Some Fervent against Fermentation

Alcohol decision appealed to state supreme court due to Assembly Of God doctrine.

Rick Mays, pastor of Assembly of God church of Arkadelphia with Dr. Bill Visor are going to spend 20,000 to appeal to the State over alcohol petition on ballets. Andi Davis, attorney for plaintiffs for a pro-dry county, is pushing for a speedy appeal before November 4^th, because after “an appeal will not likely be an option.” The alcohol decision appealed to state supreme court may be due to May’s Assembly of God doctrine. Mays is pastor of Trinity Temple on Hwy 8. According to the Assembly of God position papers a little alcohol is too much. “If Christian parents and adults use alcohol even in moderation or just to be socially accepted, the next generation will use it with less care and self control. The best example our generation can set for the next generation is to practice total abstinence.” This message seems to be echoed by the Baptist denomination of Arkadelphia. First Baptist church doesn’t have any position papers on their web site, or on the denomination site of Southern Baptist Convention. An article by Jim Richards, the executive director of the convention of Texas, said

“Article 15 mandates that we seek what is best for our culture. For society’s benefit and the advancement of the Kingdom of God believers should practice total abstinence from alcohol as a beverage.” One of the 13 different denominations in Arkadelphia is the Church of God in Christ. This denomination is closely tied to the Pentecostal movement of the early 20^th century. Baptist preacher Charles Mason was involved in the Azusa street revival and spurred what are mostly today African American churches to be sober, and filled with the Spirit.

Mormons, the Church of the Nazarene, United Methodists, and Pentecostal doctrines claim total abstinence as well. While Methodists are thought to be much more liberal in their stances than Baptist they come from Wesleyan roots that call alcohol “a poison that naturally destroys, not only the strength and life, but also the morals of our countrymen.” The only denomination that officially permits social drinking is the Presbyterians and Catholics. According to pcusa.org,

"The General Assembly encourages and supports personal decision to abstain from alcohol. For those who choose to drink and can do so without becoming dependent, the General Assembly urges a pattern of moderate and responsible drinking behavior.”
Some Arkadelphia residents think that OBU’s holding of liquor licenses leaves them high and dry for economic reasons. “Even if you choose never to drink a drop of alcohol, you will reap the benefits of its taxation,” said William Blake Erickson, HSU senior. Those people who enjoy the benefits may well not drink a drop of it.