Theophilus

Acohol is not a sin. Alcohol it'self is nothing but a chemical. Apple cider and grape juice that has been left out too long turns to wine with a low alcohol content.
Vanilla extract contains alcohol, so do the majority of cough and cold medicines.

Biblicaly, the consumption of alcohol in moderation is shown as a medicine. Paul tels Timithy to take a sip to settle his stomach or nerves. It aids in digestion. Scripture indicates that alcohol taken in moderarion is an acceptable thing. Scripuraly it is ok for elders and decons so long as they don't abuse it.
It's the abuse of alcohol that is a problem inapropiate and indiscriminate use without concideration for it's effects, dangers and the appearance of drunkeness. Not to mention what other things being under the influence may bring. Drunkeness leads to other imoralities and sins.
We need food to live. Certianly no one questions that. But glutteny is a sin.

I don't have a problem with drink. But some of my brothers do and so I don't do it. One shouldn't place before a brother or sister a stumbling block. Paul mentions this in relationship to food offered to idols. One shouldn't eat ice cream and cake in front of a diabetic. That's just as wrong as sucking down a beer in front of an alcoholic.

For many years in europe beer and wine were common beverages. The most common in fact until "Coke". The reason being that much of the water there was contamiated and unsafe to drink. Alcohol was safer until the water purification process was developed. Today it still isn't uncommon, in Germany, to see a worker open his lunch box and have a beer inside. Yet alcoholism isn't near the problem there as it is in the U.S. Alcololism is the symtom ,not the problem. And a sin when it dominates ones life.