Busted Halo Subscribe: Busted Halo RSS Feed facebook You Tube iTunes
Busted Halo
googling god
The Busted Halo Question Box
Ask our spiritual experts virtually anything!
This is the place where you can ask all of those burning questions that you wouldn't dare ask in person. We will post questions here (using your byline only with permission); we guarantee an answer to everyone.

Have your own question? Then pitch it to us!

Ginny Kubitz Moyer
Mary questions
Fr. Rick Malloy, S.J.
Prayer and sexuality questions
Fr. Tom Ryan, CSP
Ecumenical questions
Dr. Rachel Bundang
Ethics and cultural innovation questions
Mike Hayes
General questions
Joe Paprocki
Scripture questions
Our readers asked:

Is getting drunk a mortal sin?

Richard G. Malloy, SJ Anwsers:

Is getting drunk a mortal sin?

I stopped drinking Jan. 1, 1979.  My personal history in college and some family dynamics made me wonder about my drinking.  Quitting drinking is one of the healthiest and sanest things I’ve ever done.  So I know what it is to drink, and I know what it is to live without alcohol.

If you are asking the question, be concerned.  Most people do not drink to get drunk.  Most people do not often, or normally, get “wasted.”  Getting drunk once in a great while, or at some great fun occasion… most likely is not a deadly sin (But one drunk driving incident can kill you or someone else.  Think Ted Kennedy!).

Habitual drunkenness is not congruent with our commitment to be followers of Christ.  Worshiping at the altars of Jim Beam and Bud Light in no way, shape or form contributes to our transformation in Christ.  It only makes liquor companies rich.

Mortal sin kills the life of grace in our soul.  Alcoholism is a progressive disease and it kills.  Evaluate fearlessly and honestly your use of alcohol and other drugs.  Addiction is powerful and difficult to overcome.  Look at Michael Jackson.  You can have it all and end up with nothing.  The momentary high just isn’t worth it.  Learn how to live sober and serene.  You’ll be so much more peaceful and happy.  Most likely, more successful too.  Few businesses look to hire or promote wild drinkers.

Alcohol, used in moderation, is good and a gift of God.  As Ben Franklin said, “Beer is proof God loves us and wants us to be happy.”  God wants us to be happy, not drunk or wasted.

The Author : Richard G. Malloy, SJ
Rev. Richard G. Malloy, S.J., Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor of Anthropology and Sociology at Chestnut Hill College in Philadelphia, PA. His book, A Faith That Frees: Catholic Matters for the 21st century was recently published by Orbis.
See more articles by Richard G. Malloy, SJ (29).
post a comment
Your Privacy Matters
Please note that the editorial staff reserves the right to not post comments it deems to be inappropriate and/or malicious in nature, as well as edit comments for length, clarity and fairness.

powered by the Paulists