Starting a thread from the spin off in "Allowing Children to Seek the Holy Ghost?" thread. Some have already responded in that thread.
I know Catholics and Lutherans and some other churches embrace alcohol consumption more than most Pentecostals... I am curious whether there are more or less alcoholics in each church. I have no real hard evidence, but I tend to think churches who preach against alcohol may have a greater propensity to crawl inside the bottle when members do indulge. I think it may be true on a greater societal level too.
Any thoughts?
__________________ "It is inhumane, in my opinion, to force people who have a genuine medical need for coffee to wait in line behind people who apparently view it as some kind of recreational activity." Dave Barry 2005
I am a firm believer in the Old Paths
Articles on such subjects as "The New Birth," will be accepted, whether they teach that the new birth takes place before baptism in water and Spirit, or that the new birth consists of baptism of water and Spirit. - THE PENTECOSTAL HERALD Dec. 1945
"It is doubtful if any Trinitarian Pentecostals have ever professed to believe in three gods, and Oneness Pentecostals should not claim that they do." - Daniel Segraves
There are alcoholics that identify with Pentecostals and Baptist churches (tend to be teetotaler) and there are alcoholics that are Lutheran or Catholic. I think we can assume that most of these alcoholics are fringe members regardless of denomination, though there have been ministers busted for DWI in both groups (including UPC) and no doubt general constituents as well.
A small percentage of people who drink alcohol are alcoholics. The question is does hiding alcohol consumption lead to more overindulgence than if it is open and able to be managed in public?
And of course we can't just limit the discussion to those we deem to be on fire for the Lord. The effects of our teachings have lifelong consequences regardless whether the individual is deemed to be practicing their religion properly.
__________________ "It is inhumane, in my opinion, to force people who have a genuine medical need for coffee to wait in line behind people who apparently view it as some kind of recreational activity." Dave Barry 2005
I am a firm believer in the Old Paths
Articles on such subjects as "The New Birth," will be accepted, whether they teach that the new birth takes place before baptism in water and Spirit, or that the new birth consists of baptism of water and Spirit. - THE PENTECOSTAL HERALD Dec. 1945
"It is doubtful if any Trinitarian Pentecostals have ever professed to believe in three gods, and Oneness Pentecostals should not claim that they do." - Daniel Segraves
Part of the statistical problem (if we had them) might be that the Pentecostals may not claim someone if they only attend church twice a year while the mainstream churches might still consider them members...
Pentecostals do appear to have very high rates of mental disorders. Of course, it does not mean Pentecostal churches create the disorders... it may mean the opposite, actually. Perhaps people with such disorders find the most help at Pentecostal Churches. Or perhaps Pentecostal evangelism is more aggressive unto ALL people regardless of mental state.
The same might be true of the number alcoholics as well.
I am just thinking out loud here.
__________________ "It is inhumane, in my opinion, to force people who have a genuine medical need for coffee to wait in line behind people who apparently view it as some kind of recreational activity." Dave Barry 2005
I am a firm believer in the Old Paths
Articles on such subjects as "The New Birth," will be accepted, whether they teach that the new birth takes place before baptism in water and Spirit, or that the new birth consists of baptism of water and Spirit. - THE PENTECOSTAL HERALD Dec. 1945
"It is doubtful if any Trinitarian Pentecostals have ever professed to believe in three gods, and Oneness Pentecostals should not claim that they do." - Daniel Segraves
I do believe you are on the right track when you mention that alcoholics are probably more likely to find a strong church since they are assumed to be rock, or near rock bottom when they enter the doors. Same with drug addicts in general. This is as it should be and consider it a victory.
I also see many other mental illness related issues in the church, or at least have in the congregations I've been in and truly believe that many of these issues congregate naturally to a more controlling environment, aka, a strong holiness church with a controlling pastor. This is NOT how things should be. Now certain people probably need to be reigned in more then others but the 'reigning in' tends to be the WHOLE of the churches doctrine to so many. And yes, this goes right back to strong holiness "standards" and how they, more then anything else, indicate the salvation state of an individual.
Now I'm rambling as well, but I just see how all these things are tied together at one level or another.
Boy, oh boy! What is AFF coming too. Guys who like beer and vodka! The next thing you know you guys will be admitting having sex with your eyes open!!!! (You know, the lust of the eyes!!!??? Sex with open eyes will make you lust, won't it?).... just kidding!
Things are too boring on here! We need a real good arguing, hot debating, mud slinging, (well maybe not the mud slinging) thread for a change. Come on Timmy...wake us up!
Been Thinkin
__________________
"From the time you're born, 'til you ride in the hearse, there ain't nothing bad that couldn't be worse!"
LIFE: Some days you're the dog and some days you're the hydrant!
I have ... Hippopotomonstrosesquipedaliophobia! The fear of long words.
"Prediction is very hard, especially about the future." - Yogi Berra
"I love the man that can smile in trouble, that can gather strength from distress, and grow brave in reflection." - Thomas Paine
.... just kidding! 
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