Methodists to renounce alcohol ban?

The annual conference of the Methodist Church has agreed, by a narrow margin, to refer proposals to permit the selling and serving of alcohol on church premises and to use alcoholic wine at communion for general discussion among its churches. A final decision will be taken at next year's conference.

The report Methodist Attitudes to Alcohol claimed that allowing churches to offer alcohol would promote responsible drinking. The Reverend John Kennedy, Church and Society secretary, said: 'Methodist attitudes to alcohol have changed significantly in recent decades, from a widespread commitment to abstinence to one in which moderate, responsible drinking is more common.' Mr Kennedy added, "More people drink, more people drink responsibly, and more people abuse alcohol."

There was opposition to the move towards liberalisation. Stephen Murray, representing the youth executive, said that the report did not address the concerns of young people among whom there was a serious problem as regards drinking. He said, "We are not just talking about sixteen to twenty year olds but rather twelve to thirteen year olds.'" The Youth Conference had voted by 112 to 12 votes to maintain a prohibition on alcohol.

Nicola Jones also opposed lifting the ban. "Alcohol is the biggest and most acceptable drug in the West," she said. "The Methodist Church is one of the few places where people can have a good time without alcohol.'" The Reverend Marian Jones said, "I am not usually shocked while working as a prison officer, but when you get sixteen to eighteen year olds telling you they are alcoholics, it's upsetting. They need safe places where there is no alcohol when they come out."

Professor Peter Howdle, a consultant at St James' Hospital, Leeds, challenged information in the report on the medical evidence regarding wine and coronary heart disease. It was still debatable whether the beneficial effects were due to the alcohol or to something else in the beverage. In any case, he believed, the issue should not be debated on the grounds that alcohol was good for you.

The Reverend Barbara Bircumshaw also believed the report to be based on flawed information. She wanted to know on what evidence the statement 'that we are handling our drink better' was based. "Over the past ten years the number of females exceeding the limits for drinking has increased by 40%. There has been no reduction in unhealthy drinking among either males or females. The target set by the Government in Health for the Nation to reduce the number of women drinking over the limit from 11% of the female population to 7% has in fact gone the other way to 14% drinking more than is sensible."

Arguing for the lifting of the ban, Mike Wright said, "There's a distinction between the promotion and the consumption of alcohol. Coming from a small village our premises are widely used for events like weddings and birthday parties. It can be quite restrictive if alcohol is not allowed."

Methodist circuits have until the 1st March 2000 to send in their responses to the report.