Michael Brooks
While drinking alcohol is not considered a sin in Catholicism, drunkenness is. The Bible states that not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man: but what cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man (Matthew 15:11). However, drunkenness is considered a sin when an individual loses control of themselves and their ability to reason and make decisions. This is supported by St. Paul's letter to the Ephesians, which states, do not be drunk with wine, where is luxury (Ephesians 5:18). The Catechism of the Catholic Church also emphasizes the importance of temperance, which means knowing when to stop and say no to avoid excess. Thus, for Catholics, the key is to drink in moderation and avoid becoming drunk, as it is considered a sin when one loses control and the ability to distinguish between good and evil.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Intentions behind drinking | Drinking with the intention of getting intoxicated is considered immoral |
| Degree of drunkenness | Being tipsy is a venial sin, while perfect drunkenness, where one loses control over their faculty to choose good and avoid evil, is a mortal sin |
| Impact on health | Drinking to the extent that it negatively affects one's health is sinful |
| Impact on safety | Drunkenness that endangers oneself or others' safety on the road, at sea, or in the air is a grave sin |
| Civil law | Ignoring blood alcohol limits and driving is considered a grave matter |
| Addiction | Alcoholism can be a sin, especially if one knows that drinking will lead to drunkenness |
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What You'll Learn
Drunkenness is a sin
While drinking alcohol is not considered a sin in Catholicism, drunkenness is considered sinful behaviour. The exact point at which drinking becomes drunkenness is a matter of debate, but it is generally agreed that drinking with the intention of getting drunk is immoral.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church states that "the virtue of temperance disposes us to avoid every kind of excess: the abuse of food, alcohol, tobacco, or medicine". It goes on to say that "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". This suggests that drunkenness is a sin when it endangers oneself or others.
Some sources argue that drunkenness is a sin when an individual loses the ability to distinguish right from wrong. This interpretation is supported by St. Thomas Aquinas, who taught that drunkenness is a mortal sin when an individual loses control over their faculty to choose good and avoid evil.
Another perspective is that drunkenness is a sin when it leads to neglect of bodily health. This interpretation holds that drinking to the point of causing grave physical danger to oneself is a sin.
It is important to note that the Catholic Church does not condemn drinking alcohol altogether. As one source states, "Catholics are not teetotalers, rejecting drinking in and of itself. It is a good thing to enjoy the fruits of God’s creation". However, individuals must be mindful of the potential for alcohol abuse and the sinful nature of drunkenness.
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Drinking with intention to get drunk is immoral
Drinking alcohol is not considered a sin in Catholicism, but drinking with the intention of getting drunk is considered immoral. While there is no definitive measure of how much alcohol constitutes drunkenness, the consensus is that becoming drunk is a sin when an individual loses control over their ability to choose good and avoid evil.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church states that "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." Temperance, therefore, is the corresponding virtue to the deadly sin of drunkenness.
According to St. Alphonsus Liguori and St. Thomas Aquinas, perfect drunkenness, where one loses control over their faculty to choose good and avoid evil, is a mortal sin. However, becoming slightly impaired or tipsy is only a venial sin, or 'imperfect drunkenness'. Additionally, drinking alcohol without abusing it, such as drinking to relax, is not considered a sin at all.
The early Church Fathers, such as St. Basil the Great and St. John Chrysostom, also rebuked those who taught that the Church should forbid the use of alcohol by the faithful. St. John Chrysostom wrote, "Wine is the work of God, but drunkenness is the work of the devil." Similarly, Fr. Dominic Prummer defines drunkenness as "a deliberate excess in the use of intoxicating drink or drugs to the point of forcibly depriving oneself of the use of reason for the sake of gratifying an inordinate desire for such drink and not for the sake of promoting health."
In conclusion, while drinking alcohol in moderation is not considered a sin in Catholicism, drinking with the intention of getting drunk is considered immoral due to the potential loss of control over one's actions and the endangerment of oneself and others.
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Alcohol is not sinful in itself
Alcohol is not inherently sinful according to Catholicism. Indeed, Jesus himself drank wine, turned water into wine, and transforms wine into his Precious Blood every day in the Mass. As one source puts it, "God gave [alcohol] to us for our enjoyment".
However, alcohol can become sinful if it is abused. Abuse of alcohol occurs when it causes you to lose control of your actions, lose your use of judgment, or fail to fulfil obligations to others. Drunkenness is considered a sin in Catholicism, and is defined as follows:
> Drunkenness is a deliberate excess in the use of intoxicating drink or drugs to the point of forcibly depriving oneself of the use of reason for the sake of gratifying an inordinate desire for such drink and not for the sake of promoting health.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church states that:
> 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.
Thus, drinking alcohol is not sinful in itself, but drinking to the point of drunkenness is. This is because drunkenness impairs one's ability to make decisions, and giving up this ability without good reason is considered a sin.
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Drunkenness and driving is a grave sin
Drunkenness is considered a sin in Catholicism, and driving while drunk is a grave sin. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states:
> "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." CCC 2290
Drunkenness is a sin because it deprives an individual of their ability to reason and make virtuous choices, thereby increasing the likelihood of committing other sins. As St. Ambrose says:
> "We learn that we should shun drunkenness, which prevents us from avoiding grievous sins. For the things we avoid when sober, we unknowingly commit through drunkenness."
The blood alcohol limit established by law is much lower than actual gravely sinful intoxication, but it is the point at which some reflexes may be so impaired as to make driving unsafe. Thus, drunk driving endangers both the driver and others and is a grave sin.
The virtue of temperance is key to avoiding drunkenness and driving under the influence. Temperance means knowing when to stop and say no, and practicing it can help individuals avoid the sin of drunkenness and its consequences.
While alcohol is considered a gift from God, drinking to the point of drunkenness is a sin. Catholics must be mindful of their intentions and consumption to avoid the sin of drunkenness and the grave sin of driving under the influence.
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Temperance is the corresponding virtue to drunkenness
Temperance is a virtue that has been discussed by religious thinkers, philosophers, and psychologists, and is found in Greek philosophy and Christianity, as well as in Eastern traditions such as Buddhism and Hinduism. It is one of the four cardinal virtues, along with prudence, justice, and fortitude. Temperance is the virtue that moderates the attraction of pleasures and provides balance in the use of created goods. It is a habit, a state of character, not a passion or a faculty, and is acquired by practice.
In the context of drunkenness, temperance is the virtue that disposes us to avoid excess in alcohol consumption. It is the ability to know when to stop and when to say "no". Drunkenness is considered a sin when it is complete, meaning when it destroys the use of reason, and when it is intentional. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states that those who endanger their own and others' safety due to drunkenness incur grave guilt.
The virtue of temperance is essential for Catholics to strive for, especially if they struggle with drunkenness. It allows individuals to avoid the point of no return, where their ability to choose good and avoid evil is impaired. Temperance helps align our desires with our enlightened self-interest, ensuring we desire what is best for our flourishing.
Practicing temperance can be challenging, but it is crucial for Catholics to exercise self-restraint and moderation in alcohol consumption. This virtue enables individuals to maintain control over their actions and avoid the negative consequences associated with drunkenness, such as impaired reflexes and neglect of bodily health. By cultivating temperance, Catholics can live in accordance with their faith and avoid the spiritual and physical dangers of excessive alcohol consumption.
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Frequently asked questions
Drinking alcohol is not considered a sin in Catholicism. However, drunkenness is considered a sin.
According to Catholic Christians, drinking with the intention of getting drunk is considered immoral. Drinking alcohol in moderation is not considered a sin.
Perfect drunkenness is a mortal sin. It is the point at which an individual loses control over their ability to choose good and avoid evil.
The signs of perfect intoxication include acting contrary to normal behaviour, being incapable of distinguishing between good and evil, and not remembering anything from the state of drunkenness.
Temperance is the virtue that helps individuals avoid drunkenness. Temperance involves practising moderation and stopping before losing control.
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