hell, they are not a very good human!
And it is ok for me to judge
because I am a heathen agnostic 
I guess in the end, I live my life by The Word of Ben Harper:
Ben 2:6:2 (Album 2, Track, 6, Verse 2), says,
My choice is what i chose to do;
and if I'm causin no harm,
it shouldn't bother you.
Your choice is who you chose to be;
and if your causin no harm,
then your alright with me.
And that just makes a lot of sense to me.
In my opinion, and I know it is not really this simple, but any Christian that judges another, weather it be for drinking beer or listening to rock music, or whatever, is not a very good Christian to begin with. Hell, they are not a very good human!
And it is ok for me to judge
because I am a heathen agnostic I guess in the end, I live my life by The Word of Ben Harper:
Ben 2:6:2 (Album 2, Track, 6, Verse 2), says,
My choice is what i chose to do;
and if I'm causin no harm,
it shouldn't bother you.
Your choice is who you chose to be;
and if your causin no harm,
then your alright with me.
And that just makes a lot of sense to me.
by Tex
Wednesday, 05 May 2010 21:50
There is a bit in the New testament about "causing your brother to stumble". I've found that there are often folks in the church that *used* to have an issue with alcohol, and so I agree with you that the two don't really mix. However, I have several Christian friends that I can have a pint with. You really have to approach it on an individual level. I don't judge anybody that's a teetotaler, and ask the same courtesy of them.
by deanocamino
Wednesday, 05 May 2010 20:16
I do believe that is very interesting, and unfortunatly some will take it the wrong way, hopefully no one here but you never know. I have been a firm believer that you dont mix religion and booze, even though I have crossed that path before with some non believers, turn out was not good, anyway I do think that there are many people in the church, myself included whom do not admit to drinking or liking of beer to their fellow believers. I dont really invite any of my fellow small group or church family over for a cook out, affraid of what they might think when I crack one open, or see the brewery in the basement and the kegerator on the porch. But I do believe that beer is a good thing if not taken to the extreme, and GOD is there to keep you in check in that part. Just imo
by Tex
Wednesday, 05 May 2010 14:43
Grew up in a Southern Baptist church. You can imagine what some folks would think of the kegerator now in my basement. I'm at peace with my faith and my beer. Jesus wasn't drinking grape juice, and I don't make a habit of getting stupid. 
by tkromer
Tuesday, 04 May 2010 20:55
Really great post!
I think the distinction religions don't make (and should) is drinking vs getting drunk. Nothing wrong with drinking, but most religions would agree it's not a good idea to get drunk and lose control of yourself.
I think the distinction religions don't make (and should) is drinking vs getting drunk. Nothing wrong with drinking, but most religions would agree it's not a good idea to get drunk and lose control of yourself.
by Travis
Tuesday, 04 May 2010 16:29
Bible Study at the Brickskeller. I could get used to that.
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Last Updated (Tuesday, 04 May 2010 16:17)