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Old 03-19-2012, 08:35 PM   #1
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Default What do you do with a doctorate in theology? Follow the example of monks...

Monkish Brewing joins the Torrance microbrewery fraternity

Quote:
. . . Henry Nguyen, 34, a Manhattan Beach resident who grew up in Gardena. . . . became interested in Belgian ales while studying for his doctorate in theology in Scotland. Belgian beers often have a distinctive sweet flavor profile that sets them apart from beers brewed elsewhere, and are intended to be consumed with food to aid as a digestive.

A home brewer since 2007, Nguyen had trouble landing a full-time job given the economy - he's a part-time instructor at Westchester's Loyola Marymount University. So instead, he raised $250,000 from family and friends and spent the better part of a year laying the foundation for the opening of a commercial brewery, every home brewer's dream.

He finally opened what's dubbed the Monkish Brewing Co. - European monks traditionally brewed beer or other liquor to sustain them during their lengthy devotionals - last weekend just in time for today's biggest observance of all things beer, St. Patrick's Day.

"I was never fully convinced I would make it to opening (day)," said Nguyen, wearing a T-shirt that reads "Faith and alcohol - we'll get by."
(the link will not be good for very long)

This brings up the issue of the role of alcohol in Christian history. Important or vitally important? Consider that there were no stimulants available in the first century Roman empire. Coffee did not enter the diet until much later, when Islamic mystics used it to stay awake during meditation; tea was not available; even chocolate did not arrive in Europe until after 1492. Christian theology was written by people who drank alcohol.

Discuss.

(After all, aren't you tired of the other topics here?)
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Old 03-20-2012, 02:32 AM   #2
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Originally Posted by Toto View Post
Monkish Brewing joins the Torrance microbrewery fraternity

Quote:
. . . A home brewer since 2007 ....

...[trimmed]...

.... Nguyen, wearing a T-shirt that reads "Faith and alcohol - we'll get by."
(the link will not be good for very long)

Neither I think will doctorates in theology be good for very long. The fangs of the church have lost its grip on the neck of the sheep. Lenny Bruce quipped
"Every day people are straying away from the church and going back to God."

Quote:
This brings up the issue of the role of alcohol in Christian history. Important or vitally important? Consider that there were no stimulants available in the first century Roman empire.
Alcohol is a Stimulant?

Alcoholic beverage is classified under Depressants

Quote:
Originally Posted by WIKI

Alcohol is a psychoactive drug that has a depressant effect.


Quote:
Coffee did not enter the diet until much later, when Islamic mystics used it to stay awake during meditation; tea was not available; even chocolate did not arrive in Europe until after 1492. Christian theology was written by people who drank alcohol.

Discuss.

Christian theology is depressive and regressive to the psyche of children, parents and grandparents. It is the progenitor of centuries of persecutions and inquisitions. In terms of literature we may well be better off with Tolkien or Homer. Armed with a doctorate in theology one becomes a very valuable indoctrinator, dealing in the primary causes of the known universe inside the Hubble limit.


Quote:
"Faith and alcohol - we'll get by."

Both are legalized and government supported drugs for the sheeple.
.
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Old 03-20-2012, 03:01 AM   #3
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Originally Posted by Toto View Post
Monkish Brewing joins the Torrance microbrewery fraternity

Quote:
. . . Henry Nguyen, 34, a Manhattan Beach resident who grew up in Gardena. . . . became interested in Belgian ales while studying for his doctorate in theology in Scotland. Belgian beers often have a distinctive sweet flavor profile that sets them apart from beers brewed elsewhere, and are intended to be consumed with food to aid as a digestive.

A home brewer since 2007, Nguyen had trouble landing a full-time job given the economy - he's a part-time instructor at Westchester's Loyola Marymount University. So instead, he raised $250,000 from family and friends and spent the better part of a year laying the foundation for the opening of a commercial brewery, every home brewer's dream.

He finally opened what's dubbed the Monkish Brewing Co. - European monks traditionally brewed beer or other liquor to sustain them during their lengthy devotionals - last weekend just in time for today's biggest observance of all things beer, St. Patrick's Day.

"I was never fully convinced I would make it to opening (day)," said Nguyen, wearing a T-shirt that reads "Faith and alcohol - we'll get by."
(the link will not be good for very long)

This brings up the issue of the role of alcohol in Christian history.
How? Monasticism is antichrist.
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Old 03-24-2012, 10:35 AM   #4
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This brings up the issue of the role of alcohol in Christian history. Important or vitally important?
I believe it depends on the sect of Christianity. It's more that alcohol is equated with an immoral lifestyle in more orthodox views.

Incorporation of pagan rites as Christianity gained popularity, which included alcoholic intake, was prevalent up through the 4th century in many areas. It is hard to think of Catholicism without the ceremonial wine. The stereotype of the boisterous, drunken Christian Friar is quite popular in stories of Robin Hood or the Canterbury Tales. Hard to think of them without it, actually.

But I think alcohol, specifically wine, is very important. The story of Christ turning water into wine is a clear example that such festivities are not against the will of God. I find it curious that religious views with strict alcoholic restrictions tend to state that this is a parable, where water and wine either symbolize knowledge or the blood of Christ himself. It is a curious leap, considering that he is clearly helping the inebriation of a great many revelers in the New Testament.

What I find interesting is that those monks who do produce alcohol usually make a great deal of money off of it due to its rarity. I wonder how they reconcile that with their religious views.
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Old 03-24-2012, 11:43 AM   #5
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Beer: The cause of, and solution to, all of life's problems.
-- Homer Simpson
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