Question about Communion?

Question

Do you think that churches can be liable for contributing to the delinquency of minors for offering "real" wine to children during service?

If someone made an issue of this could churches get in real big trouble?

Answer 1

No, because the amount of wine is so small and the whole thing is part of a religious observance.

Answer 2

I am not an attorney, but it seems larger issues than a sip of wine have been addressed by the courts with the freedom of religion. If wine is used in communion by a church for a religious ceremony, it would seem many precedences have already been set that it is protected by the Constitution.

It certainly would require actual harm to the child such as possibly intoxication by the child before the courts would even consider taking on the legal battle of the Constitution and religious freedoms.

A little wine with communion is not going to make it through the courts.

Answer 3

Good question.

In Roman Catholicism, only bread and wine can be used for Communion. Other items, such as grape juice, cannot be.

In the US and most other countries with drinking-age laws, there are exceptions made for alcohol used in religious services.

So I doubt very much that any charge of "contributing to delinquency" would stick.

Having children receive Christ's Body and Blood during Mass is hardly "contributing to delinquency." On the contrary, it's contributing to their spiritual well-being and to their character.

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Answer 4

Absolutely not. There would have to be direct evidence that the miniscule amount of alcohol used in communion wine proximately caused a child to be delinquent. And unless a kid broke into the church and drank the entire bottle, that is physically impossible.

Answer 5

Most churches use grape juice. And that I know of the churches that do use real wine restrict the service to people who are of legal age.

Answer 6

I've been to only one church that used real wine, and no I don't think the church will get in trouble for giving it to minors because for the most part the government doesn't interfere with religious practices.

Answer 7

People don't typically get drunk at a mass; in any case, most Catholics will tell you that you had to have had your First Communion to be able to participate; and even then the wine is optional. In the case of kids, the parents can decide whether they drink the stuff or not, if they've had their First Communion. Given how many people drink out of a single cup I wouldn't opt to drink that stuff anyway... I don't really like shared colds that much.

Answer 8

It is "fruit of the vine" or grape juice. The majority of the times that wine is mentioned in the Bible it was non-alcoholic.

The word “wine” simply refers to the juice of the grape. Whether it means fermented wine, which could make one drunk, or unfermented wine, which would not make one drunk, depends upon the context. For example, Isaiah 65:8 says: “As the new wine is found in the cluster, and one says, ‘Do not destroy it, for a blessing is in it.’” The context makes it very clear that unfermented wine is being spoken of. The cluster refers to the grapes which are still on the vine. It is not possible they could be fermented, and, therefore, intoxicating, while the juice was still in the grapes on the vine. The Bible is filled with warnings of the dangers of drinking intoxicating wine. The wise man wrote, “Who has woe? Who has sorrows? Who has contentions? Who has complaints? Who has wounds without cause? Who has redness of eyes? Those who linger long at the wine. Those who go in search of mixed wine. Do not look on the wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup, when it swirls around smoothly. At the last it bites like a serpent, and stings like a viper. Your eyes will see strange things. And your heart will utter perverse things. Yes, you will be like one who lies down in the midst of the sea, or like one who lies at the top of the mast, saying: ‘They have struck me, but I was not hurt; they have beaten me, but I did not feel it. When shall I awake, that I may seek another drink?’” (Proverbs 23:29-35).

When Christ instituted the Lord's supper....

"And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves: For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come. " Luke 22:17-18

The word wine is not found in relation to the Lord's Supper or communion.

Answer 9

No. There is no contributing because it's a tiny amount. It's a religious freedom issue, and really, it's quite practical because there is easily more alcohol in the mouthwash the kid rinses with before going to church than he's going to get by taking communion.

Answer 10

The Liquor Laws in most states clearly state that underage drinking is allowed as part of a "religious ritual" (ie: communion). Might want to check out the laws where you are.

There was quite a debate about this subject recently in Nebraska, here's the link:

http://journalstar.com/articles/2007/01/17/news/politics/doc45ad72ab056f7054590907.txt

Answer 11

Although most churches either do not give children communion, or give the children grape juice, it would be the parents falled if the children drink wine, as they are in charge.