On alcohol abuse

DenHartog authored a resolution passed by the 2004 General Conference, amended in 2008, that says the church should offer guidelines for drinking in moderation, and also help with the treatment and rehabilitation of alcoholics. “We have a good Wesleyan tradition of justice, an active role to play,” he told United Methodist Reporter staff writer Bill Fentum in “Lower drinking age? Leaders at UM colleges seek debate,” Oct. 10.

The article discusses the Amethyst Initiative, a statement by 130 leaders at U.S. colleges and universities that lowering the drinking age might give them more options to talk with younger students about responsible drinking. Signers include presidents at seven United Methodist-related schools: Dickinson College (Carlisle, Pa.), Drew University (Madison, N.J.), Duke University (Durham, N.C.), Millsaps College (Jackson, Miss.), Randolph-Macon College (Ashland, Va.), Syracuse University (Syracuse, N.Y.) and Willamette University (Salem, Ore.).

We’re very troubled that some of the Amethyst signers were from United Methodist institutions.

The Rev. Cynthia Abrams, director of the work area on Alcohol, Other Addictions and Health Care at the General Board of Church & Society (GBCS), called the Amethyst Initiative counterproductive. She said it blames the age laws but ignores alcohol advertising as a factor in campus drinking.

“We’re very troubled that some of the Amethyst signers were from United Methodist institutions,” Abrams said. “It creates a ‘boys will be boys, girls will be girls’ mentality, and an expectation that alcohol is going to be a part of that.”

GBCS is a founding member of the National Alliance for Prevention of Underage Drinking, and works with the Campaign for Alcohol-Free Sports TV.

Fentum writes that ¶162J of the United Methodist Book of Discipline affirms the denomination’s “long-standing support of abstinence from alcohol as a faithful witness to God’s liberating and redeeming love for persons.” 2008 General Conference, the denomination’s top policy-making body, approved a resolution this spring that urges United Methodist colleges and universities to support that statement.