Why can't Christians drink alcohol, even in moderation?

Only a few Christians prohibit alcohol.

Jesus told them, "Fill the jars with water." So they filled them to the brim. Then he told them, "Draw some out now and take it to the headwaiter." So they took it. And when the headwaiter tasted the water that had become wine, ... (John 2:7-9)

Wine is used throughout both the Old and New Testaments. The first recorded miracle of Jesus was to turn water into wine at the wedding in Cana.

It is true that we should not become drunk but used in moderation, wine is a biblically acceptable beverage.

Go, eat your bread with joy and drink your wine with a merry heart, because it is now that God favors your works. (Ecclesiastes 9:7)

Stop drinking only water, but have a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent illnesses. (1 Timothy 5:23)

Wine and music delight the soul. (Sirach 40:20)

WWJD? What would Jesus do? Jesus had a cup of wine with dinner. In fact, because of this practice, some teetotalers accused him of being a drunkard. See Matthew 11:19 and Luke 7:34.

If some people wish to totally forego alcohol to eliminate the temptation to over indulge, that is fine. However, I do not think they should force that unbiblical practice onto others.

By the way, for those who argue that Jesus and other people in the Bible only drank fruit juice, a process that would stop grape juice from fermenting into wine was not even invented until 1869 by Dr Thomas B Welch when he invented Welch's Unfermented Wine which was renamed later to Welch's Grape Juice. http://www.welchs.com/about-welchs/history

With love in Christ.

One of Jesus' first miracles was to turn water into wine at a wedding, so they could partake of the vine in moderation of course.

No such rule! A Christian is free to eat and drink food and alcoholic beverages in moderation.

Odd question considering that wine is a part of the Eucharist used in most Christian worship ceremonies.

Alcoholic beverages can be enjoyed by people who want to use them, in moderation and under control, usually without any ill effects.

But when they are used in excess, then this becomes an abuse of alcohol, which is harmful, even deadly, to the abusers as well as to others.

The fact that alcoholic beverages need not be condemned can be seen in the Bible. There God is spoken of as arranging a future time of happiness for mankind when, among other things, he will provide “a banquet of well-oiled dishes, a banquet of wine.” (Isa. 25:6)

Surely the Creator would not use wine as a symbol of happiness if it were an item forbidden to mankind.

Also, Jesus Christ made fine wine at a wedding celebration, showing that it can have its proper place.

At Passover it became the custom for family groups to drink several cups of wine, which, by that time, would be fermented.

Hence, in celebrating the Passover of 33 C.E., Jesus drank real red wine, some of which he offered to his disciples in introducing the Lord’s Evening Meal. Mr 14:23-25

He used fermented wine, not unfermented grape juice. Biblical references to wine are to literal wine, not to the unfermented juice of the grape.

Jesus’ enemies accused him of being given to drinking wine, a charge that would mean nothing if the wine were mere grape juice.

They CAN in moderation as specified in the bible, only drunkenness is a sin. Those forbidding other believers to drink it in moderation are overstepping the bible's command against imposing their own teachings (Gal 1:8,9). Wine is the most often mentioned alcoholic beverage in the bible. Various strong alcoholic liquors, apparently derived from pomegranates, dates, figs, and the like, were also mentioned. (Nu 28:7; De 14:26; Ps 69:12). Many faithful men in the bible are spoken of as drinking alcohol. In fact, Jesus drank wine with his meals when it was available. (Mt 11:19; Lu 7:34) Wine was very much a part of banquets (Es 1:7; 5:6; 7:2, 7, 8), wedding feasts (Joh 2:2, 3, 9, 10; 4:46), and other festive occasions (1Ch 12:39, 40; Job 1:13, 18).

Some alcohol was used for medicinal purposes such as an antiseptic and mild disinfectant. (Lu 10:34) The Bible also recommends it as a curative remedy in cases of certain intestinal disturbances. Paul counseled Timothy: “Do not drink water any longer, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent cases of sickness.” (1Ti 5:23)

Some can, some cannot. Partly it depends on conscience, partly it depends on past use. If a Christian is a recovering alcoholic, he should never have another drink.

I don't know. Jesus drank.

I never refrained, even when I was a Christian.

They can.

Some believe that they can not, there is nothing I have seen in the Bible that say you can not.