Muslims, however, have explicit doctrinal prohibitions against alcohol use.
"When you belong to a community it's probably easier in general not to drink. But we are expressly forbidden from drinking alcohol," says Zayed M. Yasin '02, President of the Harvard-Radcliffe Islamic Society. "It's something most Muslims take quite seriously."
Many Christian denominations also encourage abstinence or promote responsible drinking.
Advertisement
"When you're very religious, it reminds you that you have a responsibility to take care of something God made," says Geoffrey A. Priedis '03, president of the Catholic Students Association.
"[The pressure to drink is] not an issue if you are religious and believe strongly enough," Preidis adds.