Lets take a look: For more about reading the Bible in context: How To Read The Bible (the 5 best tips). And in so doing, it often leads us to more sin such as violence and fornication. 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?. If you will remember, Jesus' first miracle was turning water into wine (John 2:1-11). And in light of them what is the wisest and most loving thing for you to do? As in many things, occasional, limited drinking of alcohol is a matter between each believer and God. Its sort like of this: if you want to be a Jediif you want to go, in with Christthis is what it takes: for at that point, there is. Heres what the Catechism of the Catholic Church says on the issue (CCC 2290). In laymans terms, it means voluntary self-restraint. Whoever loves pleasure will be a poor man; he who loves wine and oil will not be rich. In fact, we can see how relevant wine is even in the bible as in John 2:1-12 this is where Jesus performs his first miracle involving turning water into wine at the wedding at Cana. The Church does teach that drunkenness is a form of gluttony, and a grave sin (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2290). A healthy moral intelligence is able to judge well the competency of any lawgiver and the purpose of the law. Absolutely not. First, a Catholic is obliged to obey the civil law. Is drinking a sin? Jeffery Curtis Poor | March 1, 2022March 22, 2021 | Featured, What Does the Bible Say About What does the Bible say about drinking? 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? But getting drunk is a sin. Required fields are marked *. No. Which view is correct? For the sake of the common good we drive on the right side of the road, it is illegal to drive on the left. In other words we should be considerate of others struggles. No. What Happens If A Catholic Eats Meat On Friday? This is true both in the Old and New Testament. Learn more about what is a Lay Cistercianon our website. Theres simply nothing in the Bible that says all drinking is a sin. So why in the world can they not enjoy a beer? Its absolutely acceptable and normal. I would recommend using the legal limit as a benchmark for drunkenness. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Here's What Baptists Believe about Drinking Alcohol The virtue of temperance disposes us to avoid every kind of excess: the abuse of food, alcohol, tobacco, or medicine. The primary mission of Christians is to tell those around us about what Jesus has done (Matthew 28). So there are some things that maybe are a sin for me but not for you, say, for example. The Bible talks WAY more about the dangers of money, but I dont see anyone using that logic with money. 17K views, 519 likes, 455 loves, 3.7K comments, 232 shares, Facebook Watch Videos from EWTN: Starting at 8 a.m. Thats why Jesus was accused of being drunk on wine (Luke 7:34). When one looks at the priest scandal, a curious thing arises. These Catholic leaders set the spiritual tone for campus. Rather, it is on the list of sins because it is contrary to our dignity and damaging to the constructive use of our freedom that is essential to our friendship with God. Or are we kind of beating a dead horse here? Can Catholics drink alcohol? - Get Fed There are many good reasons not to drink, and many more good reasons for the state to forbid minors to drink. Steve Ray discusses on Catholic Answers Live. The lack of a law being enforced does not somehow make it right. Outright disobedience to the civil law must be treated with the utmost seriousness. Vice. How would you have answered these questions: Is drinking a sin? 2023 Ascension Press. Simply put, you arent your true self when drunk. Youll know when you are in danger of sinning. The New Testament is even more emphatic in discouraging drunkenness. And lets not forget the focus of Jesus first miracle at Cana (see John 2:1-11). People drink for various reasons. Drink because you are happy, but never because you are miserable. In other words the Bible is warning of the damage that being addicted to alcohol can bring. But theres a borderline that you cross of drunkenness. Is it a Sin to Get Drunk? Is Being Drunk a Mortal Sin? Teaching from Paul, Augustine, and Thomas I personally have experienced both of these situations. 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. For one thing, it gives the student an overly legalistic approach to the moral law, it reinforces his latent Calvinism, it gives far too much moral authority to the State, it is simply not true. Strictly speaking, whatever may be classified under the head of liquids may be taken as drink or medicine at any time of the day or night on fasting days. But I would suggest the analogy does not hold for the following reason: the customary enforcement of the law is relevant with speeding. Even in light of the many biblical warnings regarding the abuse of alcohol, Christians have the liberty to enjoy this gift from God within the boundaries of Gods moral law. Jesus constantly reached out to sinners, but never in compromising situations. Why? Like the one we are asking, is drinking a sin? What Does The Catholic Church Say About Drinking Alcohol? Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. In other words, some might assume Catholics can't have funor can't enjoy alcohol. If you go 1 mile per hour over, you are breaking the law. Or if youre an alcoholic, going to the bar and getting a drink and saying Ill just have one is a very dangerous thing and could be a near occasion for sin, or be a sin, especially if you play it out. No, I think that youre correct. St. Paul is very serious here: Let every person be subject to the governing authorities (Romans 13:1; see 13:1-7). As Ive said to some of my studentstongue and cheek, of course: Look, if I drive by your house at 7 a.m. and I see your girlfriends car outside, Im not going to assume that she slept on the couch. And the same is true of the young freshman who looks up to these studentswho inevitably says: If thats what good Catholics do, then it must be OK.. This is at no cost to you and helps keep Rethink up and running. Also, wine isnt the only alcoholic drink mentioned in the Bible. To educate our young in who they are as moral agents, the definition of conscience, and the proper goal of their actions is hard work. It is illegal to run a red light. Lets look at a traffic example. Excessive drinking, defined as "binge drinking" or. It also lends itself to a host of other sins, notably sexual ones by weakening our inhibitions. A: It is good to hear that you have entered the Church. Alcohol is bad when abused. Underage drinking is not the issue I start with in talking to your average college student; for many, the problems are much more severe (habitual unchastity, drunkenness, etc.). He gave them to us as a gift that gladdens human hearts. why is underage drinking a sin? : r/Catholicism Finally, a little tea, coffee, chocolate or such like beverage together with a morsel of bread or a cracker is now allowed in the morning. []. The same teaching shows up in 1 Corinthians 8, where the issue is whether or not Christians can eat meat sacrificed to idols. How will your decision in these grey areas affect people in those circles? What kinds of liquids can Catholics have while fasting? Ive drank too much in my life, but Ive only been drunk once in my life, and that was when I had heard that you had to try Sangria, its really good. It is true that many of the wines probably had a slightly lower ABV (Alcohol by Volume) than todays wine. Alcohol use impairs a person's judgment, reaction time, and coordination. However, as per the virtue of temperance in CCC 2290, excessive use of tobacco is sinful. Because young people under 21 tend to to have a higher propensity than older people to drink, get drunk, and drive recklessly. Answer: You apparently have received unreliable information on what many Catholic priests believe. First things first: Catholics have long considered drunkenness a mortal sin; St. Paul refers to it as a sin that excludes one from the kingdom of God (see Galatians 5:21). But if you get drunk unknowingly (e.g. A person commits sin when they drink so much that it significantly impairs their judgement. He was no stranger to alcohol: While they were eating, Jesus took a loaf of bread, and after blessing it he broke it, gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he gave it to them, saying, Drink from it, all of you; for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. The drinking of alcoholic beverages is nothing more than making use of what God has provided and is not a sinful act. Be not among drunkards or among gluttonous eaters of meat. Sins of priest and bishops that were crimes were at times treated with great seriousness. As we mentioned above, drinking alcohol isn't a sin, but overindulging in it can be. Can Catholics Enjoy Alcohol?| National Catholic Register Throughout the Old Testament alcohol is seen as a blessing from God. Those claiming that all drinking is a sin dont have support from the Bible. They then proceed to draw a moral equivalence between this and underage drinking. And certainly not a low alcohol count. In laymans terms, it means voluntary self-restraint. We even have patron saints of beer, wine, hangovers, and alcoholics (St. Augustine, St. Urban, St. Bibiana, and St. Monica respectively). Lets dive in a bit deeper to find out! God even commands the Israelites to go buy beer and celebrate before the Lord (Deuteronomy 14:26). Some drink to escape their situation, while others drink to celebrate. In extreme cases, it can even lead to sexual harassment and murder. Or it was so diluted with water it doesnt really count as alcohol. There are certain lines that aregoing out and committing adultery, theres no question about that. Contact us toll-free at: (833) 843-2673. But in some topics the Bible just doesnt do that. Drinking in moderation is not a sin. Is Getting Drunk A Mortal Sin? Catholics & Bible This rudimentary beer contained an average ABV of 6% 12%, not too shabby for a beer. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, Drunkenness is also mentioned in Galatians 5:19. For one thing, that word is all-too-often used when people are talking about abstinence and or celibacy. If you will remember, Jesus first miracle was turning water into wine (. Do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery; but be filled with the Spirit. Psalms 104 says that wine gladdens the heart of main. Their presence has been around for years and years and has been really ingrained in society. Frankly, a serious Catholic should never need a designated driver. What does the New Testament have to say about all of this? In the end it bites like a serpent and stings like an adder. The Bible also talks about a strong drink made with fermented barley, aka beer. 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. Sunday April 30, 2023 - Mass for the Fourth Sunday of Easter. | Sunday Le Ann is managing editor of Beautiful Christian Life. The Bible describes wine as a gift from God that can make life more enjoyable. Scripture warns kings not to crave alcohol because a ruler needs a clear mind to uphold justice and protect the oppressed (Prov. Is Drinking A Sin? (what the Bible REALLY says) - Rethink Licit things, doing licit things like drinking wine is fine in moderation, but not too much, not to become drunk. This is absurd. A hard lesson for us to learn is that while we may have the freedom to do something, it still has a consequence. For this reason, in order for the analogy to hold, one would have to compare underage drinking to something like going twenty miles per hour over the speed limit. There are relationships worth holding onto. Whats Missing from Most Responses to the Sex Abuse Crisis, How to Determine the Morality of an Action, Whats Wrong With Underage Drinking? The same is true if one travels overseas, where the drinking age in Europe is generally eighteen. Living a life dedicated to God makes as much sense as the sunshine in our world. We should strive for unity rather then create division. If you were to glance through these verses that talk about drinking you would find that the Bible never gives a straight answer. Is it a sin to drink alcohol? - GotQuestions.blog But other things that are licit or good things, like alcohol or foodI can be a glutton, too. To make things very concrete, drunkenness has set in when you cannot (or should not) drive a car. So moderate consumption of alcohol is not a sin. The Church, then does not consider consuming alcohol to be sinful, however, it does caution against drinking in excess. The Real Catholic Teaching on Underage Drinking Ignoring these laws can easily be grave matter also, even if the driver is not strictly speaking drunk. Thus, sinning against your brethren and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ (1 Corinthians 8:10, 12). As I said, underage drinking cultivates a culture of lukewarmness, a sapping of spiritual zealits a sort of gateway to the party culture described above. (Only if a law is clearly unjustsuch as with Martin Luther King, Jr.s disobedience of segregation lawsshould a law be disobeyed). 4). But, alcohol also has a second effect on us. That includes sharing in His sufferings. Heres a few of the most commonly used Bible verses about alcohol: Ephesians 5:18, Numbers 28:7-10, Proverbs 20:1, Galatians 5:19-21, 1 Corinthians 6:10, 1 Timothy 5:23, Proverbs 23:20-21, Romans 14:21, Isaiah 5:22, Leviticus 10:9, Ecclesiastes 9:7, 1 Timothy 3:8, Proverbs 31:6-7, Deuteronomy 7:13, 11:14, The above list is far from exhaustive, but it gives us a solid picture of alcohol in the Bible. With all good things, we must practice moderation. The short answer is, if you are trying to get drunk on purpose, then the answer is basically "yes." That is a sin, and a grave (mortal) one. This leads you to do things that you wont otherwise do when youre sober such as brawling and excessive cursing. Would I be upset with a fine? [] This appeared at Ascension Press. St. Paul is very serious here: Let every person be subject to the governing authorities, There are all kinds of neutral grounds where one can evangelize (e.g., sports, intramurals, meals, etc.). By using this website you are agreeing to our privacy policy. 5:8). After logging in you can close it and return to this page. An incentive from Satan. Throughout most of Christian history the consumption of alcohol in moderation has been widely accepted and rarely condemned. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Your email address will not be published. As interpreted by most Catholic theologists, its not against the Bible to take alcoholic drinks like wine, but getting drunk goes against the Word of God. I disagree that you can be justifiably upset for getting pulled over at 3 over the speed limit. It had no part to play in it, I drank wine before I was Catholic. As the State divorces itself more and more from the natural law we will want to increase our young peoples ability to detach from the State as a moral gate keeper while still giving the State its rightful place to regulate the common good. In these articles that are intended to accompany The Catechism in a Year podcast, we will present a travel guide through the major themes of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. It may be imprudent or a scandal to others, but in itself, just because the State says it is illegal, does not make it a sin. While wine may not have contained as much alcohol in ancient times as it does today, fermented beverages in biblical times clearly had the capacity to make people drunk. What about underage drinking? Further, there are the requirements of civil law. Drunkenness is a sin. Not because the police officer would suddenly make me feel guilty of committing sin, but because I would not want to pay the fine.
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