Once a priest told in a retreat, the church doesnt teach drinking alcohol is sin. Many people clapped by this statement. The same priest told, tithing is an Old Testament law. Jesus never told us tithing. The above priest was a famous scholar and a professor in one famous seminary. The above statements are good for Priest students. Because we should not have an attitude on the drinking people as if they are great sinners. Many of them are weak and broken hearted. Also we cant insist others to pay tithes, especially the poor. But when you talk it in public, even the non-drinkers may start drinking and rich people may stop tithing. If Jesus never told about tithing, it is not an escape for the rich. He used more strict words for them. He said it is difficult for rich to get in to heaven than a camel to go through the eye of a needle (Mt 19-24). In the parable of Lazarus and rich man, the rich man was punished not because any serious sin, but for not sharing his wealth and comforts with the poor Lazarus. The church may not be able to make a list of all human doings right or wrong, considering the customs, climate, health etc. But the Holy Spirit will teach you what is right and what is wrong. Many people even dont touch alcohol after attending Charismatic retreats. Even non-Christians find wrong in drinking. Alcohol is a sin (Aram) for a Moslem. Even the law of the state teaches us Smoking, drinking are injurious to health. We should not teach in public that drinking is not a sin, even though it is not listed as a sin in church doctrines. Because it has a double meaning, that if it is not a sin, it would be a right thing to enjoy. That is danger. We could use the word bad habit that wont hurt any drunkard, at the same time will help him to know the seriousness of drinking. Dear church fathers, please correct me if I spoke wrong. Love Sebastian Kuwait _________________________________________________________________ Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com/intl.asp ********************************************************************** This mail is generated from JOYnet, a Jesus Youth mailing list. To unsubscribe, send a mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] For automatic help, send a mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] In case of any issue related to the mailing list contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] To know more about Jesus Youth, visit http://www.jesusyouth.org **********************************************************************
