I appreciate the author's discussion of whether beer is a gift from God or not ("Alcohol slogan not appropriate for Christian organization," Jan. 22). He is sure to get a great response. I'd like to add a few points to consider.

Beer is a gift from God.

All good things are a gift from God. Drunkenness is not a good thing, and many teetotalars will no doubt say that all alcohol is a bad thing; however, the biblical evidence is that alcohol consumed in moderation is not prohibited.

Beer, therefore, must either be a gift from God or come from nowhere. I choose the first. Secondly, the author's point regarding Ben Franklin's faith is a common thinking error.

Ben Franklin's faith neither confirms nor denies the truth of Ben Franklin's statements. The statement that beer is a gift from God is either true or it isn't. Ben Franklin can believe in any religion at all and it has no bearing on the truth of his statement.

Granted, the purpose of the communication was to get attention, and the quote was the hook, and Ben Franklin's not a bad name to drop. However, the truth of the statement has little to do with the source.

Finally, I find it ironic that a writer from the Collegian is advising a Christian organization regarding the dangers of drinking. Somehow, that seems a bit of a reversal of positions.

Anyway, we live in strange times.