Drunkenness & Civil laws

[justbeinfrank]

I have two questions.
1. I am a college student and have been challenged *repeatedly *as to why I believe drunkenness is sinful. I have looked this up online and I understand that drunkenness is condemned throughout the Bible. (That argument doesn’t get me anywhere.) And I understand that drunkenness sort of diminishes one’s capacity to reason. Since reason is what enables us to avoid sin in the first place, drunkenness is wrong. When I make that argument, the other person always says something like, “You obviously don’t know what you’re talking about. When I’m drunk, I am in full control of my faculties. So what’s so wrong about drunkenness for me?” And then I’m stuck. Help!

**2. **This leads me to a second question, which I am also asked a lot. I follow the Church’s teachings on alcohol in that I don’t believe that it’s intrinsically evil. It is fine to drink alcohol in moderation.

So would it be fine for me, then, to drink alcohol in moderation – even though I’m below the legal age? I lean towards “no”, because I realize that the Church teaches that we’re bound to obey any civil laws that aren’t unjust.

But does this mean I can’t have, say, *any *wine or champagne with my family at family get togethers? (We’re a big Italian family.)

That leads me to more questions. Are Catholics *absolutely *obliged to follow civil laws that aren’t unjust? If I drive 50 mph in a 35 mph zone, am I sinning? If Congress passes a law requiring all Americans to wear pink socks, and I wear brown socks one day, is that a sin?

My question is: how obliged are we to follow civil laws?

Thanks,
Frank

 

[Island_Oak]

What is your parents’ position on this? I would assume that any consumption of alcohol by you at this age would be either in church as part of the Eucharist or as part of a family meal.

My parents included us in the serving of wine when we were high school + college age (though still legally underage). It was always a very small amount, but viewed by them as a part of the process of educating us. I can’t imagine how this could be sinful. However, your parents need to take the lead on this issue and your compliance with their wishes is all that matters no matter how some one else’s family may choose to address it.

 

[Pug]

In general, presume that you should follow the civil laws. There is no particular reason to go around thinking, “And this one, do I have to follow *this *one?” However, if someone is clearly dying on private property, you may violate the personal property laws to go help the person! Laws are meant for good order, and it is not good order to let someone just die without help.

In fact, you are typically obliged to follow somewhat unjust laws too (not just the obviously just laws). For example, a scheme of taxation could be unjust.

Remember that anytime you exempt yourself from following a law, you may well weaken your own devotion to good citizenship and the common good. Or someone could observe you and be led to disobey even the just laws.

Hmmm. I’m not sure the law forbids a parent to give wine to their son at the dinner table. It could depend on your location.

With regards to the speed limit, you should obey its spirit. And 50 mph is not in the spirit of 35mph. 37mph is, given that most people can’t maintain a perfect 35mph. Traffic laws are a good thing, that are overall designed to save lives. I recommend to follow them and to train the habit of following them.

Maybe someone else will have a reply to the drunken person who thinks they are not impaired in any way. (They are probably kidding themselves, btw).

 

[PaulDupre]

In almost every state, it is legal for parents to serve wine to their minor children.

 

[PaulDupre]

In almost every state, it is legal for parents to serve wine to their minor children at home.