Villo Naleo
[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he alcohol prohibition law in Nagaland is a very well known subject discussed by young and old. As a responsible citizen I would like to make some remarks on this subject, to support the prohibition law in our land, I have seven reasons to validate my argument:1. Wine is not cultural: Making wine is neither cultural nor occupational in our context. Although Rice beer was part of our forefathers’ food habits, they used decently and healthily. It is not the amount that they consumed but the ethics behind their drinking discipline is worthy of acknowledgement. Normally, it takes a week to brew rice beer in cold regions, but today the adulteration and mixing of other chemicals in brewing the cherished Rice beer has spoiled and tampered its essence and ethics behind it. For one thing, a significant difference between Rice Beer of the olden times and beverages of today has come with the advent of distilled liquors and spirits, replacing the ancient recipe with modern chemicals of spirit and adulterated yeast. There is an absolute difference between the ancient rice beer and the so called rice beer found in the wine bars today. Therefore it is not worth advocating for a moderate use of alcohol in any sense.
2. The limit is in the bottom: Many of us have not reached the level of using wine as an aperitif before meals. For many Nagas the limit is still found in the bottom of the cup and bottles. Our society has failed to institutionalize drinking in a way that would place it within a healthful setting and define its limits. In the wine making cultures, wine is used as a sign of happiness and entertainment. But in our context alcohol is the depressant of choice for many who find it difficult to cope with life. It is true that many young people resort to using alcohol as an alternative to illicit drugs. Yet its total effect is possibly more disastrous than that of hard drugs.
Drinking is not sinful, but drunkenness is sinful. The Bible vehemently condemns drunkenness. Although drinking is culturally accepted in the biblical times, there are admonitions and strong warnings against the wanton misuse of intoxicating beverages. Yes, Jesus transformed water into wine, Paul advised Timothy to take wine for his stomach healing, but that does not give us the freedom to abuse drinking wine. Every time the Bible mentions drunkenness it relates with severe consequences. The book of Proverbs and Ecclesiastes testify about from King Solomon, how his heart was led astray from the Lord by the love of women and wine.
3. History Tells: There are tragic stories of people who committed crimes under the influence of alcohol; Maniac car accidents, drunken driving, and narrow escapes from terrible accidents, homicides, thefts, rapes and many more. It is said, “Drinking & Drunkenness is a problem, nearly as old as man.” In the history of America it is said many of the darkest episodes in their history, not surprisingly, also include alcohol. For instance, John Wilkes Booth reeked of brandy as he ran from Ford’s Theater after assassinating Abraham Lincoln.
Today, South Africa has the highest recorded rate of fetal alcohol syndrome in the world. The country’s leading expert estimates that more than one million South Africans have been damaged by their mothers drinking while they were pregnant. The sad part is that, worldwide alcohol is expected to take an increasing toll on lives and communities. Indeed, more and more alcohol is consumed per person in countries such as China and India. Yesterday it was their story, today it has reached us, and tomorrow it will affect us for sure.
4. Wives know best: Men can pretend and evade several public disgraces even if they are tossed up and down when drunk, but they cannot escape the disgrace they perform after going home drunk and do all kinds of crap in front of their wives. The right persons to consult in the society for liquor prohibition would be the mothers and wives. Any wife of an alcoholic is not likely to be convinced that any policy of moderation or lifting of ban is wise; rather they would be the first ones to come in the streets to protest against lifting the ban. If at all lifting the ban is proposed, such a policy offers the practical advantages of sobriety, the personal advantages of responsible maturity, but for a society like ours it is never advisable.
5. Alcoholism is a common fight: The fight against alcoholism is not an individual struggle; it is a mass problem in our state. If we observe carefully in one way or the other there is someone among our family or relatives who is struggling with alcoholism. NBCC’s fight against liquor prohibition should not be overlooked as an association’s agenda. The social problem of alcoholism equally affects the R. Catholic church and other denominations as well. Everyone in the church is aware that there are problems related to the use of alcohol, but isolated attempts are help to those who suffer from alcoholism. The church as well as the society seems to deny that alcohol-related problems are matters that need much attention. It also appears that many youngsters today have accepted the modern advocacy of drinking and therefore winebibbing is neither condoned nor condemned. Yet the church as a body of Christ should never give up her prophetic voice in condemning what is a major cause of evil in our society.
6. White man’s wicked water: “The inordinate indulgence of Indians (Red Indians) in spirituous liquors is one of the most deplorable consequences which has resulted from their intercourse with civilized man.”--Governor Lewis Cass, Michigan Territory, 1827. This was unraveled by William Unrau in his book “White Man’s wicked water” against the White Americans for their use of wine as a tool to dominate their native Indian fellows. Unrau tells the compelling story of how an alcohol-sodden society introduced drink to the Indians (traditionally Red Indians) has breached the brave natives into a numbness of order and ethics in their society.
In our context today (the wicked water) is adulterated alcohol racketeering from the nearby states that has stormed into many small outlets in every nook and corner of our dry state. People who are caught by the police and the Mothers association that are published in the daily papers are minor evidences of greater liquor racket happening at the back. If at all we want to build a just and noble society we can’t afford to remain silent and watch our society and families drowned by alcohol.
7. Prohibitors are reformers: People who insist on the prohibition law are reformers and not murderers. Many eyes are on people who continue to uphold the prohibition law when it comes to frisking and prohibition of selling wine in any locality. Today, those who are taking the risk of implementing the prohibition law can be rightly called reformers of our society. Our bureaucrats and leaders are in great slumber failing to see hordes of evil taking place at bars and isolated parks. The so called prohibitors are fighting for a good cause having no cheers to appraise their noble work. But we all know the truth, why would anyone put oneself into such nasty jobs if they are not totally for a better Nagaland. I sincerely salute people who have performed their duties to prevent the flow of wine into various parts of our land. I know prohibition of liquor is not the door to prevent all evil in our land but it is one important step towards it.
C/O Shalom Bible Seminary
