Alcohol
I don't drink alcohol. After a lifetime of not drinking it, I decided to try it while at University. While I never had more than one beer (or drink) at a sitting, I was never sure if starting drinking was such a good idea. So I decided to make 2002, the year of no beer, which was successful. As the end of 2002 approached, I questioned whether or not I would start drinking again. I decided that I would only start drinking again when I had a good enough reason. Ten full months later, I still haven't had any alcohol, and I don't plan on starting any time soon. My standpoint against alcohol is pretty normal: it's a mind-altering substance (and morally I think that God calls us to be of sound mind at all times), it kills people (sure one drink doesn't, but in a debate over alcohol, you cannot ignore the huge number of alcohol related accidental deaths), I don't like the taste (and I shouldn't have to acquire the taste), it's expensive, and it isn't necessary to have fun and fit in. All this being said, I don't preach my sober mantra to the world, I let my friends make their own decisions regarding alcohol, but I still have a huge moral frustration with drunkenness.
An odd thing that I've noticed however, is that I get support from odd places. It's no surprise that I get support from my friends and family who share the same point of view, but oddly I also get support from people that I talk to that drink a lot. These people seem to realize the downfalls of alcohol consumption better than anyone, and are the first ones to commend me, even though most admit that they don't have the willpower to uphold similar principles. The other odd thing, is that my friends who generally share a similar set of moral convictions don't give me as much support. I get respect for the sake of respect (when other people would rather nod blankly in support than discuss an issue, a product of post-modern relativism) a lot of times. I try not to pass judgment on them, but people don't like it when someone else has a moral opposition to their way of life. That kind of situation gets people like me branded as elitists undeservedly.

   [ posted by William @ 11:30 PM ]