| | A Reply To "BOOZE.TXT"
This file is being written in reply to the above-mentioned file.
It is not a condemnation of the file "BOOZE.TXT", but is written in
the hope of spreading some of the facts of the disease of alcoholism.
I am afraid the writer of "BOOZE.TXT" has confused alcohol with
alcoholism.
As a recovering alcoholic who has, by the Grace of God, not found
it necessary to drink anything containing alcohol for more than 14
years, I feel qualified to offer my opinion. In addition, I worked at
a hospital for the treatment of substance abuse for more than 2 years.
At times, I myself have doubts about calling alcoholism a
disease. I believe that it is more of a psychological disease than a
physical one. However, even the American Medical Association has
accepted that it IS a disease.
I will now comment on the file, "BOOZE.TXT", issue by issue.
"1. If it is a disease, it is the only disease that is contracted by
an act of will."
This is not true - alcoholism has been proven conclusively to be
a hereditary illness, much like diabetes. In addition, when an
alcoholic takes his first drink, he does not know for certain whether
or not alcohol will become a problem in his life.
I believe anyone's life would be better if they never drank any
form of alcohol. Alcohol is a mind-altering drug that can be
addictive. Yet we cannot watch TV or read a magazine without being
exposed to the seducing advertisements used by the alcohol industry.
But to say that a person, before his first drink, makes a
decision to be an alcoholic, is improper and untrue.
"2. It is the only disease that requires a license to propagate."
If any person old enough to buy alcohol wants to, a driver`s
license is required. But it is improper to suggest that alcoholics
need a license to drink.
"3. It is the only disease that is bottled and sold."
Untrue. Alcoholism is not bottled - alcohol is.
"4. It is the only disease that requires outlets to spread."
Untrue. Alcoholism does not require outlets - alcohol does.
"5. It is the only disease that produces revenue for the government."
Indirectly true, but really stretching the point.
"6. It is the only disease the provokes crime."
True in the strictest sense, but this statement is again really
stretching the division between to words "alcohol" and "alcoholism".
"7. It is the only disease that is habit forming."
Alcoholism is a disease of addiction. Addiction, by definition,
could be called `habit forming`. Alcoholism is NOT a `habit`. It is a
disease that causes a person to be unable to control his consumption
of alcohol.
"8. It is the only disease that is spread by advertising."
Untrue. Advertising means nothing to the alcoholic. An alcoholic,
having lost his self-control, is not affected by advertising. The use
of alcohol IS spread by advertising.
"9. It is the only disease for which we are fined for contracting."
Untrue. A person can be an alcoholic without being `fined`. A
play on words, really.
"10. It is the only disease which brings death on the highways."
Just because a person who is intoxicated has an auto accident
that kills someone does not necessarily mean he is an alcoholic. He
may or may not be.
Instead of condemning alcoholics, "BOOZE.TXT" should be
condemning the abuse of alcohol by alcoholic and non-alcoholic alike.
"11. It is the only disease without a germ or virus cause, and which
there is no human corrective medicine."
Scientists have isolated a gene defect in alcoholics that they
believe may be the cause of alcoholism. This gene defect would also
explain why the disease of alcohol is hereditary.
Therefore we have no grounds for condemning alcoholics merely as
persons who are worthless, or as "drunkards", or as people who CHOOSE
to be alcoholics. That is unfair and untrue. I did not CHOOSE to
nearly die from my alcoholism. Anyone who says that I did is ignorant
of the many facets of the disease of alcoholism.
"12. Last but not least, it is the only disease that bars the patient
from heaven, for no drunkard shall inherit the kingdom of God
(except there be repentance...), 1 Cor. 6:9-10."
TRUE. However, if we are going to quote Bible verses, how about:
"And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee;
and the mother of Jesus was there: And both Jesus was
called, and his disciples, to the marriage.
And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto
him, They have no wine. Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what
have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come. His
mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto
you, do it. And there were set there six waterpots of
stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews,
containing two or three firkins apiece. Jesus saith unto
them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them
up to the brim. And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and
bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare it.
When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was
made wine, and knew not whence it was: (but the servants
which drew the water knew;) the governor of the feast
called the bridegroom..."
John 2:1-9
Thus, Our Lord's first public miracle was turning water into
wine.
In addition, Jesus Christ was a Jew. Every year, at Passover,
Jews have their ceremony during which they consume three glasses of
wine. It is, I believe, fair to deduce that Our Lord partook of this
ceremony.
As I said above, I believe that alcohol has no place in a
Christian's home. But to isolate verses to condemn people who have a
disease is unfair. There is no condemnation in Our Lord - there should
certainly be none in us!
One last Bible verse:
"So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself,
and said unto them, HE THAT IS WITHOUT SIN AMONG YOU, let
him first cast a stone at her."
John 8:7
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