Mormon mindset about alcohol is ridiculous

[_guy sajer]

From a story that LDS Inc whored out on it's PR newsroom website:

Karin Mayo loves her Pittsford neighbors but worried about hosting a neighborhood cookout for fear that someone would bring wine or beer. She is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which instructs its members to avoid alcohol.

Will someone please tell the Mormons that drinking alcohol does not always lead to sinful parties? One or two beers or glasses of wine will not make a person DRUNK. Hell, even 4-5 drinks over several hours will not.

Mormons are so immature when it comes to alcohol. Why? Because they believe what they are told at church. Grow up you ninnies.

It gets worse:

"So I said on the invitations that we'd provide the drinks," Mayo recalls.

Imagine that, you arrive at your neighbor's party, expecting to enjoy a few adult beverages only to find out there are none. Why? Their church says they cannot. So why are the non member neighbors not allowed?

"We don't want to compromise our values or standards," Mayo says

As if those who do drink any alcohol have less values or lower standards?

Then the real intent of the party and no alcohol:

"But we don't want to miss out on the value of connecting with others."

BINGO. Missionary moments!

At my current employer, our site has quarterly celebrations which include beer and wine. Yes, while at work. Can you imagine such a party at a Utah company? Even our company picnic that we take our children to serves beer and wine. It was quite fun watching my former ward members with jaws dropped and eyes the size of saucers, watch me drink beer at these functions. They would not make eye contact or speak to me..

I think that if it's her house, she has the right to serve what she wants. If I'm invited to a devout Jew's house, and he doesn't serve Pork, I'm fine with that. His house his rules.

Now, if we're talking about a community or neighborhood event, that's different. In our neighborhood here in Sandy, residents have hosted some 'neighborhood" barbecues held at one of the cul-de-sacs. There are several non-Mormons in my neighborhood, but that didn't stop the Members from treating this like a normal auxiliary function, complete with prayer (Mormon style) and no alcoholic beverages. Then there's my daughter's soccer team Christmas party. Several non-members on the team who enjoy a frosty brewed one, but it's held at a team members parents' house, and, you guessed it, opening prayer Mormon style (complete with the normal injunction to 'bless the food so that it strengthens and nourishes our bodies'), and of course, no coffee, tea, wine, beer.

Mormons as a group, in my experience, tend to have a problem recognizing and respecting boundaries.

Mormons

[_Scottie]

Right, Guy, but do you know any Jews who have actual distress at the thought of someone eating pork?

Mormons believe that you are either sober or slobbering drunk. Nicely buzzed is not something they are familiar with.

Also, you either abstain, or you are a raging alcoholic.

[_guy sajer]

Right, Guy, but do you know any Jews who have actual distress at the thought of someone eating pork?

Mormons believe that you are either sober or slobbering drunk. Nicely buzzed is not something they are familiar with.

Also, you either abstain, or you are a raging alcoholic.

Not really. I think most Jews recognize the prohibition against pork for what it is; a traditional religious proscription with little to no broader moral implications.

In my experience, may of the rank & file Mormons are unable to see the prohibition against alcohol, tea, coffee, smoking in the same limited light but confuse it as something with profound and broad moral implications.

[_The Nehor]

Right, Guy, but do you know any Jews who have actual distress at the thought of someone eating pork?

Mormons believe that you are either sober or slobbering drunk. Nicely buzzed is not something they are familiar with.

Also, you either abstain, or you are a raging alcoholic.

Not really. I think most Jews recognize the prohibition against pork for what it is; a traditional religious proscription with little to no broader moral implications.

In my experience, may of the rank & file Mormons are unable to see the prohibition against alcohol, tea, coffee, smoking in the same limited light but confuse it as something with profound and broad moral implications.

Then they miss the point. The Word of Wisdom is unique to this dispensation. It is not a core component of the Gospel. The Lord produced wine to give the Nephites the Sacrament. He may do the same at the Second Coming. I will laugh when someone stands and accuses him of blasphemy. The Word of Wisdom is a command and it does have positive effects but I know of nothing suggesting it's eternal. It's for our good right now. The Lord could revoke it tomorrow if he so chose and not be accused of any inconsistency as he revoked the Law of Moses or the prohibition on baptizing Gentiles.

[_harmony]

From a story that LDS Inc whored out on it's PR newsroom website:

Karin Mayo loves her Pittsford neighbors but worried about hosting a neighborhood cookout for fear that someone would bring wine or beer. She is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which instructs its members to avoid alcohol.

This is dumb. And smacks of hubris on overload. Community events are for the whole community, and no one group should get to decide what anyone else drinks or eats. Should the Jews get to tell us that everything must be Kosher? Should the Catholics get to demand fish at any event held on Friday? (Is that still part of Catholic law?)

There's no way to demand that others adhere to the WoW, nor was it ever intended that way. Just because Mormons don't drink alcohol doesn't mean others can't. This lady is out of line.

There are several ways around this, without ever bringing religion into the discussion. Hold the event at a public park or school. My agency prohibits alcohol and tobacco at our signature events. When new team captains complain, we just tell them it's the school rules. No alcohol, no tobacco and no dogs at anything held at the school. Many parks also restrict the use of alcohol and/or smoking. Religion doesn't have to come into it at all.

Dumb dumb dumb! 'Way to shoot yourself in the foot, lady. No wonder people think we're strange. Too many members think like this lady.

[_Ray A]

Should the Catholics get to demand fish at any event held on Friday? (Is that still part of Catholic law?)

Catholics abstain from meat only once a year, on Good Friday. Should you indulge, a bolt of lightning could well strike you. Fish markets make more money on that day than Bill Gates on his best day. As for my Catholic family day: Trip to fish markets on Thursday for stock up, Mass on Good Friday morning, afternoon BBQ with friends and family, barrels of beer, vodka, whiskey and lots of Saturday hangovers. Next week, confession.

[_harmony]

Then they miss the point. The Word of Wisdom is unique to this dispensation.

Where Mormons really miss the point is when they try to extrapolate the WoW to nonmembers. It had nothing to do with others. There is no prohibition against alcohol for anyone who isn't a member.

[_Scottie]

I'm not sure how much I believe this article anyways.

From what I know of non-Utah Mormons, they are MUCH more in tune with non-members and much more accepting of their sinful vices.

I have a hard time believing that a Rochester Mormon would stress much about what the neighbors would be drinking.

[_Angus McAwesome]

MGD is my drink of choice....

* cringes at how I'll fare **

The God Emperor of Man, long may he rule from the Golden Throne on Holy Terra, approves of your choice. It's not Sam Adams, but even the Emperor has been known to slum it up at the pubs.

[_Scottie]

MGD is my drink of choice....

* cringes at how I'll fare **

The God Emperor of Man, long may he rule from the Golden Throne on Holy Terra, approves of your choice. It's not Sam Adams, but even the Emperor has been known to slum it up at the pubs.

As I was reading this, a Sam Adams commercial was on TV. Coincidence?