Morality of underage Social Drinking

[dr23flavors]

Ok, a friend of mine is at a Catholic University and I am at home going to community college. We are both heavily involved in youth ministry and our parish youth group. He recently asked me if i had ever been drinking before and i said no and i asked him if he had. He said yes but only twice but he still drinks in social situations. We talked about it and he told me he doesn’t believe its a sin because he could just drive to Canada, 6 hours away, and drink legally. Is it morally wrong to drink underage? I think the answer is yes because our government sets rules for us to live safly by and we shouldn’t break those laws unless they infringe upon or Religious beliefs. I would really like some good answers with some Bible verses or something if there are any. Thanks a lot.

 

[Sam_Maloney]

Just as government approval of abortion doesn’t make it morally right, government disapproval of drinking by people under 21 [some of whom have been ‘legal adults’ for nearly 3 years] doesn’t make it morally wrong.

This isn’t to say drinking is right for everyone, all the time. We have a moral obligation not to drink and drive, not to drink to a point of making ourselves ill or shortening our lives, not to drink if we have an alcohol problem.

Age doesn’t make it a moral issue, IMO.

I fully expect we’ll see Churchs brought up on charges for serving ‘wine’ to children before long, though.

 

[dr23flavors]

In the spirit of “giving to Caesar what is Caesar’s” shouldn’t we do what the government says as long as it does not cause us to sin? Drinking is not a right and by waiting until we are 21 we set a good example to others about obeying the law and things. In regards to abortion, the government says its ok to do it but it doen’t say we have too. In other counties weed is legal so why can’t we do that as long as we do it responsibly? I

 

[ericka1701]

I fully expect we’ll see Churchs brought up on charges for serving ‘wine’ to children before long, though.

A bit off topic, I was recently asked if I drank, and I said only at church… I happen to live in one of the biggest Southern Baptist population areas… There is about maybe 10% of the population that’s Catholic where I live.

Anyways, underage drinking is the topic. As far as breaking laws, yes it isn’t moral. However, if an underaged individual were in a place where it wasn’t illegal, then the key would be moderation. Or complete abstinance if one were a friend of Bill W. While the Church is a great place to turn to for instruction on living, God also gave everyone a brain and the potential for intelligence.

 

[sarah_anne_628]

I think the answer you gave is correct. Whether or not he thinks it is immoral is irrelavant. The law says it’s not permissable and as good Christians, we are bound to follow whatever laws, however silly, that our society has put forth.

The only time when breaking the law is morally permissable, IMO, is when those laws prohibit us from freely practicing our faith (as Daniel was disobedient when praying was banned) or something like civil disobedience in protest to a social injustice…(for example…there was a lot of law-breaking going on before slavery was finally banned).

Personally, I think drinking for the sake of drinking or getting drunk is wrong. Having a beer or glass of wine or something after a long day or with dinner is one thing…but kicking back shot after shot is entirely different.

 

[That_one_guy]

I think the answer you gave is correct. Whether or not he thinks it is immoral is irrelavant. The law says it’s not permissable and as good Christians, we are bound to follow whatever laws, however silly, that our society has put forth.

The only time when breaking the law is morally permissable, IMO, is when those laws prohibit us from freely practicing our faith (as Daniel was disobedient when praying was banned) or something like civil disobedience in protest to a social injustice…(for example…there was a lot of law-breaking going on before slavery was finally banned).

Personally, I think drinking for the sake of drinking or getting drunk is wrong. Having a beer or glass of wine or something after a long day or with dinner is one thing…but kicking back shot after shot is entirely different.

Yeah.What she said.
Jesus never broke the law.And we’re supposed to be just like him.

 

[Smber2c]

We talked about it and he told me he doesn’t believe its a sin because he could just drive to Canada, 6 hours away, and drink legally.QUOTE]

By this logic couldn’t I argue that it’s okay to drive 70 miles an hour down my street since Interstate 10 is only a half mile away?

Or could I steal my neighbor’s internet signal since to coffee shop at the mall offers their signal free?
(quincidentally Sister Helen Prejean lives next door with a wireless signal called “chooselife”…and she has is password protected, I’ve considered going over and asking her if she’s like to share the password and split the bill)

It makes no sense the say, “Because I can do it there, it’s okay to do it here.”

 

[rwoehmke]

It has been taught in the past that disregarding a civil law, depending of course on its basis in natural law, is not of necessity a sin. One breaks such laws understanding that by doing so they must be willing to accept the penalty should they be caught.

My only problem with disregarding the law concerning the use of alcohol is that one who does so is not thinking of one or two social drinks, but usually talking enough alcohol to lower inhibitions and to become incapicitated to the degree of not being able to safely operate a motor vehicle. That is an entirely different question.

 

[Michael_David]

My only problem with disregarding the law concerning the use of alcohol is that one who does so is not thinking of one or two social drinks, but usually talking enough alcohol to lower inhibitions and to become incapicitated to the degree of not being able to safely operate a motor vehicle. That is an entirely different question.

There is also the condition that ones judgment gets nullified and not only driving is the issue, but even any other thing one does while acting ‘without judgment’ can be morally wrong. This, even at home, or at a party. And yes, even those over 21 do these sort of things, perhaps the law will not get them, but the conscience will. Under 21 both law and conscience can be had.

So, stick to your guns, it is you that have to live with yourself and your spiritual side… when the conscience condemns one, it is not pretty.

 

[Rolltide]

I fully expect we’ll see Churchs brought up on charges for serving ‘wine’ to children before long, though.

Even during Prohibition, when we had a constitutional amendment banning alcohol, there was an exception made for the Catholic and Orthodox Churches.

 

[That_one_guy]

As a kid I lived in Germany.My little brother could buy alcohol.No age limit.
There is no skid-row in Germany.I’m sure there are alcoholics.I believe that there are less alcohol related car accidents in ratio to the USA, though.
I’m not an expert.But,I believe the attitude towards drinking is different than over here.It has been a part of the culture for so long that it is just no big deal.I seem to recall it was more of a thing to go out for coffee or a ‘spezi’ than for a drink.They even have breakfast beers.
I’m not saying we should change the laws.But, I do think that if it wasn’t considered so ‘bad’ that a good portion of the reasons teens drink would be eliminated.That is,…I’m talking about good old fashioned rebellion.
However, I stand by my belief that if you are breaking the law and you know it,…you are committing a sin.No offense my young fellow Americans,…but, trying to compare underage drinking with civil disobedience after the fashion of the Saints and such just isn’t gonna fly with me.
Obeying the laws also falls under the category of honoring ones Father and Mother.

 

[Sea_Bass]

I’m not going to lie, I drank underage. I never felt it was a sin because the age 21 is merely a made up number. People are no more mature at 21 as they are at 18. It’s just a number politicians pulled out of the air. As an 18 year old, I was way more mature than many of my older friends. As long as you aren’t driving, then it’s not a problem. The only times I consider drinking a sin is when I get drunk or do/say something stupid when I’m drinking. I do not believe that state laws = Jesus laws. There is nothing morally wrong with underage drinking unless it goes to the extreme.

 

[sarah_anne_628]

dr23flavors;4516532:

We talked about it and he told me he doesn’t believe its a sin because he could just drive to Canada, 6 hours away, and drink legally.QUOTE]

By this logic couldn’t I argue that it’s okay to drive 70 miles an hour down my street since Interstate 10 is only a half mile away?

Or could I steal my neighbor’s internet signal since to coffee shop at the mall offers their signal free?
(quincidentally Sister Helen Prejean lives next door with a wireless signal called “chooselife”…and she has is password protected, I’ve considered going over and asking her if she’s like to share the password and split the bill)

It makes no sense the say, “Because I can do it there, it’s okay to do it here.”

Totally of topic…but Sister Helen Perjean actually wrote a series of ‘love’ poems and they were set to music and I recently saw that piece performed by the Nashville Symphony. I didn’t care for the music, I’m not really into “modern classical”…but the poetry was absolutely wonderful.

 

[Fox]

Is it morally wrong to drink underage? I think the answer is yes because our government sets rules for us to live safly by and we shouldn’t break those laws unless they infringe upon or Religious beliefs. I would really like some good answers with some Bible verses or something if there are any. Thanks a lot.

How do you know that the government has your best interests in mind? Who are they to tell people if can’t drink responsibly with their family when it is a common tradition for them?

All Catholics then are breaking the law if they are underage and take the Precious blood of Jesus during communion. See what I mean? Government really needs to stay out of people’s business.

Most Germans in Nazi Germany thought their government had it right we knew how that went.

 

[dr23flavors]

How do you know that the government has your best interests in mind? Who are they to tell people if can’t drink responsibly with their family when it is a common tradition for them?

All Catholics then are breaking the law if they are underage and take the Precious blood of Jesus during communion. See what I mean? Government really needs to stay out of people’s business.

Most Germans in Nazi Germany thought their government had it right we knew how that went.

if drinking was illegal in the home with the parents permission then you would have a point.

 

[AHapka]

He said yes but only twice but he still drinks in social situations.

Did he specify if he was drinking legally in those situations? I.E. If he had a parent, guardian, or spouse of legal drinking age with him (depending on the state)? That makes a difference.

Some states allow such drinking only at home with the parents, in Wisconsin I could drink in bars with my parents, some states don’t have the exception at all.

So check your state laws. In my opinion, it’s a venial sin at most.

 

[AHapka]

I fully expect we’ll see Churchs brought up on charges for serving ‘wine’ to children before long, though.

Most states have exceptions for religious ceremonies because it falls under the protection of the first amendment.

In Wisconsin, the staute on underage drinking states “This subdivision does not apply to alcohol beverages used exclusively as part of a religious service.”

 

[dr23flavors]

Did he specify if he was drinking legally in those situations? I.E. If he had a parent, guardian, or spouse of legal drinking age with him (depending on the state)? That makes a difference.

Some states allow such drinking only at home with the parents, in Wisconsin I could drink in bars with my parents, some states don’t have the exception at all.

So check your state laws. In my opinion, it’s a venial sin at most.

not legal. dorm room partying.

 

[That_one_guy]

What can compare with the logic of the teenage mind when it is attempting to justify its own sin?
Nothing.It is beyond compare.
:bowdown:

 

[Allen537]

One of the problems that I have with the age limit of 21 is that it says to people “you are not responsible enough to drink until you are 21”. But at the same time we say “well, at 18 you are responsible enough to shape this country and its direction by electing public officials, even the leader of the free world, you’re responsible enough to pay taxes to the government, and most importantly, you are responsible enough to be sent to war and die for this country. But you are not responsible enough to have a beer.”.

IMHO, this just doesn’t sit well with me.

In Carmel,

Br. Allen