It’s a curious post for early in a period some call Lent, but Robert Christian thinks Roman Catholics have a drinking problem:
From parishes to parochial schools to university classrooms, the Church is failing in its responsibility to talk about the pernicious impact of alcohol (and even drugs) on so many people in our society, along with the detrimental impact it has on achieving the common good. One is more likely to see devout Catholics being flip about drinking—or even romanticizing and glorifying it—than confronting the nihilism, escapism, and despair that are a big part of our nation’s drinking culture and the wreckage that it leaves in its wake. The Church takes a harder line on drugs, but how often is the topic really discussed? How often does the Church address why people turn to drug use and explain its incompatibility with human flourishing? The Church provides some assistance, but most often it comes after people have already had their lives and the lives of their loved ones (and possibly strangers) devastated by the ruinous costs of addiction. The Church can and should do better. . . .
It is strange that those who identify the emptiness of materialism, consumerism, the sexual objectification and exploitation of others, the lust for power, and other false paths to happiness are failing to address the illusory nature of the “happiness” generated by drugs and alcohol. It is downright embarrassing when one compares the Church to the world’s other religions. Buddhism, Taoism, Mormonism, Sikhism, Islam, the Baha’i faith, and various Hindu sects and protestant denominations either teach that alcohol should be avoided entirely or used in moderation (defined in such a way that many Catholics would find fairly extreme). While engaging in interfaith dialogue, the vast majority of thoughtful, virtuous young people I have met from other faiths have been teetotalers (those who abstain from alcohol entirely), while I have witnessed many of my fellow devout Catholics, who are otherwise morally serious, acting foolishly due to their consumption of alcohol. The contrast is cringe-worthy.
Not to be overly low church, but the habit of giving up something (it used to be sin) for forty days a year may not be the best way to live a life of moderation and restraint. At the same time, comments like Christian’s reveal the dark side of the old charge that Protestantism was just a cover for antinomianism. No one can outmoralize a Protestant. Even so, Rome’s version of the gospel is no barrier against taking the law lightly.
The human predicament may be that we love the law when it makes us superior, and we love grace when we are feeling low. Protestants of the good sort know that we are only superior in Christ.
Old Life 
I gave up Lent for whiskey.
“the vast majority of thoughtful, virtuous young people I have met from other faiths have been teetotalers.” No “virtuous” people attending the wedding in Cana? That must be why they were having so much fun.
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1) “human flourishing” rears its vacuous head 2) something is wrong when a trinitarian has Mormon and Sikh envy
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Well now ya gone done it, D. Let the games begin.
I’ll be the unshaven heckler when they hand out awards at Moralist Olympics (such a statement as cited I fear will only cause further inflammations among such folk). And that clear liquid there I have with me be water. Honest.
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Bryan Cross’ paradigms really loosen up after he’s had a few.
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Of course, a pair o’ dimes is all Muddy typically has left after a bender.
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MG, and you should see Bryan without his cap.
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“The human predicament may be that we love the law when it makes us superior, and we love grace when we are feeling low. Protestants of the good sort know that we are only superior in Christ.”
Excellent!
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Has Robert heard of the Irish?
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Odd. I’ve always looked to my Catholics for guidance on how to enjoy the sacraments of earth.
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Robert – It is downright embarrassing when one compares the Church to the world’s other religions. Buddhism, Taoism, Mormonism, Sikhism, Islam, the Baha’i faith, and various Hindu sects and protestant denominations either teach that alcohol should be avoided entirely or used in moderation (defined in such a way that many Catholics would find fairly extreme).
Erik – * Jason Stellman converts from Presbyterianism to Hare Krishna at LAX. Quickly renounces conversion and announces intention to pursue the Bahai faith. Stellman and brother announce plans to embark on a cross country tour playing the hits of England Dan & John Ford Coley.
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Zrim,
No kidding. If Catholics lose drinking they’ll be absolutely insufferable. Imagine attending a Called-to-Communion get together sober.
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You Yanks with your extra “e” in whisky, how can people put an extra letter needlessly in a word?
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Erik, it depends on the kind of Catholic. My blue collared ones in Detroit still know how to fuel and lube weddings and family reunions.
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Knew some Irish brothers who both were priests and both part of a teetotaling group formed to try to curb the stereotype of the hard drinking Irish, clergy and non-clergy alike. My conclusion; You don’t want the Irish too far removed from their drink.
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“… Has Robert heard of the Irish?…”
Erik, you took the words right out of my, uh,..keyboard.
Speaking of the Irish, looks like ND isn’t off to a great start in its new conference. BTW, I’m still stunned at how Northwestern got by Iowa.
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Sean, remove the drink and you get Covenanters.
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In Glasgow, many RC chapels have licensed function rooms so the parishioners can have proper drinking sessions after Christenings. Puts a new spin on being called to communion.
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Frances Ha: “Oh, I’m really trying not to drink right now.”
Guy: “I’m sorry.”
Frances Ha: “Don’t be sorry. You’re not the one who’s bat-s**t crazy after four vodkas.”
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George,
Iowa stinks and their coach is a psycho. Iowa State is awesome, though.
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At Called-to-Communion functions they imbibe prune juice after sucking on lemons.
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Remember to wear orange on St. Patty’s day and remember that Guinness and Bushmill’s began as Protestant companies.
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Chortles, the IRA was also started by Protestants. I’m happy to let the Catholics claim Irish dancing though.
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And we’re having U2 as well. They’re reformed Christians (at least that’s how some Lutherans would designate them).
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Sorry, Chorts. I’ll be wearing the Green and despising the english.
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Occasional OL commenter and fellow church member Amish Ambush always wears the orange on St. Pat’s. And he’s big and scary so I wear it because he tells me to.
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Chorts, I’ve heard about that reasoning. The problem with being Irish, though, is a general unwillingness to reconcile or respond reasonably to such facts. The drinking serves to facilitate that incongruity both in the fore and aft
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sean, Chorty’s got your number here. For one thing, I’m more afraid of A.Ambush than I am of the other flat hatred creature we see floating around Oldlife.
To make matters worse, A.Ambush tweets. There’s no hiding from his presence..
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My song for Bryan:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0pSlu2okpqM
All you, flat cap man. All you. Keep being you, Bryan.
Peace.
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For lent I am taking up smoking to break my nicotine gum habit.
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Amish Ambush
Posted March 14, 2014 at 9:40 pm | Permalink
For lent I am taking up smoking to break my nicotine gum habit.
Now that’s funny. ;-D
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Dr. Hart,
We are all anxiously awaiting your further reflections on Eduardo Echeverria’s response to your letter to the editor in the latest April edition of First Things. thanks.
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So then when wine makes the heart glad, I guess there’s sorrow added to it?
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Very noteworthy, this. They’ve taken the twitter-verse by storm.
If you’re reading, cheers to you both.
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