Is drinking a sin?

Question

Is acohol a drug?
Is doing drugs a sin?
If you sell drinks are you a drug dealer?

Answer 1

Alcohol has been the scourge of human society since time immemorial. It continues to cost countless human lives, and causes terrible misery to millions throughout the world. Alcohol is the root cause of several problems facing society. The statistics of soaring crime rates, increasing instances of mental illnesses and millions of broken homes throughout the world bear mute testimony to the destructive power of alcohol.
Prohibition of alcohol in the Bible

The Bible prohibits the consumption of alcohol in the following verses:

"Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging; and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise."
[Proverbs 20:1]

"And be not drunk with wine."
[Ephesians 5:18]

Prohibition of alcohol in the Qur’an

The Glorious Qur’an prohibits the consumption of alcohol in the following verse:

"O ye who believe!
Intoxicants and Gambling,
(Dedication of) stones,
And (divination by) arrows,
Are an Abomination –
Of Satan’s handiwork;
Eschew such (abomination),
That ye may prosper."
[Al-Qur’an 5:90]
. Alcohol inhibits the inhibitory centre
The human beings possess an inhibitory centre in their brains. This inhibitory centre prevents the person from doing things that he considers wrong. For instance a person does not normally use abusive language while addressing his parents or elders. If he has to answer the call of nature, his inhibitory centre will prevent him from doing so in public. Therefore he uses the toilet.

When a person consumes alcohol, the inhibitory centre itself is inhibited. That is precisely the reason that an inebriated person is often found to be indulging in behaviour that is completely uncharacteristic of him. For instance the intoxicated person is found to use abusive and foul language and does not realize his mistake even if he is addressing his parents. Many even urinate in their clothes. Neither do they talk nor walk properly. They even misbehave.

Cases of adultery, rape, incest and AIDS are found more among alcoholics
According to National Crime Victimization Survey Bureau of Justice (U.S. Department of Justice) in the year 1996 alone everyday on an average 2,713 rapes took place. The statistics tell us that the majority of the rapists, were intoxicated while committing the crime. The same is true in cases of molestation.

According to statistics, 8% of Americans commit incest i.e. one in every twelve to thirteen persons in America is involved in incest. Almost all the cases of incest are due to intoxication of one or both the persons involved.

One of the major factors associated with the spread of AIDS, the most dreaded disease, is alcoholism.

Every alcoholic was initially a social drinker
Many may argue in favour of liquor by calling themselves ‘social drinkers’. They claim that they only have one or two pegs and they have self-control and so never get intoxicated. Investigations reveal that every alcoholic started as a social drinker. Not a single alcoholic or drunkard initially starts drinking with the intention of becoming an alcoholic or a drunkard. No social drinker can say that I have been having alcohol for several years and that I have so much self-control that I have never been intoxicated even a single time.


If a person is intoxicated just once and commits something shameful, it will remain with him for a lifetime.
Suppose a ‘social drinker’ loses his self-control just once. In a state of intoxication he commits rape or incest. Even if the act is later regretted, a normal human being is likely to carry the guilt throughout his life. Both the perpetrator and the victim are irreparably and irreversibly damaged.
Diseases associated with alcoholism
There are several scientific reasons for the prohibition of consumption of intoxicants i.e. alcohol. The maximum number of deaths in the world related to any one particular cause is due to the consumption of alcohol. Millions of people die every year only because of intake of alcohol. I need not go into the details of all the ill-effects of alcohol since most of them are commonly known. Below is a simple list of few of the alcohol related illnesses:

Cirrhosis of Liver is the most well known alcohol associated disease.

Others are Cancer of Oesophagus, Cancer of Head and Neck, Cancer of Liver (Hepatoma), Cancer of Bowel, etc.

Oesophagitis, Gastritis, Pancreatitis and Hepatitis are linked with alcohol consumption.

Cardiomyopathy, Hypertension, Coronary Artherosclerosis, Angina and Heart Attacks are linked with heavy alcohol intakes.

Strokes, Apoplexy, Fits and different types of Paralysis are linked with alcohol intake.

Peripheral Neuropathy, Cortical Atrophy, Cerebellar Atrophy are well-known syndromes caused by alcohol consumption.

Wernicke – Korsakoff syndrome with amnesia of recent events, confabulations and retainment of memory to old events with different types of paralysis are mainly due to thiamine deficiency due to excessive alcohol intake.

Beriberi and other deficiencies are not uncommon among alcoholics. Even Pellagra occurs in alcoholics.

Delerium Tremens is a serious complication that may occur during recurrent infection of alcoholics or post operatively. It also occurs during abstention as a sign of withdrawal effect. It is quite serious and may cause death even if treated in well equipped centres.

Numerous Endocrine Disorders have been associated with alcoholism ranging from Myxodema to Hyperthyroidism and Florid Cushing Syndrome.

Hematological ill effects are long and variable. Folic acid deficiency, however, is the most common manifestation of alcoholic abuse resulting in Macrocytic Anemia. Zeive’s syndrome is a triad of Hemolytic Anemia, Jaundice and Hyperlipaedemia that follows alcoholic binges.

Thrombocytopenia and other platelet abnormalities are not rare in alcoholics.

The commonly used tablet metronidazole (flagyl) interacts badly with alcohol.

Recurrent infection is very common among chronic alcoholics. The resistance to disease and the immunological defense system are compromised by alcohol intake.

Chest infections are notorious in alcoholics. Pneumonia, Lung Abcess, Emphysema and Pulmonary Tuberculosis are all common in alcoholics.

During acute alcoholic intoxication, the drunk person usually vomits, the cough reflexes which are protective are paralysed. The vomitus thus easily pass to the lung causing Pneumonia or Lung Abscess. Occasionally it may even cause suffocation and death.

The ill effects of alcohol consumption on women deserves special mention. Females are more vulnerable to alcohol-related Cirrhosis than men. During pregnancy alcohol consumption has a severe detrimental effect on the foetus. Foetal Alcohol Syndrome is being recognised more and more in the medical profession.

Skin diseases are also related to alcohol indulgence.

Eczema, Alopecia, Nail Dystrophy, Paronychia (infection around the nails) and Angular Stomatitis (inflammation of the angle of the mouth) are common diseases among alcoholics.


Alcoholism is a ‘disease’
Medical doctors have now turned liberal towards alcoholics and call alcoholism a disease rather than an addiction.

The Islamic Research Foundation has published a pamphlet that says:

If alcohol is a disease, it is the only disease that:

- Is sold in bottles

- Is advertised in newspapers, magazines, on radio and television

- Has licensed outlets to spread it

- Produces revenue for the government

- Brings violent deaths on the highways

- Destroys family life and increases crime

- Has no germs or viral cause

ALCOHOLISM IS NOT A DISEASE – IT IS SATAN’S HANDIWORK

Allah (swt) in His Infinite Wisdom has warned us against this snare of Satan. Islam is called the "Deen-ul-Fitrah" or the natural religion of Man. All its injunctions are aimed at preserving the natural state of man. Alcohol is a deviation from this natural state, for the individual as well as for society. It degrades man to a level below that of the beasts he claims to be superior to. Hence the consumption of alcohol is prohibited in Islam.

Answer 2

Alcohol is not a drug.

And drinking in moderation is not a sin. In fact, God puts his stamp of blessing on having a drink (Deuteronomy 14:26, John 2:1-11, Judges 9:13) -- but strongly disapproves of drunkenness (Deuteronomy 21:20, Proverbs 23:21, Ephesians 5:18).

Drug use is not specifically mentioned in the Bible, but since it is strongly intoxicating and does damage to the body even in small amounts, I believe it would fall in the same category as drunkenness.
---
P.S. -- It's too bad 'klover_dso' can't see the difference in the Scriptures that advocate drinking but condemn drunkenness, because he's got most of the relevant verses listed.

Answer 3

Sin

Answer 4

Is drinking a sin? No.
Is drinking alcohol a sin? No, if you are legally allowed to do so.
Is alcohol a drug? Yes, a I understand the current definition. It is legally a drug. Chemically you would have to ask a chemist.
Is doing drugs a sin? Not if they are legal, else medicine is hollowed out.
If you sell drinks are you a drug dealer? No.
If you sell alcoholic drinks are you a drug dealer? Sure. BTW my pharmacist is a very high volume, high cash value drug dealer.

Reread Socrates, your Socratic method need work.

Answer 5

Drinking itself is not a sin. Recall how Jesus turned water into wine for the wedding feast. We catholics drink wine during communion.

It all has to do with moderation. Getting drunk is sinful. Using radically mind altering drugs would, I think, be sinful.

Purposefully putting yourself into a state of mind in which you are not fully aware, conscious, alert, to what you are doing is sinful because, as we all know, people tend to do rediculous, damaging, unthoughtful, compulsary, etc. things when they are on substances.

Directly causing oneself to be in such a state of mind is harmful to your body and potentially morally harmful if you do something outrageous in such a state of mind.

Answer 6

I feel that anything that alters our body is a drug. Is it a sin? I cant answer that. But i know that 2 Corinthians 5:20 says
"We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God."
We are representatives for Christ. Would he drink or do drugs or sell them to others? if not, then neither should we.
Sometimes its not about right or wrong, its about "Is it the WISE thing to do".

Answer 7

Drinking isn't a sin, as Jesus turned water into wine, but putting alcohol, drinking, partying, drug use above your relationship with God is a sin--God wants to be #1 in your life, and trust me, he's better than any drug, drink, or anything else that you can become addicted to.

Answer 8

No. Drinking to excess is a sin.

Alcohol is a drug, but it's a legal one. So it cannot be seen as a sin.

Jesus changed water into wine at the Wedding in Cana, so we know that drinking alcohol is not against God. But the Bible does warn against drunkenness.

Answer 9

God said it,s not what goes into man that causes sin.it,s what
come,s out after the drink such as crussing and being mean
like drinking causes some to be.

Answer 10

here we go again

Is Jesus a sinner? NO WAY

Habakkuk 2:15 pronounces a woe on anyone thay gives out alcohol

Prov 20:1 warns it is bad

Proverbs 23:29-31

29Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions? who hath babbling? who hath wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes?

30They that tarry long at the wine; they that go to seek mixed wine.

31Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his colour in the cup, when it moveth itself aright.

Little bible study

Mixed wine is alcoholic verse 31 above describes the fermentation process.

God said dont look at it when it gives its color to the cup (one drop can do that)

John 2

1And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there:

2And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage.

3And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine.

4Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come.

5His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it.

6And there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece.

7Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim.

8And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare it.

9When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was: (but the servants which drew the water knew;) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom,

10And saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now.


Jesus made what here is called good wine verse 10. They would bring out grape juice at parties and when people were well drunken (filled up not inebriated) they would bring in worse wine (alcoholic) out til they brought out .


Mark 2:22
And no man putteth new wine into old bottles: else the new wine doth burst the bottles, and the wine is spilled, and the bottles will be marred: but new wine must be put into new bottles.

new wine ferments and then expands breaking the bottles. Discern what wine it is before you pronounce Jesus a sinner.

If Jesus made anything other then grape juice he sinned according to his word.

He would be a fraud and liar.

are you basing your salvation on a sinner? Or on God?

most wont accept what is true but Jesus did not sin.

Answer 11

No, no, no, no. One does not automatically equal two. It takes two ones to equal two. The next problem encountered is that of adding apples and oranges. One winds up with appnges. Nonsense. Not a logical conclusion.