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2011-02-01 issue:

Winery in Virginia

by Various

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Regarding "Mennonite Couple Opens Winery in Virginia" (January): Curt Hartman might use some of the profit from his winery in support of the local agency for the treatment of alcoholics. Beverage alcohol’s dirty little secret is that some people cannot handle it. In a review of the book Pastoral Care of Alcohol Abusers, the January issue of Interpretation reports that "the incidence of alcohol abuse and dependency has risen to nearly 20 percent of the American population."—Daniel Hertzler, Scottdale, Pa.


The editors of The Mennonite must be scraping the bottom of the barrel to devote a full page in our church paper to a winery ("Mennonite Couple Opens Winery in Virginia," January). Wineries may have their place, but I don’t think it’s in The Mennonite. Surely you could have used a full page in our church paper to tell us something important about our Christian world instead of using it as an ad for a winery. Many stories could be written about Mennonite couples doing important work in the church world.—Jay Lehman, Kidron, Ohio


I realize that many Mennonites drink alcohol, but I was disappointed that the official Mennonite periodical now promotes it. Proverbs 20:1 is still true: "Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler, and whoever is led astray by it is not wise."—Mervin Swartzentruber, Goshen, Ind.


I was very disappointed to read an article in the January issue expressing a positive attitude toward the use of alcohol. Those who claim that using alcohol is more biblical forget that the Israelites had a cultural taboo against drunkenness. Our culture assumes and encourages getting drunk, especially among young adults. According to Galatians 5, drunkenness excludes people from the kingdom of God and is opposed to the fruit of the Spirit.

Innumerable lives have been ruined by using alcohol, compared with no one ever being harmed in any way by not using it. I encourage everyone who reads this to use no alcohol.—Larry Evers, Wayland, Iowa

Associated Issue: Lawrence Hart's vision of peace - January 2011

Associated Article: Mennonite couple opens winery in Virginia

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  • Posted by clintgood at Thursday, January 27, 2011 at 03:04 PM

    My suspicions are that this article was/is as much about the marketing skills of the vintner as to the shock value of a Mennonite couple having a winery. In addition, I cannot help but compare a little wine for thy stomach's sake to the overindulging of most of us at the dinner table and the harm that obesity has. Mr. Hartman's has no more control over those who purchase his product than say those who purchase a case of Smucker's jelly.

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