Getting drunk

[Ziggamafu]

I've heard differing interpretations of the CCC on drunkeness.

What do you think? Is drinking to point of "tipsy" a mortal sin? Or does it only become mortal when there is a desire to be drunk in the first place? In other words, for drunkeness to be mortal, does drunkeness have to be the objective of drinking?

[scardella]

I'd been told it is "the point of hilarity" that is the limit in drinking alcohol.

Certainly, drinking in order to get drunk (whether you succeed or not) is a mortal sin in the same way that lusting is adultery. I'd say it's a mortal sin if you're drinking and you know that you're close to getting drunk and do nothing against curbing yourself, whether you originally intended to get drunk or not. However, if you're intention is to drink but not get drunk, but you inadvertantly find yourself drunk somehow, I'd say that's probably not a mortal sin. I'm just not sure how that'd happen unless someone slips something in your glass or it's something of unknown alcohol content (eg a punch that's really punchy). Obviously, if you're coerced into drinking alcohol, that would not be a mortal sin either.

Edited August 29, 2006 by scardella

[Fides_et_Ratio]

It would depend on how one would define "tipsy". Clouding our judgment and reason is never a good idea. I'm a social drinker with certain friends, but I usually only have one drink, possibly two depending on what it is and how strong.

Doing nothing to reasonably keep yourself from getting drunk could be considered careless behavior and most likely sinful. We should be aware not only of what we're doing/drinking, but also of how much, etc.

[LouisvilleFan]

If your judgement and reason are clouded, you're well past tipsy. I think most people consider tipsy to be that range where you feel some of the effects of alcohol, but you're still perfectly capable of carrying out normal activities, although operating machinery or driving may not be recommended

Although, last time I did some work for a friend's parents installing sheetrock in their basement, I maintained that tipsy feeling for a good 4 or 5 hours. It made it much easier to deal with the control-freak guys I was working with

[Ziggamafu]

Yeah...see, I guess I look at the sin in two practical ways (both of which depict an obvious disorder). One is drinking so much that you puke; that's basically a physical confirmation of sin. It would be like eating until you puke...you are forcing your body to do something toxic and potentionally lethal. The other instance would be drinking so much (or enjoying it so much) that it is raised to a level high enough that it negatively impacts the lives of those around you.

I was thinking about this because I enjoy social drinking in moderation and get to the "tipsy" zone every once and a while - where things just seem a bit more merry, although you still have full control of your senses (albeit you wouldn't be driving). And anyway, I wondered what you guys thought about that.

[jswranch]

[quote name='Ziggamafu' post='1052026' date='Aug 28 2006, 05:10 AM']
I've heard differing interpretations of the CCC on drunkeness.
[/quote]
Which paragraph(s)?

[she_who_is_not]

Know thyself and know thy limit. I'm very short and don't weigh very much so I can't drink very much. I think the moment you start to get a little looser of tongue than normal is time to cut back.

[Catherine]

What the people said above sounds about right in my opinion. If you have the intention of getting drunk it would be wrong. However, I'm not sure how one would draw the line between tipsy and drunk.

Edited September 3, 2006 by Catherine

[Budge]

[size=5]Pro 20:1 ¶ Wine [is] a mocker, strong drink [is] raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.[/size]

[peach_cube]

[quote name='Budge' post='1056106' date='Sep 3 2006, 04:30 PM']
[size=5]Pro 20:1 ¶ Wine [is] a mocker, strong drink [is] raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.[/size]
[/quote]
Are you lost? Otherwise, go away and stay on the debate table.

[Budge]

What you dont like what Gods Word has to say about drinking?

That proverb is in the Catholic Bibles too isnt it? {pretty sure it is}

[Fides_et_Ratio]

[quote name='Budge' post='1056245' date='Sep 3 2006, 07:32 PM']
What you dont like what Gods Word has to say about drinking?

That proverb is in the Catholic Bibles too isnt it? {pretty sure it is}
[/quote]
Oh it is, but that doesn't mean we ought to avoid wine in its entirety. After all, Jesus first miracle was turning the water into WINE.

There's nothing wrong with drinking responsibly.

[CatholicMonarchist3]

I always thought if you drink to get drunk, then it's mortal, but if you accidentally get drunk, it's only venial. As for tipsy, well, I guess it's the same thing since tipsyness is just a lesser degree of drunkenness. Of course, I'm not sure since I almost never drink alcohol, even at weddings and stuff. So I'd imagine if someone drank to get tipsy on purpose it would be mortal.
I say, if you wanted to do that, drink root beer or cream soda and spin around a lot!

[CatholicCid]

[quote name='Fides_et_Ratio' post='1056249' date='Sep 3 2006, 07:37 PM']
Oh it is, but that doesn't mean we ought to avoid wine in its entirety. After all, Jesus first miracle was turning the water into WINE.

There's nothing wrong with drinking responsibly.
[/quote]

Wow, I never thought of that before... Jesus was enabling people to drink... And since the Bible apparently says we can't drink... Well, some Savior then.

[peach_cube]

[quote name='Budge' post='1056245' date='Sep 3 2006, 09:32 PM']
What you dont like what Gods Word has to say about drinking?

That proverb is in the Catholic Bibles too isnt it? {pretty sure it is}
[/quote]

Can you read? This board is not for debating. If it is an issue close to your heart start a thread on the debate table, otherwise go away.