THE CULTURE OF ALCOHOL

Alcohol is such a huge part of Aussie culture that people find it hard to imagine any kind of celebration without it. Because I don't drink myself, I've sometimes been accused of being un-Australian.

This is one of the reasons why, several years ago, I decided that my nationality might be Australian but my culture is actually Christian.

I came across this humorous (but thought-provoking) quote about what you can't say when you're drunk.

Click here and scroll down.

Responsible drinking of alcohol is fine. Of course! No-one would dispute that. But I would suggest that it's binge drinking, rather than responsible drinking, that characterises Aussie culture.

Even as I'm writing this, an advert comes on the TV - "If you drink... and then drive, the party's over."

Earlier today, there was a great deal of talk about young men being seriously injured by alcohol-fuelled "king hits".

"Schoolies week", a time of wild partying at the end of the school year, is another alcohol-related headache for authorities.

All this reaffirms what I've been saying for years. There are bad things in every culture that need to be challenged.

I hope Christians can take a leading role in promoting a healthier, more responsible culture when it comes to alcohol.