Isaiah 29:13 ...their worship of me is made up only of rules taught by men...
Matthew 15:9...They worship me in vain, their teachings are but rules taught by men...
It is an interesting thing when a culture or a people, who claim to cherish liberty, allow themselves to be robbed of their personal freedoms. The government claims to fight this neverending war on terror, while Americans naivly relinquish freedoms in the name of safety. It is even more interesting when the church begins to erode itself from the inside by introducing new laws/rules which they are convinced God fully endorses, but which actually gives those in authority, more control. Those in authority both in government and in ministry often use their power and the people's trust, to invent new and increasingly creative ways to limit freedom and personal expression.
We are not ignorant of satan's devices, we are all capable of defining the terms, sexual immorality and drunkenness. Prohibitive teachings which cause people to limit their lives and personal expression, run the risk of reinstututing a type of righteousness thought to be attainable through outward holiness. Simply, using good judgment and exercising self-discipline is encouraged throughout the new testement, and some bad behavior is avoided through simple common sense.
ICorinthians 8:9 But, be careful so that your liberty does not become a stumblingblock to the weak.
The weak are those who are not skilled in exercising good judgment and self-control, and allow themselves to be taken captive by excessive use of their liberty, ie... allowing dancing to lead to sexual immorality, allowing a few drinks to lead to illegal or destructive behaviors.
ICorinthians ...all things are permissable for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any...