[Seattle PI]
Alabama has all sorts of tourist trails – there’s one for civil rights, another for birds and yet another for old churches. The newest one was introduced Tuesday to promote the state’s wineries, but Baptists aren’t joining in the toast.
A trade association and a tourism group came up with the Alabama Wine Trail to lure visitors to the state’s eight wineries, which produce everything from fruity muscadine and peach wines to more traditional varieties such as merlot and chardonnay.
Tom Vizzini hopes the trail will increase traffic at his Vizzini Farms Winery, which produces as many as 3,000 cases a year. He located it on the outskirts of Birmingham after running up against church opposition in a more rural area.
“We put our wines up against any of them from California,” said Vizzini, whose grandfather was a vintner in Sicily.
But some say the wine can stay on the West Coast.
A Baptist leader in neighboring Chilton County said his group opposed plans for a winery there and doesn’t like the idea of luring tourists to his home turf or anywhere else in Alabama to imbibe.
“We are on record as being opposed to any kind of alcohol-related industry,” said the Rev. Robert Griffin, moderator of the Chilton Baptist Association and pastor of Highland Baptist Church in Clanton. “I would support visiting old, historic churches, but as far as visiting wineries…”
Read about it here.
[From me]
I don’t drink alcohol. All of the alcohol I’ve ever had can be put in a small shot glass. Most of it was at an Episcopal communion. I’ve never tasted beer because it smells bad and looks like –you know! My grandfather on my dad’s side of the family was an alcoholic so I never had a desire to drink. Plus seeing all of the University of Alabama frat parties while growing up turned me off to drinking.
That being said, do we as Christians want to be known for extra-Biblical stances? Didn’t Jesus turn water into wine? It wasn’t grape juice! Paul told Timothy to drink a little wine. He didn’t say drink Mt. Dew! I see no where in the Bible where it says drinking alcohol is a sin. It says don’t get drunk.
I don’t drink because I don’t want to be a stumbling block to others. I don’t think it is wise for me to drink. I don’t want to let anything control my actions. But I have many Godly friends and family members who feel free in God’s grace. This article was written in the Pacific NW where only about 4% of the people are Christians. If we truly believe the Bible is God’s Word then why do we add to it like the Pharisees? Is this really what we as believers want to be known for?
What do you think?