Steve Finley links underage drinking to 'kicking God out' of schools, calls for moral instruction

Host Steve Finley attributed rising underage drinking to what he described as removal of religious instruction from schools and culture.

"When you kick God out of the schools, say we can't pray in school, we can't have the commandments in school, we can't read about God," Finley said. "Instead, we're gonna tell kids they're nothing but animals, and that they share a common heritage with earthworms." He argued that teaching children biblical commandments would reduce alcohol abuse among youth.

Finley cited media coverage of stronger drinking behaviors among young people, citing experts who described practices such as "front loading" (drinking heavily before events) and higher blood-alcohol levels among a minority of youth. He urged parents and churches to instruct children in religious morality rather than debating drinking-ages.

On alcohol more generally, Finley said drunkenness is a sin and called alcohol "a poison," though he acknowledged moderation by noting, "Is it a sin just to have a drink once in a while? Well, technically, no." He urged listeners to avoid habitual drinking and said, "Best thing you can do with that case of beer you have, throw it in the garbage, and be rid of it."

Finley tied this discussion back to his broader theme of personal repentance and Scripture study as remedies for social ills.