Why don't Mormons drink alcohol?

Answer 1

Buddhism is about gaining clarity and understanding. Alcohol is about losing it. When we becomes Buddhists, we undertake to live according to a set of precepts, one of which is that we should not use alcohol or other drugs in ways that cloud the mind.

This does not prohibit alcohol use, but unless one is drinking to cloud the mind -- one of the first things that happens when we drink -- there really isn't much point in it. Thus, most committed Buddhists don't bother.

Answer 2

Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the "Mormon" church) believe that God has commanded them not to drink alcohol. This is both to keep their God-created bodies healthy and to prevent ungodly behavior (such as immorality, vulgarity, and rudeness) that commonly happens when someone is drunk. It is also to keep the mind and the body free of anything that my cause dependency or bad judgement.

While The Bible speaks against drunkenness, Mormons believe that God revealed a special code of health to the Prophet Joseph Smith called the 'Word of Wisdom'. The Word of Wisdom prohibits the consumption of 'strong drinks' and 'hot drinks', (specifically defined as liquor, coffee, and tea by Joseph Smith).

The Word of Wisdom permits the use of light wine "of your own make" for sacramental services (although Mormons use water just to be safe) and of "mild drinks", such as root beer or birch beer, which was the equivalent of soda pop in that time period. It also allows for the use of alcohol as a medication (no longer accepted since the invention of pain medications) and as a cleanser (i.e. alcohol may be used to sanitize things, but not used as a beverage).

See the "Related Links" below for more about the Mormon Word of Wisdom.