Monday, December 7, 2009

Drugs, Alcohol, Tobacco, and Frugality

I will start by saying that I started following Christ when I was a senior in high school. Before that time, I had my indiscretions with drugs, alcohol and tobacco. Frugality would come later. When I decided to go to Bible college at age nineteen, I was still secretly smoking cigarettes on occasion, but I stopped then. They don't look too fondly on smoking at Bible college.

The Legality

Most drugs, at least the ones I'm thinking of, are illegal. Biblically, I'm not supposed to be doing illegal things, so my argument against drugs stops there. Drug addictions are expensive to boot. My life is not one that I am looking to escape, so drugs are not a temptation.

The Health

Tobacco is something I could slip into if I weren't careful. Cigarettes are that addicting. Sometimes when I'm near someone who's smoking, the smell grosses me out, but sometimes it makes me remember when that was the smell of relaxing.

Not only is smoking ridiculously expensive, it is horrible for your health. I've recently, within this past year, become uber health conscious and smoking would go against all of the work I have done.

The Frugality

Alcohol is legal and morally acceptable in small quantities. Jesus turned water into wine, not grape juice. But Proverbs says strong drink is a mocker, so excess is not okay or wise. My husband and I don't drink. We don't drink because we don't want to. Alcohol was the least enjoyable indiscretion and I only did it because I was a looser swayed by peer-pressure. Alcohol is not worth the cost to us. None of it is, and drugs, alcohol and tobacco are areas where many people could save a lot of money.

I was asked what I thought about some of the alcohol ads running in the sidebar sometimes. This post is a response to that query. I don't mind them. I could have opted-out of those ads but I didn't because I don't mind them. It is my opinion that drinkers will drink regardless of this blog and non-drinkers will not drink, even though there is a coupon on the ad. I find the ad makes me thirsty, but not for what it's promoting. A glass of water will do.

56 comments:

Anonymous said...

Emily,
I agree with you that it is drunkenness and addiction to alcohol that is sin, not alcohol itself. (Ephesians 5:18; 1 Corinthians 6:12) Christians also have freedom in Christ allowing one to drink in moderation. However, advertising alcohol is a different matter. The scriptures forbid a Christian from doing anything that might offend other Christians or encourage them to sin against their conscience (1 Corinthians 8:9-13). I abstain from alcohol, as a Christian, simply because it may lead others to sin. The same reason I dress modestly. We must be careful not to cause another brother/sister to stumble. So while I could drink I don't and don't advertise it as it may cause others to sin, in that it may tempt them into a drink leading to drunkenness. Some readers may be recovering alcoholics or offended Christians. In my opinion, due to the biblical concerns regarding alcohol and its effects, due to the easy temptation to consume alcohol in excess, and due to the possibility of causing offense and/or stumbling of others, it is usually best for a Christian to abstain entirely from drinking alcohol and advertising it to others.

Emily said...

Anon, if we are going to rule out advertising that may possibly cause others to stumble, any advertismenets that might cause others to be greedy or coveteous would also be unacceptable, and what advertisement would not ever cause that? Also, a lot of my posts may cause others to feel greedy or coveteous. I cannot control the hearts of others, but I know that the Bible speaks more fiercely against greed and covetousness than drinking, and there is no way I can prevent sin in the hearts of my readers. Since acohol is not sin, I don't mind the advertisements.

Anonymous said...

Good point. Maybe you should reconsider advertising all together. Personally, tempting others to drink and covet for the sake of personal financial gain is not something I'd want to have on my hands when I stand before God. As with all things, I'd suggest prayerfully considering this decision. As far as the info in your blogs causing others to sin, well we all have a choice on what to read but to come here looking to read interesting ideas on simple, healthy, godly living and to be bombarded with unwanted ads is a bit much for me. If we could not prevent sin in others, then why does the Bible instruct us to not tempt others, bring out children up in a Godly home, etc...clearly we play a role and you, like all of us, will be held accountable.

Jessica said...

Emily,

I agree with Anon. I think it is slightly hypocritical to endorse products on your blog (which is what you are doing by allowing advertisers to use your space here) that you yourself do not use or believe in.

You opted out of ads for birth control because you don't believe in it. Why? If you're going to allow other ads you don't agree with, it doesn't many any sense.

If you are concerned about greed, and as you said the Bible "speaks more fiercely against greed", why accept money that comes from items you don't support 100%? It seems greedy to me.

With that said, I still love your blog and will continue to read it. I just disagree with you on this issue.

crabcakes said...

Emily,

I don't think these ads tempt anyone. Honestly, most people ignore internet ads. I'm not going to want to have a beer because I see it on a sidebar. If anything, annoying ads on the internet make me determined to NOT buy that product on principle.

That being said, I do kind of agree with the idea of not accepting funding for things you find immoral.

What I disagree with others about is that accepting funding for alcohol ads falls into this category. You don't abstain from alcohol for any moral reason so why is it hypocritical to have these ads on your page? It isn't. You aren't tempting anyone into anything you find morally unsound. If someone sees the ads and wants to have a drink, that's not something you think is immoral.

If someone has one drink and chooses to drink to excess, how is it different than someone seeing ANY of your ads and purchasing to excess? You have a swagbucks ad too. So does that mean you are responsible if someone becomes addicted to shopping through swagbucks to win points?

People are stretching this a lot.

You removed birth control ads because it is immoral to you. But alcohol is not. So I don't see the issue with you keeping the ad.

(And as a side note, I do kind of get annoyed seeing the same friends of mine complain and complain about having no money. Always. But they still smoke a pack a day. They have money. They just choose to spend it on cigarettes leaving them short on other things. That's not having no money..it's just making the wrong choice in my opinion)

Emily said...

Scottish Twins, I don't see having ad space as endorsing the products being promoted. I never believed that when I had Adsense ads, and no one thought I did. I'm not sure why this is seen as different.

I opted out of birth control not because I don't believe in it, but because it would make ME sad to see it. Birth control makes ME sad. Alcohol does not.

There are very few things I 100% believe in. I have links to many blogs on this blog that I don't 100% agree with, and you do too, since you don't agree with me 100%. I don't consider it an endorsement.

If someone comes to my blog with sin in their heart, they will leave the same way. Do I wish that were not so? Of course, and writing about cutting the cost of bread may help them a little now, but it won't take the sin out of their heart any more than not having ads would.

Aiming4Simple said...

I'm in agreement with you, Emily. Alcohol is not a sin. Your posts do not endorse greed or alcohol abuse--quite the contrary. As for birth control ads, I would do the same thing and opt out, because I have serious moral objections to IUDs, which are being heavily advertised elsewhere.

Ads in general I don't see as a problem. I barely notice online ads and very rarely click on one.

What I do object to are blogs that mention Christ but are more enthusiastic about the deals they promote. That IS endorsing greed. People visit blogs to read posts, and the main content is what really matters. If most posts are urging people to hurry out and grab the latest deals without thought, I think that is much more likely to ensnare people.

Jessica said...

I think the difference between these ads and other ones you have had is that these are in color and are the first thing you see when you log on your blog. To tell you the truth, I never noticed the ads on your blog until just recently.

dust in the wind said...

Emily,

I am glad that you are using your love of blogging wisely by adding ads to try and provide some much needed income for your beautiful family. Money making is not your focus here, but it sure would be nice if you got some! The ads you chose to show and not show are your business, and I think you have good reasons behind your choices whether I agree with them or not. I have never felt bombarded by them. Ads are part of the internet just like commercials are part of TV. Change the channel or turn it off altogether if you don't like it.

Your blog attracts a lot of controversy, and people will always be very critical, even in these little things. Please don't waver or get discouraged, because I really like reading what you have to say, even when I don't agree! (Why is this so hard for people?!) You love Jesus and if He convicts you on your ads then you will change them, I am sure. That is good enough for me, and, in the end, IT DOES NOT MATTER! You love Him, He loves you, others are responsible for their own sin, and having ads on your blog is no sin.

Keep up the good posts,
dustin ( www.onlydustinthewind.blogspot.com )

Jessica said...

I also want to add that the alcohol ad isn't the one that bothers me the most. I think the clothing ad last week with the woman dressed provocatively and the movie ads bother me more.

Lindsay said...

Right now I am seeing an ad for $1 off a brand of wine I actually drink. If I choose to acknowledge that ad, I will use said coupon to by one bottle, from which I may have one drink from every once and a while. Is that promoting sinful behavior? I am not going to buy 20 bottles and drink an entire bottle a day, and I doubt the coupon would even allow for that. It probably has limits. Endorsing a brand of cheap wine and offering a coupon is not endorsing sinful behavior.

Rachel said...

Emily, truly, I never pay attention to the ads. But this is your blog, and I don't think you have to explain to anyone why you do what you do. If it were my blog I would be more conerned with leading people to Christ than what I was advertising. You said that birth control ads make you sad. The unsaved readers of this blog make me sad. But we are all in different places in our walk with Christ. I once left a church service and went with a friend to a David Lee Roth concert! talk about young and foolish! But that is what following Christ is, a growth process. You may feel differently about this in 5 or 10 years, depending on how the Lord touches your heart.

Anonymous said...

"Alos, a lot of my posts may cause others to feel greedy or covetous"

HAHAHAHA. Really? Covet what, your poverty? Or the crap that you feed your family? This is the funniest thing you've written so far

katie said...

Anon, I recently watched the movie "The Count of Monte Cristo". I know that it doesn't follow the book, but it is a good movie nontheless. In the move, the "friend" of the main character, Edmond, ENVIES him. The "friend" is a count, and Edmond is only a poor sailor. Yet, Edmond is SO HAPPY with the little that he has. In fact, the "friend" tries to seduce Edmond's fiancee only because Edmond is so happy with her, despite his poverty.

I apologize if that was confusing :)

I'm only saying that it IS possible, even likely, that their are others reading this blog that envy or covet Emily for her loving husband, her beautiful kids, and even her optimistic, positive attitude towards their financial situation. God has blessed her in that way, and the sin in people's hearts may lead them to envy her those blessings.

I'm not trying to pretend that I know what Emily was talking about in that comment, but I do know that it wasn't meant as a joke.

Des said...

Many Christians struggle with legalism. Perhaps Anon should refrain from placing extraneous rules on his/her life so as not to cause those who do not fully understand grace to stumble. Don't throw Christ's sacrifice in the trash by trying to go back to living under the law, thinking you will be better for it. It is one thing to be sensitive to weaker brothers. It is another thing altogether to make blanket rules for your life and try to pass it off as godliness. That is a slippery slope. Jesus was more pissed at the Pharisees than the sinners.

Anonymous said...

I'm not trying to ruffle anyone's feathers, but I feel compelled to ad my 2 cents to this discussion. I am both a Christian and the child of an alcoholic parent, so I am sensitive to the issues surrounding alcohol consumption. Nevertheless, I find that most Christians seem to forget that when Jesus performed the miracle of turning water into wine at the wedding at Cana, he did so AFTER the guests had been drinking for a while. The evidence for this is found when we read what the banquet master said in response to tasting the wine that Jesus made in John 2:10 (NIV), "Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now."

Stacy said...

Dear Emily,
Hmm..well there are things to think about here. First, I NEVER look at the ads. I have to actually scroll back up to find them because I don't even see them. Personally, I hate advertising of all sorts, but not really for moral reasons mostly. I find them an eyesore and a noise pollution, for me. I skip through commercials, I totally ignore or turn them off whenever possible. It's not out of piety though, unless I think the ad looks really immoral, such as those with barely dressed women--that seriously bugs me.

Second, I guess I would agree with those who say don't include any ads that are for products you would personally find wrong to use. That is not advice, it's just what I would do because I wouldn't want to promote something that seems wrong to me.

Third, alcohol is, for me, a tough topic. I think I personally should not drink, but I can see that the Bible doesn't prohibit it absolutely. Getting drunk is seen as wrong, but not a drink, I think. That said, I still feel wrong drinking myself. I totally overindulged in it as a teenager, and when I became a Christian, I felt convicted about it and stopped. I think that it's possible God has wished me not to drink, maybe because for me it is too addictive--some people are more prone to it. The one thing I do is sometimes use it in cooking for flavor, but the alcohol cooks out. Beer is a good marinade for meat, and wine is great in things like spaghetti sauce, in tiny amounts.

The fourth thing, I think about in the discussions above is the whole blog technique. You seem to purposely promote controversy for the sake of discussion. But then I always wonder if that is a technique to get people to post, which causes you to get more money from your advertisers. I honestly don't know if that's even how it works, I've just noticed on blogs, not just yours, that there's always this push to post even if it doesn't seem like that necessary to do so.

So, I guess I'm wondering if you truly want to stir up controversy by being argumentative with people, or are you just trying to get more action on the blog. It's not an accusation at all, it's something I've wondered at other blogs too. I guess I think that on the one hand, whatever, it's your blog...and if you need to make money for the family, go for it! On the other hand, I personally feel resistance to being manipulated like that. It's just something I dislike from anywhere--blog writers, ads, TV shows, movies, people, etc.

So, that's what I think. I still enjoy looking at your blog for the recipes and interesting alternative ideas. I don't enjoy the arguments. That's just my preference though; I know people like to really get into it, so hey, enjoy!

Emily said...

Rachel, to be totally honest, the unsaved are my biggest concern as well. But if I wrote a blog about only that, I would reach Christians and no one else.

Katie, thanks, that was pretty much what I meant. You can covet anything. It is not just about stuff.

Des, Yes! One of my Bible teachers in college referred to the "professionaly offended Christians" who were offended by everything. It can really turn into a power grab as one Christian works to control their Christian brothers and sisters in the name of being offended.

Stacy, I write about controversial topics because I think about them and because they are relavent to frugal life. I do enjoy a good debate, but I don't want readers to feel manipulated and I'm truly sorry if you have felt that way.

Stacy said...

I just read the post by "Works Hard for Her Money," and I actually don't get what he/she is saying. You quote the scripture, but don't make a clear point on the topic. Why is it significant that Jesus turned the water into wine after everyone had been drinking? I would get it if you were saying he turned the wine into water at that point--everyone had had enough...so what was your point?

Captain Cleavage said...

When Hubs was younger he went to confession. He was at the time drinking and smoking cigarettes (legally...he was of age) and experimenting with drugs (obviouslly illegally) This was the priest response.

God wants us to treat our bodies as a temple. Drinking is not a sin...if it is done in moderation. Drinking to the point of cuasing harm to yourself (both physically and morally) or others is a sin. Cigarettes are unhealthy. period. As far as drugs go they are illegal and therefore a sin to take BUT rememeber that god provided all things on this earth for us to use naturally. If certain drugs in their pure form were to be used legally and in moderation it is not a sin.

for example. cocaine is a drug that comes from a polant grown naturally on earth. the plant itself is not adictive and can be used for many things. But the drug itself is a chemically alterd source and is illegal.
Marijanna is a naturally grown plant with many good things it can be used for (not just getting hi...which falls under non moderation use) but it is illegal so it is considerd a sin.

You are right those three things right there are not frugal. since we stopped smoking last year we have saved over 2100 dollars. We didnt drink a lot but we have probablly saved about 500 dollars this year alone by giving up that as well :)

Stacy said...

Emily,

No, you haven't made me feel that way--no need to apologise. It's just the whole blog system that I wonder about. Is it actually true though that more posts makes more ad money for the blogger? I'm not that knowledgeable about this topic.

Stacy

Emily said...

Stacy, with BlogHer, I get paid for pageviews, not comments, but if somone comes to my site, then wants to comment or read comments, they click the commemts button, view the ad again, and I get paid again (a fraction of a penny). I'm going to explain it thoroughly in my anniversary post, but I would say that a lively comment section does add to the total income with BlogHer, but not with Adsense, Swagbucks and Amazon.

Captain Cleavage, congrats on the massive savings!

Stacy said...

Okay, this is my last post--I have to go do things today! :-)

1. Cigarrettes are shockingly expensive. I honestly don't get how anyone can justify them if trying to live on a tight budget, or if they consider their own or their family's health important. I know, people smoke outside or just one a day, or whatever, but that's my opinion. It's not that it's my CHRISTIAN opinion, just my personal opinion. They smell bad too.

2. I just signed up for Swagbugs, upon your recommendation, and I have 4 swagbucks already! Thanks for that tip--I'm excited about this chance to make a little dent in our budget!

3. I agree that people are way too interested in judging others, and it's a crying shame if you ask me. What a terrible, terrible example to set for non-Christians! LOVE your neighbor as yourself, that's what Jesus said. FLEE from sin, but LOVE the sinner.

Have a great day!

Anonymous said...

I think it's more cultural than biblical how most conservative Christians get all up in arms about drinking and sex and don't care all that much about violence and greed. I have never understood why the latter are basically ignored. However when I went to church I found most people there were absolutely obsessed with the first two.

Kimber said...

Emily,
I know this is off subject right now but I just wanted to let you know I just nomunated you for the 2009 Cheapie Award. If you win with enough vote you will recieve $100. Go to this site & grab there banner & add it to your post. Have until the 9th to vote!

It is at: BabyCheapskate.blog.com/200112/2009-cheeie-awards-nominate-your.html

frugalredneck said...

I am fairly new in my walk with jesus. I don't attend church anymore. We went to one for a few years, and others here and there, It was the judgement that killed it for me. So we are "Stay at home christians" now. I talk to god all the time, I talk to jesus like my friend all day long, just talk sometimes. My kids do the same. God knows where my heart lies. Judgement makes me angry and sad, Not a an ad. I prefer to come to this blog and others and read about emily and her family and the awsome things she does with what she has,And her great thought provoking ideas. It never dawned on me to judge her for any ads, I bonded with her about what she wrote, I too had troubles in some of these areas, Smoking Is a problem I still have. Don't let judgement disguise itself in leading one down the right path, That is god's job to judge. It does hurt my heart sometimes when I come here and see the judgement on emily, Instead of hearing stories of encouragement. Emily, I was a heavily into drugs and alcohol up until age 18, When I got pregnant with my first daughter, I never again touched them, with the exception of smoking, which is my devil I fight now. I am so thankful that you quit and I completely understand how you feel when you smell it. I admire you. Funny I just wrote about my life with these issues on my blog, and about some forgiveness I have had to give. Michelle (about a mile and half down the path to god, with a 1000 miles left to go)(www.frugalredneck.blogspot.com)

Stacy said...

Okay, this really is my last post...:-)

I completely agree with the anonymous post above. Well, maybe not completely, but I agree. Why do people, including many Christians, think that violence and greed...or a host of other vices...are not as bad as drinking, smoking and sex out of marriage? I don't get that one. Of those three, I'd say unmarried sex is the only one that is huge in my mind. Drinking in excess is bad, but not altogether probably. Smoking is just foolish and harmful, and I think an argument can be made against it, but it's not a salvation issue. What about being judgemental? That is a huge one in the Bible. What about pride? Yikes, we say it's bad, but so many people are so prideful. Vanity? Materialism? Disdain for authority? What about excess in almost any form? Why do we not see gluttony as being as bad as excessive drinking? And obviously violence is a tough issue. There's violence that is probably necessary, as in defending one's country, then there's violence that is a product of greed and the need to dominate, as in excessive use of military or force in particular situations. I'm not saying I'm sinless and don't struggle with these things because I do, and you probably do too. It's just weird that we focus so much on certain things and not others.

Meg said...

Emily,

I'm so glad you posted this. You've made a very good point.

Beer has been a sensitive issue for me over the past few months. My husband likes to drink when he gets home from work. He's never drunk, and is perfectly functional when he does drink. My problem isn't him drinking - it's the money that it takes! Our budget is getting tighter and he's agreed to drink less, and eventually quit completely if he can (he's a creature of habit).

As far as the ads - I don't really pay attention to ads, and when I do I don't really care what they're for. I've read somewhere else that the author's blog was like an extension of her home. It's your choice to write, or post, or advertise what you want. If people have a problem with it, so be it, but in the end it's your home. You decorate it how you like.

Keep up the awesome posting! I've been reading through the archives and love the site!

Anonymous said...

Stacy,

I've never met a Christian (a true one that is, not someone that goes to church on Sunday just to say they go) that is okay violence, greed, or even gluttony. If I knew a friend was eating themself sick every night I would approach them with love and ask them if they realized they were being gluttonous. I would pray with them, be their accountability partner, get them information on how to eat well. I'd expect any of my friends to approach me the same way.

I don't understand where you even get the idea that Christians are okay with violence and greed, maybe you could give me some examples and I'll understand, but right now I don't.

I'm not trying to be snide or snarky, I really just don't see it and hope you can help me.

Jill said...

I definitely agree that drunkennness is the sin, not drinking in moderation. That being said, I doubt anyone would be offended if you were advertising food in your side banner ad. But what if that encourages someone to commit the sin of gluttony? I think most people would balk at that argument. Yet we don't have that same response to alcohol advertisements. I don't understand the disconnect.

Anonymous said...

Church bingo. There's an example.

It's o.k. to sit there and be greedy and possesive about your seat and tickets and cards all in the name of the money going to the church.

Then those same people turn around and pray for the sinners. Seriously, take a look at yourselves. Church bingo is a disgusting display of sin if I ever saw it.

Anonymous said...

Stacy, I'm sorry my point wasn't clear, let me clarify. Most fellow Christians say that it's not a sin to drink, which they support using the verses regarding Jesus turning water into wine. But, they then counter that by saying that it is a sin, however, to drink to the point of getting drunk. But Jesus not only turned water into wine for the guests at the wedding of Cana, but he did so after those people had been drinking for quite a while. So my point is that the issue of drunkenness (as with many other things) isn't as black and white as many Christians would like it to be. These so called "grey" areas of the Bible seem to make people really uncomfortable, but I think God has been intentional in His leaving some issues grey. In doing so, God is forcing us to be reliant on the Spirit's guidance in our lives, instead of a living a life where a list of rules is our Lord.

I hope I haven't gone too far off topic and that my point was clear.

Emily said...

Anon on Stacy's comment, I'm glad to hear you're part of a Christian community that does hold each other accountabe for ALL sin. However, from my own experience, I agree with Stacy. We give lipservice to the idea that it is all the same, but we don't treat it that way.

I've never known a church that goes through the Bibical steps of confronting and helping a gluttonous person or a person with a smoking addiction, but several churches have gone through the Biblical steps to confront and help members with sexual sins and alcohol addictions. This isn't fair to the glutton and smoker, who would be better off if they were being helped as well.

Works Hard, I agree, and that's why I used the word "excess." I was a little confused by your first comment, too. Thanks for carifying!

Anon on bingo, I've never been a part of a church that has church bingo, but that is a good example.

Not So Average Mama said...

I totally need to quit smoking..again. Everytime I try something stresses me out and I decide I need a smoke break to just chill out and calm down. It sucks and it IS expensive. Blah! Anyhow I have been checking out your blog from time to time! I love reading about the goals you have and what you do to meet them. I posted a little something for you over at my site:
http://notsoaveragemama.com/2009/12/07/i-got-a-best-blog-award/

Heather said...

i don't pay attention to the ads, so i have no idea what's being advertised. i guess alcohol has been or you wouldn't have this post. was it just an occasional showing or are the ads consistently showing alcohol products? i'm pretty liberal, so none of that bothers me anyway.

i am curious to hear more about your thoughts on birth control. you say that it makes you sad. i don't understand why that would make you sad. i know that some methods are not morally acceptable to some, but i never thought of all of the methods as being a problem.

what makes me sad though, is unwanted children. it would be nice if all pregnancies were planned and wanted. but that's not the reality of life. and unfortunately those unwanted children don't often get adopted by families who do want them. so what happens to those children? they get treated badly, neglected, abused, etc. and again that makes me very sad.

not to jump into a real controversial thing but to give you an idea of my thoughts, i am much more saddened to hear of a child who has been mistreated in any way even killed than i am about hearing of a person having an early term abortion. so with those thoughts, i really don't know about the birth control problem.

in an ideal world none of this would be an issue and i would prefer that, but we don't live in that world. this probably makes you cringe, but i've often said that people should have to have some sort of application and screening process before they have children. obviously not going to happen. but it does seem odd and sad to me that i went through more screening to adopt my cat from animal control than i did to have children.

so if you don't mind, i would love to read a post about your thoughts on birth control. i do understand if it's too personal a topic though. and of course i will likely reply to that with this same response.

as for the ads, i wouldn't let it bother you. you are making an income off of them yes, but you are not endorsing or encouraging people to become drunks. as a matter of fact, your blog content is encouraging a lot of good things! some people are going to be unhappy no matter what.

Anonymous said...

Emily,

I see what you're saying. I feel blessed to have a wonderful church family that I feel I can rely on. I don't have much family so having a supportive family at my church has been a very wonderful gift. I've never heard a sermon about how to help a glutton, then again I've never heard a sermon about how to help an alcoholic or the sexually immoral. I might argue that the Biblical steps to approaching and helping someone dealing with any sin would be the same or very similar - but maybe not everyone sees it that way.

Also, I've never seen a church that has church bingo. Isn't bingo for money just gambling? Why would a church offer that? Bingo is a fun game, but I've never played for money, and most definitely not for money at a church.

Cynthia said...

Emily, it's your blog. If the ads don't bother you, then they don't bother you and who is anyone else to tell you how to run your blog? I'm sure Adsense probably gave you categories of ads you could refuse but maybe not specifically which children's toys and toy companies could be displayed, or what brands of wine are acceptable. I don't believe that accepting a category makes you a writing endorsement for any of the specifics. You made reasonable choices based on what you felt coincided with YOUR beliefs. Your church isn't sponsoring this blog, nor is anyone else's. And according to the title, the blog isn't all about walking a path and leading a godly life, it's about a young, growing family thriving on a budget under which a lot of people can't fathom making ends meet.

The majority of responses seem to be Christians trying to 'one-up' or out-Christian each other. You're not as Christian because you have a wine ad on the blog. WHAT? That's laughable. Keep the ads, don't keep the ads. Frankly, until people started mentioning specifically what they were in this column I paid them no attention at all because I don't care for the positioning and content of the ads. I ignored them - which is what a GROWN-UP is capable of doing with such a thing regardless of what faith they might be practicing, if any at all. Now I'm wondering what brand of wine that $1 off coupon was on.

Anonymous said...

I honestly never even notice ads myself. Being a non-drinker, if I had noticed the alcohol ad, I wouldn't have thought anything about it.

I also don't think of your blog posts as controversial, I look at them as debates. I actually like the debates (as long as people are polite), it makes you think about something in an angle you may not have thought of before.

For instance this post made me think, that it is funny how some people get bent out of shape on specific "sins" over another sin.

It even made me think that I probably do the same (but obviously not drinking,ha) and I even grew up with an alcoholic father, go figure. But if I had noticed a provocative ad, that would irritate me, but my irritation would not have been directed at you.

I agree with some things you practice but not all by far and I still love your blog. Keep up the great work!

frugalredneck said...

Two great posts above by nota and anon, This is a blog about a woman who loves her husband and family and is doing an amazing job at living on less, alot less. And to the poster way way up there who keeps coming on here and talking about emily feeding her family garbage and about poverty, This person seems to comment on every post and they are stupid. I have never thought of emily and her family as impoverished, nor of her meals as crap, go away if you don't like it, Because some of us like me, check each day to see what the next post will be. Real food, For real families, on a tight but doable budget. frugalredneck

Anonymous said...

Bingo??? BINGO???

Seriously lets pick on the sweet old grandmothers. Christians are no fun.

Clisby said...

I'm another one who never looks at the ads. I guess if you were advertising white-supremacy T-shirts, it might get my attention, but otherwise ... no. I'm tuning out all the "sin" talk, too.

Emily said...

Not So Average Mama, thanks for the award!

heather, I will add why birth control makes me sad to my FAQ, but I touched on it a little in this post:
http://under1000permonth.blogspot.com/2009/10/quiver-full-movement.html
I'm sure we'll disagree on it, since you describe yourself as liberal. (:

Anon on handling sin, yes, Bibically we should be dealing with all sin the same way. The way I am thinking is Matthew 18:15-20, where the ultimate goal is repentance and restoration.

frugalredneck, I can't comment on your blog. When I click to, a comment box doesn't show up for me to type in. I've wanted to since you started commenting here, cuz I love it, and I love how you shared about your mom. I'm going to keep reading and keep trying, though!

Roxanna said...

I never really look at ads to be honest I have had a couple of pop up ads when visiting your site which are personally a pet peeve of mine but overall I never look at any ads on any site.

Emily said...

Roxanna, pop-ups are a pet peeve of mine, too, which is why I opted out of them. I'll be contacting BlogHer about it, as you're the third person whose said that.

Stacy said...

Well, after saying I don't like arguments, I guess I got into this topic in an argumentative way. Oh well. I just meant that a lot of people tend to think any war America gets into, or any military involvement, is A-okay because it's American, or patriotic, or something. I think as Christians we need to be discerning about what is worth using violence for. That said, on the other hand, if you've signed up for the military, it's absolutely your job to do what your "boss" says to do in terms of fighting in one battle or another.

Anyway, I meant only to say that there are a lot of issues we all deal with, or many of us deal with, that we don't count as being as bad as some "special" sins like drinking and such. I think we should treat them all the same in terms of dealing with them as spiritual problems.

However, in terms of what is more or less harmful to the world or to that particular person, then I think there is some differentiation to be made. For example, one person's gluttony is not as harmful to the world as one person's violence; likewise, one person's pride could be more or less harmful than another person's struggle with lying. It all depends on the situations, right? That's the impact on individual lives and on society, not necessarily (although they are related, I think) on the spiritual implications.

Anyway, I'm about to run out of things to say on this, and you may think I already have, so I'll just say goodbye. It's my birthday today, and I want to enjoy it by not arguing anymore!

Thanks for the interesting discussion.

Anonymous said...

Have you ever listened to those sweet old grandmothers? They're not so sweet at all. Full of judgement and they all swear at each other. I've never seen a church bingo where the majority of "sweet grandmothers" actually are sweet. They're mean and possessive ladies who will yell and swat at you if you accidentally sit in the wrong seat.
But they're Christian so I guess it doesn't matter how they treat other players. And they're grandmothers so I guess they get a free pass too? If you think they're all sweet quiet old ladies, then you've never actually been at a church bingo.

Emily said...

Happy birthday, Stacy!

Clisby said...

OK, Emily, I think the consensus is that you should opt out of bingo ads.

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Stacy said...

The Bingo discussion is a bit bizarre...but since we're talking about gambling, I think that would be an interesting blog post. Personally, I've never liked the idea of it at all, even way before I was a Christian. It just seems like I have little enough money as it is, and the very idea of blowing it by practically just giving it to the casino owner makes me feel like I'm flushing it down the toilet. However, I have Christian friends and family members who see it as harmless and fun entertainment when used with limits. Any thoughts on this as a topic.

Clisby said...

I have no thoughts on it from a religious standpoint, but I don't see it any differently from spending money on any other form of entertainment. Assuming you can afford it, so the expenditure isn't hurting your family, is it somehow worse to spend $100 on lottery tickets than to spend $100 to see a Broadway play? Especially if you like the thrill of checking the lottery numbers and you're bored silly at a Broadway play? I realize that to some people who just don't "get" gambling, it's the same as throwing your money away. But to, me buying a brand new car is throwing your money away. Paying to see a sports event is throwing your money away. Buying your kids designer clothes is throwing your money away (unless you buy them at yard sales, of course.) So the wastefulness factor is there - but it's just one of many, many, many ways people waste money.

Anonymous said...

Emily
Please don't make this blog about christianity. I know that is an important part of your life and I'm all good with that but, the reason I read your blog imparticular is because of your frugal tips. I don't care who you worship. I don't care what ads you choose to display because I'm all for you and your family making a buck or two off this blog. Talk about religion and you loose focus of what this blog is about, never mind the fact that when it comes to religion there are as many beliefs as there are people in the world -- or almost anyway. Following Christ is a very private matter and if it isn't, it should be IMHO. I am so turned off my people claiming to be Christians all the while being judgemental, selfrightious, disrespectful, and down right nasty when people don't agree with their way of thinking.

Emily said...

Cisby, I think that is a great point, that wasting money is wasting money. It is exchanging currency for a thrill of some sort. From a religious viewpoint it would be called bad stewardship.

Anon, sorry I had to edit your comment, but I wanted to publish it without the remark at the end. I have no intention of turning this into a blog about my Christian views, but they will come up from time to time, as those views are a motivation for me to spend wisely and carefully. When I do present my Christian views, I try to do so in a way that is open to disagreement without compromising my position. I can't control how others react to my views, and I don't mind a debate in the comments section. If you're not comfortable with the debate, that's fine, come back the next day and I'll have written about something else. (:

stacy said...

I see what you mean about wastefulness. I agree with you on that point. It's totally my own interest in terms of gambling, I think...or lack of interest. Anyway, I think this could be an interesting blog topic of its own.

Clisby said...

Well, if the thrill is big enough, maybe it's not a waste of money. I just don't see how gambling is inherently different from other forms of entertainment. For example, for my daughter's 13 birthday in May, I took her to New York City for a 3-day weekend (her first trip, my first in more than 10 years). We saw the sights, ate great food, and saw three Broadway plays. To me, it was worth every penny to see how excited she was, and how she sat on the edge of her seat in the theater, and how much she loved wandering around a huge city. To someone else, maybe that would have been a waste of money that could have produced more fun in a Las Vegas casino - who knows? I can't get all hot and bothered over how *other* people spend their money, as long as they're taking care of their families.

Rachel said...

God gave us rules because he is concerned with what is good for us. Take gambling, it can destroy a person, and their entire family. Clisby, you said its okay as long as people take care of their families. But if you start and its all in good fun, when does it stop being good fun? When it reaches being an addiction. We like to call this an addiction, and yes it is, but it is also a sin. I was at one time what is called co-dependent. there were people in my life that I thought I could not live without their love and approval. i went for therapy and found a lot of help there. But one day I picked up a Christian book on co-dependence, and this book told me that my co-dependent issues were a sin. That was a big pill for me to swallow, but I had to. Why? Because it was getting in the way of my relationsip with God. I was putting more importance on what others were doing for me than what God was doing for me.

So much of what has been mentioned here gets in the way of that relationship with God, drinking, gambling, sexual sin. If I had a blog, I would not feel comfortable with advertising alcohol, but this is ultimately Emily's decision. We all have to choose for ourselves.

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