My husband had given our 17 year old a beer, and I didn’t think it was right. I take my baptisimal vows seriously, where I agree to reject Satan and all of his empty works and promises. I’m sorry, but when my husband teaches the kids about guns, beer, and fails to supervise their their purchase of video games, I take this seriously, and look at it as corruption.
First of all, what I offer is my opinion. I will not attempt to correct what your religious superior (which is really what your priest is) tells you in the confessional or in any other way.
I will never say a priest is wrong unless he is advising you to sin or I am personally part of the situation and have an objective and valid reason to say so.
Further, we don’t know your full confession or the sins that you confessed (and I’m not asking you to say them). We also don’t know how well the priest knows you. All of that could have affected the advice the priest gave you. Which is why you should always follow his advice first, then the rest of us second.
Secondly, to answer your question. There is nothing sinful about guns. Guns are morally neutral. Even Jesus told his followers to keep a sword (the weapon of choice in His day). Guns can be used in very good ways. Hunting, sport, etc. Guns can be used in sinful ways, but so can knives.
There is nothing sinful about beer. Most states allow parents to give their children alcohol. As a parent, he is teaching his children about alcohol and it’s proper consumption. He is doing his job…parenting. The alternative methods for children to learn about alcohol are 1) an unsupervised party in a field somewhere where getting trashed is the only mentality, or 2) waiting until he is 21 and learning by binging.
Please tell us why you didn’t think him giving your son a beer was right. That will help us to better answer your question.
Not supervising their purchase of video games is the only area where there could be cause for concern. What types of games do they enjoy? If they like the “lighter” fare, then it’s not really a problem. If they would rather play Grand Theft Auto, then there is an issue. This is an area that may need to be talked about.
It all depends partially on where you are from, too. Your social upbringing, especially if different then your husbands, has a big impact. I’m originally from northern Wisconsin where deer hunting is still a time when most schools close for “vacation.” A son not bonding with his dad on the hunting land would actually be the exception to the rule. Not that we held it against anyone who didn’t hunt, but a vast majority did. And beer tends to be drank the night before the hunt. It was just the normal way of life.
