Is drinking under age a sin?

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bobballen_18

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Now that I commented on a smoking thread, it got me thinking about alcohol. I want to start with, is it ALWAYS wrong to break the law? If the answer, which I suspect it is, is “no,” (although there may be different circumstances) then is it actually morally wrong to drink alcohol? When you’re under 21?

I don’t ask because I am under 21 and drink a lot (although I am under 21 and have drunk alcohol on many occasions in moderation)…well, I guess that’s one reason, but that’s not exactly why I’m asking. I am just genuinely curious. What could possibly be wrong with a 20 year old, or a person of at least a semi-reasonable age (no, I’m not going to define that, I think people know what I’m getting at, but I could say at least 18 I guess), enjoying a beer or a glass of wine?

Not that I really like alcohol a lot - in fact, I don’t really enjoy beer or hard liquor much, although it’s probably because I haven’t had it often enough - but, subtract the dumb people who drink solely to get wasted, and it’s such a silly idea that responsible people (OK fine, let’s just say adults - age 18) can’t enjoy a simple drink.

Any thoughts?
 
Laws that establish a drinking age are 1) for the good of society and 2) are not immoral. They are to be obeyed.

“Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” (Matthew 22:21)
 
^ ‘Nuff said. Although, in my opinion, many Catholics I know might not realize this. And I’m pretty sure it’s fine to drink as long as you’re under your parents’ supervision. I may be wrong.
 
bearer said:
Laws that establish a drinking age are 1) for the good of society and 2) are not immoral. They are to be obeyed.

“Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” (Matthew 22:21)
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Thank you for your response.

In your opinion, am I causing harm to society or myself by drinking one beer? Also, based on the quote you give, then do you think I am committing a venial sin?

I suppose you would probably respond with, I may not be causing harm to society or myself, but that doesn’t make it right…?

I guess I may have implied that I think there should be no law establishing a drinking age…but that wasn’t really my point to this post. I understand why a drinking age is there. I’m just wondering, aside from that point, if there is anything morally wrong with drinking under age. If there isn’t, then the only possible sin committed is breaking the law, which brings me to my main question: is it always wrong to break the law.

As just one example, say the speed limit is 40 mph. If you go 45, yes, you’re technically breaking the law. But you’re not endangering either yourself or anyone else (provided there are normal circumstances), and that is not a sin. At least to my knowledge. And shoot, police won’t even pull you over for that (at least not where I live). I don’t know if this is a good analogy or not, since all analogies are inadequate, but I think it illustrates what I’m trying to ask - can the same thing be applied to drinking alcohol under age?
 
funion987 said:
^ ‘Nuff said. Although, in my opinion, many Catholics I know might not realize this. And I’m pretty sure it’s fine to drink as long as you’re under your parents’ supervision. I may be wrong.
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Yes, I think it is okay in some states, and 95% of the alcohol I have drunk has more or less been “supervised.”
 
The average age for being able to buy alcohol and drinking it is 18 here in Europe,but it is a sin. Or,it depends on how much you drink and above all,what the purpose is. If you drink to be silly and drunk it is. But I think that you know it don’t you?
 
The laws of man should not be confused wit the laws of God. In the U.S., the legal drinking age is 21. If you are younger than that and you drink, you are (probably) breaking the law (of man). I don’t see where you are breaking a law of God.
 
Lost_Sheep said:
The laws of man should not be confused wit the laws of God. In the U.S., the legal drinking age is 21. If you are younger than that and you drink, you are (probably) breaking the law (of man). I don’t see where you are breaking a law of God.
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In my country a person can drink at a restaurant at the age of 18 but he cant buy it in the store until the age of 20, its a similar case. I cant see how it should break Gods law.
 
I always confess it just to be sure, but overall I don’t see a problem with it as long as it is done responsibly. Causing harm upon others, making bad decisions, and drunkenness in general I see as immoral and not acceptable.

As a college student, it’s a given that most people drink (note that I didn’t say all; I have many friends who don’t). In excess, or at any point in which it conflicts with your personality or moral intentions, I then believe that it’s not a good thing at all. However, in social situations when friends and I are watching a movie or hanging out and talking, I don’t personally see it as a major sin. Nonetheless though, I still confess it.
 
funion987 said:
^ ‘Nuff said. Although, in my opinion, many Catholics I know might not realize this. And I’m pretty sure it’s fine to drink as long as you’re under your parents’ supervision. I may be wrong.
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Just so. There is clearly nothing immoral about parents permitting a celebratory taste of champagne or wine around something like the Christmas or Thanksgiving table or similar special occasion. I would also guess that there are some number of teenage boys who have been permitted a beer while out fishing with Dad.
 
bobballen_18 said:
Thank you for your response.

In your opinion, am I causing harm to society or myself by drinking one beer? Also, based on the quote you give, then do you think I am committing a venial sin?

I suppose you would probably respond with, I may not be causing harm to society or myself, but that doesn’t make it right…?
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No, you are breaking a just law by drinking one beer, and perhaps sending a bad message to your underage peers in the process. We are obligated to admonish our brothers and sisters for their sins. If, through your actions, you approve of underage drinking, someone else might do so and harm themselves or others in the process.

As my cited verse reads, Jesus instructed us to obey the law. To disobey Jesus is to sin. I would consider it a venial sin, but you should speak to a priest about that. However, a sin is a sin. Even if you don’t fall from grace, you still wound your grace.
I guess I may have implied that I think there should be no law establishing a drinking age…but that wasn’t really my point to this post. I understand why a drinking age is there. I’m just wondering, aside from that point, if there is anything morally wrong with drinking under age. If there isn’t, then the only possible sin committed is breaking the law, which brings me to my main question: is it always wrong to break the law.
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It is immoral to break just laws. The only time a law is unjust is when it stands against God’s law.
As just one example, say the speed limit is 40 mph. If you go 45, yes, you’re technically breaking the law. But you’re not endangering either yourself or anyone else (provided there are normal circumstances), and that is not a sin. At least to my knowledge. And shoot, police won’t even pull you over for that (at least not where I live). I don’t know if this is a good analogy or not, since all analogies are inadequate, but I think it illustrates what I’m trying to ask - can the same thing be applied to drinking alcohol under age?
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Speeding is a sin. From the Catechism of the Catholic Church:
2290 The virtue of temperance disposes us to avoid every kind of excess: the abuse of food, alcohol, tobacco, or medicine. 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.
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The bottom line is this: obey the law! You can drink when you’re of age. Don’t look for loopholes or push boundaries. Christ commands obedience to His authority and to earthly authority. What’s more important, His will or yours?
 
I understand your post.

Only one comment: I hardly think driving 45 mph means I have a “love of speed.”
 
Never mind, one more comment: interestingly enough, I rarely drink with people who are underage. When/if I have, I do not hang out with the type of people who misuse alcohol.

Whatever. I’m done with this subject; thank you everyone for your replies. Perhaps I’ll talk to a priest about it.
 
bobballen_18 said:
I understand your post.

Only one comment: I hardly think driving 45 mph means I have a “love of speed.”
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If you drive over the speed limit, you’re choosing speed over safety standards set by legitimate authorities. Speed limits are set for a reason, and it’s no surprise that speeding is a major factor in both fatal and non-fatal car crashes.

I know you’re not getting the answers you want to hear, but that’s life…and faith. Remember that pride is the deadliest of the capital vices. Humbling yourself by abstaining from underage drinking and obeying the speed limit will go a long way on your journey along the straight and narrow path of righteousness. The pleasure you get from drinking is nothing compared to the love you get from God.

God bless you, and I hope your priest can help you come closer to the Lord!
 
funion987 said:
^ ‘Nuff said. Although, in my opinion, many Catholics I know might not realize this. And I’m pretty sure it’s fine to drink as long as you’re under your parents’ supervision. I may be wrong.
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Just wanted to follow up to this post. Where I come from, a parent who supplies alcohol to his/her child is contributing to the delinquency of a minor, which is a first degree misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in jail and/or a fine of (I believe) $10,000. Every year I read in the news of someone who was prosecuting for doing just that, usually by hosting their child’s party and allowing them to raid the liquor cabinet.
 
Check HERE for state laws regarding minors drinking with or without parental consent. The laws vary by states. In some states, minors can drink with parental approval, but not in others.
 
bearer said:
If you drive over the speed limit, you’re choosing speed over safety standards set by legitimate authorities. Speed limits are set for a reason, and it’s no surprise that speeding is a major factor in both fatal and non-fatal car crashes.

I know you’re not getting the answers you want to hear, but that’s life…and faith. Remember that pride is the deadliest of the capital vices. Humbling yourself by abstaining from underage drinking and obeying the speed limit will go a long way on your journey along the straight and narrow path of righteousness. The pleasure you get from drinking is nothing compared to the love you get from God.

God bless you, and I hope your priest can help you come closer to the Lord!
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OK, I guess I was “joking” 😛 I’m not completely done. I realize I am possibly in the wrong here. But you seem to be even implying that if I purposely go ONE mph over the speed limit, I am committing a sin. Based on the quote you gave me from the catechism, I am not endangering anyone by doing this, nor does this display a “love of speed,” as I was saying earlier.

As I said, I may be wrong. But if I am ever the cause of a car crash, it certainly won’t be because I’m going 5 mph over the speed limit.

Your point on pride is taken…thank you.
Just wanted to follow up to this post. Where I come from, a parent who supplies alcohol to his/her child is contributing to the delinquency of a minor, which is a first degree misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in jail and/or a fine of (I believe) $10,000. Every year I read in the news of someone who was prosecuting for doing just that, usually by hosting their child’s party and allowing them to raid the liquor cabinet.
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Well, obviously that is not a good idea as a parent to allow the people at his child’s party to raid the liquor cabinet.

You must come from a state that does NOT allow a parent to supply their kids with alcohol under the conditions listed in the link in Catholic90’s post. My parents would not allow such a thing to happen. In terms of the law, yes, if the state doesn’t allow parents to supply everyone in their household alcohol, then they might be contributing to the “delinquincy of the minor” but if you consider it, there’s nothing objectively wrong with allowing your kid a drink - how is it that in some states a parent is “contributing to the delinquincy of their child” by allowing them a drink, while in other states the same action is perfectly fine? I guess that’s starting to bring in another question suitable for another thread, so that’s as far as I’ll go with that.

I realize that not everyone will make the best decisions involving alcohol, so I was trying to ask my questions and get answers from people that will assume that no bad decisions are being made.

I just wanted to get past a seemingly large point of yours that involves you assuming that I’m making decisions that could endanger myself or others (i.e., speeding excessively, getting drunk, etc).

Since I might be going a little bit off topic, I’ll return more specifically to it, so once again, your point on pride is being considered; I’ve had problems with that before (haven’t we all…haha). Thank you, and God bless you as well.
 
Do you lie in order to procure alcohol? If so, then there is sin involved.

In many states your parents may provide you with alcohol in your own home. Stick with what is legal. Why risk your future on a beer?
 
The Bible tells us to obey the laws of our government as long as they don’t conflict with God’s law or God’s plan.

“Let every soul be subject to higher powers: for there is no power but from God: and those that are, are ordained of God. Therefore he that resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God. And they that resist, purchase to themselves damnation.” Romans 13:1-2 Douay-Rheims Bible

We are to obey the authorities and the laws of the government. God put these governments in power and we are to respect them. Just laws will provide us with protection and bring justice to criminals, and so on…

Now if those laws or governments are un-just and if they go against God, then we are not to obey those laws:

“But Peter and the apostles answering, said: We ought to obey God, rather than men.”
Acts 5: 29 Douay-Rheims Bible

Peter and the other apostles said “We must obey God as ruler rather than men.

So basically if you are drinking under age, it is a sin because you are breaking the law. Depending on your situation, you could put yourself and others around you in danger. The law where you are requires you to be of drinking age, and if you are, to drink responsibly.
 
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