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Where can one draw a line between drinking until you get drunk, (especially at wedding parties etc…) and drinking just one glass or two for health purposes? What is basically sinful and not sinful drinking?

Often there are double standards when drugs, drinking, and smoking are discussed.

I believe in abstinence particularly when moderation is not easily discerned among the youth.

1. A Christian should abstain from all appearances of evil and deny himself even what might be permissible (I Corinthians 6:12). If you cannot discern what is and is not enough while drinking, and find yourself saying words unbecoming to a Christian, then it is better not to drink at all. You have to ask yourself what example you are giving to others regarding your Orthodox faith. Are you keeping away from the things, which might cause your brother to fall? Finally, does drinking bring lasting happiness and joy to your heart?
   
   "Do not because of food destroy what God has done. All foods may be eaten, but it is wrong to eat anything that will cause someone else to fall into sin. The right thing to do is to keep from eating meat, drinking wine, or doing anything else that will make your brother fall" (Romans 14:20-21).




2. Your body is the Temple of the Holy Spirit. Are you bringing honor to the Holy Spirit with the consumption of alcohol?
   
   Read the Holy Book of I Corinthians 6:12,15,19-20




3. Once you start drinking and enjoy it. I doubt if moderation will have a place in your setting. When the substance you drink starts to impair your senses. Where will discernment come from? Is this a comforting feeling to you? If not, why do you partake at all? More than one half of all car accidents in the United States are caused by those who thought they could safely drive after having drunk. Deaths associated with these accidents cannot be reconciled with excuses of impaired judgment or "I only had one or two drinks" or "I had 2 glasses of wine".
   
   "Let us conduct ourselves properly as people who live in the light of day; no orgies or drunkenness, no immorality or indecency, no fighting or jealousy" (Romans 13:13).