Why do some christian religions forbid the eating of some foods?

Question

I dont believe this to be biblical

(1 Timothy 4:1-5) 4 However, the inspired utterance says definitely that in later periods of time some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to misleading inspired utterances and teachings of demons, 2 by the hypocrisy of men who speak lies, marked in their conscience as with a branding iron; 3 forbidding to marry, commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be partaken of with thanksgiving by those who have faith and accurately know the truth. 4 The reason for this is that every creation of God is fine, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, 5 for it is sanctified through God’s word and prayer over [it].

Acts 10:9-15 shows that the mosaic laws regarding food no longer apply to a Christian.

I am not saying it isnt OK for someone to avoid some foods but for a religion to forbid the partaking of it.

Answer 1

The interior penance of the Christian can be expressed in many and various ways. Scripture insists above all on three forms, fasting, prayer, and alms giving, which express conversion in relation to oneself, to God, and to others. (Tobit 12:8; Matthew 6:1-18)

Catholics give up some meals on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday and meat on Lenten Fridays in the Biblical tradition of fasting, praying, and alms giving.

This group penitential activity prepares us for the liturgical feasts and helps us acquire mastery over our instincts and freedom of heart.

This is also in imitation of the fast of Jesus for forty days in the desert. (Mark 1:12-13)

With love in Christ.

Answer 2

Yo're probably talking about Herbert Armstrong's WWCOG, maybe 7th Day Adventists. and a few others. I think your exegesis is sound and Romans 14 clarifies this further.

But those who disagree would say that the food restrictions indicate that God did not create those creatures to be partaken of at all and made that clear in the OT, so Paul cannot be meaning shellfish etc because God has already been clear they are not food for us. But I argue that since Romans was addressed to both Jeiwsh and Greek converts, Paul must have meant to end the food restrictions altogether, except to ask that people exercise sensitivity to each other on the matter.

Some say the dietary laws were set forth to prevent spread of parasites carried by shellfish caught in shallow waters, bottom feeders, animals that carried trichinosis, etc. They didn't have food inspection, freezing, refrigeration. It doesn't seem rational that there is something inherently evil in shrimp but not in the permitted foods, yet much of scripture is not rational, and that's not a valid reason for believers to reject scripture of course. And there's good reason to believe that "unclean" has nothing to do with health and only to do with something being religiously unacceptable.

Either way, I think you have scriptural warrant to be convinced in your mind about what you should and shouldn't do, and if it's a sin in your mind then don't, and if not do. Not being a believer, I think I'll go out for seom steak and lobster and grilled shrimp, or maybe baby back ribs!

Answer 3

Some Christian denominations forbid the eating of some food, because they still find the Mosaic Law in this area profitable. And although the Mosaic Law is biblical, we as Christians are free from the Law through the death of Jesus, and his Resurrection. So the New testament proclaims we are free from the law, and that we are to walk in love. If to eat a certain thing will cause someone to stumble do not eat it, for this is walking in love. And it is the command of Jesus to walk in love.

Answer 4

In my opinion, it's really up to us what we eat. However, certain animals in particular were regarded as "sacred" so it was forbidden to eat them. Some cultures eat whatever is available during the various seasons. For instance, in the winter months meat would be scarce so they would have to search for fruits, roots and grubs. In the summer months, meat would be more readily available, so the meat would be hunted and stored for those winter months. The flavorings from the roots would be optional, I guess. It's not necessarily a matter of what God wants, but what God provides for our survival. As long as the food isn't being wasted needlessly. During religious festivals, such as Christmas or Thanksgiving, the "original" idea would be to share the collected foods during the months where food was scarce with the community. Like putting it into a communal cooking pot so that all can share, and no one would go hungry.

Some foods too have an adverse effect on people at certain times, for example, a woman during her menstrual cycle cannot eat certain foods because it affects her systemically. And at certain times of the year, abstinence (fasting) is a spiritual ceremony in an attempt to become closer to God.

Answer 5

God created everything perfect but every thing was not perfect for food.
Adam & Eve ate only fruits and herbs. That was God's design for man. After the flood, God permitted flesh eating but not all flesh.see Leviticus 11.
The original food for humans is still aclaimed by dietricians as the best. Try it and you will live a fulfilled life.

You need to obey God even when it is against your own will.

Answer 6

I think I can give also a comment altough I am not a christianI am a muslim.In Islamic teaching and God spoke in the holy Qur'an (Surah 2 Al Baqarah or female cow verse nr 173 )that all Islamic religion followers are prohibited to eat:
1)pig meat and any material come from pig not only forest pig but also pig that are raised and traded in a farm
2)any animal which is slaughtered without telling in the name of Allah all praises upon Allah only and Allah is merciful and affectionate.
3)any animal which is killed and be given to idols as an offering
4)blood of any animal which is slaughtered.
5)the dead animal which is not killed but died itself in illness
We can not eat all foods and drink and other materials which iare bought by unlawful money.
We are prohibited also to drink wine and other alcoholic drink whi
ch can make us drunking. including drug addict.

Answer 7

The Eastern Orthodox encourage fasting as a way of purifying the soul and strengthening the body for life's challenges.

Answer 8

I am going to guess that some Christian denominations have dietary guidelines for various reasons, perhaps they are just guidelines. I personally do not think any food should be forbidden to eat. You should always eat right and not too much of course.

Answer 9

Leviticus 11.
Some food are not meant to be eaten. Some animals are meant to clean the world. Some foods are unclean.

Answer 10

In the Old Testement there were certain foods that was forbidden. You can read about it in Leviticus chapter 11.