Quote
john said:

I am Caucasian. Many Japanese people do have an inability to metabolize alcohol well and those that do can become quite affected by alcohol in only a few sips. However, while the percentage of Japanese with that problem is significant (I'm not sure exactly), it is still less than 50%. The other part of the population, which is easily the majority, seem to have the ability to drink nearly unimaginable quantities of alcohol (of course I'm exaggerating and generalizing a bit here, but ...). So I guess my point is that probably the pastor is aware that some people can drink quite a bit without being affected.

I doesn't seem to matter to him the amount that's involved. I say this because he says personally he doesn't think drinking is necessarily a sin for a Christian but that drunkenness is. I would conclude that if all drinking causes drunkenness then drinking would necessarily be a sin.

This issue doesn't seem to be just a church issue but a denominational issue. If I understood him correctly, this is the position of the Presbyterian Church of Japan. That's a little why I was so surprised because I don't usually associate Presbyterian churches with having alcohol/smoking requirements for membership.

John

John,

This church sounds more like Alcoholics Anonymous rather than a Presbyterian church. However, at AA meetings there is generally quite a bit of smoking.

If you don't join this church what other options do you have?


Wes

When I survey the wondrous cross on which the Prince of Glory died, my richest gain I count but loss and pour contempt on all my pride. - Isaac Watts