Dear James:

Alcohol is not evil in itself. The substance is morally neutral. The Bible does not condemn drinking alcohol, but it does condemn drunkenness.

The abuse of alcohol has certainly caused many evils, but the life-blood of evil in our society is not alcohol. No "thing" is the life-blood of evil. The life-blood of evil is the souls of men in rebellion to God. Men choosing to do evil is the problem. Alcohol only becomes a problem when men choose to abuse it.

This is the same with guns. A gun does not jump up and fire itself killing someone. There is a person behind that gun who chooses to pull the trigger, or irresponsibly leave the weapon where kids can get hold of it, etc.

It is the evil in the hearts of men that is the life-blood of evil in society.

Now with that said, we also need to remember the teaching of St. Paul who said that even if something is allowable, it is not always prudent or beneficial.

Personally, if I were the parish priest, I would not allow the raffling off of alcohol. While it is not sinful to do so, I do not think it is prudent.

God Bless,
Bro. Ignatius Mary