Question on Drinking Alcohol

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inomcoke

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I was under the impression that getting drunk is aways sinful and should therefor be avoided. I know having a beer or two is fine (for most people).

Then I just read some of the information in the ‘ask an apologist’ section and now I’m not so sure so am seeking some clarification.

It said (from the CCC i believe) that getting drunk is sinful because it opens you up to doing things you normally wouldn’t (driving drunk, sexual sins, ect ect ect).

Well. What if I am going to a family get together with my wife and at this event I choose to get drunk (not dangerously, binge drinking drunk, but still well past any ‘legal limit’).

Since I know I won’t be driving (My lovely wife is the designated driver in this example). I know I won’t be committing any sexual sins since it’s all family and my wife is there. Any other potential poor choices I could make would almost certainly fall short of sinfulness and my wife would be there to ‘keep an eye’ on me so to speak.

Note I don’t really have any desire to get drunk but over the last 2 years (since I started really living my faith) I’ve been quite careful never to ‘cross the line’ with drinking. It would be nice to be able to relax a little on that and if I happen to get drunk from time to time.

Hope that all makes sense.
 
inomcoke said:
I was under the impression that getting drunk is aways sinful and should therefor be avoided. I know having a beer or two is fine (for most people).

Then I just read some of the information in the ‘ask an apologist’ section and now I’m not so sure so am seeking some clarification.

It said (from the CCC i believe) that getting drunk is sinful because it opens you up to doing things you normally wouldn’t (driving drunk, sexual sins, ect ect ect).

Well. What if I am going to a family get together with my wife and at this event I choose to get drunk (not dangerously, binge drinking drunk, but still well past any ‘legal limit’).

Since I know I won’t be driving (My lovely wife is the designated driver in this example). I know I won’t be committing any sexual sins since it’s all family and my wife is there. Any other potential poor choices I could make would almost certainly fall short of sinfulness and my wife would be there to ‘keep an eye’ on me so to speak.

Note I don’t really have any desire to get drunk but over the last 2 years (since I started really living my faith) I’ve been quite careful never to ‘cross the line’ with drinking. It would be nice to be able to relax a little on that and if I happen to get drunk from time to time.

Hope that all makes sense.
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I drink like a fish, as long as you aren’t driving, I don’t see what the harm is. You ought to see my family get togethers with siblings, it can get pretty crazy 😉
 
inomcoke said:
I was under the impression that getting drunk is aways sinful and should therefor be avoided. I know having a beer or two is fine (for most people).

Then I just read some of the information in the ‘ask an apologist’ section and now I’m not so sure so am seeking some clarification.

It said (from the CCC i believe) that getting drunk is sinful because it opens you up to doing things you normally wouldn’t (driving drunk, sexual sins, ect ect ect).

Well. What if I am going to a family get together with my wife and at this event I choose to get drunk (not dangerously, binge drinking drunk, but still well past any ‘legal limit’).

Since I know I won’t be driving (My lovely wife is the designated driver in this example). I know I won’t be committing any sexual sins since it’s all family and my wife is there. Any other potential poor choices I could make would almost certainly fall short of sinfulness and my wife would be there to ‘keep an eye’ on me so to speak.

Note I don’t really have any desire to get drunk but over the last 2 years (since I started really living my faith) I’ve been quite careful never to ‘cross the line’ with drinking. It would be nice to be able to relax a little on that and if I happen to get drunk from time to time.

Hope that all makes sense.
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You shouldn’t be drinking all the time to the point that it becomes harmful to your body… that much would be sinful. The same goes for if you’re drinking enough/often enough that impacts your ability to provide for your family. I don’t get the feeling that either of these situations apply to you though.

The other area that alcohol becomes a problem is because it decreases the will’s ability to resist conscupience, as you noted. We must remember, of course, that we are not only to resist the physical actions of sin, but also mentally dwelling on the possibility of sin… so if drinking causes you to lust, whether or not you ACT on that lust, it is still a sin. If, however, you’re like me and drinking alcohol doesn’t impair your good judgement, then by all means, have a little fun every once in a while.
 
It’s mortally sinful when the person drinking intends to deprive himself of the use of reason. It may also be mortally sinful on account of near occasion of this mortal sin being willingly and knowingly accepted. Otherwise there may be venial sin (some form of excess) or no sin (no excess). Don’t ask me at which point excess starts because I don’t know.
 
inomcoke said:
I was under the impression that getting drunk is aways sinful and should therefor be avoided. I know having a beer or two is fine (for most people).

Then I just read some of the information in the ‘ask an apologist’ section and now I’m not so sure so am seeking some clarification.

It said (from the CCC i believe) that getting drunk is sinful because it opens you up to doing things you normally wouldn’t (driving drunk, sexual sins, ect ect ect).

Well. What if I am going to a family get together with my wife and at this event I choose to get drunk (not dangerously, binge drinking drunk, but still well past any ‘legal limit’).

Since I know I won’t be driving (My lovely wife is the designated driver in this example). I know I won’t be committing any sexual sins since it’s all family and my wife is there. Any other potential poor choices I could make would almost certainly fall short of sinfulness and my wife would be there to ‘keep an eye’ on me so to speak.

Note I don’t really have any desire to get drunk but over the last 2 years (since I started really living my faith) I’ve been quite careful never to ‘cross the line’ with drinking. It would be nice to be able to relax a little on that and if I happen to get drunk from time to time.

Hope that all makes sense.
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I would question why you already know you want to get drunk? I have a problem with alcohol so I’m sober since 1986. I miss a cold one at a barbeque, but from what I know about me it was not the desire to have that beer or vodka – but that I already had the desire to reach an objective result. There’s a difference.

As for sinfulness, I think it may be objectively sinful when it seeks a purpose – to get drunk.

I know that many a drink has taken a turn where we reveal things we should not, say things to people that are hurtful, dig up old grievances, hurt other’s feelings, get our own feelings hurt, embarrass ourselves and others when we are not thinking straight.
 
garn9173 said:
I drink like a fish, as long as you aren’t driving, I don’t see what the harm is. You ought to see my family get togethers with siblings, it can get pretty crazy 😉
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That’s how my family get together’s are to (on my wife’s side).
promethius said:
You shouldn’t be drinking all the time to the point that it becomes harmful to your body… that much would be sinful. The same goes for if you’re drinking enough/often enough that impacts your ability to provide for your family. I don’t get the feeling that either of these situations apply to you though.

The other area that alcohol becomes a problem is because it decreases the will’s ability to resist conscupience, as you noted. We must remember, of course, that we are not only to resist the physical actions of sin, but also mentally dwelling on the possibility of sin… so if drinking causes you to lust, whether or not you ACT on that lust, it is still a sin. If, however, you’re like me and drinking alcohol doesn’t impair your good judgement, then by all means, have a little fun every once in a while.
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Thank you for this. I really don’t drink often and never really did even before I thought about it being sinful. The situation where I might get drunk would really only come up two or three times a year anyway.
chevalier said:
It’s mortally sinful when the person drinking intends to deprive himself of the use of reason. It may also be mortally sinful on account of near occasion of this mortal sin being willingly and knowingly accepted. Otherwise there may be venial sin (some form of excess) or no sin (no excess). Don’t ask me at which point excess starts because I don’t know.
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Thank you for this answer. It clears things up for me.
Leegal said:
I would question why you already know you want to get drunk? I have a problem with alcohol so I’m sober since 1986. I miss a cold one at a barbeque, but from what I know about me it was not the desire to have that beer or vodka – but that I already had the desire to reach an objective result. There’s a difference.

As for sinfulness, I think it may be objectively sinful when it seeks a purpose – to get drunk.

I know that many a drink has taken a turn where we reveal things we should not, say things to people that are hurtful, dig up old grievances, hurt other’s feelings, get our own feelings hurt, embarrass ourselves and others when we are not thinking straight.
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To clarify, I don’t really want to get drunk but while at a family get together we often sit around an play cards for hours on end. For the past two years I’d always stop after two or three beers. As long as it’s not sinful I’d like to be able to ‘let my guard down’ on that a bit and have a few more occasionally. I don’t ever want to get “black out” drunk or anything close to that.

Note this is very rare.

Thanks to everyone for helping to clear this up for me!
 
inomcoke said:
I was under the impression that getting drunk is aways sinful and should therefor be avoided. I know having a beer or two is fine (for most people).

Then I just read some of the information in the ‘ask an apologist’ section and now I’m not so sure so am seeking some clarification.

It said (from the CCC i believe) that getting drunk is sinful because it opens you up to doing things you normally wouldn’t (driving drunk, sexual sins, ect ect ect).

Well. What if I am going to a family get together with my wife and at this event** I choose to get drunk **(not dangerously, binge drinking drunk, but still well past any ‘legal limit’).

Since I know I won’t be driving (My lovely wife is the designated driver in this example). I know I won’t be committing any sexual sins since it’s all family and my wife is there. Any other potential poor choices I could make would almost certainly fall short of sinfulness and my wife would be there to ‘keep an eye’ on me so to speak.

Note I don’t really have any desire to get drunk but over the last 2 years (since I started really living my faith) I’ve been quite careful never to ‘cross the line’ with drinking. It would be nice to be able to relax a little on that and if I happen to get drunk from time to time.

Hope that all makes sense.
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Many people get drunk as an evening out goes on but what does it say about the character of a person who deliberately intends to get drunk??!!
 
Getting drunk is a sin. Do not get drunk and there will be no problem.

I would imagine the intent to get drunk falls in the same category as intent to sin in other cases.
 
garn9173 said:
I drink like a fish, as long as you aren’t driving, I don’t see what the harm is. You ought to see my family get togethers with siblings, it can get pretty crazy 😉
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Why would a Christian brag about this?
 
garn9173 said:
I’m part German, part Irish…put them together and what do you come up with? Enjoying a gin & tonic as I type this.
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Enjoying A gin and tonic is quite different than repeatedly getting drunk and bragging about it…

Your nationality is no excuse.
 
I like a glass of wine or two. On a good night of Pinochle I might finish a bottle. I never get ‘drunk’. You can drink all night without getting ‘drunk’. The question is, why does one need to get drunk anyway? There is a difference in having a good time, and losing control. You should never plan (no matter what your nationality is) to go out and get wasted. Not only does it let down your guard, but it leads others to view you as that kind of person. You represent your faith, and as such should also consider that.

Now there is nothing wrong with drinking and having a good time. But to think that because your wife is really setting yourself up for a bad situation.
 
bmullins said:
I like a glass of wine or two. On a good night of Pinochle I might finish a bottle. I never get ‘drunk’. You can drink all night without getting ‘drunk’. The question is, why does one need to get drunk anyway? There is a difference in having a good time, and losing control. You should never plan (no matter what your nationality is) to go out and get wasted. Not only does it let down your guard, but it leads others to view you as that kind of person. You represent your faith, and as such should also consider that.

Now there is nothing wrong with drinking and having a good time. But to think that because your wife is really setting yourself up for a bad situation.
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👍
 
Wine and alcoholic drinks play a big role in the New Testament. Jesus’ first recorded miracle was the Wedding at Cana - the turning of water into wine, and what’s more the finest of wines.

I’m quite certain that we’re allowed to let our hair down once in a while, provided we don’t cause harm to others.

You’re free to drink such that you’re merry. It’s not a sin. Just because you’re over the drink-driving limit it’s still not a sin, since you have a designated driver.

We don’t need to be too puritanical about it, as though ‘fun’ was somehow a bad thing. You’ll be in good safe company and, as you’ve said, it’s not like you’ll drink enough to damage you, even if you do wake up the following morning with a bit of a headache.

Go in peace. And then have some fun. If Jesus can liven up a party with some alcohol, it’s not wrong.
 
inomcoke said:
I Well. What if I am going to a family get together with my wife and at this event I choose to get drunk (not dangerously, binge drinking drunk, but still well past any ‘legal limit’).

Since I know I won’t be driving (My lovely wife is the designated driver in this example). I know I won’t be committing any sexual sins since it’s all family and my wife is there. .
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well in my family it is the drunks at these very family occasions who are responsible for a lot of the sin, especially that against charity, but the other varieties as well, that are inevitable in most such events, but you know yourself and your family best. I cannot believe that voluntary loss of control over ones actions and emotions, even leaving aside the possibility of physical damage, is not at least sinning negatively, but you know yourself best. Again some family members are only tolerable after they have had a few. But believe me I heartily sympathize with the temptation to face such events with some fortification.
 
Catechsim:
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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You’ll be avoiding the second part there, but the first…

Drinking so you feel a buzz is probably okay; Alcohol’s been helping white people dance for ever! Drinking so you have a massive hangover the next day qualifies as excess in my opinion. Hangover is just a euphemism for alcohol poisoning.

And I’m not just aiming at you, but for anyone reading this now and in the future: An Alcoholic cannot control and enjoy his drinking. He can do one or the other, but not both at the same time.
 
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