Why are dietary constraints so common in religion?

Question

I can't think of something more benign than the subject of what types of foods a person consumes. Why is it that most religions have constraints on what you are allowed to eat? I can understand not being allowed to eat meat as a point of ethical conflict in a religion that values all living creatures (animals) equally, and I can understand Hindu pracitioners eschewing beef out of respect for Brahman, but shellfish? Pork?

I am aware that in Biblical times, many Jews died from trichinosis from eating spoiled pork and seafood. I do not understand why that tradition survived. The Bible also says not to eat these things--and that the punishment for breaking this rule should be death. Why do some Jews continue this practice, while Christians do not? Why is this type of thing such a common theme in religions?

Answer 1

80% of all cancers are linked to pork fat.

Shellfish - specially lobster and shrimp - eat off the floor of the oceans. The shrimps at the Mississippi mouth at the sea, are well know for 'diminishing' pollution by eating all of it and filtering clean water through themselves...and then you eat them. Tasty, eh?

Lobster protein is so potent that if consumed dead - that means NOT LIVE BOILED - it could kill you in seconds. A muscle that is not perfectly fresh, to  person that has no gall bladder can kill him/her in minutes.

Shell fish anyone?

Answer 2

now, i can't speak for everyone, and i can't even speak for all of Hinduism.

i think part of it has to do with the basic cultures of the early practitioners of said religions. Hindus had cows and depended on them for milk to the point that they list the cow as one of the 7 mothers. in Hinduism, reincarnation is such a big deal that you never know what you might come back as in your next life. therefore everything has a soul, so you must respect all other living beings by not eating the ones with intelligence and not wasting the lower lifeforms that are acceptable as foodstuff. according to Hindu law, you will gain negative karma by doing so.

also, the idea of offering food to deities, or saying grace, etc is a big deal because you are taking a moment out before you eat to thank God for providing the food and good fortunes for you. you are not offering the actual food to God - you are offering the devotion to Him.

i think that throughout the ages we held on to these things because food is so important to our well being. not just as sustenance, but if we eat the wrong thing or prepare/store it incorrectly, we can get very ill or die - which could be interpreted as God punishing us.

really though,who knows. it all comes down to customs and history. some people really like having that structure in their lives - i am Hindu and i definitely like the structure - and the food is another aspect of it.

Answer 3

Dietary constraints are an act of devotion.  You are devoting thought to the religion and doing things their way.  Their group has always done things that way, so you should too.  Ethnic identity is linked with the types of food that you eat, too.  Some Christians eat the same one or two dishes when they have a family day.

Answer 4

I timothy 4:3.     Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.

4:4.     For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving:

4:5.     For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.