bacon

[wildwood]

I know the religious literature forbids consumption or touching of swine/pig, but is there a valid reason for it, or is this one avenue to test the followers faith?

[starone]

Hopkirk, well there you are then - it was true. Also, yeeuch! I wonder what they will do with the pigs now. Would you want to eat them?

[sandyRoe]

They should give them a wide berth if they've any sense

[wildwood]

Yes, I've heard of the unclean thing before, but it doesn't make sense to me. Mud is just earth mixed with water, women plaster it on their faces all over the world, apparently it brings a glow to the skin. Pigs even do their toilet in a separate place from their living quarters, if given the change. A lot cleaner than most animals who just plop where they stand/sleep.

I thought maybe some of the herd mentioned in [i]Luke 8:33[i] may not have drowned and the theists don't want to risk cannibalising other dudes.

[Arksided]

without cannibalising other dudes lol. It is my understanding that Pigs are clean animals and I really fancy a Bacon butty now.

I think it must really be a true test of faith to say no, when you really want one but religion forbids it. Im happy to be an Omnivore.

[plautus]

The prohibition on pork, shellfish, et al is understandable within the context of the time, liable without refrigeration to lead to food poisoning. It is a shame that such a prolific, relatively cheap source of protein should be forbidden through an outdated religious ban.

[mikey4444]

I think it was just due to the hot climate and lack of fridges. Shell fish were also banned for the same reason.

Much more interesting is why people from that part of the world choose to mutilate the genitals of their new born baby boys ? What purpose did this perform and why do they still do it, now that they are educated and supposably civilised ?

Would they cut the ears off babies if their God told them so ?

[naomi24]

Jews do not eat pork because God forbade it. Given the climate, one of the few sensible things he did. Islam, which took much of its doctrine from Judaism, also forbids the consumption of pork.

Mikey, God ordered the circumcision of boys as a symbol of his covenant with the Jews. In that respect too, Islam emulates the Jews – although of course Muslims can claim no such covenant with God.

[goodlife]

Only according to the Law, the hare and the pig were among animals the Israelites were not permitted to eat. (Le 11:4-8) Regarding this, True, we eat the pig, the rabbit and the hare, but these animals are liable to parasitic infections and are safe only if the food is well cooked. The pig is an unclean feeder, and harbours two worms, trichina and a tape worm, which may be passed on to man. The danger is minimal under present conditions in this country, but it would have been far otherwise in Palestine of old, and such food was better avoided, Still, if you prefer to believe in Santa Claus then you have that choice.

[LazyGun]

Santa Claus is as believable as your god goodlife, and has far more evidence. NORAD can track him as he carries out his delivery rounds, for a start.

And he is a much more engaging and loveable character altogether, unlike your god and many of the more fanatical believers.

Old restrictions on diet came from observation of effect. Ruminants simply have less risk of infection than do carnivores or omnivores like pigs which back in the day would feed on pretty much anything. This is why there was a chance of infection with a worm or similar in poorly prepared or stored meat.

In todays society, this no longer is a risk, because the animals that are reared for slaughter have a diet that excludes such possible sources of infection.

Of course, we still have the reasons for islamic restrictions to contend with. Uric acid and its clearance, its presence in blood, and fear of its toxicity when eaten.

[jake-the-peg]

It's often claimed that dietry restrictions are for health reasons

I find this improbable because if this were the case the number one restriction would be:

Thou shalt boil water before drnking it.

If they were savvy enough to link tape worms with pigs they certainly would know that impure water was a hazard

[McMouse]

As they say, "what's green and smells of pork?".

Kermit.

[naomi24]

I can't imagine those people would have been aware of the dangers in pork that we're aware of today, nor that boiling drinking water eliminates risk. It probably resulted simply from observation. Pork deteriorates quickly in the heat and eating bad meat results in illness.

[mibn2cweus]

Praise the Lard . . . and the Holy Toast!

http://www.thesun.co....an.html#ixzz0i0JF5nub