Is underage drinking a sin? Yes, the law says you must be 21 to purchase and drink an alcoholic beverage… But if it’s a sin, then parents who let their children have wine at the Christmas dinner are committing sin? I can understand why possession and usage of a fake ID with the intent to deceive can be considered sinful, but this seems to be a bit of a grayer area.Do you want to be the kind of person who lets sin (and illegal drinking by those friends is sinful as it flouts the law–and they WILL, if caught, face a penalty) go by because, "hey, they’ll do it anyway, I’m not supplying it, I’m just hanging’?
By ‘hanging’ with them, you are giving them tacit approval. "It can’t be that bad–J doesn’t have a problem hanging with us even if we aren’t legal.’ You are cooperating with their sin and encouraging it if you ‘drink with them’ --and I think you know it already, and that’s why you’re asking.
The answer to the OP is wrong in my opinion. However the question of parents providing alcohol to their own children will depend on the state that you live. In Texas it is legal for a parent to provide alcohol to their own children, but not to other children. Several states, but not all have the same kind of laws. Drinking alcohol isn’t the sin, disobeying the law is the sin.Is underage drinking a sin? Yes, the law says you must be 21 to purchase and drink an alcoholic beverage… But if it’s a sin, then parents who let their children have wine at the Christmas dinner are committing sin? I can understand why possession and usage of a fake ID with the intent to deceive can be considered sinful, but this seems to be a bit of a grayer area.
Well, yes, I can see what your approach is. At the same time, surely you can’t make the umbrella statement of “Whenever you disobey a law you commit a sin” for there are times when it might be necessary to disobey certain laws. Now my understanding is that as long as the law does not require you to do anything immoral, you should obey it. But then… should I be confessing jay-walking or not stopping at the stop sign or underage drinking as sins? That is, if there is nothing inherently immoral about those actions themselves, does the fact that I disobeyed the law make those actions sinful?Drinking alcohol isn’t the sin, disobeying the law is the sin.
well if I already knew it, why would I have asked? But I see your points. I guess I’ll just be waiting another 8-9 months before I can hang with these guys then.Let me put it this way:
If your friends were going to be ‘stealing’ something anyway, and you weren’t going to steal yourself but just ‘hang with’ them. . .would you?
And if you were all ‘caught’ by the police, you would be charged with being an ‘accessory after the fact’.
Same with drinking–as a legal drinker, you probably would not be cited for illegal drinking, but if you were ‘caught’ with the underage drinkers, you would definitely get some kind of citation --even if it were as ‘minor’ as having their parents (and yours) be deeply, profoundly disappointed and betrayed by you for not being ‘responsible’ --because as the ‘legal adult’ you do know better than to ‘let people drink illegally’ (whether your friends ‘will do it anyway’ or not).
Do you want to be the kind of person who lets sin (and illegal drinking by those friends is sinful as it flouts the law–and they WILL, if caught, face a penalty) go by because, "hey, they’ll do it anyway, I’m not supplying it, I’m just hanging’?
By ‘hanging’ with them, you are giving them tacit approval. "It can’t be that bad–J doesn’t have a problem hanging with us even if we aren’t legal.’ You are cooperating with their sin and encouraging it if you ‘drink with them’ --and I think you know it already, and that’s why you’re asking.
I’m not sure I agree… at least I’m not sure what the reasoning would be behind your conclusion. And my question still stands: if there is nothing inherently immoral about the actions themselves, does the fact that I disobeyed the law make those actions sinful?The situation the OP gave would indicate that the particular underage drinking is a sin, Marchoi.
nohey all, is it sinful for a 21 year old to drink beers (not to intoxication) with his 20 year old friends? I’m not providing them and the reality of the situation is they will drink whether I’m with them or not, so is it wrong to be there?
exactly. Legal justice and morality should not be mixed.Well, yes, I can see what your approach is. At the same time, surely you can’t make the umbrella statement of “Whenever you disobey a law you commit a sin” for there are times when it might be necessary to disobey certain laws. Now my understanding is that as long as the law does not require you to do anything immoral, you should obey it. But then… should I be confessing jay-walking or not stopping at the stop sign or underage drinking as sins? That is, if there is nothing inherently immoral about those actions themselves, does the fact that I disobeyed the law make those actions sinful?
In some states (Texas is one) if a minor is in the presence of his/her parents or spouse (who is over 21), then they can legally drink.isnt it still illegal for a person under 21 to drink even if the person’s parent says its okay?
But I argue that we have a moral obilgation to obey just laws as long as they don’t contradict our morality.exactly. Legal justice and morality should not be mixed.
2240 Submission to authority and co-responsibility for the common good make it morally obligatory to pay taxes, to exercise the right to vote, and to defend one’s country:
Pay to all of them their dues, taxes to whom taxes are due, revenue to whom revenue is due, respect to whom respect is due, honor to whom honor is due.[45]
[Christians] reside in their own nations, but as resident aliens. They participate in all things as citizens and endure all things as foreigners… They obey the established laws and their way of life surpasses the laws… So noble is the position to which God has assigned them that they are not allowed to desert it.[46]
The Apostle exhorts us to offer prayers and thanksgiving for kings and all who exercise authority, “that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life, godly and respectful in every way.”[47]
I can see your point. But he *is *obeying the law. It’s other people are breaking it. I am not sure if there is a law about “being in the presence of underage drinkers”…But I argue that we have a moral obilgation to obey just laws as long as they don’t contradict our morality.
Here is an except from the CCC.
Do you really understand what this would mean? Why have laws then? If this were so then murder would be legal. If you look up the word justice (which you used) on New Advent, it says “it is a moral quality or habit which perfects the will and inclines it to render to each and to all what belongs to them.”exactly. Legal justice and morality should not be mixed.
Regardless, you are breaking the law. If you are supplying them with any alcoholic beverage, you are the one who will be held responsible, whether or not you are a year older than they are. Can’t you wait a year until they all turn 21, at least?hey all, is it sinful for a 21 year old to drink beers (not to intoxication) with his 20 year old friends? I’m not providing them and the reality of the situation is they will drink whether I’m with them or not, so is it wrong to be there?