Are There "Safer" Tyrannies?"

One of the biggest regrets I have about the planning of my wedding was the decision not to include alcohol at the reception. This was a decision that at the time seemed like the wise thing to do. After all we belonged to a church that had baptist roots and the partaking of alcoholic beverages is frowned upon in "baptist circles" and many other denominational sects within Christianity. While I never agreed with the notion of drinking alcohol to be sinful or even remotely wrong if taken in moderation, I was captured by another idea that made me "play it safe" within Christian circles.

There is almost a universal notion among Christians to do the things that do not damage our personal testimony or do potential harm to another "brother." This belief, which has merit in some respects, too often can fall into the trap of the "better safe than sorry" idea which I spoke of in my previous blog. This idea of playing it safe is really akin to a form of tyranny that ultimately does more harm than good to the cause of Christianity.

Getting back to my regret about not having beer or wine at my wedding reception was really my falling victim to the "tyranny of the minority." First was the notion of some that drinking "strong drink" was somehow damaging to a Christian's personal testimony. This minority point of view believes that somehow drinking alcohol would make one appear to be part of "the world" so to speak and therefore might make one display conduct unbecoming of a Christian. Interesting that I never challenged this notion especially since the Lord Jesus was considered a "winebibber" by the Pharasees...and sinners seemed to delight in His company. And while the idea of protecting a "weaker brother" from the potential dangers of alcohol may seem on the surface a good idea, doesn't it actually enable the "weaker brother" to remain weak? I am not suggesting that we never use discretion and there may be times when we refrain from some things, like maybe not taking an alcoholic to a tavern. But at a time of celebration, a wedding no less, should we let the ideas of the minority run tyranny over our lives?

When reading the bible it is obvious to even the most simplest of readers that it is an R-rated book. God chose to write about things that are far from the land of "Mary Poppins." Yet why do Christians find it so necessary to live a life like Mary Tyler Moore or Julie Andrews and always stay in a G-rated world. Too often I go to events held by "church folk" that have mild salsa with their tortilla chips, decaffeinated coffee with their pastry, and certainly never a beer or a glass of wine when they host a dinner. This is all about "being better safe than sorry." But by avoiding risks are we really saying more about ourselves and our lack of comfort in our own skin? Too often we want to present a picture of ourselves that is actually not attractive to the world at all. How often do people who are perceived as "goody twoshoes" ultimately decide to "cut loose" and do something wild because they don't like to being thought of as Ward or June Cleaver. God wants us to be ourselves, step out in faith and engage the world where we are, and take some risks, and yes make some mistakes. Most of all He wants us to love and trust in Him and not fall prey to "tyrannies" of any kind. Remember it was Ghandi who said, "I love your Christ, it's just His Christians I don't like. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.