A 17 year old student brought wine to lunch because it was part of his religion, should he be convicted?

Question

It was part of his religoin to drink wine with every meal like at The Last Supper. After saying a prayer at lunch he poured himself a glass of wine and was caught and charged with possesion of alcohol.

Answer 1

First: Just WHAT religion tells underage people to drink wine with EVERY meal - even at school???

Second: Just like you need to inform the school if you require medication - I would assume you'd need to inform them if you required wine with lunch LOL - like any school is going to go for that - every kid would convert to THAT religion. :D

Answer 2

Actually can not believe this is suppose to be a question, too dumb. If it is so strict of a religion, the kid would be at a religious school, not public. Just another nutty way to try to get out of trouble.

Oh by the way, most if not all churches use grape juice for Communion, not wine. So even there, there is no consumption of alcohol. Plus use of wine rather than water was so that the fermentation of the fruit juice would kill bacteria not make high grade alcohol.

Answer 3

Is this a case study for school?

I would say yes. Although we are allowed freedom of religion, if your religion involves breaking the law, you need to think before you act. Drinking wine with every meal sounds like a made up religion to me. Even communion is only once a month, with a teeny tiny cup, that could even be given with grape juice as opposed to wine.

just my 2 cents.

Answer 4

Which religion was that??? Or did he just make things up to justify his actions?

At Catholic mass, minors can take wine at communion. Of course, that is only a small sip-- not a bottle or glass of wine.

The US is prudish on this stuff -- in Europe (Germany) legal drinking age is 16 for wine and beer. 18 (I think) for hard alcohol.

I doubt anybody drinks in school though.

And besides, I'm SURE he could just use grape juice instead-- plenty of christians use juice instead of wine for that purpose.

Answer 5

yes, he should be convicted. I am assuming that he brought wine to school, in which case I don't see how religion should even be considered...remember the little thing called separation of church and state!! If people are going to pitch such a fit about Christians praying in school (and that doesn't break any laws) why should this kid be allowed to break a law to follow his religion?!?!?

Answer 6

...
One wonders if this religion was the religion of his ancestors. I have the feeling he just acquired it as a teenage rebellion against authority.

There was no mention as to what country he is in. I bet it is not an Arab country.

This student is going to have to learn that just because it is religious doesn't mean it is legal.

He should keep his religious habits to himself and not bring those rites that are not legal into the public.

This 17 year old needs to grow up.
...

Answer 7

Well i would say HOw much wine???? and can she prove this is religious issue. People in church drink a little tiny glass how much does her religion require??? I would say she should work this out and keep the courts out

Answer 8

why of all the criminal acts, forget foley, forget franks, forget felons and foul fellows. a taste of wine. why the scroundrel should be flogged, given life in front of a firing squad. thumped behind the ear ,even. why if i could get my hands on him , i would do the ear thumping part mysel. or as we say in south georgia,myseff.

what a silly rule. of course he should not be convicted.

Answer 9

Not if it's a real religion with more than 20 followers.

Answer 10

no religion condones child drunks

it is sad to use a religion as an excuse to get out of trouble