Newsgroups: bit.listserv.christia
Date:         Wed, 2 Sep 1992 13:09:09 CST
From:         "William M. Jordan" <IF20159@LATECH.BITNET>
Subject:      GOP Convention and Alcohol Consumption

While I have two more posts to make about my convention experience, I have
been asked about how much alcohol consumption I observed during the
convention:  specifically was there a lot of alcohol served at events that
catered to the conservative Christians that were present?

I know that there may be a wide variety of opinions on CHRISTIA as to the
appropriateness of Christians drinking alcoholic beverages.  My purpose
in answering this question is to give information, not to incite a flame
war over alcohol.  My own perspective is that I do not drink any alcoholic
beverages, but I regard this as personal conviction that I do not try to
impose on fellow believers.

I went to three events that were dominated by conservative Christian people.
The Christian Coalition caucus on Sunday afternoon had no beverages or
refreshments of any type served.  The God and Country Rally on Monday
afternoon (sponsored by Pat Robertson's Christian Coalition) had light
snack food and non-alcoholic beverages.  The one that surprised me was the
Republican National Coalition for Life buffet on Tuesday afternoon.  The
pro-life camp in the Republican Party is a mix of evangelical,
fundamentalist, and Catholic christians (with a few others as well).
Since the people in this coalition have mixed opinions on alcohol, all sorts
of alcoholic beverages were available.  I did not see any of the well
known evangelicals or fundamentalists (like Pat Robertson and Jerry Falwell)
drinking anything other than a non-alcoholic beverage.  Whether other
Christians took free drinks here, that they would not have done back
home, I have no idea.

In events that were not just aimed at a Christian audience, some had
alcohol and some did not.  Our free lunch (paid for by an oil company)
had alcoholic beverages if you wanted them.  Jack Kemp's 11:00 p.m. rally
Tuesday night made an interesting choice.  You could take all the food
you wanted for free, but any drinks (alcoholic or non-alcoholic) you had
to pay for.  Whether that decision was based on any philosophical opinion
about alcohol or whether it was based on what was cheapest for the Kemp
campaign, I do not know.

The presidential prayer breakfast served coffee and room temperature
orange juice (I even had trouble getting a cup of cold water).

Since I do not get upset when others drink in my presence, I was not
offended by anything I saw on this issue.   My main concern was that I
not feel left out when I chose not to drink alcohol.  At places where
alcohol was available, many others (in addition to myself) chose to
have soft drinks.

Several media reports indicated that this years convention drank less
than previous ones.  Given the change in the percentage of evangelical
delegates, I find that very believable.

In Christ, Bill

William M. Jordan            Voice       (318) 257-4304
Mechanical & Industrial      FAX         (318) 257-2562
     Engineering Dept.       Bitnet      IF20159@latech.bitnet
Louisiana Tech University    Internet    jordan@engr.latech.edu
Ruston, LA 71272
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