Sealism

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Sealism is a belief based on Christianity. The main website can be found here [1] at freewebs.com/stpdod. The belief uses all of the same Bibles and religious texts that most Protestant congregations use. This is more of a belief that accompanies several major sects. It is all inclusive and will not exclude anyone based on previous religions, race, etc. Sealism and stpdod come from ancient Latin translations and the origins are not known. Sealism has a following outside of Atlanta, Georgia with several hundred, and is constantly growing and accepting new believers.

Contents 1 Foundation of Beliefs 2 Alcohol in the beliefs 3 A Common Misconception 4 Legal Aspects 5 For more information

[edit] Foundation of Beliefs

The Sealism sect shares the common religious beliefs of most Christians. The sect is based on the Protestant Christian theology, in which we believe.

However, there is one difference to our form of religious worship. Sealists believe that alcohol, in all its various forms, bring people closer to God. Today's society has put a black mark on alcohol that simply was not around during Biblical times.

[edit] Alcohol in the beliefs

The brain, while amazing at complex tasks and thoughts, has become responsible for the prohibition of true connection to God. Alcohol can temporarily remove this blockage and bring one's mind and soul closer to Him. As our Christian beliefs dictate, we are always in a constant search to be closer to God, and thus we believe that drinking alcohol is a religious ceremony. Unlike other traditional Christian sects, we do not try to limit our continuing efforts to connect to a few structured times a week. This ceremony can be conducted by any individual who believes and truly wants to be closer to God, any day of the week, any time of day. It is also acceptable, even encouraged, to share this ceremony by providing alcohol to one another and drinking together.

[edit] A Common Misconception

It has come to our attention that a common misconception about alcohol in today's society stems from a fundamental misunderstanding of the Bible. Alcohol is not condemned, but spoke of as acceptable. Following are excerps from the Bible:

Use is accepted as normal [8] Citation: GENESIS 027:025 King James: And he said, Bring it near to me, and I will eat of my son's venison, that my soul may bless thee. And he brought it near to him, and he did eat: and he brought him wine and he drank. New International: Then he said, "My son, bring me some of your game to eat, so that I may give you my blessing." Jacob brought it to him and he ate; and he brought some wine and he drank.

Blessing from God [9] Citation: GENESIS 027:028 King James: Therefore God give thee of the dew of heaven, and the fatness of the earth, and plenty of corn and wine: New International: May God give you of heaven's dew and of earth's richness-- an abundance of grain and new wine.

Blessing from God [10] Citation: GENESIS 027:037 King James: And Isaac answered and said unto Esau, Behold, I have made him thy lord, and all his brethren have I given to him for servants; and with corn and wine have I sustained him: and what shall I do now unto thee, my son? New International: Isaac answered Esau, "I have made him lord over you and have made all his relatives his servants, and I have sustained him with grain and new wine. So what can I possibly do for you, my son?"

Offering (use in) [13] Citation: EXODUS 029:040 King James: And with the one lamb a tenth deal of flour mingled with the fourth part of an hin of beaten oil; and the fourth part of an hin of wine for a drink offering. New International: With the first lamb offer a tenth of an ephah of fine flour mixed with a quarter of a hin of oil from pressed olives, and a quarter of a hin of wine as a drink offering.

Blessing from God [24] Citation: DEUTERONOMY 007:013 King James: And he will love thee, and bless thee, and multiply thee: he will also bless the fruit of thy womb, and the fruit of thy land, thy corn, and thy wine, and thine oil, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep, in the land which he sware unto thy fathers to give thee. New International: He will love you and bless you and increase your numbers. He will bless the fruit of your womb, the crops of your land--your grain, new wine and oil--the calves of your herds and the lambs of your flocks in the land that he swore to your forefathers to give you.

[edit] Legal Aspects

While this page deals specifically with Georgia law, many states have very similar religious exceptions

The Georgia Law Code clearly states that alcohol consumption by minors is legal as long as it is part of a religious ceremony.

3-3-23: (a) Except as otherwise authorized by law: (1) No person knowingly, directly or through another person, shall furnish, cause to be furnished, or permit any person in such person's employ to furnish any alcoholic beverage to any person under 21 years of age; (2) No person under 21 years of age shall purchase, attempt to purchase, or knowingly possess any alcoholic beverage; (3) No person under 21 years of age shall misrepresent such person's age in any manner whatever for the purpose of obtaining illegally any alcoholic beverage; (4) No person knowingly or intentionally shall act as an agent to purchase or acquire any alcoholic beverage for or on behalf of a person under 21 years of age; or (5) No person under 21 years of age shall misrepresent his or her identity or use any false identification for the purpose of purchasing or obtaining any alcoholic beverage. (b) The prohibitions contained in paragraphs (1), (2), and (4) of subsection (a) of this Code section shall not apply with respect to the sale, purchase, or possession of alcoholic beverages for consumption: (2) At a religious ceremony.

In addition; Article One, Section One of the Georgia State Constitution states that:

Paragraph III. Freedom of conscience. Each person has the natural and inalienable right to worship God, each according to the dictates of that person's own conscience; and no human authority should, in any case, control or interfere with such right of conscience.

In addition, The First Amendment of the United States Constitution states that:

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

[edit] For more information

Go to www.freewebs.com/stpdod. You can look at the official webite or ask questions via the forum. Also several facebook groups and planned groups are designed to greatly increase awareness of this sect.

Sources: www.freewebs.com/stpdod, discussion with members

In response the to notability: The third party website www.freewebs.com/stpdod is a confirmed source for this ideology. The homepage was in the top 1% of Freewebs created in the first week of April. Also several hundred followers exist in and around Atlanta. Furthermore, most of the information in the page comes from the Bible, Georgia Law, and the US Constitution. All of which is cited