What We Believe
ALCOHOL ABUSE
Why do people use alcohol?
It is a socially learned behaviour, used to find acceptance, to feel relaxed, to numb pain, to satisfy an addictive craving,
Who is an alcoholic?
One who is helpless to control this addictive behaviour whether every day, once a month or irregular binges.
What ill effects does the use of alcohol have on the family?
It creates unhealthy dynamics because of the often irrational thoughts, speech, and action. There may be violence, cursing, and verbal abuse. As a result, children may inherit this trait, or have to be involved in the deceit and lies involved in "covering-up", denial, or "enabling".
What ill effects does the use of alcohol have on society?
It can lead to the breakdown of family life, the loss of productivity on the job, escalation of violence and abuse, lack of personal integrity, loss of trust, deceit, possible sickness, and early death.
What can society do to reduce alcohol abuse among its youth?
- It can model more self-restraint
- It can exclude it from areas of sports and entertainment
- It teach (in school) ways to build self-confidence and relax
- It can discuss how to interact socially without it and still have a good time
- It can promote the idea of receiving counseling, e.g. Alcoholics Anonymous
- It can emphasize the need for a strong faith base
What can young people do to reduce its abuse?
They may help their friends to recognize that a good time has to do with who you are naturally, and what you are doing, rather than what you drink to alter your mood.
What can the Anglican Church do to reduce alcohol abuse among its youth?
- It can help them to develop an intimate relationship with the Lord who meets all needs and offers peace, joy, hope from a deep faith in God.
- It can teach that Christian denominations vary, from those who use grape juice and are more inclined to believe that wine and all alcohol is sinful, to our position that we have wine at communion as Jesus did, and because Scripture speaks of excess drinking as a sin.
- It can teach moderation, if desired at all, and abstinence if addictions run in the family.
- It can model a life of prayer that includes confession of sin, thanksgiving for healing and deliverance, and acceptance of the need for total dependence on God to avoid temptation and lead by example.
Long Island Gets Its
1st
Female Deacon
Mission And Ministry
Alive In
Andros Parishes
Memorial Plaque In
Honour
of
Archdeacon
Thompson
Archdeacon Cartwright
Celebrates 25 Years
Christianity
Recent Elections
Resulted In
Heightened
Polarization
Presentation by
Archbishop
Gomez to
the General Synod
of
The Church of England