Drunkeness and Catholics

[illmatic]

Getting blind drunk is the same as putting yourself in a situation where you are prone to sin. I understand that the church teaches that putting yourself in a position like this is a sin in itself. If you know you won’t go on to do anything wrong, its probably fine. No reason not to drink atall.

 

[Bookcat]

Getting blind drunk is the same as putting yourself in a situation where you are prone to sin. I understand that the church teaches that putting yourself in a position like this is a sin in itself. If you know you won’t go on to do anything wrong, its probably fine. No reason not to drink atall.

To get completely drunk is a grave matter for a mortal sin…even if it is “not per se an occasion for other sins”…

 

[Newbie2]

I think drinking in excess is very bad. I’ve been extremely drunk a few times in my life, and really it isn’t worth it. Getting a buzz is the way to go.

I don’t know the moral implications of getting extremely drunk, but anything in excess usually leads us into sin and temptation, so we want to try to avoid these things.

And perhaps wanting that buzz a little more than behaving one’s self could in itself be sinful as well.

I really think that it is a sin to make a habit of drunkenness. I drink maybe once a month with my friends and I do get drunk but I don’t make it a habit. Is that really sinful? Or is it more the habit of drunkenness that is sinful?

Well, the argument could be made that once a month is habitual…

Since liquor is really in a whole other class of drink than wine when it comes to the amount of alcohol content, you are pretty much guaranteed, at least the majority of people, to fall into a state of intoxication after a rather small amount.

Not necessarily. Relatively speaking, yes, less booze will get you going whereas it will take more wine to get to the same place. But there are many factors that go into how a certain amount of alchohol will affect an individual…empty stomach, consumed with or after food, fatty food?, liver working OK, liver has enzymes cranked up to metabolize alcohol, rate of consumption, etc.

For instance, if you drink a glass of whiskey of the same amount that you would have in a glass of wine, most would probably be intoxicated within about 10 minutes of finishing the glass.

Again, not necessarily. RELATIVELY speaking as to the amount of alcohol in booze and wine, your point is taken, but many factors affect intoxication.

(Some may not because they are used to being intoxicated and have raised their tolerance)

So this intoxication by Liquor (you have to assume that with a table full of liquor bottles that at least one person got inebriated) is not a sin?

I dunno…I remember this Christmas I drank 2 beers, had 3 shots of moonshine, a jack and a coke, a shot of Jamison, and a shot of tequila within about 90 minutes. Now…here’s the scary part…not at that time or any time after did I feel or behave drunk. I didnt even feel buzzed. Those who did not drink noticed no difference in my behavior either. It had no effect on me! Yet, I can recall a time a few weeks back when I drank one cosmopolitain and was soon fast asleep on my friend’s sofa.

Yep, many factors at work here. I got sick on two beers once, and never got a hint of a buzz after a BOTTLE of Bailey’s.

My general litmus test is my ability to recite the entire Ave Maria in Latin If I can’t do it, there’s a problem…If I can do…then someone upstairs is looking after me and has hopefully got her Son’s attention for me.

That IS funny!

But seriously, once it affect how you act by inclining you to do things you shouldn’t do and normally would not, it is time to stop.

Well, as long as you’re not over the legal blood alcohol limit you should be fine to drive. And I don’t think feeling a ‘buzz’ is sinful if we’re so little affected otherwise that we are legally capable of driving, no?

NO!

Legal driving is not the same as moral driving. There have been many innocent people killed by drivers who are under the legal limit for intoxication, but have been impaired enough to get themselves in an accident.

Don’t fool yourself. Buzzed driving, even if it is legal driving, is immoral. You are placing innocent people at risk, as well as your own life if you drive with any buzz at all.

 

[Scaun]

“Do not be deceived: …] drunkards …] will not inherit the kingdom of God.” (1 Corinthians 6:9-10)

Of course, this doesn’t speak against alcohol. But wouldn’t it be better not to take any risks at all? If you don’t want to burn your house, wouldn’t it be better not to play with fire? No, it is not a sin to ingest some small quantities of alcohol. But why would you? It may be permitted, but it is not good. It’s just better without it, in my opinion.

 

[gardenswithkids]

Any new opinions on this subject?

Hello!

I am a protestant and I think all the protestant denominations are ridiculous in saying that it is wrong for alcohol to be consumed.

BUT

I know and have known many Catholics that seem to think it is ok to get Tipsy, a little drunk, or very drunk, etc.

What is common with Catholics that are devout?

Hello again.

I use alcohol in moderation but not to excess. I’d say that’s true for most of the people I know that I consider serious Catholics. Some don’t drink at all, often because they noticed they had problems with excess and gave it up.

Yes, sadly I have known a few Catholics that have alcohol problems. Serious Catholics sometimes sin, but regarding a serious sin as “okay” might be the mark that either a) the person is not serious about their faith as we thought or b) they have a serious problem with alcohol that they have not (yet?) recognized and conquored.

 

[Cable]

Any new opinions on this subject?

Not to muddy the waters, but you can get a buzz from caffeine and some people get one from sugar.

I think the relaxed, takes-the-edge off feeling from consuming some alcohol isn’t the same as drinking excessively or being impaired. Have been to fundraisers, pro-life dinners w/ other Catholics and can say that most thought some table wine went down nicely w/ the meal. Still others raised their glass for a toast, had a sip, and didn’t bother w/ it again. Some of us had a mixed drink to enjoy and get old in our hand while socializing. People can consume alcohol in moderation.