Why do Christians eat pork?

[zenkidori]

General opinion is I guess that new testament overrules old one

this is never stated in the bible, so whoever says that is either pulling out of thier ass, or repeating it from someone who pulled it out of thier ass. Unless Jesus or god specifically said, "this is how it was back in the day, but here's how we do things now" that type of thinking can't possibly be correct.

The only problem is that those things are illegal... And I seriously doubt that none of the Christian factions have approved them. (where as eatting pork is).

but god didn't approve it, and Jesus didn't eat it. If you havn't noticed, there is god's law and man's law. Some laws of man contradict the bible, and some laws of god contradict modern societies. it doesn't matter if it's illegal because the US(or anyone) says it is, or if it's OK because the US(or anyone) says it is.

this goes along with what I have been saying about religion a la carte and christians not actually being christian. people are hypocrites, and so are religions. They obey one law and toss out another, without any rhyme or reason other than it suits them. obeying one law and disobeying another makes you no better than those who disobey the one you obey. all trespasses are the same in god's eyes, and you'll be judged by them all the same.

[jeffy777]

I'm a Christian and I don't eat pork or any other "unclean" food, so you can't lump all Christians into one category

[Firecat]

Originally Posted by mmap

It really boils down to the fact that religion and beliefs are everyones individual choices, there is no absolute right or wrong in matters of religion. Just because someone says its wrong to eat pork does not mean that it absolutely is wrong always and everywhere.

Right. But the Old Testament went into a lot of detail regarding what is "clean" and "unclean"

The reasons for this, I don't know. Maybe it had to do with disease, or maybe it's for reasons we cannot comprehend.

[Firecat]

Originally Posted by jeffy777

I'm a Christian and I don't eat pork or any other "unclean" food, so you can't lump all Christians into one category

That's interesting. So in your opinion, should Christians follow the Old Testament dietary laws?

[Firecat]

Originally Posted by zenkidori

this goes along with what I have been saying about religion a la carte and christians not actually being christian. people are hypocrites, and so are religions. They obey one law and toss out another, without any rhyme or reason other than it suits them. obeying one law and disobeying another makes you no better than those who disobey the one you obey. all trespasses are the same in god's eyes, and you'll be judged by them all the same.

I think that people (now also, but mainly in the past) have tried to make religion more accessible (or attractive).

[The_Finn]

I am pretty sure the origin of the whole no pork rule was that at the time pork carried disease that would kill you so for everyones protection it was outlawed but now that we have proper refrigeration the issue isn't really there anymore. i am however not sure when exactly it went from being bad to being ok i assume it may have been the melding with non christian cultures like the germanic tribes that had never really had an issue with pork.

tf

[jeffy777]

Originally Posted by Firecat

That's interesting. So in your opinion, should Christians follow the Old Testament dietary laws?

Since you asked: Yes. I think they should. The New Testament makes it clear that the sacrificial laws (offering of animals, annual festivals, etc.) were abolished at the crucifixtion of Christ, and there were certain civil laws that God gave specifically to the Hebrew nation (such as the stoning of law breakers, etc) since God Himself was basically their King following the Exodus and prior to the monarchy of the Jewish kings, and these civil laws were only designed to apply to that time period while God Himself was ruling over them.

However, the dietary laws are still just as binding as the 10 Commandments. The stomach of man has not changed since that time, and God knew that pork for instance was unhealthy since a pig was designed to be a scavenger. This has not changed. If you've ever visited a pig pen you'll understand

There are a handful of passages in the New Testament that Christians have attempted to sort of "twist" into saying that we can eat whatever we want to, but I don't buy that. I figure if I'm going to be a Christian, I may as well follow what God says and take it seriously, instead of just wasting my time by picking and choosing what I want to follow, as if the Bible is some type of a salad bar that can be catered to my own tastes.

[Firecat]

Originally Posted by jeffy777

Since you asked: Yes. I think they should. The New Testament makes it clear that the sacrificial laws (offering of animals, annual festivals, etc.) were abolished at the crucifixtion of Christ, and there were certain civil laws that God gave specifically to the Hebrew nation (such as the stoning of law breakers, etc) since God Himself was basically their King following the Exodus and prior to the monarchy of the Jewish kings, and these laws were only designed to apply to that time period while God Himself was ruling over them.

However, the dietary laws are still just as binding as the 10 Commandments. The stomach of man has not changed since that time, and God knew that pork for instance was unhealthy since a pig was designed to be a scavenger. This has not changed. If you've ever visited a pig pen you'll understand

There are a handful of passages in the New Testament that Christians have attempted to sort of "twist" into saying that we can eat whatever we want to, but I don't buy that. I figure if I'm going to be a Christian, I may as well follow what God says and take it seriously, instead of just wasting my time by picking and choosing what I want to follow, as if the Bible is some type of a salad bar that can be catered to my own tastes.

Thanks for your reply, that makes sense. So the "New Covenant" didn't effect the dietary law. What about Kosher food etc? (i.e. food slaughtered in the name of God).

It's interesting, I'm watching a program on Fox news regarding the life of Jesus. Some of those interviewed were saying that the Last Supper was a Passover Seder. I checked up on the net, and there seems to be some debate as to whether that was true....however, it does seem that if it wasn't a Passover feast, they did seem to be preparing for it.

So Jesus was for the most part a practicing Jew up until he was crucified. And he didn't really come to change the law, but fulfill it.

[jeffy777]

Originally Posted by Firecat

So Jesus was for the most part a practicing Jew up until he was crucified. And he didn't really come to change the law, but fulfill it.

Exactly If only more Christians were as perceptive about that as you are. Jesus showed how the law should be kept and He set an example for us to follow. And call me kooky, but I beleive, as the New Testament says, that He actually gives us the power and abilility to follow, if we're willing, which a lot of Christians don't seem to be. This is not to say that I am better or more perfect, or that I don't make mistakes, cause I do since I am a mortal human being. But God is patient/merciful and He knows that this is just a growing process for me.

Anyway, just being honest and open with you guys, so please don't think any less of me for sharing these sorts of things

Originally Posted by Firecat

Thanks for your reply, that makes sense. So the "New Covenant" didn't effect the dietary law. What about Kosher food etc? (i.e. food slaughtered in the name of God).

I'm not really that informed on what exactly "kosher" food is. I just know that if I stay away from the foods that God forbids, then I'm doing what He asks in this area of life.

Originally Posted by Firecat

It's interesting, I'm watching a program on Fox news regarding the life of Jesus. Some of those interviewed were saying that the Last Supper was a Passover Seder. I checked up on the net, and there seems to be some debate as to whether that was true....however, it does seem that if it wasn't a Passover feast, they did seem to be preparing for it.

It seems pretty clear from the Gospels that this was a passover feast.

[Firecat]

What are your thoughts on sectarianism in Christianity? As a Muslim, I take issue with the divisions within Islam (Shia, Sunni etc). It is believed that our Prophet had said that his followers would be divided into 73 sects, and only one will be true (those that follow him). Which is why I don't identify myself as anything other than a Muslim (although I was raised according to Sunni tradition).

[Firecat]

Originally Posted by jeffy777

I'm not really that informed on what exactly "kosher" food is. I just know that if I stay away from the foods that God forbids, then I'm doing what He asks in this area of life.

lol. My knowledge on the subject is very general. I've checked up on it before, and there are TONS of different types of Kosher food (shown by different symbols on packaging). I compare Kosher to Halal (for muslims, although we can eat both), which basically dictates the correct way to slaughter the animal (to minimize its suffering) as well as reciting God's name when you cut.

[jeffy777]

Originally Posted by Firecat

What are your thoughts on sectarianism in Christianity? As a Muslim, I take issue with the divisions within Islam (Shia, Sunni etc). It is believed that our Prophet had said that his followers would be divided into 73 sects, and only one will be true (those that follow him). Which is why I don't identify myself as anything other than a Muslim (although I was raised according to Sunni tradition).

It would be great if all Christians would receive the Bible in it's simplicity, but unfortunately, the majority of that was lost in the dark ages when the Roman chruch because so corrupt that it even went so far as to forbid the reading of the Bible, and millions were slaughtered because they disagreed with the pope on certain points (this was predicted in the Bible). People lost sight of what the Bible really taught and things such as mythology, superstition, and misguided opinions began to be substituted and intermingled. And alas, much of this has found it's way to our present time and many Christians really don't even know what the Bible0 teaches on various subjects.

I really don't like to get caught up in all the various denominationalism. There are a lot of misdirected weirdos out there who are doing a great dis-service to Christianity, while claiming to be a part of it.

In a similar way as you identify yourself as a muslim without adding anything to that, I prefer to think of myself as a Christian, but perhaps I should just call myself a follower of Christ or something else seeing how the title "Christian" has been so distorted by those who have misued it and others who have hammered it like a punching bag.

[jeffy777]

Do muslims eat seafood, like shrimp, shellfish, etc?

[Firecat]

Originally Posted by jeffy777

Do muslims eat seafood, like shrimp, shellfish, etc?

It's something which is debated I believe. I grew up under the impression that certain types of seafood are Makrooh (or undesirable/not recommended). So you can, but it's better not too.

It's something that I should research more (and have been meaning too). I'm going to do some reading and find out....

[Firecat]

Alright, i've been doing some research. I haven't figured everthing out, because there is nothing really explcitly stated regarding seafood. It does seem that fish is okay. Lobster and Crab, I don't think so. I'm still checking on Shrimp, based on the diet of a shrimp though it does raise certain questions.

[mmap]

Originally Posted by Firecat

Alright, i've been doing some research. I haven't figured everthing out, because there is nothing really explcitly stated regarding seafood. It does seem that fish is okay. Lobster and Crab, I don't think so. I'm still checking on Shrimp, based on the diet of a shrimp though it does raise certain questions.

This is one of the problems I have with strict dietary rules set by God. What if you are fed forbidden things when you are a child and your parents believe different things? What if you are in a hospital etc. unable to make / voice your opinions and are fed forbidden things?? You go straight to hell then??

Anyways, like I said I am not an über religious person so my interpretations of the bible etc. will not please many. However I do feel that the most important thing (and the only things that matters) is how you live your life on a day to day basis. Follow the golden rule and so on.

[ioynerien]

Our "Christian" religion is actually a mixture of christian and pagan beliefs (think christmas tree). That might explain why we don't follow the bible as we are supposed to do.

Also the old Testament was written a long, long time ago. Times have changed, people and opinions have changed, we met new cultures, we discovered new continents, and so on. So it isn't weird that some ideas are pretty very much outdated, therefore we simply ignore them. The main ideas behind the religion are however of all times: be good, don't steal, help the weak, ... and so on. Those are important, everything else is just filler that is meant to gain control over the believers.

A lovely site that shows the content of the bible as an interpretation in Lego® can be found here (I linked to the "What not to eat part" , given the current topic). The laws from the Old Testament are nice reading material.

Seafood:

Leviticus 11:9
'These you may eat of all that are in the waters: whatever has fins and scales in the waters, in the seas, and in the rivers, that you may eat.
Leviticus 11:10
All that don't have fins and scales in the seas, and in the rivers, of all that move in the waters, and of all the living creatures that are in the waters, they are an abomination to you,
Leviticus 11:11
and you detest them. You shall not eat of their flesh, and you shall detest their carcasses.
Leviticus 11:12
Whatever has no fins nor scales in the waters, that is an abomination to you.

[Firecat]

Originally Posted by mmap

This is one of the problems I have with strict dietary rules set by God. What if you are fed forbidden things when you are a child and your parents believe different things? What if you are in a hospital etc. unable to make / voice your opinions and are fed forbidden things?? You go straight to hell then??

That's not a problem. It has to do with knowingly eating it. You can't be blamed for what you can't control

[mmap]

Originally Posted by Firecat

That's not a problem. It has to do with knowingly eating it. You can't be blamed for what you can't control

Well I know that, and you seems to know that. But there are a lot of people in this wrld who seem to disagree. For them eating is enough, knowingly or not.

I actually know a good example about this. I am doing a mystery shopping study for a company and one of the questions we are supposed to ask is whether their products have gelatine (not 100% sure thats the english term..) or not. This comes from an actual occurance where a muslim family asked whether a product contained it and they were told it did not. Later they found out it did and they sued the company and would have basically wanted to kill the person responsible for staff training because they had committed a sin by eating it (even though they did not know it at the time)... Huge fight.

And I would like to remind you that I do not live in america and the family did not receive any money as a result, only an official apology. (for those of you who think they sued for hope of getting rich)