Is the pledge an irish thing?

mcerc

I was just wondering the pledge taken when doing your confirmation when you pledge not to drink or do drugs is this just an irish thing? Is this practised all over the world or just in Ireland. Also whose idea was it? Any links with more info would be great.

Thanks

PDN

mcerc wrote: »

I was just wondering the pledge taken when doing your confirmation when you pledge not to drink or do drugs is this just an irish thing? Is this practised all over the world or just in Ireland. Also whose idea was it? Any links with more info would be great.

Thanks

Father Matthew is your man. He started the whole abstinence pledge thing in Ireland: http://www.cashel-emly.ie/main/archbishop/frtheobaldmathew.htm

lostexpectation

ah yes the pretend pledge

mikemac

I always though Matt Talbot was behind this.

Never heard of Father Matthew until this thread.
Well there's something I learned today

MatthewVII

Back home there was a great tradition of people going to the local priest to remove the pledge for a night when they really wanted to have a drink. The next morning they'd go down and get the pledge reinstated. Everyone wins!

kiffer

I didn't take the pledge because I didn't want to make a promise that would mean I couldn't get a sup of wine or beer (the year before we had gone to france and my sister had been very upset refusing to taste try the wine or such like) and i knew most teenagers would break it...

That was at least 17 years ago... I never had more than a few sips till I was 19 and after that i've only twice had more than 2 drinks in an evening... Even that much is very rare maybe twice a year. I've never taken any recreational drugs.

But the thing I found "funny" is that standing there with hundreds of other children chanting promises I had to consciously stop myself making that promise ... Even though I'd planned to not take it I got half way through the sentence before I realised that I was doing it...



.:. Posting from phone with cold thumbs is tricky .:.

GAAwebsite

It's a good idea.

Phototoxin

ah yes the pretend pledge

I kept mine.

lostexpectation

Phototoxin wrote: »

I kept mine.

so did I but i didn't mean it at the time,not that i intended to ever drink.

Phototoxin

I dont understand - why take it if there is no intention of keeping it?

Manach

Similar experience to kiffer. I never took the pledge and had not a drop since. Just to be contrary.

jhegarty

I kept it too.

But I remember even 20 years ago for me it was completly optional with no one even asked in advanced if they were going to take it.

MysticalSoul

I took mine till 18, and kept it. However, when I made my confirmation it did not include drugs - sign of the times I reckon

Crazyivan 1979

I made my confirmation in England when I was 15, don't think there was any mention of a pledge. But I don't remember much about the confirmation or the classes in school, I suppose I didn't really listen to what was going on, as I didn't really care it was just something that was expected of you, going to a catholic school.

laughin'joe

it's only in Ireland but is probably in other countries by now seen as it is made up.....just like religion itself.