It's 5 O'Clock Somewhere

[BigJon16]

So, a few weeks ago I had the supreme pleasure of celebrating my 21st birthday, which in the U.S. means that finally I can legally buy a drink! (In reality it just means that I'm doing what I've always done, but now I can't get in trouble for it...) 

Recently, a few of my close friends and I have started to ask ourselves, when we go out and drink, how much is too much? As, after one particularly sloppy and wild Friday night, one friend asked, "so, yeah, after last night, should I receive [communion] tomorrow?" 

Now, I understand what constitutes a mortal sin. (Two years of college seminary drilled that into my brain.) But at which point does drunkenness become mortal? When I'm feeling buzzed? Is it based on the sinfulness of my actions once I've been drinking? Is it based more on my intentions? Like, if I set out to just get hammered, (full knowledge, relinquishing my will, etc.) is that more sinful than a night where I might just unintentionally have 'one too many?' Wheres the line? 

 

I also know (and love) that we are not always called to be Puritans. I guess one example my buddies and I like to cite is the Wedding at Cana, Jesus's first miracle. Yeah, they were out of wine. It's most likely that they had to drink a lot of wine to get that far. So, whats He do? He makes more wine. I kind of picture it like the opening wedding scene from the Godfather, with Clemenza dancing like crazy and asking Paulie Gatto for more wine. They were having a good time, celebrating life, family, friends, and a new couple--what's the sin in that? 

[Not A Real Name]

http://www.therealpresence.org/archives/Moral_Theology/Moral_Theology_005.htm

[Nihil Obstat]

The reasonable standard, from my understanding, is that we can drink "to the point of hilarity", which to me is a decent buzz, but no more. And of course someone who has problems moderating their drinking may not be able to drink that much either.

 

For me personally, my own standard is essentially the standard of propriety. Am I remaining dignified, can I maintain an intelligent conversation, can I still act in a responsible manner? If that is all true, then everything is fine.

Basically a virtue ethics approach. Drinking should not undermine, even temporarily, the cultivation and practise of Virtue.

Edited April 27, 2016 by Nihil Obstat

[Nihil Obstat]

Some say that a lack of moderation is the reason that GK Chesterton will never be seriously investigated for sainthood. He essentially ate and drank himself to an early grave, even with very clear medical advice telling him that this was precisely what was going to happen.

[BigJon16]

15 hours ago, Nihil Obstat said:

Some say that a lack of moderation is the reason that GK Chesterton will never be seriously investigated for sainthood. He essentially ate and drank himself to an early grave, even with very clear medical advice telling him that this was precisely what was going to happen.

That's really interesting. 

I've also heard that there may be some other speed bumps in some of his writings that have been interpreted as antisemitic. Although I'm not particularly well versed on his writings, I've never come across such ideas myself. 

[PhuturePriest]

If you're throwing up in your friend's car the next morning, you should go to confession.

This happened to a friend of mine. Don't be that guy.

[NadaTeTurbe]

19 hours ago, Nihil Obstat said:

Some say that a lack of moderation is the reason that GK Chesterton will never be seriously investigated for sainthood. He essentially ate and drank himself to an early grave, even with very clear medical advice telling him that this was precisely what was going to happen.

I once heard a priest saying "Glutonny is this sin that look very tiny, but it could be the sin that will prevent your canonization." 

[BigJon16]

On 4/28/2016, 4:02:55, PhuturePriest said:

If you're throwing up in your friend's car the next morning, you should go to confession.

This happened to a friend of mine. Don't be that guy.

I (thanks be to God) don't typically get sick in the stomach when I'm hungover, no matter how much I drink. I think it is due to being young, always drinking plenty of water before bed, and eating something at some point in the night. I also know how to drink smartly, not being careless to mix too much beer with liquor or take obnoxious shots. 

But yeah, on the few occasions where I have been that sick, it was easy to judge the state of my conscience. 

[PhuturePriest]

1 hour ago, BigJon16 said:

I (thanks be to God) don't typically get sick in the stomach when I'm hungover, no matter how much I drink. I think it is due to being young, always drinking plenty of water before bed, and eating something at some point in the night. I also know how to drink smartly, not being careless to mix too much beer with liquor or take obnoxious shots. 

But yeah, on the few occasions where I have been that sick, it was easy to judge the state of my conscience. 

It was quite comical for me, given I stayed at home and wasn't in the car. They were running errands before going to a wedding, but we had had a party the night before in which one guy drank too much, and he threw up several times in the car.

I had originally requested a dry party, but everyone shrieked in protest as if I had cancelled Christmas. He probably wished I had not given in to their demands.

[CatherineM]

I'm having an elderflower cider while reading this.