Biblical teaching on the effects of alcoholism and the Nagaland Liquor Total Prohibition Act 1989 (PART 3)

Document prepared by Scholars of 5 Theological Institutions (Oriental Theological Seminary, Clark Theological College, Trinity Theological College, Baptist Theological College, Shalom Bible Seminary) under the initiative of the Nagaland Baptist Church Council. (From previous issue) The Effects of Alcoholism [dropcap]A[/dropcap]lcohol Blunts Self- Criticism and Weakens Self- Control Normal mental accomplishment demands the ability for self- criticism, in which the individual can think properly and scrutinize her/himself. Unfortunately, drinking blunts this ability and brings about mental confusion in the drinker. The moment alcohol affects the higher brain centers, the capacity for self- criticism quickly disappears and inhibitions tend to lose their force (Douglas Jackson, op.cit., 14). The most prominent feature of the early stage of drunkenness is a weakening of self- control (C. Aubrey Hearn, op.cit., 27). As the influence of alcohol increases, the drinker surprises the observer by smiling aloud at some small joke, or by remarks or other actions which betray the suspension of his/her habitual control (C. Aubrey Hearn, 27).Alcohol Clouds Right Judgment The mind of the intoxicated man is pictured as blunted in conscience, weakened in will, forgetful, and incapable of exercising good judgment (Isaiah 28: 7; Hosea 4: 11). Drunkenness interferes with the intellectual faculties of the people, literally “taking away” their mind. It dulls the intelligence thus hindering the acquiring of knowledge. And for the people’s mind to be dulled is to make it impossible for God to deal intelligently with them (Douglas Stuart, “Hosea- Jonah”, Word Biblical Commentary, edited by Bruce M. Metzger and others(Texas: Word Books, 1987) 81). The Bible clearly states the consequences of drunkenness beginning with the story of Noah in Genesis 9: 21ff, where he became senseless after drinking wine. Unfortunately one of his sons namely Ham failed to help his father or cover him with clothes and as a result was cursed. Another example (and the list may go on) can be Nabal as recorded in I Samuel 25 who in his drunkenness ignored the request of David and as a result met his end (I Samuel 25: 37- 38). Great men who met their doom as a result of drinking are evident not only in the Bible but even in the present living world. In I Corinthians 11: 21- 22, Paul was particularly distressed at the riotous behavior at love feasts and as such warns against excesses of drink. The drunkards disrupted the meeting and corrupted the entire meaning of gathering together. While Paul was trying to promote unity and equality among the believers in Corinth, some of them went ahead getting drunk, disregarding the entire focus of the meeting and thus abused the Lord’s Supper. Paul admonishes them and warns against the consequences of drinking. It is an established fact that alcohol weakens self- control and Galatians 5: 22- 23 clearly lists “self- control” as one part of the fruit of the Spirit. This means that the alcoholic is living according to the flesh and not of the Spirit, contrary to the call where each and every believer is encouraged to live according to the Spirit. A group of young people in the Bible who exhibited self- control and thus glorified God is Daniel and his three friends. Even in their worst and under captivity, they showed strict adherence to their beliefs and glorified God through their actions. Daniel 1: 8 clearly writes, “But Daniel resolved that he would not defile himself with the royal rations of food and wine…” In his right mind, he decided that he would not do anything which would weaken his self- control. Moreover, abstinence from wine, strong drink or any produce of the vine was the norm for the Nazirites as part of their vows (Numbers 6: 1- 4; Judges 13: 4- 5, 7, 14; Amos 2: 11- 12). Even in the present day context, patterns of eating and drinking are related to religious experience. Offering food or drink or abstaining from them are symbolic ways in many societies of showing devotion to deities. Having said so, it is imperative that Christians maintain a standard of religious living in a secular world. Physical Effects of Alcohol Drinking The seriousness of alcoholism as a health problem is admitted. The phrase “Drinking is injurious to health” is perhaps a common one which is seen everywhere but less bothered to be reflected upon. Alcohol and good health do not mix any more than oil and water, since body tissues narcotized by alcohol have lowered resistance to disease (C. Aubrey Hearn, op.cit., 49). Drinking Damages the stomach The damage that alcohol brings to the stomach may not be that great as it does to the other organs, yet the damage is done. Heavy drinkers have often been found with Gastritis or chronic inflammation of the stomach (Ibid., 62). The major effects of alcohol arise from the concentration of alcohol in the blood, and at times cause the irritation of the throat or the stomach. An alcoholic drink which produces irritation affects the nerve endings in the throat and esophagus. This irritation increases the pulse rate and sometimes raises the blood pressure. Moreover, daily use of large quantities of alcohol can produce continued inflammations of the digestive tract (Douglas Jackson, op.cit., 12- 13). Drinking Injures the liver The liver is the largest gland in the body, weighing from forty to sixty ounces. It secretes bile, stores up glycogen, and purifies the blood that passes through it. The liver cells are very sensitive and damage to them brings serious consequences to health (Mark S. Gold, The Facts about Drugs and Alcohol, Third Revised Edition(New York: Lawrence Chilnick Associates, Inc.,1988) 80). There are two liver diseases associates with alcoholism namely Fatty Liver and Cirrhosis of the Liver. The typical liver condition of chronic alcoholics is fatty liver, where the liver gets swollen and itscells enlarged with fat which has replaced the carbohydrate normally stored there (C. Aubrey Hearn, op. cit., 63). Cirrhosis of the liver is characterized by an increase in the fibrous connective tissue of the organ, much like the formation of scars, which crowds out the liver cells. Thus the liver shrinks in size and becomes hard and at times enlarged. Cirrhosis prevents the body from using all the food elements taken into the body. It is a common, serious disease of the alcoholic, affecting his absorption of nutritional elements at a time when s/he already is getting too few vitamins and minerals (Douglas Jackson, op.cit., 54). Doctors have time and again proved that there is a strong relationship between Cirrhosis of the liver and heavy drinking. Prolonged Drinking causes Nutritional Diseases. The notion that alcoholism produces serious body ailments is well known and accepted by medical authorities. The diseases most common among chronic alcoholics are chiefly nutritional diseases (Ibid., 53). This is because alcohol has calories but no vitamins, proteins or minerals which are the basic nutritional elements (carbohydrates and fats are also basic elements) needed by the body and as such almost all chronic alcoholics have some dietary deficiency. Many are anemic from lack of iron, deficiency of calcium, loss of alertness and so on (C. Aubrey Hearn, op.cit., 64). This dietary deficiency gradually passes from vague ill health to definite and recognizable diseases such as poly-neuropathy, Wet Beriberi, Pellagra, and Mental Disorders. These are all vitamin deficiency diseases arising from improper eating habits among alcoholics. Polyneuropathy also called dry beriberi is caused due to the deficiency of vitamin B called thiamin. This disease is characterized by queer feelings, tiredness, disturbance in sleep, and loss of appetite. The soles of the feet burns and later on pain develops in the legs, slowly spreading upwards and walking becomes more and more difficult (Ibid., 65). Beriberi is characterized by a degeneration of the peripheral nerves sometimes accompanied by circulatory disturbances (heart disease) and generalized dropsy. In severe states of deficiency the patient experiences difficulty in walking; paralysis of the arms and eye muscles may disappear, with associated clouding of consciousness and possible brain damage. Finally, Pellagra results in inflammation of the skin, irritations of the mouth, gastrointestinal disturbances and mental illness. In case of severe acute deficiency there may be fever and stupor, culminating in death (Douglas Jackson, op.cit., 54). Weakened by nutritional diseases and poor dietary habits, the alcoholic is more susceptible to many common ailments. Alcoholism is a contributing factor in many deaths attributed to malnutrition, tuberculosis, and heart disorders, and also a prominent factor in causing pneumonia, mental diseases, and venereal diseases. Moreover, prolonged and extreme use of alcohol may cause psychological and physical dependency (John Bartimole, op.cit., 48). Alcohol’s Damaging Affect in Times of Pregnancy Alcohol is known to cause problems in pregnancy too, and can cause Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS), a collection of birth abnormalities. Researchers say that as little as a few ounces of hard liquor (3 beers, glasses of wine, or shots) during the first trimester of pregnancy can cause FAS. When the mother drinks, so does the baby and in fact in the same concentration as the one the mother takes. Alcohol passes directly through the placenta to the fetus. However, the fetus’ immature organs are not able to break down the alcohol as quickly as that of an adult. This results in the interference of alcohol with the developing organs and tissues of the fetus and damages it (Ibid., 49). Alcohol drinking lowers resistance to various diseases and they catch a cold or contract pneumonia or some other disease more readily than a total abstainer would and will take longer to recover from it. Moreover, it has been identified as a direct or indirect cause of a large amount of avoidable illness and of many preventable deaths (C. Aubrey Hearn, 69). Thus, heavy drinkers have a higher mortality rate than do abstainers. Paul warns Christians to shun associations with drunkards in I Corinthians 5: 11. Aware of the fact that drunkenness led to other vices- violence, public scolding of servants, unseemly sexuality, Paul exhorts the believers not to even eat with them (Gordon D. Fee, “The First Epistle to the Corinthians,” The New International Commentary on the New Testament, edited by F.F.Bruce (Grand Rapids, Michigan: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1987) 225). Drunkenness defiles the body, the temple of the Holy Spirit, and even injures the whole church (I Corinthians 3: 16- 17).He further argues, “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you…?” This question indicates that every Christian must regard him/herself in terms of his relation to God. This leaves no room for self- centeredness and the person is call to a stewardship of his body. It is God’s creation and is to be held in trust for him. Anything which lessens the abilities of the body or detracts from continuous recognition of one’s relation to God is a violation of the stewardship of the body. For many, alcohol does have demonstrable effects as a central nervous system depressant, of temporarily removing physical skills and judgmental talents (Douglas Jackson, op.cit., 86). Alcohol is therefore renounced in line with the understanding of stewardship. Genesis 1 records the creation account where God pronounced everything that he created as ‘good’ (1: 4, 10, 12, 18, 20, 25) and after the completion of the creation with man, God pronounces “very good.” The change of the term used to describe the different creation should be taken note of. Human beings are created in the image of God and given the breath of life by God himself. The evils of alcoholism can be realized in this that it distorts the image of God and destroys what God has created so beautifully involving his own breath. God’s intention of ‘very good/beautiful’ in creating man/woman is destroyed by the evil effects of alcohol drinking …to be continued.