Is It Gravely Wrong for Teenagers to Smoke and Drink?

[vz71]

I did not sidestep it.

Please note post #3.

I’ll stand corrected on that specific. Not everyone.

But enough to completely sidetrack the thread.

“Is It Gravely Wrong for Teenagers to Smoke and Drink?”
Yes. For all of the reasons pointed out in your post.

Anything more is either affirmation, or feeble justification attempt.

 

[pnewton]

I find it facinating that everyone so neatly sidesteps the fact that it is civil law, and as Catholics, we are called to follow civil law (unless it is an unjust law).

You can argue right or wrong of the act all you want, but the civil law is written and must be obeyed.

I did not sidestep it, but rather answered the question. I was the only one to offer Church teaching as support. If what the teenager is doing is not a mortal sin in accordance to Church teaching, I believe a better approach is to emphasize the sin that does exist, rather than exaggerate. After all, the fact that sin is not mortal by no means justifies it. All sin must be avoided.

 

[rwoehmke]

I wonder if one could make an argument that it is gravely sinful for a human not yet done developing (typically age 22) to drink and smoke based on scientific information?

For example, findings show that the prefrontal cortex and the chemical balance of the brain is going through immense changes similar to the first 4 years of life. Consuming alcohol or inhaling nicotine could effect the brain of a not-fully-developed teenager much more than someone who is done growing.

Not to mention the findings that conclude those who drink and smoke during teen years are more likely to become addicted and to become alcoholics.

I have a psychologist friend who told me that he can tell which of his clients started drinking under age just by talking to them and observing behavior. By under age he means as young as ten or twelve and older. The alcohol prevents the proper development in the areas of the brain needed for rational thinking,i.e. their reasoning power never fully develops which is a handicap for life. Its damage that can’t be “fixed.” Anyone with even limited brain power knows by now the damage of even moderate smoking.

Mortal sins? Grave matter? Maybe so, to be purposely damaging the body and brain God gives you. Its not like going to confession is going to prevent the cancer, emphysema, and brain damage.

 

[Caesar517]

I find it facinating that everyone so neatly sidesteps the fact that it is civil law, and as Catholics, we are called to follow civil law (unless it is an unjust law).

You can argue right or wrong of the act all you want, but the civil law is written and must be obeyed.

Read this recent thread concerning the morality of violating law. There is a link to a Jimmy Akin article on page one.

 

[GraceDK]

Actually it is written in the Bible that getting drunk is a very grave sin.

Emphasis mine.

give me the quote then. As for me I know the Bible talks about it as something that leads to promiscuity which is why that in 99,9 percent of the time it would be a sin to get into such a situation.
Still… provide me with the quote…

 

[rpp]

give me the quote then. As for me I know the Bible talks about it as something that leads to promiscuity which is why that in 99,9 percent of the time it would be a sin to get into such a situation.
Still… provide me with the quote…

Please re-read my post. I both quoted and cited the pertinent scripture.

 

[didymus]

Getting drunk is a grave sin.

Not obeying your parents, especially in serious matter like this, can be a grave sin.

Violating a just law is sinful and depending on the gravity of the offense, can be grave sin.

I think the parents’ example is probably what is most important. Totally forbidding alcohol until a certain age may not be the best policy.
When I was a kid my folks let us have small amounts of wine with meals on special occasions. Most of my classmates were Italian-american so they were used to wine with meals so their 18th birthday just meant that they could go to bars, it wasn’t a big deal.

Nowadays allowing an underage child to drink even in a family setting is a crime, or at least child abuse which is too bad.

 

[pnewton]

Nowadays allowing an underage child to drink even in a family setting is a crime, or at least child abuse which is too bad.

Texas still allows this exception.

** 106.04 – Consumption of Alcohol by a Minor**
(a–b) A minor commits an offense if they consume alcohol unless they are in the visible presence of, and have the consent of their adult parent, legal guardian, or spouse.
** 106.05 Possession of Alcohol by a Minor**
(a) A minor commits an offense if they posses an alcoholic beverage.
(b) A minor may possess an alcoholic beverage:
• if the minor is in the visible presence of his adult parent, guardian, or spouse, or other adult to whom the minor has been committed by a court

 

[Catholic90]

I think the parents’ example is probably what is most important. Totally forbidding alcohol until a certain age may not be the best policy.
When I was a kid my folks let us have small amounts of wine with meals on special occasions. Most of my classmates were Italian-american so they were used to wine with meals so their 18th birthday just meant that they could go to bars, it wasn’t a big deal.

Nowadays allowing an underage child to drink even in a family setting is a crime, or at least child abuse which is too bad.

It is not a “crime” to allow a teen to have a glass of wine with Easter dinner, or something like that.
It IS a crime to allow the teen to get drunk in your home, throw a party and provide alcohol for the buddies (as it should be illegal).

My teens have all had sips of wine or sampled beer or even harder drinks. None of them like any of it. My kids’ school has a zero tolerance policy - you drink any alchohol, and you may no longer participate in any extracurricular activities for a period of…I forget the time frame, but it is a moot point, because my kids aren’t interested in that scene at all.

Now…they have also seen what alcoholism and alcohol addiction can do to families. They don’t like it. I am sure that all plays a part for them also.

Providing alcohol to toddlers for the amusement of the adults watching them stumble around or to get the child to sleep IS child abuse, no question.

 

[rwoehmke]

Providing alcohol to toddlers for the amusement of the adults watching them stumble around or to get the child to sleep IS child abuse, no question.

Absolutely correct. My grandparents, my parents, and my wife and I never made an absolute rule against a partial or single drink for children who were toddlers and under about ten years old stage. Usually the under tens wanted a taste, but did not like it. Never allowed enough to even give the older children a buzz. All four generations of the direct line have thus far not been alcoholics and have learned to not mistreat strong drink.

At age 72, I have more or less given it up entirely as I learned early that a drink or two was not necessary to have a convivial good time with others. I like the taste of a cold beer and on occasion enjoy one of the better non-alcoholic beers. The wines I most enjoyed were the fruity sweet kind and fruit juice tastes just as good, Mixed drinks that taste like lemonade or soda pop were eliminated for the same reason.

Relatives not in my direct line have not been so fortunate and so I grew up knowing what alcoholism could do to families. Tragic really. I have no critcism for people who drink responsibly.