For starters, if you choose to be drunk in your own free will, then that is considered a sin. Lighting up is not a sin. Few topics have been debated in Christian circles as much as drinking alcohol. But getting drunk is a sin. We are commanded to heed civil laws (e.g. Paul also exhorts Christians to abstain from drinking alcohol in situations where doing so could cause their brothers or sisters in Christ to stumble (Rom. Simply put, you arent your true self when drunk. Drunkenness is a sin. As to your specific questions: First, if you are under the legal drinking age, you would do well to respect the law. The law is very clear in stating the speed that is legal in that area. In fact, alcohol is inherently good. St. Paul is very serious here: Let every person be subject to the governing authorities (Romans 13:1; see 13:1-7). However, the vast majority of non-christians are not put off by drinking in western culture. Catholics & Bible is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Where in the World Can I Find Authentic Joy. Answer: You apparently have received unreliable information on what many Catholic priests believe. To use the argument that the State says it is illegal and thus a sin may be easier and more effective, but it does in fact stunt a students moral growth. Ive heard serious Catholics nod their heads in agreement that drunkenness is a mortal sin. However, as per the virtue of temperance in CCC 2290, excessive use of tobacco is sinful. What does the Bible say about drinking? Your decision-making and critical thinking abilities are significantly impaired. You need to go to confession. If alcohol is not controlled in your country, then feel free to drink. Alcohol is bad when abused. So, why do so many Christians push for the abstinence of drinking when its not in the Bible? Other examples of abusing good things include overdosing on medicine, neglecting your health and family because of work, and even eating too much chocolate cake. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. But the reality is the Bible teaches that alcohol can be a good and enjoyable thing. So when Christians say that its a sin to drink they are adding rules to the Bible. Choosing to be drunk all the time, knowing that it is a grave physical danger to your health, is the same as choosing to intentionally neglect your own health which may be seen as a sin. The Bible lives in this tension with the issue of drinking. Vice. To see sin as simply breaking a law is not much better. So, what I want to do is take a look at what the Bible says about alcohol and then look if Christians should drink. In fact, I would wager that I have almost never (if ever) seen a student involved in underage drinking who is totally on fire for Jesus. And occasionally, these same otherwise stand-up Catholics find themselves in compromising situations, often sexuallyeither individually after a night of drinking, or with someone else. Ask a Priest: Is It OK to Go to Nightclubs?, Ask a Priest: Is It OK to Read the Bible on My Own?, Ask a Priest: What If My Friends Family Doesnt Accept My Annulment?, Spiritual Smoothie: The Christian Difference, Ask a Priest: How Do I Respond to Attacks on the Church?. Go, eat your bread with joy, and drink your wine with a merry heart, for God has already approved what you do. Excessive eating is also gluttony, but we can still eat and enjoy good food. Jesus drank wine during his time on earth. There are three situations where drinking alcohol is a sin even if you dont slip into drunkenness. And this is subtle and deceptive: while not being as bad as a typical fraternity house, these students slide into a lifestyle that they sometimes couldnt have imagined years or months prior; but it becomes the norm, and their zeal for the spiritual life is sapped. Drinking in moderation is not a sin. In State laws that are meant to protect the common good it would be a sin only if the action does in fact hurt the common good. ET on EWTN: Holy Mass and Rosary on Saturday, April 22, 2023 Tell us where you're. Obviously, the Son of Man isnt a drunkard. We might have the freedom to do something, but that doesnt always make it the best thing for us to do. 4). The Bible also talks about a strong drink made with fermented barley, aka beer. Those incur grave guilt who, by drunkenness or a love of speed, endanger their own and others safety on the road, at sea, or in the air. But its important to address this with our Catholic leaders because every year other new budding Catholic leaders (i.e., freshmen) watch their exampleand then imitate it in the ensuing years. This means that when one starts to feel it, its time to slow down or back off. The virtue of temperance disposes us to avoid every kind of excess: the abuse of food, alcohol, tobacco, or medicine. So what about praying while feeling the effects? In fact, Paul tells Timothy, Drink a little wine for your stomachs sake. I think Timothy was nervous and shy, and hed get, like, his stomach would get sick, and so Paul said Have a few glasses of wine and relax.. There are clearly more verses in the Bible warning about the dangers of excessive alcohol consumption than there are verses extolling its virtues. No. Alcoholic drinks are a part of todays society and can be seen as something both positive and negative. Not only is it not, but among Greek-speakers, the Lenten discipline of abstinence from wine is relaxed on Sundays. The Bible describes wine as a gift from God that can make life more enjoyable. Any grave sins arising from that state are also mortal sins. Saint Paul answers this question clearly: "And be not drunk with wine, wherein is luxury; but be ye filled with the Holy Spirit" (Eph 5:18). The principle is clear: charity demands that we take into account how our actions affect others. If I eat too much and I stuff myself like a pig, then I could say Oh my goodness, I just sinned through the sin of gluttony, and then the near occasion of that. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit,addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart,giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ. He also drunk and was even accused by the Pharisees as a drunkard: The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and you say, Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners. Luke 7:34. No. It might actually help your witness to have a beer with your neighbor and break down some of the misconceptions about Christianity. Others get drunk on just one bottle. For instance, Proverbs 21:17. The Church teaches that drunkenness, i.e., the abuse of alcohol, is a sin but not moderate consumption (CCC 2290). Drinking alcohol becomes a sin when you abuse it to the point that you are no longer yourself, and is incapable of making conscious decisions. Some drink to escape their situation, while others drink to celebrate. People go to weddings and special events and see those in attendance lifting glasses of champagne in celebration. One aspect of the sinfulness of drunkenness is also how it impacts your health and body. And many Christian celebrations often involve drinking wine and merrymaking. What does the New Testament have to say about all of this? But, alcohol also has a second effect on us. However, that is a problem because without being able to clearly and accurately articulate what chastity truly Have you ever given a gift that was meaningless to you? Is It Okay For Christians to Drink Alcohol? | The Gregorian Institute at Benedictine College, The Catechism: A Guide for the Christian Life, Giving the Gift of the Plenary Indulgence. in for Christ, in every single aspect of our lives? (Prov. Help us continue providing authentic Catholic spirituality! But other things that are licit or good things, like alcohol or foodI can be a glutton, too. What does the Bible say about drinking? And in Ecclesiastes 9:7, the prophet is clear that we should enjoy alcohol as a gift from God: Go, eat your bread with enjoyment, and drink your wine with a merry heart; for God has long ago. St. Thomas defines temperance as the disposition of the mind which binds the passions. Deliberately and knowingly harming your health is a sin. Steve Ray: Okay, just a short answer. If this is the case, then its safe to say that alcohol is not inherently immoral. A: It is good to hear that you have entered the Church. Thosewho choose to drink alcoholic beverages must always do so responsiblydoing no harm to others or themselves. Caller: Recognizing that Jesus turned water into wine, the question is: is it a sin to drink? I think the scripture has this, near occasion for sin. St. Paul writes: For if anyone sees you, a man of knowledge [i.e., a mature Christian], at table in an idols temple, might he not be encouraged, if his conscience is weak, to eat food offered to idols? How will your decision in these grey areas affect people in those circles? Jesus own mother, Mary, actually brought the situation to his attention (John 2:35). Is it a Sin to Get Drunk? But when taken in moderation, it can lead to a great time and awesome memories with friends. Judy Ponio is a professional writer for the Lay Cistercians blog and a devoted Catholic. Sometimes being in this state, may lead you to do actions that are sinful, such as violence, fornication, or saying nonsense hurtful words to others. In some cases there are benefits to drinking. DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affliliate links, meaning I get a small commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links. For example, dont drink when hanging out with a friend who struggles with alcohol. Thats why Paul said,I will become all things to all people so that I may win a few.(1 Corinthians 9:19-23). But if you get drunk unknowingly (e.g. The Pilgrims brought 7,500 gallons of alcohol on their journey across the Atlantic. When youre drunk, you wont have full control of your faculties. If you will remember, Jesus first miracle was turning water into wine (John 2:1-11). That is, Jesus was not with sinners when they were sinning (or even came close to it). He holds a doctorate in Sacred Theology from the University of St. Mary of the Lake and a masters degree in Old Testament & Semitic Languages from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. The primary mission of Christians is to tell those around us about what Jesus has done (Matthew 28). God is never outdone in generosity; when we go all in, he often blows us away with blessings we could never imagine. Theres always something left for us to turn over to the Lord; and as I said, for many college students, underage drinking is the last thing to go. Drinking, in itself, is not necessarily a sin. So I think if someone has a propensity to alcoholism and to not being able to control it, I think it would be considered a sin to go and tempt yourself there; but I think each one of those is kind of between you and God. Sinful. Which view is correct? Similar to drinking alcohol, the Catholic Church does not prohibit smoking. But I wanted to address it from the other side. In drunkenness, we willingly defile our rational nature. Whats Missing from Most Responses to the Sex Abuse Crisis, How to Determine the Morality of an Action, Whats Wrong With Underage Drinking? Share your review! If this is the case, then it's safe to say that alcohol is not inherently immoral. Deuteronomy 7:13, 11:14 says that wine is a blessing from God and a few chapters later it says having no wine is a curse (Deuteronomy 28:38, 51). Whats interesting about the debate surrounding this topic is that its relatively new. Drunkenness is indeed a grave sin.
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