I have friends in Protestant denominations who say that drinking is a sin. Why do we disagree with them on that?
The moderate use of alcohol has been a consistent practice of the Catholic Church, dating back to its Jewish roots. Alcohol was a part of Jewish life and worship, and Jesus and His disciples partook both socially and in religious ritual. Furthermore, in the Gospel of John, Jesus’ first miracle was turning water into wine, something He would most certainly not have done had it been an occasion of sin. On the final night of His life, Jesus instituted the Eucharist and transformed wine into His Precious Blood, inviting us to continue the practice. There are too many Scripture passages supporting the use of alcohol to condemn it outright or even to argue that it was allowed only as a means of preserving beverages from contamination (which some Christian groups maintain).
Protestant denominations that condemn the use of alcohol each have their own reason for doing so, but for many of them, it is due to the evils that stem from the abuse of alcohol. Alcohol lowers inhibition, so those who struggle with sinful behaviors may find it more difficult to give them up if they are drinking regularly. There is also no question that alcohol — or, more specifically, the abuse of alcohol — has caused great suffering in family life. Drunken driving has taken the lives of many innocent people. The Catechism of the Catholic Church goes so far as to list drunken driving as a mortal sin: “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” (2290). Even apart from travel, deliberate drunkenness that robs one of the use of reason has always been considered sinful.
Historically, the abuse of alcohol was seen as a moral issue. At one time, a person who confessed daily drunkenness might have been given a penance of abstaining from alcohol for a period of time. We now understand alcoholism — and other addictions — to be a disease. When a person struggles with addiction, personal freedom is greatly diminished. While each act might not be gravely sinful due to the disease, the person has a moral obligation to seek help from Alcoholics Anonymous or other treatment programs. Treatment works — some of the greatest priests and laypeople I’ve known were in recovery from alcohol or other addictions.
Alcohol is part of God’s creation, as Psalm 104 tells us: “You make grass grow for the cattle and plants for people’s work to bring forth food from the earth, and wine to gladden their hearts” (104:14-15). While alcohol is a gift from God, the use of it requires honest discernment. If alcohol is affecting our relationships, our health, our work, or, most importantly, our relationship with God, then it is time to step back and reevaluate.
There are many wonderful gifts from God, and if alcohol prevents us from experiencing them, then we need to abstain from its use and, if necessary, seek help.
Father Scott Jones is the episcopal vicar for the Northern Vicariate of the Archdiocese of St. Louis.
