WHEREAS, The use of alcohol as a beverage continues to be the number one drug problem in the United States, with an estimated current population of about 13 million alcoholics, many of whom are children and young people; and
WHEREAS, The use of alcohol is the second leading cause of death in this country, resulting in 200,000 deaths every year; and
WHEREAS, Problems related to alcohol use cost our economy an estimated 60 billion dollars per year; and
WHEREAS, Alcohol use brings untold misery to American families, acting as a contributing factor in divorce, child abuse, spouse abuse, birth defects, and suicide; and
WHEREAS, Drunk driving alone results in an estimated 26,000 deaths and 750,000 injuries every year, being the number one cause of death for Americans under age 35.
Therefore, be it RESOLVED, That we, the messengers of the Southern Baptist Convention assembled in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, June 14-16, 1983, declare again our steadfast opposition to the use of alcoholic drinks as a beverage; and
Be it further RESOLVED, That we urge Southern Baptist families and churches to work tirelessly and uncompromisingly to educate children and young people concerning the nature and consequences of alcohol use, pointing them toward a responsible Christian life style of abstinence from alcohol and all other mind-altering drugs; and
Be it further RESOLVED, That we call upon Southern Baptists to minister faithfully in the name of Jesus Christ to those families and individuals who suffer from the devastating effects of alcohol abuse; and
Be it further RESOLVED, That we encourage Southern Baptists as citizens to be active in local, state, and national legislative work to oppose the liquor industry’s continuing efforts to promote the use of humanity’s most abused drug; and
Be it finally RESOLVED, That we ask Southern Baptists in every state to work together faithfully and earnestly to support laws ensuring swift and certain punishment of those dangerously irresponsible citizens who drink and drive.