Is this area still in Bible Belt?
Dear Editor:
The Daily Times, Jan. 27, page 1A: The city of Maryville will change its rules in order to draw as many as 1,000 visitors downtown May 30. As I understand it, they will allow beer to be consumed on the sidewalks and streets. Reading between the lines it seems our officials want to make sure we get as many beer drinkers as possible.
Page 5A: These rules will not apply to all planned events as they want to keep “some” of them “family” oriented. Reading between the lines they are saying for all the Bible-believing, God-fearing decent folks, you should stay at home and not venture near downtown on this date.
Questions:
1. How many wrecks, domestic violence, rapes, murders, muggings and other crimes involve the consumption of alcohol?
2. If these things take place through the influence of this street party who will be at fault?
3. Am I more likely to be a victim of alcohol violence or gun violence?
(I would like to know the numbers on this question for Blount County.)
4. What stand does God take on such a party?
Answer: Proverbs 20:1: Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise. (This can easily be applied to the leaders of our city.)
Habakkuk 2:15: Woe unto him that giveth his neighbor drink, that puttest thy bottle to him, and maketh him drunken also, that thou mayest look on their nakedness!
See: Isaiah 5:11 and 2-25; Proverbs 23:20-21 and 29-35
Maybe we could plan a “family” oriented party this spring instead and bring thousands of our people to downtown.
Yours in Jesus’ name,
Tyson McKeehan, Pastor
Gethsemane Baptist Church
5446 Cedar Church Lane
Greenback, TN 37742
