Abstinence: From Alcoholic Beverages
From Wesleyan Discipline
265
- (4) Demonstrate a positive social witness by abstaining from all forms of gambling and by abstaining from using or trafficking (production, sale or purchase) in any substances destructive to their physical, mental, and spiritual health, such as alcoholic beverages, tobacco, and drugs (other than proper medical purposes of drugs); and by refraining from membership in secret societies and lodges which are oath bound, believing that the quasi- religious nature of such organizations divides the Christian’s loyalty, their secret nature contravenes the Christian’s open witness, and the secret nature of their oaths is repugnant to the Christian conscience.
- Gambling violates the principle of Christian stewardship and the tenth commandment, is harmful to the individual in that it is emotionally addictive, is a poor example to others, and pollutes the moral climate of society.
- Christians are to regard their bodies as temples of the Holy Spirit. While no “thing” of itself is sinful, the Christian should avoid the use of anything which would not help build the fellowship of the church, would not help the believers to realize their full potential in Christ, or which would enslave them. In the light of the scientific knowledge of our day concerning the actual and potential harm of these substances, total abstinence is more in keeping with these biblical principles than is moderation.
- These prohibitions do not restrict membership in labor, civic, or other organizations which do not contradict loyalty to Christ and the Church. When in these relationships Christian principles are violated, members shall be dealt with because of such violations and not because of the membership itself.
410
- (4) Care of the Body and Substance Abuse. The Bible teaches the sanctity of the human body as the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 6:19–20). Christians should avoid the use of anything which would damage the body, destroy the family, harm society (1 Cor. 10:23-24), undermine the fellowship of the church, hinder reaching full potential in Christ, enslave the will (1 Cor. 6:12), inhibit evangelism (1 Cor. 9:19-23), breach the Lord’s command to love God supremely and to love one’s neighbor as oneself (Deut. 6:5; Lev.19:18; Matt. 22:37-39), or become a stumbling block to the young in age or faith (Matt. 18:6; 1 Cor. 8:9, 13; 10:32–33). The Wesleyan Church encourages its members to practice self-discipline and temperance in matters of proper eating, exercise, and rest. We oppose the production, sale, purchase and use of alcoholic beverages, tobacco, narcotics, and other harmful drugs, unless for mechanical, chemical, or medicinal purposes (265:4). The unprescribed use of hallucinogens, stimulants, and depressants, and the misuse and abuse of regularly prescribed medicines should be prohibited; only on competent medical advice and under medical supervision should such drugs be used. The consequences to society stemming from substance abuse are of major concern because of their unarguably negative impact on the spiritual character and nature of individuals and the welfare of society. These include the creation of barriers to conversion, family dysfunction and breakdown, poverty, disease and death, increased violence and crime, the incalculable loss to national economies, and the destruction of the individual caught by the power of addiction. In light of the overwhelming evidence of damage to society and the spiritual health of the individual by the abuse of such substances, we believe that even where their use may be legalized, we choose total abstinence as our appropriate response (i.e., voluntarily refraining from and totally avoiding the use of something in all unnecessary circumstances as determined by the individual Christian’s conscience in submission to the lordship of Christ and the admonitions of the Church). Such abstinence is a willing act of self-discipline, an acceptance of group accountability, and never a test of salvation or an evidence of superior spirituality.