When does drinking become a mortal sin?

[Nick]

a couple of weeks ago I went to a wedding of one of my best friends, and since I am shy and nervous by nature I wanted to have a couple of drinks to loosen up and become more sociable. I ended up having a couple too many, and by the end of the day I had a strong buzz. However, I didn’t lose control of my reasoning faculties, and I didn’t drive anywhere or get sick (no vomiting, passing out or hangover the next day). My question is, do you think that I committed a mortal sin, because I knew before hand that drinking to get drunk constitutes grave matter, even though I didn’t neccessarily do this on purpose?

also, I don’t know if this matters, but I had some champagne and hard alcohol during some of the many “toasts”, and I am not accustom to these drinks and their effects. when I do drink, which is rare, I usually only drink beer.

as of late I have been struggling with scrupulosity and it has been increasingly difficult for me to discern between mortal and venial sin. thank you for your help.

 

[Feanaro_s_Wife]

When in doubt, confess, lol. A good priest and/or spiritual advisor should be able to help you out with deciding if you are becoming overly scrupulous.

As to the drinking, I am concerned that you think you need alcohol to help you open up. You don’t. Trust me, I’ve been there done that and I don’t like the memories.

Having a few social drinks is one thing, but using alcohol as a crutch to help you do something (like be more social) is just asking for trouble in my opinion.

You don’t sound like you have a problem with alcohol, don’t get me wrong. But it could easily lead to a dependence that you don’t want or need.

Malia

 

[Topher]

Nick:

a couple of weeks ago I went to a wedding of one of my best friends, and since I am shy and nervous by nature I wanted to have a couple of drinks to loosen up and become more sociable. I ended up having a couple too many, and by the end of the day I had a strong buzz. However, I didn’t lose control of my reasoning faculties, and I didn’t drive anywhere or get sick (no vomiting, passing out or hangover the next day). My question is, do you think that I committed a mortal sin, because I knew before hand that drinking to get drunk constitutes grave matter, even though I didn’t neccessarily do this on purpose?

also, I don’t know if this matters, but I had some champagne and hard alcohol during some of the many “toasts”, and I am not accustom to these drinks and their effects. when I do drink, which is rare, I usually only drink beer.

as of late I have been struggling with scrupulosity and it has been increasingly difficult for me to discern between mortal and venial sin. thank you for your help.

If your will was not seriously impared, then you have not committed a mortal sin.
Furhtermore, the when in doubt go to confession advice is terrible advice for some one struggling with scrupulocity. I suggest you find a good orthodox confessor/spritual director and bind yourself in obedience to this Priest in obedience regaurding issues of scrupulocity.

 

[Feanaro_s_Wife]

Topher:

Furhtermore, the when in doubt go to confession advice is terrible advice for some one struggling with scrupulocity. I suggest you find a good orthodox confessor/spritual director and bind yourself in obedience to this Priest in obedience regaurding issues of scrupulocity.

Since I am the one who offered the “terrible advice” I would just like to point out that there was a second part to it…

"When in doubt, confess, lol. A good priest and/or spiritual advisor should be able to help you out with deciding if you are becoming overly scrupulous."

---

As one who tends to be too scupulous, I stand by my advice. I would rather go to confession for something I didn’t need to (and have the priest tell me that I am being scrupulous and how to correct the problem) than assume I’m being too scrupulous and not confess something I should.

Malia

 

[SummaTheo]

Not to be a thread jacker…but would underage drinking be a sin?? For example, if you are 18 and have a few drinks with your family during a barbecue or whatnot??

 

[YinYangMom]

SummaTheo:

Not to be a thread jacker…but would underage drinking be a sin?? For example, if you are 18 and have a few drinks with your family during a barbecue or whatnot??

It’s not the drinking per se here that would be the issue.
The issue would be whether you had full knowledge that drinking under the age of 18 was illegal but you chose to do so anyway.

THAT would be the sin. Disobedience.

 

[Matusewic]

It’s not the drinking per se here that would be the issue.
The issue would be whether you had full knowledge that drinking under the age of 18 was illegal but you chose to do so anyway.

THAT would be the sin. Disobedience.

illegal in man’s law but not God’s.

 

[Revert_TSIEG]

illegal in man’s law but not God’s.

We are also supposed to follow the law of the land (per scripture), right? If we do not follow the law of the land, doesn’t that make it a mortal sin? Also, does that mean that if we smoke marijuana in the Netherlands, it would be ok, but not in the US. Just asking for clarification… this is what I have always thought.

Revert TSIEG

p.s. no I am not a smoker… but do drink

 

[Revert_TSIEG]

Not to be a thread jacker…but would underage drinking be a sin?? For example, if you are 18 and have a few drinks with your family during a barbecue or whatnot??

Thread Jacker… I have never heard that one… HAHA

 

[Matusewic]

We are also supposed to follow the law of the land (per scripture), right? If we do not follow the law of the land, doesn’t that make it a mortal sin? Also, does that mean that if we smoke marijuana in the Netherlands, it would be ok, but not in the US. Just asking for clarification… this is what I have always thought.

Revert TSIEG

p.s. no I am not a smoker… but do drink

If you were 18 years old and you had a beer, you know you’d be in trouble by the US government (not so in 1970). If you think deliberately disobeying the US government is deliberately disobeying God, then some would say you have committed a mortal sin (who am I to say?). If not, his laws are etched in your heart and you know the difference between right and wrong.

 

[Revert_TSIEG]

If you were 18 years old and you had a beer, you know you’d be in trouble by the US government (not so in 1970). If you think deliberately disobeying the US government is deliberately disobeying God, then some would say you have committed a mortal sin (who am I to say?). If not, his laws are etched in your heart and you know the difference between right and wrong.

Exactly!