posted November 10, 2003 05:16 PM         

I'm just curious about why alcohol is so prevalent in our societies. I live in the US myself, but I believe that it is pretty prevalent in a whole bunch of cultures around the world, lol. I know that there are a variety of reasons why different people drink, so if you don't mind, I'd really, really appreciate it if you could please share just what your own most common personal reasons actually are for the practice of drinking alcohol if/when you do it.

Thanks to you for any responses to this question that I get!

posted November 10, 2003 05:42 PM         

It's sad when people can't find other ways to feel good and comfortable around people. They have to resort to drinking because they are so insecure about themselves.

God created millions of ways to feel good, drinking and drugging aren't any of those ways.

And beer tastes horrible!

Proxieme you and I are similar. That's because we are Pisces.

posted November 10, 2003 06:02 PM         

On the sitcom FRIENDS there was this one episode that I really hated. It was about Monica's boyfriend who was nicknamed Drunk Bobby or something similar to that. Well the joke was that he always drank alcohol and was really funny and everybody loved him not realizing that he was only drunk.

So Monica took him off alcohol, and the problem was when he was sober, he was no longer cool or funny. He became this big boring figure and they made fun of him for it, and Monica eventually dumped him.
You see it's those kind of stupid ass shows that send people bad messages. So it's just one pound of a reason to drink and party. Oh yeah and I hate parties with groups of people drinking. There are much better ways to meet people.

Anyway it's always going to be a society problem and there is nothing we can do about it. Drugs are the number one crime producer in America. Like eating meat alcohol is a lost cause you will never stop people from doing it. I wish people would learn to think for themselves so that we wouldn't have to keep failing and paying a huge price for all the destruction on the earth. But it's too late the wheels are in motion. I still love people though, I can't be any different.

posted November 10, 2003 07:02 PM         

I think the reason it's so prevelant is because so many people are spiritually thirsty. Alcohol turns off the recepters, so that whatever is eating away at someone stops bugging them temporarily. We do all sorts of things to try to fill the spirtual void we sense inside. Substance abuse is but one option among thousands.

posted November 10, 2003 07:30 PM         

Why do we drink?
Because sometimes we like to get out of our own skin, or maybe just move it around a little bit. Some people do it through meditation, some through drugs, some through alcohol. Don't forget, there are lots of legal mind-altering agents in our lives, not the least of which is caffeine.

I love the taste of fine wine, a good merlot or cabernet, lately been loving Shiraz...love a good wine buzz, too. Give me a dry martini with tons of olives...or a yummy margarita with lots of salt...mmmMMMmmmm.

Using a substance is not the same as substance abuse.

And lest we forget, for the Christians among us, wine is featured in one of the most holy of Christian rituals.

And StarLover, I respect your opinions, but if God created *everything,* well, that means everything! Including the recipes for drink...

posted November 10, 2003 08:30 PM         

And so when those same Gospels went into the hands of the Roman Emperor Constantine, who was a lover of fine wine and red meat, he decided that he wanted to remove those lines which were constantly written over and over again. I mean they were so constantly written that if they remained today, nobody would ever think of eating meat or touching beer, I swear.

All those lines had been removed once and for all, except for a few Gospels which are now in the hands of the Vatican. The Bible as we know it, isn't the whole Bible. And let me remind you, that the Bible is a history book, which was intended to record mankind's history and future. More than half of that history was burned down in an Egyptian library centuries upon centuries ago because of war. There are many Gospels as well as documents that will never be seen by society. I guess we are just not ready for the truth. Or perhaps something is covering it up, because we have no idea what the truth is.

P.S. When Jesus spoke of the Father he also spoke of the Mother but those lines were removed as well.

posted November 10, 2003 09:45 PM         

We all like to say that God/dess created everything, that everything exists for a reason. So that's either true, or it's not, and I think it's true.

Judge not, lest ye be judged, n'est pas?

posted November 10, 2003 10:50 PM         

I drink alcohol both when alone and with others. When it comes to wines, I only drink red.

Alone: I like to try new bottles at home. See what they're like. Helps me relax while cooking, listening to music, and reading & writing. I used to do it a lot while talking on the phone too.

Others: Tastes good with dinner at a restaurant, cleans the palate or enhances the dish. Alcoholic drinks make good conversation topics. Don't know why that is, but people always know something about them. At bars, there are more varieties to experiment with. I love experimenting.

posted November 10, 2003 11:21 PM         

P.S. I have to agree with your History professor it just sounds right to me!

My dad used to make wine, and when you don't leave it out to ferment it becomes just like grape juice, but I think it's awfully sweet for my taste buds. Although it does have a tangy twist to it. I do have a vineyard in my back yard.

posted November 10, 2003 11:21 PM         

P.S. I have to agree with your History professor it just sounds right to me!

My dad used to make wine, and when you don't leave it out to ferment it becomes grape juice, but I think it's awfully sweet for my taste buds. Although it does have a tangy twist to it. I do have a vineyard in my backyard.

posted November 11, 2003 12:27 AM         

Did you know that alcohol commercials are specifically made to play on alcoholics love of alcohol? That's who they want, is the alcoholic, they want people to go back to drinking, because they are the best darn customers. They could care less about the person who drinks occasionally. They want their diehard customers back. I've heard people in AA talk about how difficult some of those commercials are, with the sound of the beer opening, and everyone standing around drinking having a grand time.

Alcohol is prevalent because it's acceptable to the upper class and lower class alike. It can be for the connieseur (sp!) of wine or the person who scrounges up change for a quart after work. I do have to say it brings a nice calm feeling.

I've also said a whole lot that I regret while under the influence of drinking.

My biological father is a pisces and a hardcore alcoholic. I'm talking Mexican guy drinking mezcal straight up. Some pisces just can't handle their alcohol...my best friend (used to be) gets like that.

posted November 11, 2003 11:11 AM         

In the old Testament there are guidelines about what to eat and what not to eat (Basically that was very sound advice as the bacterial content of certain shellfish and from pig meat was through the roof).

In the Gospels Jesus repeals the law and states we can now eat what was once forbidden. In the wedding feast Christ turns the water into wine and blesses the ANIMALS used for slaughter for food, that would include Lamb and Beef.

Luke, the physician, talked about the drinking of wine to alleviate certain ailments and promoted it.

Now back to alcohol: I come from a long line of Germans (on my momma's side) that enjoys good tasting beer. I like the way it tastes so that is why I drink it. My favorite is Hefeweizen and there is nothing better than a Bratwurst loaded with spicy mustard, sourkraut and a Hefeweizen to wash it down.

I will drink wine now and again, I find it relaxing, especially while taking a nice hot bath.