Re: Wine vs, Grape Juice

On Thu, 05 Jan 2006 05:55:09 -0000, Dennis <dennybop@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

Thanks for the info on communion wine. I never knew it was fortified
for hygienic reasons. That somewhat diminishes the argument (at least in
those circles that use the fortified stuff) that as it is transubstantative
it surely must be "clean". My personal reason for eschewing wine is that
(as many here probably already know) I have a long history of working with
alcoholics and drug addicts. I have family members that are/were not only
alcoholics but also died directly as a result of that addiction. I wonder
why any Christian would insist that a recovering alcoholic/addict must risk
his or her physical and spiritual life by taking alcohol.
BTW, I am a firm believer that addiction can also be at the root of
serious *spiritual* illness.

I don't think there's any theological position (except possibly the Hussites - now extinct?) that holds you *must* actually drink. I was brought up in the Temperance tradition, and had heard horror stories of recovering alcoholics who had fallen off the wagon after receiving communton in the Church of Ireland. The first time I took attended a Church of Ireland communion service my uncle advised me that I need not let the wine pass my lips. I have since discovered that I have no taste for alcohol so I don't actively avoid it, and I do now taste the wine, but would otherwise consider myself teetotal.

If I were an alcoholic, I would have to trust my own judgement whether to raise the chalice to my lips or let it pass. Perhaps the latter action would be more useful, as publically acknowledging that I had a problem.
.

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