How Much Can I Drink Before It Becomes a Mortal Sin?

[Michie]

Before I graduated from Blanchet High School, I asked Fr. Michael G. Ryan, “Is it a mortal sin to get drunk?” I was too young to have learned an important lesson: If you don’t want the answer, it is best not to ask the question. I also didn’t know that Fr. Ryan was one of the most well-known priests in Seattle. He was the chancellor of the archdiocese and protégé of Archbishop Raymond Hunthausen, one of the most well-known bishops in the United States. All I knew was that Fr. Ryan always had time for me and for my questions.

He replied to my question “Is it a mortal sin to get drunk?” with a single syllable, “Yes.”

Well, this was not the answer I was hoping he’d give. Why not some nuance, some equivocation, some degrees of gray? Surely there was a German theologian who had examined the Q source through a Heideggerian hermeneutic and found a more accommodating answer. California Coolers beckoned, so the little lawyer in me had a follow-up question, “How much can I drink before it becomes a mortal sin?”

Continued below.

How Much Can I Drink Before It Becomes a Mortal Sin? - Word on Fire

The answer to how much I can drink took me more than thirty years to figure out, mostly because a large part of me didn’t want to know.

www.wordonfire.org

 

[NextLevel]

Interesting question. I gave up the bottle about 5 years ago and haven't had a drink since. Overall I think I am a better person without booze, than with it.

The question for me would be "How much sugar can I eat before it becomes a mortal sin?"

 

[RDKirk]

I've been drunk twice. Both times over a woman...and in fact the same woman.

The good thing about grace, though, is that if a sin doesn't immediately kill you and you truly want to be recovered from it, you can be recovered from it.

 

[Beth77]

Interesting question. I gave up the bottle about 5 years ago and haven't had a drink since. Overall I think I am a better person without booze, than with it.

The question for me would be "How much sugar can I eat before it becomes a mortal sin?"

Me too. I can't stop at 1 glass of wine nor can I be a good follower of Jesus when drinking.

 

[NextLevel]

Both times over a woman

Haven't we all?

 

[NextLevel]

Me too. I can't stop at 1 glass of wine nor can I be a good follower of Jesus when drinking.

Yeah that was my issue too. The amount I would drink would always end up increasing over time . . .

 

[Michie]

Yeah that was my issue too. The amount I would drink would always end up increasing over time . . .

You build up a resistance. It takes more to get the same buzz.

 

[FaithT]

Yeah that was my issue too. The amount I would drink would always end up increasing over time . . .

Same for me

 

[RileyG]

Interesting question. I gave up the bottle about 5 years ago and haven't had a drink since. Overall I think I am a better person without booze, than with it.

The question for me would be "How much sugar can I eat before it becomes a mortal sin?"

Glory to God!

 

[RileyG]

Same for me

Yup. Same here. Generally have a few cocktails per night because of my anxiety. ugh

 

[FaithT]

Yup. Same here. Generally have a few cocktails per night because of my anxiety. ugh

Before I got on meds I was drinking a lot for the same reason. It started with one beer a night and escalated to 5 beers a night, then wine, vodka etc.

 

[Michie]

Before I got on meds I was drinking a lot for the same reason. It started with one beer a night and escalated to 5 beers a night, then wine, vodka etc.

How long did that go on Faith?

 

[RileyG]

Before I got on meds I was drinking a lot for the same reason. It started with one beer a night and escalated to 5 beers a night, then wine, vodka etc.

I typically have many vodka cocktails with OJ, or gin and tonic. I like wine, but not red. Not a huge beer drinker.

 

[FaithT]

How long did that go on Faith?

Well, I used to drink a lot in my late teens and early 20’s stopped then started drinking to calm myself at night as a middle aged adult that lasted for maybe 6 or 7 years.

 

[RileyG]

Well, I used to drink a lot in my late teens and early 20’s stopped then started drinking to calm myself at night as a middle aged adult that lasted for maybe 6 or 7 years.

I didn't have my first drink until I was 18. Began drinking heavily during the pandemic and still am a regular drinker. sigh...

 

[Michie]

Well, I used to drink a lot in my late teens and early 20’s stopped then started drinking to calm myself at night as a middle aged adult that lasted for maybe 6 or 7 years.

Did it affect your health at all?

 

[FaithT]

Did it affect your health at all?

Not that I’m aware of but I was always afraid people could smell it on me the next day, fearing the smell might be oozing from my pores. I rarely drink anymore. And when I do it’s usually just one Margarita or one Pina Colada.

 

[Michie]

Not that I’m aware of but I was always afraid people could smell it on me the next day, fearing the smell might be oozing from my pores. I rarely drink anymore. And when I do it’s usually just one Margarita or one Pina Colada.

Well I’m happy to hear that. I have always heard daily drinking can really affect the liver, kidneys, and pancreas. It probably depends if you eat and what you drink, etc. I hear the late queen of England had a tipple every evening and she lived into her 90s.

 

[RileyG]

Well I’m happy to hear that. I have always heard daily drinking can really affect the liver, kidneys, and pancreas. It probably depends if you eat and what you drink, etc. I hear the late queen of England had a tipple every evening and she lived into her 90s.

The Queen Mother allegedly had 6 drinks daily and lived to be 101.

 

[FaithT]

I didn't have my first drink until I was 18. Began drinking heavily during the pandemic and still am a regular drinker. sigh...

I came from a big drinking family, except for my mother. Alcohol was never forbidden. It was just a way of life. My grandparents owned a tavern, my “uncle“ owned one, another uncle worked for Anheuser Busch.