Wow. I'm pretty disappointed. I'll just cut and paste Sam's comment about it - he said exactly what I thought when I watched Alias last night:
MAN! What an incredible let down. They brought him back in a glorified dream sequence! Emille called it in the first five minutes. I was very disappointed. I just knew that when Jack and the lady rounded the corner and acted shocked it was because they were looking at vaughn in a hosptial bed, not some stupid baby nursery. They better bring him back for real for the Finale, or I'll never watch the show again! That will teach em!
I totally agree. The only cool part was seeing Sydney's mom. We'll see how it all comes together in March, but I'm not holding my breath.
Okay - so here is the random post/question of the day. Anyone who reads this please feel free to comment - all views are welcome!! This is another one from Sam. He asked me to ask this question on my blog b/c he doesn't think anyone reads his...whatever. Again, I'll just cut and paste the question, and you can leave your comment. It's a good one:
Recently I have had a few conversations with christians about drinking alcohol. Obviously, getting drunk is wrong. But what about having a beer or a glass of wine now and then? Can a christian do that? I would ask this on my blog but the only person who reads my blog is my mother, and frankly, I already know her opinion on the subject.
13 comments:
Well, since I don't watch Alias, I can't contribute there......but I definitely do think it is ok for Christians to drink alcohol. Some people just don't like it, which is fine, but I don't think there is anything wrong with it. Once again, as is with all church "issues", I think God looks at you heart and your intentions, not what's in your hand.
Sam-
I don't think it's wrong to do, of course with the infamous tagline "in moderation." But I think it's a slippery slope to something that is wrong - very wrong. From a biological standpoint, I guess it isn't much different from taking an aspirin or something like that (glass of wine). There's also the much played argument of causing others to stumble. I guess it depends on your peers. Mostly, people won't care or, if they do, will look down on you. But I doubt they'll say "Sam had a glass of wine - I guess my calling is to be an alcoholic and destroy my family."
In the end, I like what my dad has always said, "I don't need a drink to have a good time."
That said, he's a heroin addict.
Not really.
ya'll have been tagged (see my blog)
- and I will add more to your conversation in a little bit - I think that it is definitely an intersting one to have!
Seems this is a universal question...even here in Africa, that is the question I get alot from new Christians. Here the question reveals not around whether a glass of Merlot or Pinot Noir is OK, but it's whether you can still sip of the local moonshine...everyone does it! (except me, the missionary...the stuff smells nasty). At funerals, a shot glass is passed around and everyone is expected to take one slug of the stuff. Or if a newborn baby is born, in America we have the tradition of passing out cigars (although who still does that?), here the grandfather will toast his new grandchild by inviting the village in for a good drink. So can a Christian partake in such important life-rituals and enjoy a litte local brew? In the end the answer's the same to me...yes, it's OK. But be alert to the enemy's scheme to lure you into the pit where we lose self-control. I knew a missionary once who was in a tight spot where all the Christians were enjoying a glass of wine before some baptisms (in a place where it's culturally acceptable to partake in the fine stuff...like Benin). But being the honored guest, I...uh...uh...I mean, the missionary was given two glasses...only to find himself a little whoozy at the riverside celebrating a large number of new disciples!
Leslie, I agree with you. Alias was disappointing. I certainly don't think it was necessary to watch the pilot ep before last nights; it was certainly easy to keep up ("keep up" in an Alias sort of way). The only reason I am still watching is 1) I want to see if Vaughn is really dead (I don't think so) and 2) I have a suspicion the Jack is really the "bad guy", Irina is really the "good guy" and Sloane is really Syd's father. Other than that, I have nearly completely lost interest.
Alcohol.....Blair, we might possibly have the same dad. My dad has ALWAYS said that, too. My father has never, ever had alcohol. I think once he accidentally picked up a mimosa at a brunch thinking it was just OJ and nearly threw-up. All this to say, I was raised in a very traditional C of C family that DID NOT drink. However, I myself have enjoyed an occasional glass of wine, and do consider myself to be a good Christian.
As usual, my brother-in-law stated my precise opinion on this issue...and then promptly passed out into the river
I am floored by Courtney's thoughts on Alias. Jack couldn't be bad! If he is, vaughn better be alive. A Vaughn-dead/Jack-evil ending would be the worst finale ever
I totally thought that Alias was really great. Spy momma is back and there are some really good cliffhangers...what does Jack know? what is sloane up to? where is she going? where is vaughn? Because we know he is alive and is coming back in more episodes...that he hinted enough that they "would find each other." I totally think that they faked his death and is stashed somewhere. I loved all the flashbacks. As for the drinking thing...I think two things:
1) I think many Christians blur the line between connecting with the world in this way. For the sake of not wanting to look like the stale cat Christian they want to indulge with co-workers or whatever and they wind up not looking any different than the world, and yet...
2) I believe in reaching people where they are...Jesus drank at many a table...was accused of being with sinners and drunkards. He didn't shy away from them or where they hung out, and yet knew his limits. If anyone out there is a McLaren reader, he has a great chapter on Culture about this subject in his book Missing the Point.
Much love to all...Julie K. Kiser and baby boy in utero
I was disappointed in Alias too. But I'm still holding out hope for better in the future. I am even more convinced now that Vaughn is alive. But since they didn't bring him back (other than in memories) this time, I'm sure they're holding off for the finale.
I don't think having an alcoholic drink in and of itself is wrong. I think that for some people, in some situations, it may be the wrong choice, however.
If you know that you are disposed to alcoholism or if you are putting yourself in a place that will make it hard to stop before getting drunk, for example.
Primarily though, I'm thinking of the need to be concerned for others. In some situtions -- others who may be prone to drunkenness or others whose conscience may be offended by your choice to have a drink -- I think the needs of those around us should be put before our desire to have alcohol.
As a general rule though, it's hard to make a case that alcoholic beverages are always wrong, what with the NT examples of people drinking wine.
Wendy
About the alcohol..
The question, to me, is not "Is it wrong?" but rather "Is it wise?" I do not drink, but definitely don't think it is "wrong" to do so. I think "Is it wise?" is a question that each person should ask himself, depending on the situation. Will my drinking this alcohol possibly make someone else stumble? What impression does drinking this one glass of wine make on my small children? Is there a predisposition to alcohol in my family? Does my drinking offend a friend? Is it wise? The answer is different at different times for different people. That's my two cents.
Man, there are many a wise post on this blog! I'm glad the question was asked. I'm not sure of my feelings on the subject, so I like to hear others'.
Had a great time Leslie!
I have struggled with this question for a while. I don't think Jesus strayed from a nice vino- after all the first miracle was turning water into wine- but I always wonder how my indulging affects my ability to "witness." Specifically, I find it hard to achieve the balance of being a good example to my circle of influence and Paul's "being all things to all people" which generally is how I justify participating in drinking.
All that said, I occassionaly drink socially because a) I don't think I'll bring herds of non-believers to Christ because I ordered a Diet Coke instead of a Baileys (yum by the way) and b) because maybe while I'm "relating" to my alcohol-loving co-workers, I can begin to share Jesus through relationship, which began by my not condemning their drinking by my staunch abstainence.
However- (sorry to wax verbose) I personally respect those that don't drink at all. I love to see someone just be really confident at a party and say, "no thanks, I don't drink." Makes a positive statement- to me anyway.
Leslie, I totally agree about Alias. That episode is the
FIRST one I have watched in full since he died. It is just not the same without him. I am so glad you feel the same way!
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