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?

[LazyGun]

Mmmm Bacon. Brown Sauce. Slices of wholemeal bread. Mmmmm

[Old_Geezer]

Maybe to avoid tapeworms ?

[baza]

I did know a jewess who liked bacon sarnies but only when her hubby was not around.

[sandyRoe]

Why are there swineherds mentioned in the Bible if they had no use for pigs?

[pastafreak]

I always assumed it was due to practical reasons....the possible presence of worms-which pigs are prone to,the preservation of meat in a hot climate,and the belief that pigs are dirty-due to their tendency to have a good roll around in dirt.
I'm sure someone else will come along with facts.

[Psybbo]

Ah bacon buttie in the morning

[EcclesCake]

As I recall it is to do with the fact that pigs are not fussy eaters and will happily forage and eat anything they can find, including other carrion. Consequently they can pick up a variety of parasites which can enter the food chain.

Cattle and sheep are quite content to munch away on grass thus reducing the risk to humans.

[plautus]

They were flogging it to the Gentiles! Plus, they might have been slipping a few carcasses through the back door of the Vatican!

Don't tell Benny, though!

[plautus]

"Why are there swineherds mentioned in the Bible?"
"Why are there goatherds mentioned in the Sound of Music?"

[starone]

I read somewhere, and as usual I've forgotten where, the pig is the nearest animal to man and cannibals were reputed to call man 'long pig'. Don't know if that's true, mind, can't prove it. It may be that the Jews don't like to eat anything that is so near to man.

[askyourgran]

http://tree63fan.word...sus-unclean-food-why/

It would seem that pigs do not satisfy the criteria of 'clean' meat.

[starone]

I also read take care not to fall over in a pig sty because as eccles says they will eat anything, including meat.

[Hopkirk]

My Jewish mate at school would scoff a pork pie on a day he was supposed to be fasting.

[Hopkirk]

Funny you should say that, Starbuckone:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/...ld-us-canada-19796224

[plautus]

This is God's way of punishing the Hebrews. Henceforth bacon sarnies are reserved solely for the Gentiles!!

God loves us Gentiles!!

[pastafreak]

I bet wildwood was hoping for some sensible answers.....

[LazyGun]

Whats more sensible than discussing bacon sarnies? :)

[plautus]

Well, ee will be disappointed, won't he?

[jno]

the incidence of trichinosis, probably, much as OG and pastafreak have said.

[askyourgran]

Dunno, after reading my link to clean/unclean food I've gone off pigs.