May Election to Expand Alcohol Impact in Allen

May Election to Expand Alcohol Impact in Allen

Few people vote in local elections. It’s important. We are voting for city and school district leaders. We are also voting on the allocation of millions of dollars of bond funding. Tucked into the May ballot is “Local Option Proposition Number 1.” It reads, “The legal sale of alcoholic beverages for off-premise consumption only.” This proposition would provide for “big box liquor stores to locate in Allen. I would encourage Allen voters to vote against the proposition. At each stage of the “alcohol expansion” in our community and city I’ve encouraged citizens to vote against making alcohol more available.

While the Bible doesn’t prohibit consumption of alcoholic drink, it has nothing but bad to say about the practice. There are some 75 references in the Bible warning against the danger of alcohol. That is more Scripture warning against the use of alcoholic beverages than will be found on the subjects of lying, adultery, swearing, cheating, hypocrisy, pride, or even blasphemy.

The Bible does not take a passive attitude toward the use of alcoholic beverages. Among those passages that warn against the use of alcohol, Proverbs 23:29-35 gives an extensive list of some of the negative side effects of alcohol use. The writer warns in verses 31 and 32 of the physical, psychological and spiritual consequences of the use of alcohol as a beverage.

Alcohol is a leading contributor to marital problems. It is a leading killer of teenagers. I have preached funerals for 12 teenagers in my ministry. Ten of those funerals were alcohol related deaths. It doesn’t make a person more effective in their worship, fellowship, discipleship, ministry, and evangelism. While it exists in our community, anything that could possibly limit alcohol’s availability would be for the better. Vote “NO” to Proposition Number 1.