The Business & Biology of Raising Earthworms
Why is it that if you are a Muslim, you are not allowed to eat pork?
I understand that Allah commands it in the Quoran…but what is the reasoning?
I have heard that it is because Islamic people believe it to be a "dirty" farm animal?
Ok, pigs often like to roll around in mud…but I don’t understand how this makes them "dirty"? The reason why pigs roll around in mud is because they do not have functional sweat glands like humans and so this is a method of cooling themselves down in hot weather. Also, pigs are quite intelligent animals and they have learnt to utilize the mud as a form a sunscreen. And also, it is ONLY mud…earth, soil…ok, I accept that bacteria and many other microorganisms exist in our soils…but it’s natural, right? At a microscopic level, there are microorganisms everywhere. At the end of the day, it is just a behavioral adaptation.
Also, some might argue that the ways in which domestic pigs are raised are questionable…but I understand that pigs, chickens etc all experience similar"intensive farming" techniques. As bad as it is, it does happen to many farm animals. So surely that is not a valid reason.
Others may argue that pork is a fatty meat, moreso than others. But I’m pretty sure this is not true either. Most nutritional information will tell you that pork has a similar fat content to chicken. And most cuts of beef have a higher fat content than pork. So, I can’t imagine this could be the reason either, because if it was the case, then Muslims would then not be allowed to eat beef or chicken for the matter.
Being omnivores, I understand that pigs eat animal meat. In the wild, this normally involves eating worms or insects. Someone once told me this was why Muslims chose not to eat pork. But the fact is chickens are omnivores as well and also eat worms and insects.
In captivity, pigs do sometimes become cannibalistic. HOWEVER, this will only happen if they are under a lot of stress and the same does happen with chickens. They too are known to show very similar characteristics in time of stress. Again, this makes me think, why then do Muslims eat chicken? Why is there this discrepancy??
I’ve also heard that it is because pigs dwell in their own excrement…but again, so do chickens!
With regards to the cleanliness of the animal, pigs carry far fewer pathogenic diseases than chicken…why does this not deter Muslims from eating chicken? Chicken meat contains many more harmful microorganisms than pork…which is why undercooked chicken is so much more dangerous than undercooked pork.
I’ve tried to explore a few points here, but I can not yet find a convincing reason why Muslim people do not eat pork.
I would love to hear your thoughts and I am very much welcoming people from the Islamic faith to answer.
Thank you.
@ Platinum_G, But do you actually think that the pork on offer at your local butchers or supermarket comes from pigs who have been rummaging around in your garbage? I can’t imagine that is true.
@ Ex: I would have to disagree with your comparisons. My questions is primarily focused on the discrepancy in this Islamic tradition. Today, chicken poses just as many health issues as pork…so I ask "Why eat chicken then?" That’s what I’m getting at…
@ Human Well Wisher: If allah banned all things that were harmful to man…Why do you find that so many Islamic people, refuse to drink alchol yet are very keen smokers?? Why is there this double standard?
Also, you find that many Islamic people do shisha. People can lie and say it’s not harmful, but the fact is participating in shisha can lead to you developing TB.
I want to know, Why are there these double standards??
@ Human Well Wisher: Your religion claims that pork is unhealthy…but why is it that Oriental people, especially Japanese people have very long life expectancies (some of the highest in the world)…yet for the vast majority, pork is an integral part of their diet?? Surely, there’s the evidence..
@confusedperson: gosh! you really are confused!! I don’t think you could find one doctor that could clinically recommend that I do not eat pork!! That is absurd. Clearly the doctors you speak of have merged religion with medicine…in today’s world, that is crazy
@ Hoekom Jy My Haat: I was unaware of this! I have just read some articles on this issue and yes this is an absurd double standard!!
Thank you very much for bringing this to my attention.
