That is not to say that in a culture where underage drinking leads to other moral problems a strong case could not be made that a minor having a drink is hurting the common good and thus a sin. There are people in our life that we have the opportunity to positively influence. There are relationships worth holding onto. Some people can take several bottles of beer and they are fine. People drink for various reasons. Is it a Sin to Get Drunk? - About Catholics Sports teams, some religious orders, and many other organizations all have forbidden drinking alcohol. Sometimes. The Bible also talks about a strong drink made with fermented barley, aka beer. Whats the wisest and most loving thing for me to do. Who is St. Agnes of Rome, the Virgin and Martyr? Others get drunk on just one bottle. Lets look at a traffic example. Yet despite all the content, I have seen very little clarity on this question, is drinking a sin? So is it a sin to drink alcohol? Andrew Swafford is Associate Professor of Theology at Benedictine College. Alcohol is not, in and of itself, tainted by sin. 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. It specifically says that wine is a gift from God that makes our human hearts happy. Also, check out our posts on The Sacrament of Reconciliation. Again, Scripture does not forbid Christians from drinking beer, wine, or any other drink containing alcohol. The same teaching shows up in 1 Corinthians 8, where the issue is whether or not Christians can eat meat sacrificed to idols. Drinking, in itself, is not necessarily a sin. Many times the Bible says that drunkenness is a sin (Ephesians 5:6, Romans 13:13; Galatians 5:19-21; 1 Peter 4:3 to name a few). However, that doesn't mean that Catholics can't drink at all. Lets dive in a bit deeper to find out! In drunkenness, we willingly defile our rational nature. If you are in a country where you have to be above a certain age in order to legally consume alcohol, then it is sinful to break the law. What does the Bible have to say about the topic of alcohol use? To the extent that the answer is noto the extent that I insist on underage drinking just because I want toto that extent perhaps my own conversion has not yet fully taken hold. In extreme cases, it can even lead to sexual harassment and murder. In some cultures drinking will hurt your ability to reach those around you. Here at RCSpirtiuality, we develop and produce online Catholic resources to help all of us grow as Complete Christians. To the extent that the answer is noto the extent that I insist on underage drinking just because I want toto that extent perhaps my own conversion has not yet fully taken hold. One aspect of the sinfulness of drunkenness is also how it impacts your health and body. is it a sin to get drunk? 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? Is it a sin to drink alcohol on Sundays? : r/Catholicism - Reddit For instance Ecclesiastes 9:7. Here is another traffic example. These days, chastity seems to be so misunderstood! So moderate consumption of alcohol is not a sin. Answer: You apparently have received unreliable information on what many Catholic priests believe. Site by Mere. Never battle alone. But there are a few things we can know about alcohol in the Bible. Vice. Feeling the effects of alcohol is normal. 11 Catholic Birthday Prayers for You and Others, 100+ Short Bible Verses You Can Easily Remember, 40+ Empowering Bible Verses About Being a Woman of God, 60+ Psalms of Encouragement to Lift Up Your Mood, 25 Powerful Bible Verses About Mothers and Daughters, 50+ Most Popular Bible Verses About Resurrection, 70+ Powerful Bible Verses About Blessings. Some people think that its a necessary evil and that celebrations arent complete without alcohol. sin - According to Catholicism, is it sinful to drink alcohol in order Names Of The Twelve Disciples {Explained!}. The Catholic Church does not prohibit the consumption of alcohol. Or if you're an alcoholic, going to the bar and getting a drink and saying "I'll 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. Lets take an absurd case. 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. Is It Okay For Christians to Drink Alcohol? Ive seen numerous articles written on this topic. This means that the drinker no longer has the freedom necessary to deliberate responsibly about what he should do or not do. In this state, not only does the drinker pose a risk to themselves but also to others. Contact us toll-free at: (833) 843-2673. For starters, if you choose to be drunk in your own free will, then that is considered a sin. God is never outdone in generosity; when we go all in, he often blows us away with blessings we could never imagine. One Bible verse that clearly supports the intake of alcohol is the apostle Pauls admonition to Timothy to drink wine for health reasons: No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments. If you were to glance through these verses that talk about drinking you would find that the Bible never gives a straight answer. However, that's not what the Bible is saying. Is drinking alcohol a sin? - CompellingTruth.org So, you know, God deals with us as individuals. A: It is good to hear that you have entered the Church. Alcohol is simply a gift, not our end goal. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Your email address will not be published. While others see drinking as a reprehensible activity that can corrupt the soul. However we know from the Bible that the wine still had plenty of kick in it to get wasted on. And such a habit will spare you a lot of grief throughout your life. This seems to approach relativism in my opinion. 1o4:1415). Feeling the effects of alcohol is not the same as outright drunkenness. 5:21). It would be better for him if a millstone were hung round his neck and he were cast into the sea, than that he should cause one of these little ones to sin (Luke 17:1-2). Of course an organization has every right to forbid underage drinking, or even drinking at all. Scripture warns kings not to crave alcohol because a ruler needs a clear mind to uphold justice and protect the oppressed (Prov. Excessive eating is also . Like the one we are asking, is drinking a sin? I want to deal with two common misconceptions I see spread all the time about alcohol in the Bible. A person commits sin when they drink so much that it significantly impairs their judgement. There are all kinds of neutral grounds where one can evangelize (e.g., sports, intramurals, meals, etc.). Even though these actions were done out of your own free will because of your drunkenness, you are still held responsible for them, as you chose to be in the state of intoxication deliberately. Something else to consider is the health effect of smoking. I doubt my unbelieving friends will ever be turned away from God because they see me sipping a beer. 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. David: Yeah. St. Thomas defines temperance as the disposition of the mind which binds the passions. What Does The Bible Say About Drinking Alcohol? Widespread and more or less universal custom takes on the authority of law. For more on this topic, see The Bible Does Not Forbid Alcohol.. Or are we kind of beating a dead horse here? There are many good reasons not to drink, and many more good reasons for the state to forbid minors to drink. [] This appeared at Ascension Press. And lets not forget that Jesus first miracle was turning water into wine And no it wasnt grape juice. Many of todays varieties use modern fermentation methods that produce higher levels of alcohol than could ever have been achieved in biblical times. Theres also no verse that classifies exactly how many drinks you can have and exactly what drunk is. How will your decision in these grey areas affect people in those circles? The alcohol in the Bible did not have a lower alcohol content. She holds a Master of Arts in Theological Studies from Westminster Seminary California. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that 88,000 people die from alcohol-related causes in the United States each year. You can order it in a restaurant, or a bar, and even buy it from your local grocery shop. Some Christians think it is perfectly fine to drink alcohol, while others believe it is sinful to partake. Is drinking a sin, or is just drunkenness a sin? No, I think that youre correct. The lack of a law being enforced does not somehow make it right. Trying to be more like Jesus each day. If ever in doubt about whether you crossed the line, then just go to confession and put it behind you and resolve not to cross the line again. A healthy moral intelligence is able to judge well the competency of any lawgiver and the purpose of the law. But observing such a dynamic over several years, I can only conclude that rather than seriously evangelizing others, the purported evangelizers simply begin to lose their spiritual edge. Is drinking a sin? Alcoholic drinks have been around since 5400BC, which means the availability of fermented beverages was around even before Jesus arrived. Regarding intoxication, Wikipedia gives this rather technical passage: Symptoms of alcohol intoxication include euphoria, flushed skin and decreased social inhibition at lower doses, with larger doses producing progressively severe impairments of balance, muscle coordination (ataxia), and decision-making ability (potentially leading to violent or erratic behavior) as well as nausea or vomiting from alcohols disruptive effect on the semicircular canals of the inner ear and chemical irritation of the gastric mucosa. Weve already touched on this a little above. If you will remember, Jesus first miracle was turning water into wine (. Get notified of future Ask a Priest answers via email. Even Scripture praises God for having made wine to gladden their hearts (Psalm 104:15) that is, the hearts of men. Only if I got mad about it! Because of course the State has every right to give me a ticket, just no right to tell me its a sin. Listen to Jesus words when it comes to leading others into sin, whether intentional or not: Temptations to sin are sure to come, but woe to him by whom they come! The Guinness family created their famous Irish Stout as an act of worship to God. Learn more about what is a Lay Cistercianon our website. Also, wine isnt the only alcoholic drink mentioned in the Bible. The virtue of temperance disposes us to avoid every kind of excess: the abuse of food, alcohol, tobacco, or medicine. Just because it works for you that typically you dont get pulled over, does not make it not against the law. We regard drunkenness as a sin. Although we do advise you to get help as soon as you can from your local authorities, drugging someone or spiking someones drink is illegal. Is Getting Drunk a Mortal Sin? St. Mary's Catholic Center In some cases there are benefits to drinking. Some people claim drinking is a sin because it hurts your testimony. In the New Testament, Jesus not only turned water into wine. We should not be made to feel that drinking is a sin ( 1 Corinthians 10:30 ), although, at times, it may be inappropriate ( 1 . 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). 4). 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. We are commanded to heed civil laws (e.g. 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. John Calvin had a 250-gallon wine stipend written into his church contract. What would you tell religious people about alcohol consumption St. Paul speaks out against drunkenness multiple times3. Another possible explanation for the apparent acceptability of alcohol consumption in the Bible is that the wine back then most likely contained lower levels of alcohol and was therefore less intoxicating. If we consume so much that we cannot properly make decisions, we go too far. Its a grey area of the Bible. All rights reserved. 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. We try to help our readers better understand their lives; however, the content on this blog is not a substitute for any professional medical guidance. 3). Drinking in moderation is not a sin. So, alcohol itself is not the sin. Sometimes you have to give up something so that you can gain influence in someones life to help them see the change they need to make. If you want to read all the verses you can find them here: List Of Bible Verses About Alcohol. But drink because you do not need it, for this is irrational drinking, and the ancient health of the world.. When one looks at the priest scandal, a curious thing arises. Youll know when you are in danger of sinning. You may live with an alcoholic or know someone who does. You may know a family whose relative has died in an accident caused by the consumption of alcohol. No. Would I be upset with a fine? Is drinking a sin isnt the only question we should ask. The Catholic Church continues to support alcohol consumption in moderation. There are other aspects of drinking that may be sinful;for example, its impact on the health of the body. Dont let it leave you empty inside. It is the abuse of alcohol that is the sin. Deliberately and knowingly harming your health is a sin. And many Christian celebrations often involve drinking wine and merrymaking. Theres that little voice inside that tells you, Ive had enough and should stop there.. That is, Jesus was not with sinners. Many years ago it was not uncommon for a Diocese to ask their newly ordained priests not to drink for the first five years or so of their priesthood. But theres a borderline that you cross of drunkenness. But anyone who wants to claim drinking is a sin has to face the sometimes positive light the Bible talks about alcohol in. This has lead many to the conclusion that all drinking is a sin. ET on EWTN: Holy Mass and Rosary on Saturday, April 22, 2023 Tell us where you're. The sinfulness of those effects might depend on circumstances. Im just kidding! This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. But I wanted to address it from the other side. The Church does teach that drunkenness is a form of gluttony, and a grave sin (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2290). 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. 5:23) Jesus had the following to say regarding people who criticized him for drinking alcohol: Judy Ponio is a professional writer for the Lay Cistercians blog and a devoted Catholic. For example, waiting a few more years to drink in America (21 years old) compared to Spain (16 years old) is not unjust. This means that when one starts to feel it, its time to slow down or back off. Similar to drinking alcohol, the Catholic Church does not prohibit smoking. Only you can really judge what your limit should be. If your drinking hinders someone coming to know Jesus than we should abstain. But in some topics the Bible just doesnt do that. why is underage drinking a sin? : r/Catholicism 5:1521). Its become a societal norm to celebrate things over food and drinks. 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. In laymans terms, it means voluntary self-restraint. What Freedom From Sin Looks Like in This Life. What would happen if we went all in for Christ, in every single aspect of our lives? 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. Note, however, that you dont always have to get drunk for it to become a sin. This can be in situations wherein your primary intention for drinking isnt for relaxation, or socialization but for intoxication. It is illegal to run a red light. 441 views, 5 likes, 2 loves, 0 comments, 0 shares, Facebook Watch Videos from St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church: Sunday April 30, 2023 - Mass for the Fourth Sunday of Easter. Thats why Jesus was accused of being drunk on wine (Luke 7:34). It is one of Gods good gifts that can beand often isabused (Psa. In talking with Catholic college students, Ive come to find that underage drinking is a hot topic. Would I go to confession for it? you had no idea the punch at the party was strong), thats a venial sin. It would be better for him if a millstone were hung round his neck and he were cast into the sea, than that he should cause one of these little ones to sin. In the middle of the 19th Century, alcoholism was wide spread in America and thus there were many successful attempts to limit its use by pointing out its moral deficiency. Why? Some people point out that wine drinking combated the problem of poor water quality in biblical times as the ingredients in wine killed harmful microorganisms present in raw water. Is it a sin to drink alcohol? - GotQuestions.blog Required fields are marked *. For centuries, monks have brewed beer to support their monasteries. What if the State (Sweden) forbid spanking your child, would it be sin to pooch your five year old in the behind? More on that later. Well deal with those in the next point. This has lead many to the conclusion that all drinking is a sin. Nor will we be deserving to inherit Gods kingdom. There are numerous Bible verses that extol alcohol and ones that give dire warnings regarding its intake. Ive heard serious Catholics nod their heads in agreement that drunkenness is a mortal sin. Many will respond by pointing to the prevalence of mild speeding, say, going five miles per hour over the speed limit. If you are harming your health - It's our responsibility to take care of our health, which is a gift from God ( CCC 2288 ). It never condemns it, but it often warns against the abuse of it. Its more or less recognized that going five miles per hour over the speed limit is still within the bounds of the law. In short, I have found that this is often the last step in a radical conversionmuch like modesty for many women. 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. It deprives you of judgment and reason, gifts that God has given us to lead a righteous life. I personally have experienced both of these situations. But in moderation, it is encouraged. As the popes have pointed out many times, the modern age has lost its sense of sin. There are lots of bible verses about drinking and drunkenness. There is also the issue of "not causing anyone to stumble" ( 1 Corinthians 8:13; 10:32 ). In other words, some might assume Catholics can't have funor can't enjoy alcohol. Paul told Timothy, Stop drinking only water and use a little wine because of your stomach and your frequent illness (1 Timothy 5:23). The Pilgrims brought 7,500 gallons of alcohol on their journey across the Atlantic. 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 is general editor and contributor toThe Great Adventure Catholic Bible, published by Ascension Press. What about underage 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? There are clearly more verses in the Bible warning about the dangers of excessive alcohol consumption than there are verses extolling its virtues. Temptations to sin are sure to come, but woe to him by whom they come! 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. In fact, alcohol is inherently good. In the New Testament, the first miracle of Jesus was turning water into wine. Its sort like of this: if you want to be a Jediif you want to go all in with Christthis is what it takes: for at that point, there is no aspect of ones life over which Christ is not king and Lord. But whether its a venial sin or a mortal sin depends on the circumstances. 5:11; Luke 1:15). At any rate, custom is a real thing in the application of law, as is apparent in St. Thomas Aquinas treatment of human law: for when a thing is done again and again, it seems to proceed from a deliberate judgment of reason. Just log in or create your free account. That said, there is no direct command from God that prohibits the consumption of wine. God even commands the Israelites to go buy beer and celebrate before the Lord (Deuteronomy 14:26). Gluttony can also be a sin. Paul explains that it may be all right for those who know that the idols are not real. Any grave sins arising from that state are also mortal sins. And then there is the Proverb: "Wine is a mocker and strong drink is a brawler; whoever goes astray by them is not wise" (Prov 21:1). For neglect of bodily health due to drinking there has to be a grave physical danger to which the drinker is knowingly exposing himself. Ive heard serious Catholics nod their heads in agreement that drunkenness is a mortal sin. Should a Christian Date Someone with a History of Sexual Sin in Their Life. And many of us drink without knowing our limits. Is Drinking a Sin for Catholics? - Lay Cistercians Steve Ray: I was in bed in that hotel for 24 hours, and I said to my wife, Im never gonna get drunk again ever, that was horrible. So thats the only time Ive ever been drunk, and I didnt do it on purpose. Just because alcohol can be abused doesnt mean it needs to be avoided. In the end it bites like a serpent and stings like an adder. However, that doesn't mean that Catholics can't drink at all. 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. Or even more important and moral, I would not want to put the police officer in the awkward position of feeling obligated to chase me down for something that hurt no one if in fact he thought he actually had a moral responsibility to do such a trivial thing. 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.. 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?. The Bible talks about the medicinal qualities of alcohol. 17K views, 519 likes, 455 loves, 3.7K comments, 232 shares, Facebook Watch Videos from EWTN: Starting at 8 a.m. Lets hear from you! Drunkenness, however, was always considered sinful based upon the clear biblical teaching about it. Some religious groups view alcohol as a gift from God, one that allows the spirit to enter the body. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.