Home Forums Miscellaneous Topics Christ at the Campfire Dancing & Drinking ?

Why are many Christian denominations against dancing and drinking ? What dose the bible say ?

Doesn't it say "Go forth and multiply"..somewhere?

In the social scene these days, a couple of cocktails and a swing around the dance floor goes a long way to increase one's chances...

<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
dave

Dave,
I still have nightmares about some of the women I have seen in some of AK's drinking and dancing establishments... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> Not exactly a place I would want to pick up a lady to "go forth and multiply". Who knows what I might catch or how many kids she already has.. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> Anchorage might be a little better than the SE..

Boy, this is going to be a touchy subject. Are you trying to pick a fight? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

The Baptist don't dance because;

Matt. 14

6 On Herod's birthday the daughter of Herodias danced for them and pleased Herod so much 7 that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she asked. 8 Prompted by her mother, she said, "Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist." 9 The king was distressed, but because of his oaths and his dinner guests, he ordered that her request be granted 10 and had John beheaded in the prison. 11His head was brought in on a platter and given to the girl, who carried it to her mother.

Silly, but that's where "no dancing" came from.

Drinking;
Jesus turned water into wine.
1 Timothy 5:23 - Paul says "Don't drink only water. You ought to drink a little wine for the sake of your stomach because you are sick often."
But Paul also teaches that deacons of the church should not drink.

The Bible teaches aginst drunkenness but does not say it's sinful to drink.

It also teaches that I should not behave in a way which might cause my brother to sin.

I go by this; It isn't a sin for me to take a drink but if my drinking condones the behavior and my brother (or my children) see this and it leads them to drunkenness I have helped lead them into sin.


On that thought, if I teach my children to go to school dances there's no sin in that. But where are they going to go to dance when they become adults? In most communities the only place for young adults to go dancing is a bar. Where have I led my children by condoning through my own actions drinking and dancing?

anything of man can be a sin/idol. it's all in how anything is used/worshipped. some kinds of dancing - or any kind of dancing under certain circumstances - clearly are sinful. this can be applied to driving, too, for example. it clearly is a sin to drive recklessy or drive while intoxicated because the driver puts himself and others at risk. remember that david danced joyfully before the ark. a sin? hardly. it was done worshipfully.
that's my story and i'm sticking to it. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I agree with you 100 %. My thread got cut short when the spouse came in and said "let's go. NOW". I was going to mention David dancing and singing Gods praises. Nothing wrong with dancing or drinking if done in the right place and the right way.

I like your "driving" analogy. That sums it up pretty well.
<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

The Bible clearly commands us to be different, and separate from the world. If you go places where drinking and dancing are taking place, then how are you diffeent? Do you think that because you drink less that makes you different?
No it does not. It makes you the same except that you go to church on Sunday.

Drinking, while not absolutely prohibited in the Bible, does in fact cause many tragic consequences in our society. People do things under the influence, sometimes only a small amount, of alcohol that they would not otherwise do.

I think it is obvious that many accidents and deaths occur as a result of driving and drinking. You think you can handle it? Few if any can handle it to the extent that they never become at least a little drunk. Then he sins.

It cost money, and there is a fairly large chance that one will become addicted.

If one wants his light to shine, then do as the Bible commands and be separate from the world, and its entertainments which cause you to be like the world, and lose your testimony as a Christian. Let love cause you to give up those things which would likely cause someone else to do that which is harmful to them and to society.

We are to do nothing that would be a stumbling block to another Christian, or to cause an unbeliever to think he was OK because we did the same thing.

If someone sees a Christian drinking, and then he does the same and gets in trouble, that Christian has some degree of responsibility for not setting a good example. Is that love to cause that?

I never needed to drink to have a good time.
Should we set an example of abstinence or contribute to the further degradation of out society?

I personally know a man whose 21 year old son came home and had been drinking beer. The man was disappointed that his son did that. He thought the son was too young to do it. But I pointed out that he had done the same, and in fact had abused beer in earlier years. He admitted that was true. He still drinks about 3 beers a day.

So why would one think that a child who admired his father, and seen his father drink beer not believe that it was OK and what a man does as he grows up?

What kind of example do you want to set, and are you willing to give up drinking and dancing for the cause of Christ, to shine a light that demonstrates that you are in the world and not of it?

Let's see, the very worst thing on earth: A drinking and dancing Catholic <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />

Regards, sse

I always thought Baptists didn't dance cause they had no rhythym! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> Just kidding, my personal view is that Christians need to walk a pretty tight rope to find favor in God's eyes (this being from someone who has fallen off that tightrope more than he should have). If you use alcohol more than sparingly you are messing up, if you dance with your neighbors wife and hold her tight and your mind starts to wander...same thing. OTOH you are messing up if you take the bible's message as a man to be the head of your household and boss your wife and kids around so you get your way, rather than using that authority by to do what's right for your family all the while realizing that responsibility has been place on your head by the ULtimate Authority! Yep IMO it's a tightrope to walk and all 3 of those above sins are equal in my mind, even if they don't lead to tragedy they are still wrong. So I don't believe it is any more wrong to have a drink or dance than it is to be the head of your household, but you better do them all carefully. It is indeed a tightrope to walk, but if we can stay on it, it leads to a beautiful place. 1akhunter

Jerry,
I have no problem going into bars. I as of recent, gave up going to bars because of my new job, and I could cause some of the youngins to fall into sin if they experienced the same kind of freedom I do. So, I stopped going to bars and drinking while I'm in the new town I live in. Jesus himself ate with the tax collectors and "sinners" yet he was sinless. (the religious folks didn't like that very much..just wasn't proper in their eyes.) I saw nothing wrong with being with my friends in the Coast Guard bar on an occasional friday night. I would rarely drink until I was drunk and i never drove if I was even questionable. 90% of the times I just talked about hunting or religion. If we separated from the world, how will our light be shown? I always try to have as many non-Christian friends as Christian friends. I personally enjoy the company and learn lots from folks who are not Christians. It is true that dancing is in the Bible and I have no problem with it. I do have a problem with the new "freak" dancing that all the kids do now. Just leads to sin. I'm going down to Oregon in a few weeks and one of the first things I'm going to do is get with my little lady and head down to the local honky-tonk and have a beer and a dance. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

"Jesus himself ate with the tax collectors and "sinners" yet he was sinless. (the religious folks didn't like that very much..just wasn't proper in their eyes.) "

BUT Jesus did not partake of sin, and He always forced a decision as to the individual coming to Him or continuing in sin.
No one with whom Jesus had fellowship continued in sin.

When people go to such places, they do not confront sin, as did Jesus, but instead refrain from confronting it.
That is the dirfference.

Jerry

Jerry,
Are you saying that those people never sinned again in there entire lives? Man, I've been saved for a long time and I continue to sin every single day. I must be going to hell because my sinful nature will keep me sinning till the day I die.. God looks at the hearts of folks, not just the external things. The heart is where all the motives lie.. God searches the heart. We are saved only by the grace of God, not on how well we display our righteousness. Shoot, even Peter denied Jesus 3 times after spending three years in fellowship with Him.... I've absolutely comfortable with my stance on the issue, and will continue to mingle with "sinners" in their environment.

Master B. I'm glad your not my kids youth pastor. Your kind
of greasy grace gags me and is a very poor example. You have a filthy lifestyle. Am I judging you? YOU BET I AM
You just lost my respect. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />
Hope you grow up one day kiddo.

Ouch! We felt that all the way up in AK, SU35! Nothing wrong with expressing yourself, you gotta lead the life your maker expects of you and we each have to do the same. MB will grow up, we all do to some degree and we all change our priorities along that path. 15 years ago I would have dismissed you as a holier than thou stuffed shirt Christian, but I didn't have kids 15 years ago and spent a lot more time in bars than I did on reflecting my role in this world and the next one. And so it goes, nothing wrong with trying to help someone stay on the straight and narrow, but I hope you are a bit more tactful with people that are actually in your life rather than internet acquaintances. My experience has been before you take a boy to the woodshed, he better know you love him, otherwise all he's learning is it sucks to get beat up physically or mentally. No disrespect intended SU35, it's hard to communicate on these forums, and everything I have seen you post so far seems to make you out for a good guy, just thought you might have been a little harsh in this one instance. But he'll live, and think and grow, and hopefully I will too. 1akhunter

As James says- we are to remain unspotted from the world. I believe in the modest medicinal use of wine, or its equivilant, just as Paul instructed Timothy and as doctors have confirmed in modern times.

Dancing and drinking in a worldly environment; well to me it is exceedingly grievious to my soul. I would rather not be around it by choice in my free time. Quite frankly I detest wordly music, especially rock and roll and rap. I think it comes from the pit of hell.

Thats my two cents.

1akhunter,

I strongly agree with you and I thought about it a long time before I posted. BUT, when a person is in a leadership position and has influence on young people he should and better run a tight ship. Integrity and charachter are in short supply these days and its the first thing I look for.



Had he not been in a leadership postition I would have just kept my mouth shut. He may be young, but he is also a leader, example setter, and represents an organization that

has a strong influnce on young people.



I dont want to set my self up as anything but a dad who wants

the best for his 4 kids. Chararchter rates #1. We all have our failures and rely on grace but this is just fluanting it.



He is a representive of Young Life, I wonder If they aprove of this this kind of lifestyle?

What Bonzi is telling me is that he cares more for his own pleasure than the young people he will influence.

That's not love.

SU35,

I'm glad you are concerned about my character and integity. Rather than you make rash judgments on me in front of the Lord, I would like to extend the invitation for you to come up this fall and stay with me. I'll take you hunting and fishing. You can observe every part of my ministry in action and my lifestyle, and then you can make your judgement. I won't put on a false front and you will see me exactly as I am. As you have seen, I am willing to step out and be honest even when i knew that I would be severly judged by some. I basically took one for the team for all the fine Christian fellas on this sight who occationally like to go to the bar and have a drink with friends and who are afraid of being judged by the "religious" folks. After you have observed me in action, then you can justly judge me all you want. I will listen, and if you are right, I will repent. If i dont' feel your judgments are warrented, I'll still be your friend. If you can't afford a plane ticket, I'll see if I can scrape up some cash for you.

Did you read my reply to Jerry?

quote..
I have no problem going into bars. I as of recent, gave up going to bars because of my new job, and I could cause some of the youngins to fall into sin if they experienced the same kind of freedom I do. So, I stopped going to bars and drinking while I'm in the new town I live in.

Master Bonzi, Thank you for the reply, as you well know
being in leadership is a public postition that deserves a public
response. I hold those and myself to a higher standard when
in a God given responsiblity. Not only does the leader reap the reward publicly but he also reaps the rebuke or admonishion as well. That is biblical. I also believe that charachter is what a man is in secret, when nobody knows him.

I understand what you are saying that when you are in this
particualar town you are living in you are not out in bars drinking, but it's okay when you come to Oregon to go.
I have my own opinion on that and I personally would not do it. Your saying its okay one place but not another.

I have and do go into bars with friends on some occasions.
I ask for a Coke then make sure the can sits next to my glass
on the table. I dont like prudish christians anymore than you do. But to not drink shows a separation to the world that confounds them, but they highly respect.

What if you are a camp counselor and some the young guys
in your dorm ask you. What do you think of going to bars and drinking and dancing with women? What are you going to tell them. Moderation? that's hooey you know as well as I
that if you give those kids an inch, theyll take it a mile.
Well Bonzi told us it was okay!

Are you coming to Portland in a few weeks? If so let's get together. Maybe we can go to my crazy charismatic church
on a sunday.

SU35,

I always tell the guys this about alcohol... The law states you have to be 21 to drink. Obey the law or you will eventually be caught. Minor consuming in Alaska will mess you up with a $500 fine, probation for many years, a loss of a drivers license for no less than 90 days and manditory AA classes. Not to mention the embarrassment of being in the newspaper for your offense. I also talk about alcoholsim that is very common in Alaska. Some people stuggle with drinking, others can handle it fine. One must remember that it is not beer and liquir that is the cause of sin, it is a life without Christ that causes sin. Alcohol is just an easy thing to blame when actually it is a lacking of the righteousness of Christ that is really wrong. If we had absolute no beer or alcohol, we would still have a morally corrupt society and people would find new ways to destroy themselves... When they are over 21 it is up to them whether they decide alcohol is something they want a part of their lives. I cannot teach them that it is unBiblical for them to enjoy alchohol in moderation when they are of age.. that would be unBibilical. I don't drink in my town because it would affect the work I do. I can drink in moderation outside of my town because it will not affect the work I do nor will it bother my conscience. I do not see that as a case of situational ethics. Christ has given us a certain degree of freedom, as long as it does not hinder the growth of others or damage our relationship with Christ. Bonhoeffer did an excellant job with his piece on "cheap grace". Many have misinterpreted his work and have used it as a means to teach legalism.. By the way, I would never be a youth pastor to your children, don't worry. I am an evangelist..not a pastor. Different spiritual gifts. I work with the sick, not the healthy. Let me know what Church you go to and I'll see if I can make it.

Joel