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Churches speak against alcohol sales
By Mary Madewell
Published April 26, 2009
Opposition to the expansion of liquor sales to Reno and Paris in Lamar County builds momentum as May 9 local option elections in Paris and Reno draw near. Early voting begins Monday.
What seemed to be a fairly quiet campaign to date may be generating more interest as signs both for and against propositions increase in numbers, and church pastors begin to speak out against liquor sale expansion from pulpits.
“I preached on the subject last Sunday night and we have yard signs that our folks are putting out,” First Baptist Church of Paris associate pastor Ken Cannon said Friday.
At Ramseur Baptist Church, the outside marquee sports opposition. Late last week it stated, “A vote against liquor protects the children of Paris.” On Saturday the sign stated, “More alcohol equals more accidents arrests-abuse.”
The leadership at Lamar Avenue Church of Christ included literature about alcohol sales inside an April 19 church bulletin (see related graphic on page 3A.)
Michael Cosgrove with the Red River Valley Baptist Association said individual church efforts became more intense following a recent pro-group mass mailing. Information from the group can be obtained on the Internet at paristexaswins.com. The site is sponsored by Texas Petitions Strategies in Arlington.
Red River Valley Baptist Association, which serves Lamar, Delta and Red River counties, serves as a resource organization and liaison among Southern Baptist churches.
“Historically, Southern Baptist churches have been opposed to the sale and use of alcoholic beverages,” Cosgrove said. He noted that Paris and Reno area churches are taking a stand individually rather than as a group.
“If this passes, the churches will have to be beefing up their substance abuse programs and their counseling efforts in the community,” Cosgrove said.
Both the Lamar County Christian Ministry Alliance and the Paris Ministerial Alliance, along with the Paris Chapter NAACP have taken stands in opposition to liquor sale expansion.
“We have encouraged churches to address this serious decision facing Paris in their individual congregations, LCCMA president Patrick Cannon said. “We hope the members at each church can be informed when they go to vote.”
Rev. Kenneth Rogers of St. Paul Baptist Church spoke as a member of the Paris Ministerial Alliance and a spokesperson for Paris NAACP.
“It would not be good for Paris and it would not be good for the African American community,” Rogers said. Relating to his experience in Oak Cliff in Dallas, Rogers said, “When they allowed liquor sales in South Dallas, liquor stores popped up in every mom and pop store. I am afraid the same thing will happen in Paris, particularly along North Main.”
Liquor sales within Paris, Rogers said, “will give kids quicker access.”
Pastor Tim Reger at Mount Olive Baptist Church in Reno also voiced concern about easier access for youth and the
impact alcohol abuse has on families in general.
“As a pastor I have worked with a number of people who are impacted by alcohol,” Reger said. “As a church, we oppose it on grounds that it is detrimental to individuals and families.”
In addition, Reger said he has statistics that show, “when alcohol sales go up, crime goes up as well.”
In reference to a claim that increased alcohol sales would result in more money in city coffers, Reger said he disagrees.
“If we are getting a penny for every dollar of alcohol sold we would get $10,000 for $1 million in alcohol sales,” Reger said. “We are going to have a whole lot more than
$10,000 in accidents, crime and death.”
About “potential economic benefit,” Cannon queried, “What value can be placed on human life?”
“One death because of an alcohol-related accident is one death too many,” Cannon said. “One family that has to suffer the adverse effects of alcohol is one family too many.”
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