Dear Editor,

I find it interesting and somewhat amusing to a degree to see what level the opponents against legalized alcohol sales will go to, in order to gain support.

They claim higher crime rates, drunks lying along the roadside, elevated DUI arrests – the list is endless. Yet, at the same time, they haven’t done the research themselves, and spoke with representatives from other communities about what little changed after they went wet, other than the increased tax revenue, additional jobs available, and the decrease in alcohol related situations.

Another interesting fact is that the churches and their members that are involved in this, refuse to acknowledge that Jesus turned water into wine. Biblically, you can’t say that wine was grape juice, for then the negative statements in scripture of abusing wine or strong drink, make no sense.

Those who say that it is only grape juice tend to focus just on the neutral and positive passages about the drinking of wine, conveniently allowing them to condemn the drinking of any alcohol at all times. The Bible teaches that wine is a blessing from the Lord. Just like everything else, it can be abused, involving alcoholism, domestic situations, etc.

On the same token, when people condemn or attempt to block others from enjoying God’s gifts in moderation, as though they were abusers, they misrepresent biblical Christianity.

Whether we go wet or stay dry, some modern Christians will argue that drinking any form of wine or strong drink is a sin. They will protest, threaten and boycott businesses, march, hold rallies, and campaign against anyone that supports issues that involve a legal substance, that in moderation is not a sin.

By doing the aforementioned, Biblically, what they are doing, is a sin. Which of the two is of the greater sin? Or, is their no difference? A sin is a sin!

Mike Dowdy

Hartselle