A - Thanks for the question. I would like to point other readers to my answer to a previous question on whether getting drunk is a mortal sin. While you ask a question that takes that out of the picture, it is all too common a question and very relevant to most college students.
Now, as to your specific question. It depends (don't you love that answer).
Alcohol is not, in and of itself, an evil thing. So, having a beer is not, by itself, wrong. That being said, there are other circumstances that can make a neutral thing (alcohol) be used for an immoral purpose.
It is not a sin, if you are not breaking the law and drink moderately. Now, the Texas state law allows a minor to under the supervision of their parents or guardian. So, this would not be a sin, if you drink a beer or a glass of wine with your parents.
But, I am guessing you mean drinking as a minor without your parents or guardian around. If this is the case, then you are breaking the law. While some believe drinking-age laws are arbitrary, we must still follow them, because they are not unjust laws. Breaking the law is a sin, if it is a just law, therefore underage drinking without your parents around is a sin. What level of sin (mortal or venial) depends on other circumstances. Here are some examples.
Example #1 - Your know that your parents do not approve of underage drinking, but you drink anyway. Therefore you are also breaking commandment #4 - to honor your father and mother. By the way, even if your parents encouraged you to drink before you turn 21, you are still bound to follow the law.
Example #2 - Others you are drinking with are drinking too much or participate in unhealthy or immoral behaviors because of drinking. This is scandalous, because you are giving tacit approval to their actions (even if you don't approve or or participate in their actions) by your presence.
Example #3 - You have a history of not being able to control yourself around alcohol and thus you are putting yourself in a near occasion of sin.
Example #4 - You drink and drive. Not only is this very stupid / sinful, but it is also breaking another TX law, because a minor cannot drive with ANY trace of alcohol in their system.
There are other examples, but this will do for our purposes here. Is underage drinking a sin? The simple answer is yes, it is (most likely) a venial sin when you break the law but do not drink to excess. But, other issues can increase the gravity of the sin to make it a mortal one.
But, we shouldn't always see such situations from the negative side. There is a positive side as well. Every time you choose to follow the law you say yes to justice and the wise course of action. When you choose to drink legally and responsibly, you choose sobriety, temperance, prudence, and wisdom as well. The right choice is the one you will never regret, the one that follows your conscience, and the one that is in accord with God's will. Choose that and you won't miss out on anything anyway.
I think it would be good to mention that the Catholic Church is actually catholic, or universal, therefore it is good to keep in mind that the "drinking age" is different for different countries. I believe, and this is only opinion, that Jesus' comment about "giving unto Caesar" is relevant in this case, implying that we should follow man's laws as well as God's, as long as man's laws are not immoral of coarse.
ReplyDeleteWally - duly noted.
ReplyDeleteStudies show that when alcohol is consumed as part of a meal, with the family present, it holds far less attraction as a forbidden fruit and thus such cultures (Italian, French, Jewish) have fewer alcoholics.
ReplyDeleteI was allowed a sip of wine as an adolescent at the family dinner table. I now drink wine about twice a month. It holds fond memories as part of family celebrations but no special attraction as a drug for me.
As it turned out most of my friends became pot smokers and drinkers. I've never drank with them nor smoked, however I am around them when they do. They are still nice people and good friends. I enjoy spending time with them. Am I committing sin just by hanging out with them when they smoke/drink? Am I to abandon all friends? (there is only one person I know in my high school that doesn't drink or smoke) Didn't Jesus even eat with the tax collectors?
ReplyDeleteAlso my friends don't do stupid things while under the influence. They just do it.
1 - You should talk to your confessor about it.
ReplyDelete2 - In my humble opinion, you would still be giving tacit approval to the immoral actions, thus creating scandal.
I forgot to mention that while Christ ate and drank with "sinners" (e.g, prostitutes and tax collectors) he always called them to give up their sin and turn to The Father. He did not just hang out with them and accept all that they did.
ReplyDeleteI do wonder about the "forbidden fruit" argument, though. If and when I have a family, I think it might be a good idea to let my kids have small amounts of wine as they grow up. Even though this is against the law in most states, could the law be unjust because it causes higher levels of alcoholism?
ReplyDeletedoes that mean purposefully going 45mph in a 40mph zone is a sin?
ReplyDeleteAs with most things, it depends.
ReplyDeleteDoing it, without any other reason, knowing it is wrong and you are breaking the law, might be sinful.
Other times (e.g. emergency and others) it may not be.