I understand what you're saying but I was speaking in regards to U.S. laws and I believe that's where the OP is from.
In regards to drinking in the home, I think I mentioned that. What I don't condone is buying a case of beer for a kid so they can go party. I also mentioned parents teaching moderation, so I think you misread what I wrote. In regards to alcohol, I understand the reasons why some religions don't believe in its consumption, but I'm not a part of those religions and I respectfully disagree with them.
I believe US law is the same. Minors under 18 can't PURCHASE tobacco, but I believe it's legal for them to consume it at 16. At least, so went the schoolyard rumors when I was a teen. Maybe that part depends on what State you're in, I dunno..
Anybody, this whole "do whatever the laws of men say" thing is ridiculous.
We've been talking about Paul, whether and why he should or shouldn't be considered scripture... Well, doesn't that make it quite obvious BOTH that it goes against what the Bible says, AND why it was so politically advantageous to put him in the Bible anyway?
I mean, if you really believe that a true believer should never violate the laws of the land, you might as well just tear the story of Daniel out of your Bible.. and Ester along with it.
And it's easy to say "oh, well, it's different if the laws actually violate the Bible." Well I say the laws of the land DO violate the Bible. Our Messiah was the greatest healer in human history. Healing the sick and infirm was clearly very important to Him, and very dear to His heart.
Yet, not ONLY do we Christians allow politics to get in the way of sick people getting natural medicines put here by G-d, but unfortunately many of them are actually leading the charge. I've witnessed with my own eyes how much marijuana and marijuana byproducts can help people, whether it's a chronic pain suffered by someone who refuses to take narcotics, or a chemo patient that ate nothing for a week until they were brought a pot brownie, there is absolutely no doubt that it's a substance that often HAS no equivilent substitute (including some of the "medical marijuana" drugs, like "Marinol" ) and has a remarkable way of doing such an effective job with virtually no risk at all.
There are documented cases of people dying from too much WATER... but not one case of somebody dying from too much pot, in the history to the world. And yet, the ONE group one would think would stand up and say "Hey, Genesis clearly says that G-d created all this for our uses, that ALL seed bearing plants are fine for food, and that He looked at all His creation when it was done, and declared it "very good."
But instead, we waver with the political winds. We consider ourselves "conservative" so we just go with whatever conservative politicians want to do, instead of putting it in the context of the Bible.
Marijuana isn't the only example, just one of the best, since it's never killed anyone in the history of the world, unlike tobacco, alcohol, aspirin, and even water, which are all legal.
Just something to think about (hopefully).
