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Neither the Bible nor the Catholic Church prohibit the partaking of alcohol. And many of us drink without knowing our limits. and Is Manifesting a Sin? aspect of ones life over which Christ is not king and Lord. 97, a. I want to deal with two common misconceptions I see spread all the time about alcohol in the Bible. from my ultimate end? And further, one asks this same question with respect to those who may be influenced by my actionseither by knowing me directly or by reputation: am I helping or hindering their pursuit of their ultimate end? Dont let it leave you empty inside. Jesus said, If your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away (Matthew 5:30). We should always seek to bring honor to the Lord in all our activities: So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. So, alcohol itself is not the sin. Please read our PRIVACY POLICY. No, I think that youre correct. This means that when one starts to feel it, its time to slow down or back off. 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. If you are harming your health - It's our responsibility to take care of our health, which is a gift from God ( CCC 2288 ). There are numerous Bible verses that extol alcohol and ones that give dire warnings regarding its intake. That includes sharing in His sufferings. And ten minutes later, ka-BOOM, it hit me and I was on the floor. It was commonly served during sacrifices and feasts. 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. More on that later. Catholics & Bible do not intend to provide any health related advice. But all these points to the same thing: drinking is not sinful as long its in moderation. Ive seen numerous articles written on this topic. If this is the case, then its safe to say that alcohol is not inherently immoral. Feeling the effects of alcohol is normal. And this, according to St. Peter, isnt the true mark of a Christian: For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to doliving in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing, and detestable idolatry. 1 Peter 4:3. This shows how alcoholic drinks are not evil, God allowed alcoholic drinks to be made and be part of our lives, as it is something that belongs to a celebration. However, we do advise that it is a must for you to always follow the legal drinking age. But for the most part drinking in moderation will not hurt your witness in western societies. Site by Mere. But for Catholics, drinking alcohol may also have moral and religious implications. Whoever loves pleasure will be a poor man; he who loves wine and oil will not be rich. What does the Bible say about drinking? Further, there are the requirements of civil law. In fact, St. Thomas Aquinas insists that the sin of scandal itself can be a mortal sin: because [the person] has such contempt for his neighbors spiritual welfare that he declines to forego doing what he wishes to do (ST II-IIae, q. If you become dependent on alcohol, seek help. No. As far as I know, the only day of the year that you're not supposed to drink alcohol is Good Friday, but even . 1 Timothy 5: 23. Now that weve looked at what the Bible says about alcohol lets switch over to application. In other words the Bible is warning of the damage that being addicted to alcohol can bring. Is It Okay For Christians to Drink Alcohol? The blood alcohol limit established by law is much lower than actual gravely sinful intoxication, but it is the point at which some reflexes may be so impaired as to make driving unsafe. God is never outdone in generosity; when we go all in, he often blows us away with blessings we could never imagine. Deliberately and knowingly harming your health is a sin. For more on this topic, see The Bible Does Not Forbid Alcohol.. Problems arise when alcohol is abused through drunkenness. Theres simply nothing in the Bible that says all drinking is a sin. May God give you of the dew of heaven and of the fatness of the earth and plenty of grain and wine. 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. Of course an organization has every right to forbid underage drinking, or even drinking at all. Widespread and more or less universal custom takes on the authority of law. And lets not forget the focus of Jesus first miracle at Cana (see John 2:1-11). 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. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. When one looks at the priest scandal, a curious thing arises. What does the Bible say about drinking? Is drinking a sin? Theres nothing wrong with sports, but if someone is addicted to sports and thats all they care about, and they know that if they go to a ballgame that theyre gonna forget about God, theyre gonna go crazy, and thats all theyre gonna think about for the next week, then I think that even sports could become a near occasion for sin. St. Thomas defines temperance as the disposition of the mind which binds the passions. 11:1819). So moderate consumption of alcohol is not a sin. We regard drunkenness as a sin. However, if you find yourself in an instance where you got drunk because someone drugged your drink, or someone forced you to drink without any of your knowledge and consent, that is not a sin. However, it is well worth it. After logging in you can close it and return to this page. So why in the world can they not enjoy a beer? She is exceedingly grateful for both the loving kindness of many people and the sound Christian doctrine that helped her to keep on living after her son died in a skiing accident in 2006. But is it a sin? It is drunkenness and addiction to alcohol that a Christian must absolutely refrain from ( Ephesians 5:18; 1 Corinthians 6:12 ). If you go 1 mile per hour over, you are breaking the law. Jesus own mother, Mary, actually brought the situation to his attention (John 2:35). Here are a few of them: Romans 13:13, Galatians 5:19-21, and Ephesians 5:18. God created it for joyful celebration, as seen repeatedly in the Bible1. It also lends itself to a host of other sins, notably sexual ones by weakening our inhibitions. The principle is clear: charity demands that we take into account how our actions affect others. 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?. Drunkenness, however, was always considered sinful based upon the clear biblical teaching about it. If you want to read all the verses you can find them here: List Of Bible Verses About Alcohol. 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.. So when Christians say that its a sin to drink they are adding rules to the Bible. How will your decision in these grey areas affect people in those circles? Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. Heres Ephesians 5:18. As we mentioned above, drinking alcohol isn't a sin, but overindulging in it can be. 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. 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. Not because the police officer would suddenly make me feel guilty of committing sin, but because I would not want to pay the fine. This is absurd. I hope this post gave you some comfort if you are planning to have a drink sometime soon. 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. 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. He lives with his wife Sarah and their four children in Atchison, Kansas. Is drinking alcohol a sin? - The Irish Catholic I would recommend using the legal limit as a benchmark for drunkenness. For starters, Jesus drank. I think it comes from a good place. 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. Harmful to body, mind and soul. There are clearly more verses in the Bible warning about the dangers of excessive alcohol consumption than there are verses extolling its virtues. What would you tell religious people about alcohol consumption But the problem is that is not substantiated in Scripture. Something else to consider is the health effect of smoking. It is simply warning against addiction and drunkenness. 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. Judy Ponio is a professional writer for the Lay Cistercians blog and a devoted Catholic. Drink because you are happy, but never because you are miserable. The alcohol in the Bible did not have a lower alcohol content. Thus, sinning against your brethren and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ (1 Corinthians 8:10, 12). You may live with an alcoholic or know someone who does. The reason is that in the act of drunkenness we are forfeiting two of Gods greatest giftsour intellect and will. He gave them to us as a gift that gladdens human hearts. Have you ever found yourself giving gifts to others while neglecting to give gifts to yourself? We should also consider how it effects those around us. 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. For me to go to a bar and have a drink wouldnt be a sin. How would you answer the question, what does the Bible say about alcohol? The Bible is clear that alcohol can be abused and that is a sin. Alcoholic drinks are accessible and available everywhere. However, similar to the Bible, it cautions against excessiveness. If youre an alcoholic, and having a drink brings you near to the place where you are gonna lose control, that could be viewed as a sin. If this is the case, then its safe to say that alcohol is not inherently immoral. If you will remember, Jesus first miracle was turning water into wine (John 2:1-11). Is Drinking a Sin? | Catholic Answers The reason is that in the act of drunkenness we are forfeiting two of God's greatest giftsour intellect and will. 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., Catechism of the Catholic Church, Paragraph 2290. Whether that be alcohol, money, sex, pride, our desires, or even our own family. Should a Christian Date Someone with a History of Sexual Sin in Their Life. Heres what the Catechism of the Catholic Church says on the issue (CCC 2290). An inconvenient law (i.e., the drinking age) is not an unjust law. is it a sin to get drunk? It is the abuse of alcohol that is the sin. So there are some things that maybe are a sin for me but not for you, say, for example. On its face, perhaps there is an air of plausibility here. Is drinking a sin? I have to say, Ive been drunk once in my life and I didnt realize it. I said Id take a glass of Sangria, they said, We dont make it by the glass, only by the pitcher. So they brought a pitcher of sangria, and it didnt taste like alcohol to me, it just tastes like grape juice, so I drank the whole pitcher. Answer: Abusing intoxicating drink is a grave sin if it deprives the drinker of the use of reason. Believers who feel it is safer not to drink any alcohol have the freedom to abstain. 31:45). I doubt my unbelieving friends will ever be turned away from God because they see me sipping a beer. That said, there is no direct command from God that prohibits the consumption of wine. To see sin as simply breaking a law is not much better. sin - According to Catholicism, is it sinful to drink alcohol in order 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. There are three situations where drinking alcohol is a sin even if you dont slip into drunkenness. A hard lesson for us to learn is that while we may have the freedom to do something, it still has a consequence. in for Christ, in every single aspect of our lives? Current scientific evidence points to the fact that there is no safe amount of tobacco. Is it a sin to drink alcohol on Sundays? : r/Catholicism - Reddit The lack of a law being enforced does not somehow make it right. But drinking was such a part of peoples everyday life back then. The Real Catholic Teaching on Underage Drinking Youll know when you are in danger of sinning. 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. Why? The only thing thats clear is the abuse of alcohol through drunkenness or addiction is a sin. You may have the conviction that it is allowable to drink alcohol in moderation. We believe everyone should have access to this, which is why we offer so many of our resources for free. Excessive use of alcohol can lead to many short and long-term health problems as well. This means that the drinker no longer has the freedom necessary to deliberate responsibly about what he should do or not do. Part of developing into a mature Christian is recognizing that we are given both freedom and responsibility. 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. Only you can really judge what your limit should be. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Your email address will not be published. And thats why the Bible warns against getting drunk on wine. Thus, it is possible to freely give away the gift of our freedom by abusing alcohol. However, that doesn't mean that Catholics can't drink at all. Caller: Yes, and I guess the one last thing is: if you are an addict and have a history of problems with that, to even just have one or two, does that matter? The Bible talks WAY more about the dangers of money, but I dont see anyone using that logic with money. 3). For instance, Proverbs 21:17. In fact, about once a month we get an email from somebody saying that they either disapprove of us drinking on the show or how alcohol is of the devil or something like that. Never drink because you need it, for this is rational drinking, and the way to death and hell. That tends to drag down your circle of acquaintances over time, or puts you in the wrong circles to begin with. age restrictions for alcohol consumption, intoxication level limits while driving a vehicle, etc.) The abuse of alcohol can cause damage, so many advocate to just avoid it altogether. Their presence has been around for years and years and has been really ingrained in society. All rights reserved. You will never leave an impact on anyone if you just hold onto your freedoms and do what you want. Similar to drinking alcohol, the Catholic Church does not prohibit smoking. 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. This seems to approach relativism in my opinion. 5:8). He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle, and herb for the service of man: that he may bring forth food out of the earth . 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. Does giving a meaningless gift give you more or less joy than giving a meaningful gift? But for Catholics, drinking alcohol may also have moral and religious implications. Alcohol is bad when abused. This teaching is echoed in the New Testament . Just log in or create your free account. Everything is indeed clean, but it is wrong for you to make others fall by what you eat; it is good not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything that makes your brother or sister stumble.. If you will remember, Jesus' first miracle was turning water into wine (John 2:1-11). 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. And in so doing, it often leads us to more sin such as violence and fornication. It is not a sin to drink alcohol in moderation. It is one of Gods good gifts that can beand often isabused (Psa. Is drinking a sin catholic - St. Anthony's Catholic Church So, you know, God deals with us as individuals. Catholic Prayers For Protection From Evil, 9 Catholic Saints To Pray To For Fertility, Signal Graces: What They Are and How To Spot Them, 7 Saints Considered to be the Patron of Sailors, Catholic Prayers to Restore a Childs Health. However, that's not what the Bible is saying. In the New Testament, Jesus not only turned water into wine. they were sinning (or even came close to it). There are other aspects of drinking that may be sinful;for example, its impact on the health of the body. The same teaching shows up in 1 Corinthians 8, where the issue is whether or not Christians can eat meat sacrificed to idols. you had no idea the punch at the party was strong), thats a venial sin. Vice. Just like oil and bread, it comes from the fruits that grow on the same ground that provides us with food. The Litany of Humility: What Is It and Where Did It. St. Paul explains: Do not, for the sake of food, destroy the work of God. In short, I have found that this is often the last step in a radical conversionmuch like modesty for many women. There is also the issue of "not causing anyone to stumble" ( 1 Corinthians 8:13; 10:32 ). I once had a Methodist pastor tell me of a friend who was caught drinking at a party by one of his parishioners. But when taken in moderation, it can lead to a great time and awesome memories with friends. Please consider supporting RCSpirituality with a donation today. Whats Missing from Most Responses to the Sex Abuse Crisis, How to Determine the Morality of an Action, Whats Wrong With Underage Drinking? why is underage drinking a sin? : r/Catholicism 5:21). The virtue of temperance disposes us to avoid every kind of excess: the abuse of food, alcohol, tobacco, or medicine. It might seem that up to this point that as long as you dont get drunk or become addicted its okay for Christians to drink. No. It can . So what about praying while feeling the effects? Leave a comment below! 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. I meanand then theres a degree, where do you draw the line? This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. What Does The Catholic Church Say About Drinking Alcohol? In some places, it is described as a bringer of joy and a signifier of Gods blessings. In other words we should be considerate of others struggles. Of course. Everything You Need to Know About Holy Week. Jesus is our King who rules over us not in an oppressive way, but rather to care for us, protect us from harm, and grow us in holiness through the indwelling work of the Holy Spirit. (1 Tim. Alcoholic drinks have been around since 5400BC, which means the availability of fermented beverages was around even before Jesus arrived. What does the Bible say about alcohol? The other aspect that is typically almost entirely missing in this discussion is the charity we owe to our brothers and sisters and the recognition that our actions affect others. It continually warns against addiction and drunkenness. In extreme cases, it can even lead to sexual harassment and murder. Is drinking alcohol a sin? - CompellingTruth.org What does the Bible have to say about the topic of alcohol use? Here is another traffic example. 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. 43, a. But in the first century there were certain benefits to light drinking. Others point to the fact that Jesus not only drank wine, but he also made wine at a wedding in Cana where the host had run out of his own supply in the middle of the celebration. Again, Scripture does not forbid Christians from drinking beer, wine, or any other drink containing alcohol. But theres a borderline that you cross of drunkenness. If on a lonely country road in the flat land of Illinois I drive on the wrong side of the road in order see over the left side of a bridge am I breaking the law? Just like in other things, if you drink alcohol too much, and you are well aware that you are drinking too much, then it becomes a sin. There are some that say drinking is a sin because theres no health benefits. As we mentioned above, drinking alcohol isnt a sin, but overindulging in it can be. However, the vast majority of non-christians are not put off by drinking in western culture. Would Jesus drink a beer with me? However, that doesn't mean that Catholics can't drink at all. 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? 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. But it is not Catholic. Jesus constantly reached out to sinners, but never in compromising situations. Catholic Daily Mass - Daily TV Mass - April 22, 2023 - Facebook These are verses you will likely never hear preached on in church. What is the relationship between Catholics and alcohol? In the New Testament, the first miracle of Jesus was turning water into wine. Or are we kind of beating a dead horse here? 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.). Lets look at a traffic example. But the case is different with underage drinking: in the vast majority of places across the country, one certainly would not drink underage while standing next to a police officer. Now there is some truth in that. This has lead many to the conclusion that all drinking is a sin. Adam: Yeah. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. So is it a sin to drink alcohol? Many will respond by pointing to the prevalence of mild speeding, say, going five miles per hour over the speed limit. The Catholic Church continues to support alcohol consumption in moderation. First, a Catholic is obliged to obey the civil law. For me to go to a bar and have a drink wouldn't be a sin. We may lose influence because of the choices we make. In the majority of cases drinking will not hurt your witness in America. In order to pass through this threshold, one has to move beyond simply asking: At what point have I done something wrong? in a minimalistic way, to asking: Are these actionsthese movies, these parties, etc.taking me. They then proceed to draw a moral equivalence between this and underage drinking. It is important to remember that even if gravely wrong actions (fornication, violence, etc.) Jesus drank wine and was falsely accused of being a drunkard (Matthew 11:19). Thats not a matter of moderation. On one hand it talks about how it can a blessing. Rather we should see them as they are intended and not elevate them to an unhealthy level. Not only are different types of alcohol different, everyone processes alcohol differently. Of course, the Bible strongly warns against the overconsumption of beer. Throughout most of Christian history the consumption of alcohol in moderation has been widely accepted and rarely condemned.