Teetotalism is the practice of voluntarilyabstaining from the consumption ofalcohol. A person who practises (and possibly advocates) teetotalism is known as ateetotaller (British English) orteetotaler (American English) and is said to beteetotal. Globally, in 2016, 57% of adults did not drink alcohol in the past year, and 44.5% had never consumed alcohol.[1] A number oftemperance organisations have been founded to promote teetotalism and provide spaces fornondrinkers to socialise.
Teetotalism is found as an aspect of religious practise inBuddhism,Hinduism,Islam,Jainism,Sikhism and in some forms ofChristianity. Other common reasons for choosing teetotalism are psychological, health, medical, philosophical, social, political, past alcoholism, or simply preference.
According to theOnline Etymology Dictionary, thetee- inteetotal is the letter T, so it is actuallyt-total, though it was never spelled that way.[2] The word is first recorded in 1832 in a general sense in an American source, and in 1833 in England in the context of abstinence. Since at first it was used in other contexts as an emphasised form oftotal, thetee- is presumably areduplication of the first letter oftotal, much as contemporary idiom might say "total with a capital T".[3]
The teetotalism movement first started inPreston, Lancashire, England, in the early 19th century.[4] The Preston Temperance Society was founded in 1833 byJoseph Livesey, who was to become a leader of thetemperance movement and the author ofThe Pledge: "We agree to abstain from all liquors of anintoxicating quality whetherale,porter, wine, or ardentspirits, except asmedicine."[5] Today, a number oftemperance organisations exist that promote teetotalism as a virtue.[6]
Richard Turner, a member of the Preston Temperance Society, is credited with using the existing slang wordteetotally for abstinence from all intoxicating liquors.[3] One anecdote describes a meeting of the society in 1833, at which Turner in giving a speech said, "I'll bereet down out-and-out t-t-total for ever and ever."[5][7]Walter William Skeat noted that the Turner anecdote had been recorded by the temperance advocateJoseph Livesey, and posited that the term may have been inspired by theteetotum;[8] however,James B. Greenough stated that "nobody ever thoughtteetotum andteetotaler were etymologically connected."[9]
A variation on the above account is found on the pages ofThe Charleston Observer:
Teetotalers.—The origin of this convenient word, (as convenient almost, although not so general in its application asloafer,) is, we imagine, known but to few who use it. It originated, as we learn from the Landmark, with a man named Turner, a member of the Preston Temperance Society, who, having an impediment of speech, in addressing a meeting remarked, that partial abstinence from intoxicating liquors would not do; they must insist upon tee-tee-(stammering) tee total abstinence. Hence total abstainers have been calledteetotalers.[10]
According to the historianDaniel Walker Howe, the term was derived from the practice of the American preacher and temperance advocateLyman Beecher. He would take names at his meetings of people who pledged alcoholic temperance and noted those who pledged total abstinence with a T. Such persons became known asTeetotallers.[11][page needed]
Some common reasons for choosing teetotalism are psychological, religious, health,[12] medical, philosophical, social, political, past alcoholism or simply preference.
When atdrinking establishments andrestaurants, teetotallers tend to consume non-alcoholic beverages such as water,juice,tea,coffee,soft drinks, non-alcoholic mixed drinks,alcohol-free beer, and othernon-alcoholic beverages.
A number oftemperance organisations have been founded to promote teetotalism and provide spaces fornondrinkers to socialise.[13] Most teetotaller organisations also demand from their members that they do not promote or produce alcoholic intoxicants.[14][15]
Some Christians choose to practice teetotalism throughout theLent season, giving up alcoholic beverages as theirLenten sacrifice.[16][17]
A number ofChristian denominations forbid the consumption of alcohol, or recommend the non-consumption thereof, including certainAnabaptist denominations such as the Mennonites (bothOld Order Mennonites andConservative Mennonites),Church of the Brethren,Beachy Amish andNew Order Amish. Many Christian groups, such asMethodists (especially those aligned with theHoliness movement) andQuakers (particularly theConservative Friends andHoliness Friends), are often associated with teetotalism due to their traditionally strong support for temperance movements, as well asprohibition.The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints,Seventh-day Adventists, andHoliness Pentecostals also preach abstinence from alcohol and other drugs.[citation needed]
Conservative Anabaptist denominations of Christianity proscribe the use of alcohol and other drugs.[18][19] The following teaching of theDunkard Brethren Church is reflective of Conservative Anabaptism:
Members of the Dunkard Brethren Church shall abstain from the use of intoxicating or addictive substances, such as narcotics, nicotine, marijuana, or alcoholic beverages (except as directed by a physician). Using, raising, manufacturing, buying or selling them by Christians is inconsistent with the Christian lifestyle and testimony. Members of the Dunkard Brethren Church who do so should be counseled in love and forbearance. If they manifest an unwilling or arbitrary spirit, they subject themselves to the discipline of the church, even to expulsion in extreme cases. We implore members to accept the advice and counsel of the church and abstain from all of the above. Since members are to be examples to the world (Romans 14:20–21), indulgence in any of these activities disqualifies then for Church or Sunday School work or as delegates to District or General Conference.[18]
The temperance movement gained early support from Methodists. TheBritish Methodist Church historically promoted teetotalism; since the 1970s, it has encouraged members to consider abstinence from alcohol, but does allow responsible drinking.[20] TheChurch of the Nazarene andWesleyan Methodist Church, both denominations in theWesleyan tradition, teach abstinence.[21][22] Members of denominations in theconservative holiness movement, such as theAllegheny Wesleyan Methodist Connection, are required to practise teetotalism.[23] TheBook of Discipline of theImmanuel Missionary Church, a conservative Methodist denomination, states:[24]
Temperance is the moderate use of that which is beneficial, and a total abstinence from that which is harmful. Therefore no member shall be permitted to use or sell intoxicating liquors, tobacco, or harmful drugs, or to be guilty of things which are only for the gratification of the depraved appetite, and are unbecoming and inconsistent with our Christian profession (I Cor. 10:31). —General Standards,Immanuel Missionary Church[24]
Uniformed members ofthe Salvation Army ("soldiers" and "officers") make a promise on joining the movement to observe lifelong abstinence from alcohol. This dates back to the early years of the organisation, and the missionary work among alcoholics.[25]
With respect toRestorationist Christianity, members of certain groups within theChristian Science movement abstain from the consumption of alcohol.[citation needed]
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints rejects alcohol based upon theWord of Wisdom.[26]
Eastern Orthodox Church, theRoman Catholic Church, theLutheran Churches,Oriental Orthodox Churches and theAnglican Communion all require wine in their central religious rite of theEucharist (Holy Communion). In contrast, churches in the Methodist tradition (which traditionally upholds teetotalism) require that "pure, unfermented juice of the grape" be used in the sacrament of Holy Communion.[27]
In theGospel of Luke (1:13–15), the angel that announces the birth ofJohn the Baptist foretells that "he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb". A free translation of theNew Testament, thePurified Translation of the Bible (2000), translates in a way that promotes teetotalism. However, the term 'wine' (and similar terms) being consumed by God's people occurs over two hundred times in both the Old and New Testament.[28]
InHinduism, the consumption of alcohol and other intoxicants, calledsurapana, is considered as one of the fivemahapatakas (great sins).[29]Hindus are prohibited from drinking alcohol "as it has a direct impact on thenervous system, leading to actions that a sound person normally would not."[30]
One of thefive precepts ofBuddhism is abstaining from intoxicating substances that disturb the peace and self-control of the mind, but it is formulated as a training rule to be assumed voluntarily by laypeople rather than as a commandment.[31][32]Jainism forbids the consumption of alcohol, in addition to trade in alcohol.[33][34] Liquor is listed as one of theprohibitions inSikhism.[35]
In contemporaryIslam, the concept ofkhamr (Arabic:خمر), which refers to a category of intoxicating substances that are forbidden, is now generally understood as encompassing all forms of alcohol.Muslim countries have low rates of alcohol consumption, with many enforcing a policy ofprohibition. Additionally, the majority of Muslims do not drink and believe consuming alcohol is forbidden (haram).[36][37]
Ibn Majah andal-Tirmidhi narrated an authentichadith that if a Muslim drinks alcohol and does not repent, they would enter Hell after death and be "made to drink from the pus of the people ofJahannum."[38] Muslims believe that Allah will not accept the prayers of a repentant individual until forty days after the consumption of an alcoholic drink.[39]
Dominic Conroy and Richard de Visser published research inPsychology and Health that studied strategies used by college students who would like to resist peer pressure to drink alcohol in social settings. The research hinted that students are less likely to give in to peer pressure if they have strong friendships and make a decision not to drink before social interactions.[40]
A 2015 study by theOffice for National Statistics showed that young Britons were more likely to be teetotallers than their parents.[41]
According to Global Status Report on Alcohol and Health, published by theWorld Health Organization in 2011, close to half of the world's adult population (45 per cent) are lifetime abstainers. The Eastern Mediterranean Region, consisting of the Muslim countries in theMiddle East and North Africa, is by far the lowest alcohol-consuming region in the world, both in terms of total adult per-capita consumption and prevalence of non-drinkers, i.e., 87.8 per cent lifetime abstainers.[1]
Teetotalism has become increasingly common amongst younger generations, particularlymillennials and those ofGeneration Z. A study published in April 2023 by the International Wine and Spirits Record (IWSR) revealed that millennials were key drivers of no-alcohol growth in the United States, with 45% of no-alcohol beer consumers in the US being millennials. By April 2024, that figure was 61%. The reasons given were primarily attributed to lifestyle and functionality.[42]
A similar study published by the National Public Health Information Coalition in 2022 revealed that millennials and Gen Zers were more likely to embrace sobriety than drinking culture with a survey indicating that 57% of these individuals would rather go to the gym for an hour than go out to a bar, and 69% finding heavy drinking culture boring. The common reasons given for Gen Zers were maintaining control over their lives, prioritising productivity, and regulating their physical and mental health.[43]
This is a list of notable figures who practiced teetotalism and were public advocates for temperance, teetotalism or both. To be included in this list, individuals must be well known for their abstention from alcohol, their advocacy efforts or both. Individuals whose abstention from alcohol is not a defining characteristic or feature of their notability are excluded.
The pure, unfermented juice of the grape shall be used. The "fair white linen cloth" is merely a table covering that is appropriate for this central sacrament of the church.
The dictionary definition ofteetotal at Wiktionary