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'''Alcoholic drinks''' are beverages which contain ethanol (CH₃CH₂OH).  Ethanol is an addictive psychoactive depressant.  Alcohol has been found in society for thousands of years and in some cases was used in a medicinal capacity. Alcoholic drinks come in a multitude of varieties.  [[Beer]] is a drink produced through the fermentation of malted grains and the addition of hops.  Hops give beer its distinctive bitter taste.  There are also many types of beers available, each with its own unique brewing method and history.  The most popular type of beer in America is the pilsner, noted for its light golden color due to the use of lightly roasted grains.  Gaining in popularity are other types of beer such as porters, lagers, wheat-beer, and ales.  Liquor is derived from fermented grains or other plants with a high starch content, that are then [[distillation|distilled]] to increase the alcohol content.  Liquors such as [[rum]], [[tequila]] and [[vodka]] are derived from molasses, [[agave]] and grain or potatoes respectively.  Some liquors are aged for years to improve flavor.  Wines are produced through the fermentation of various fruits.  Wines, like beer, come in a variety of types with different bouquets and flavors.   

'''Alcoholic drinks''' are beverages which contain ethanol (CH₃CH₂OH).  Ethanol is an addictive psychoactive depressant.  Alcohol has been found in society for thousands of years and in some cases was used in a medicinal capacity. Alcoholic drinks come in a multitude of varieties.  [[Beer]] is a drink produced through the fermentation of malted grains and the addition of hops.  Hops give beer its distinctive bitter taste.  There are also many types of beers available, each with its own unique brewing method and history.  The most popular type of beer in America is the pilsner, noted for its light golden color due to the use of lightly roasted grains.  Gaining in popularity are other types of beer such as porters, lagers, wheat-beer, and ales.  Liquor is derived from fermented grains or other plants with a high starch content, that are then [[distillation|distilled]] to increase the alcohol content.  Liquors such as [[rum]], [[tequila]] and [[vodka]] are derived from molasses, [[agave]] and grain or potatoes respectively.  Some liquors are aged for years to improve flavor.  Wines are produced through the fermentation of various fruits.  Wines, like beer, come in a variety of types with different bouquets and flavors.   

== Beer ==

== Beer ==

[[Beer]] was discovered independently by many societies in the past<ref>[http://www.fosters.com.au/enjoy/beer/history_of_beer.htm History of Beer], ''Fosters Australia''</ref>.  In ancient Egypt,  to help provide the calories needed and keep the lower classes happy <ref>[http://www.thekeep.org/~kunoichi/kunoichi/themestream/egypt_alcohol.html Ancient Egyptian Alcohol], ''thekeep.com''</ref>.  With Christianity, beer was often made by monks who used the heavy ales to ease hunger pains while fasting<ref>[http://www.eat-online.net/english/habits/beer_in_the_middle_ages.htm Beer in the Middle Ages], ''Eat Online''</ref>.

[[Beer]] was discovered independently by many societies in the past<ref>[http://www.fosters.com.au/enjoy/beer/history_of_beer.htm History of Beer], ''Fosters Australia''</ref>.  In ancient Egypt,  to help provide the calories needed and keep the lower classes happy <ref>[http://www.thekeep.org/~kunoichi/kunoichi/themestream/egypt_alcohol.html Ancient Egyptian Alcohol], ''thekeep.com''</ref>.  With Christianity, beer was often made by monks who used the heavy ales to ease hunger pains while fasting<ref>[http://www.eat-online.net/english/habits/beer_in_the_middle_ages.htm Beer in the Middle Ages], ''Eat Online''</ref>.

== Wine ==

== Wine ==

Wine is made by the fermentation of grapes. In ancient times there were many gods of wine that were worshipped<ref>[http://www.wineintro.com/history/religion/index.html Wine, Religion, and Gods], ''Wineintro.com''</ref> (Bacchus, Dionysus, and Geshtin for example). As wine was part of the holy traditions in both Jewish and Christian customs it was important that this wine was not blessed for other gods (which would make it unclean). Kosher and sacramental wine was watched to be sure that it was properly handled and no idolatry was preformed with it<ref>[http://www.gemsinisrael.com/e_article000033155.htm What Makes a Wine Kosher?], ''Gems in Israel''</ref>.

Wine is made by the fermentation of grapes. In ancient times there were many gods of wine that were worshipped<ref>[http://www.wineintro.com/history/religion/index.html Wine, Religion, and Gods], ''Wineintro.com''</ref> (Bacchus, Dionysus, and Geshtin for example). As wine was part of the holy traditions in both Jewish and Christian customs it was important that this wine was not blessed for other gods (which would make it unclean). Kosher and sacramental wine was watched to be sure that it was properly handled and no idolatry was preformed with it<ref>[http://www.gemsinisrael.com/e_article000033155.htm What Makes a Wine Kosher?], ''Gems in Israel''</ref>.

== Biblical References ==

== Biblical References ==

:''"And Noah began to be an husbandman, and he planted a vineyard. And he drank of the wine, and was drunken; and he was uncovered within his tent." <ref>''Genesis 9:20-21''</ref>

:''"And Noah began to be an husbandman, and he planted a vineyard. And he drank of the wine, and was drunken; and he was uncovered within his tent." <ref>''Genesis 9:20-21''</ref>

Most biblical scholars agree that occasional wine is not spiritually harmful, but drunkenness, and certainly regular drunkenness, constitutes [[sin]]; as it takes you out of your normal state of mind and alters your [[will]] and ability to make good decisions.  Not to mention the potentialy serious physical ramifications of alcoholism which include liver and stomach disease as well as an increased risk of heart disease.

Most biblical scholars agree that occasional wine is not spiritually harmful, but drunkenness, and certainly regular drunkenness, constitutes [[sin]]; as it takes you out of your normal state of mind and alters your [[will]] and ability to make good decisions.  Not to mention the potentially serious physical ramifications of alcoholism which include liver disease as well as an increased risk of heart disease (but not when consumed in moderation).

Jesus himself was certainly not opposed to the consumption of alchohol - one of the first miracles recorded in the [[Gospel of John]] has him turn water into wine at a wedding feast (John 2). It can be assumed that the guests had already been drinking immoderately, since they had consumed all the alchohol available to them. Matthew 11:19 also refers to Jesus being called a 'glutton and a drunkard', possibly unfairly.

Jesus himself was certainly not opposed to the consumption of alcohol - one of the first miracles recorded in the [[Gospel of John]] has him turn water into wine at a wedding feast (John 2). It can be assumed that the guests had already been drinking immoderately, since they had consumed all the alcohol available to them. Matthew 11:19 also refers to Jesus being called a 'glutton and a drunkard', possibly unfairly.

== References ==

== References ==