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I agree that moral misconceptions abound throughout Christendom. The reason, however, is quite simple. More Christians base their beliefs more on received tradition than on what the Bible actually says. Nor is this anything new: In Mark 7:13, Jesus castigates certain Pharisees and scribes who come to him, accusing them of 'Making the word of God of no effect through your tradition, which you have delivered: and many such things do you'.

Essentially, man-made religion likes to add bits on - and the more bits the better - because our mortal flesh is uncomfortable with the unseen realm of the spirit. We cannot see a person's righteousness, but we can evaluate their actions, so we like to infer certain things from outward appearances.

In fact there is even biblical precedent for this, because Jesus tells us in Luke 6:45, that 'A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.'

Also, in Matthew 7:16-20, Jesus adds 'You shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree brings forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree brings forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that brings not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Therefore by their fruits you shall know them.'

To which, Jesus' half-brother adds in James 2:20 & 26, 'faith without works is dead'.

So, it's not wrong in itself to judge a person's actions. If they lie, or steal, or kill, or get drunk, we are not wrong to infer that something is going badly wrong. The problem is that over the years, religious people have added on extras that were not originally required.

The principle that governs Christian conduct is love. James 2:8 puts it this way: 'If you fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, you shall love your neighbour as yourself, you do well'.

God, on the other hand, is by very nature, love. And the principle that governs God's dealings with us, by which he applies that love, is grace.

So, how come so many have got themselves in a tizzy and uptight about peripheral issues like alcohol? The answer is both simple and dual. Firstly, it is because of self-righteousness. Secondly, it is because of ignorance.

We are ignorant of what the Bible actually says; while self-righteousness

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