Why do some religions not eat pork or bacon?

Question

Just curious.

Answer 1

In the Old Testament of the Bible (though I am not exactly sure where, I just remember this from somewhere) it specifically states that one should not eat animals with cloven (split) hooves who do not chew their cud. Pigs have split hooves, but they are not ruminants, so they fall under this category, as do camels and several other types of animals. Deer, on the other hand, while they have split hooves, also chew their cud, so they are OK.

Dietary laws in the Bible also refer to shellfish and, I think, some types of wild birds.

The Old Testament is recognized as scripture by all three of the major monotheistic faiths, so I imagine that's why those laws are followed. (It should be noted, however, that Christians usually don't follow the dietary restrictions as faithfully as those who are Jewish or Muslim).

The most interesting thing to me about religious dietary restrictions is that they also have a good basis in science, especially when you consider the time periods when the rules were given to people. Most of the animals mentioned, including pigs and shellfish, can be very harmful to people, especially people who do not have access to refrigeration or proper methods of cooking. Undercooked pork can give you trichinosis, which is a parasitic worm that can make you very sick and even kill you if not treated properly. Shellfish spoils very quickly and even now, in the days of safe handling, frequently gives people food poisoning. Also, people who are allergic to iodine can die from eating shellfish.

Whether or not you believe scriptures to be the actual words of God, you cannot argue with the fact that the dietary laws expressed in them were necessary and important for people to stay healthy. Many of the faithful still follow these laws, and there's nothing wrong with that :)

Answer 2

Certain types of pigs were considered to be unclean, due their foraging habits. Pigs root through garbage piles.

In days before sanitation pigs were used to clean-up the toilet effluent from the streets. In time the pigs were slaughtered and butchered and fed to the populace. Which in turn caused ill-health amongst the people. The first peoples to recognise this were the Hebrews. Islam which is a descendant from Judaism followed along.

Pig farming in the Western world has risen above those early day, pork production and consumption is just as safe as any other food, may be safer.

Despite their religious beliefs they have no problem with killing their fellow human being.

Answer 3

Originally it was for health reasons as they didn't know what we know now like keeping it cool and pork is a meat that makes you very ill if not prepared properly, as in earlier times many people died from eating pork. Also bacon is pork.

Answer 4

Pig was a banned food in the laws that God gave them through Moses. The underlying reason was for their protection and health. Pork can carry some deadly diseases and cause severe problems if not properly screened or prepared.

Christians are no longer under this law. Other religions still believe they are to be strictly adhered to.

Answer 5

because some bloke thousands of years ago was sick after eating a bacon sandwich and sadly he was a religious leader and said right no is going to be allowed to eat pork priducts any more... I 'm surprised there isn't a jihad or a fatwa out on Walls for making all those lovely sausages and bacon...who defines it as an unclean animal, cows their so clean then are they? they live in sh1t, muck and filth

Answer 6

I'm very suprised that if "logical" health reasons were behind these kinds of bans that nuts, dairy products and wheat aren't also on the banned list. But actually, since I know all religion is based on makebelieve, fear, ignorance and retarded bigotry.. I'm not really suprised that arbitrary food groups were banned without good reason, or that if the "hygeine" issue was ever in fact a good reason, why with contemporary farming, food processing and preparation, these food groups aren't removed from the banned list and replaced by cadbury chocolate.

Answer 7

Undoubtedly,Pork has the highest nutritional value (minerals / vitamins) + good taset !
As a Hindu :-
Our teachings are that we should not consume the "flesh" of other creatures / animals.We ought to live on a vegetarian diet.Our scriptures do not demarcate any specific animal.
The western world had only embraced the virtues of vegetarianism towards the end of 1900's.

Answer 8

Check out Leviticus11........
Clean and Unclean Foods


"You may eat any animal that has a completely split hoof and chews it's cud."They may not only chew cud or only have a split hoof....we are only to eat animals which have both traits....
This is pretty interesting reading
to all who haven't read I strongly suggest you look it up
really amazing menu!!

No pigs,however...crickets and grasshoppers are O.K.

also anything without fins and scales from the sea a BIG NO NO

Answer 9

my religon doesnt allow eatign bacon or pork because pigs are very unclean and were not to be eating anythign made out of pigs thas the best i can explain

Answer 10

Because they're sad/scared/deluded enough to still believe all this "God/Gods" stuff. Now its just old fairy tales from the Human races childhood.
They should grow up and smell the bacon, Mmm... Bacon.