Pig or Cow - Beef or Pork
By coffeechat
@coffeechat (1961)
New Zealand
10 responses
@LightninStrike (5915)
• Saint Vincent And The Grenadines
8 Feb 07
Well I eat pork and beef...I am not muslim nor hindi nor jewish, but there are several religions that are based on certain traditions that include the prohibition to eat certain things. From a rational or logical point of view it makes no sense obviously, but it's totally respectable since each one of us can do and belief what they want of course.
1 person likes this
@coffeechat (1961)
• New Zealand
8 Feb 07
That is quite true. Food is a matter of personal preference. So as you say there is no rational or logical reason.
As long as that is clear it should be an expression of tolerance.
@LightninStrike (5915)
• Saint Vincent And The Grenadines
9 Feb 07
Exactly my thoughts coffeechat :)
@lauriefnp (5111)
• United States
9 Feb 07
I am not an expert on religion or on religious beliefs about food restrictions, but I believe that certain religions do not eat certain foods as a sacrifice to their God; it is their way of showing their love and committment to God. Cows are sacred to the Hindus. In that religion, cows are worshiped and not eaten. As for the pigs and the Muslims, I am not sure if the pig is sacred or if it is considered to be a filthy and impure animal, which is the reason why the Jewish people will not eat pork. I have a hard time understanding these things, because in my religion there are no restrictions. The only restriction that I observe is not eating meat on Good Friday.
1 person likes this
@coffeechat (1961)
• New Zealand
11 Feb 07
Meat for one is poison for the other, is an aphorism that is much bruited about.
Years ago I read a book by the social anthropologist, Marvin Harris. The book is called Cows, Pigs, Wars and Witches where he examines the socio-economic factors that give rise to taboos.
e.g. Pigs. In the Middle East, raising pigs is less than ideal use of a society's resource. By having a taboo on them, agriculture could focus on better choices for the climate.
In the Pacific Islands and sub-Saharan Africa the environment is ideal for raising pigs - so not only is pork a preferred meat but Rituals revolve around them.
In his book he works his way back with empirical and tangible evidence to support his theory.
@Brooke3 (610)
•
8 Feb 07
Muslims (and also Jews I think) don't eat pork because in the old testament (I think it's leviticus) it says that they aren't supposed to eat certain animals (and this includes pigs.)
Hindu's I believe consider the cow to be sacred and therefore don't eat it.
1 person likes this
@shaeen (413)
• India
7 Feb 07
yups i agree partially to angrykitty......muslim dont eat pork because....pig is consider a haram to them ..means not eatable..becs pigs eat their own stools..and by this its consider as a dirty animal.....i know this part as iam a muslim....and for the second question....thats regarding the hindus....cows are considered as sacred to them ....ie....as gods animals..and something....and sometimes as gods vehicle and all.. as this considered pure sacred ..thts why thse two people dont eat thse meats.....nowdays these two people dont follow their relgious rules....i no some muslim friends who eat pork..and hindus who eat beef and all....lol....i think you got a clearer picture about the question you have asked....
@Chiang_Mai_boy (3882)
• Thailand
8 Feb 07
I have had many Hindu friends come to visit me in the States. The first thing they wanted was to go out to eat a big, thick, juicy steak. When I asked them about this they explained to me that it was an American Cow not an Indian one, so it was all right to eat it.
1 person likes this
@coffeechat (1961)
• New Zealand
8 Feb 07
LOl!
Sure in America cows are not holy.
Only Apple Pie. And that is meant to be eaten by all. Diabetics beware!
@coffeechat (1961)
• New Zealand
8 Feb 07
soorimd - thank you. But what do you mean halla gulla? And what is the relevance of eating human flesh to this post?
@coffeechat (1961)
• New Zealand
11 Feb 07
Let me speculate on soorimd's cryptic response.
1. Hulla Gulla means - noisy objection. This is in Hindi. Used in a sentence " Why do you raise halla gulla when the government increases taxes?"
2. The allusion to cannibalism stems from the outrage at the implied suggestion that it is alright to eat Beef. Soorimd obviously takes the Hindu Taboo on Beef Eating seriously enough.
I have had to speculate on his response, since he has not returned to clarify his comments. Soorimd do come back and validate what we said. Cheers!
@LightninStrike (5915)
• Saint Vincent And The Grenadines
9 Feb 07
what does human flesh have to do with a discussion about pork and beef? are you going to say that eating the three of them is at the same level???
@wenkinnoc (482)
•
8 Feb 07
Sacred food, all religions will have particular bliefs that may seem odd, but, if beached are liable to cause a great deal of offence.
