Rev. Creech also contends that alcohol has had negative consequences
American Family Association
It’s a claim that is getting plenty of attention, and not necessarily for the right reasons.
Archaeologist Brian Hayden, of Simon Fraser University in Canada, says beer contributed to the rise of civilization.
Hayden says for years, research has shown that Stone Age farmers were domesticating cereals not just for food, but also for beer.
Hayden is now submitting research to the journal Current Anthropology, claiming people not only went to great lengths to obtain grains, but they did so to serve beer at community gatherings.
Reverend Mark Creech, president-elect of the American Council on Alcohol Problems, agrees that various forms of alcohol have always been associated with recreation. But, Creech notes that alcohol has also had a negative effect.
“Pictures in Egyptian tombs, among the ruins of Pompeii and elsewhere show both drinking and revelries and the sorry state to which drinking often lead these civilizations in a downward spiral” says Creech
He says “a perfect example” is the ascent of Alexander the Great, who conquered the world before he was 40, and met an early demise through alcohol.
“Seneca tells us in his writings that, despite this man’s incredible conquests, he was “conquered by intemperance and struck to earth by the fateful cup of Hercules,” which means Alexander the great died as a result of alcohol poisoning. After his death, there were a series of civil wars that would tear that empire apart,” Creech contends.
So, although this study might contend that beer was the lubricant that contributed to the rise of many civilizations, Creech says “we should also note that it was beverage alcohol that was the beloved enemy from within that often contributed to the downfall of these same civilizations.”
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This story was used with permission from One News Now of the American Family Association
