[Mod.Edit: This and the following few posts moved from another thread as they form a new topic]
Believe it or not, I used to be an Elder in the Lutheran Church. I'm the worst kind of atheist -- one who's read the Bible, cover-to-cover.
Wine was important in biblical times, because it preserved the juice of grapes. But, it was also an important part of celebrations. Drunkeness was certainly frowned upon, but wine was an important part of life before refrigeration.
Communion practices vary by church/denomination. Christians don't even concur on what actually happens during the sacrament of communion. Does the bread and wine "represent" the body and blood of Christ? Does it "become" the body and blood when you eat and drink it. Is it this mystical "it is both real bread and wine, and the real body and blood of Christ."
CD
I've never understood where this anti-alcohol position came from. I very much doubt that it doesn't originate in the Bible though. I believe the official biblical position is that alcohol is good when it promotes happiness and well being, but not when it results in drunkenness. Seems reasonable to me. Wine is even served as part of Communion - "blood of Christ" and all that. I think your bible thumpers need to start reading the bible, instead of thumping it. Also the bit about camels and the eye of a needle.
Believe it or not, I used to be an Elder in the Lutheran Church. I'm the worst kind of atheist -- one who's read the Bible, cover-to-cover.
Wine was important in biblical times, because it preserved the juice of grapes. But, it was also an important part of celebrations. Drunkeness was certainly frowned upon, but wine was an important part of life before refrigeration.
Communion practices vary by church/denomination. Christians don't even concur on what actually happens during the sacrament of communion. Does the bread and wine "represent" the body and blood of Christ? Does it "become" the body and blood when you eat and drink it. Is it this mystical "it is both real bread and wine, and the real body and blood of Christ."
CD
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