Exploring Religious Avoidance of Pork and Christmas Festivities

For most Christian denominations feasting on ham and gathering to celebrate Christmas are beloved traditions. However some faith groups abstain from pork consumption and shun Christmas festivities due to theological beliefs or desire to strictly follow biblical teachings. Let’s examine the key religions that avoid pork and Christmas celebrations.

Why Do Some Faiths Shun Pork?

The avoidance of pork among certain religions stems from verses in religious scriptures that classify pigs as unclean animals unfit for eating.

Judaism

Jewish kosher dietary laws outlined in the Torah explicitly forbid pork consumption. As cud-chewing animals with cloven hooves, cows and sheep are kosher, but pigs with split hooves that don’t chew cud are deemed treif (non-kosher). Most observant Jews still avoid pork today.

Islam

Islam adopted the Jewish pork prohibition, with the Quran specifically restricting pork as haram (forbidden) Pigs are seen as physically and spiritually impure scavengers Devout Muslims abstain from pork to show obedience to Islamic teachings.

Seventh-Day Adventists

Seventh-Day Adventists abstain from pork based on observing Old Testament kosher laws. They believe avoiding biblically unclean foods promotes health and spiritual growth. Many adhere to vegetarian or vegan diets.

Hebrew Roots Movement

This loose association of churches avoids pork to strictly follow the 613 mitzvot commandments in the Torah They hold that Christians should still observe kosher Mosaic laws,

Rastafari

While not a dogmatic religion, Rastafari shuns pork consumption based on Old Testament restrictions and health considerations. Most follow an ital vegetarian or vegan diet.

Why Do Some Faiths Not Celebrate Christmas?

Aside from pork avoidance, some of the same religions also refrain from Christmas festivities. Let’s look at their theological rationale.

Judaism

Christmas celebrates the birth of Jesus, whom Jews do not recognize as their messiah or savior. Thus, Christmas has no religious significance in Judaism. Most Jewish people celebrate Hanukkah instead during this season.

Islam

Muslims view Jesus as an esteemed prophet but not the son of God or divine savior. So the Christmas narrative of Jesus as incarnate deity born to a virgin conflicts with Islamic teachings. Christmas has no spiritual relevance in Islam.

Jehovah’s Witnesses

This church teaches that birthday celebrations are part of pagan worship. Christmas is seen as an unbiblical tradition with roots in Roman and European winter solstice festivals. They believe Jesus was not born on December 25.

Seventh-Day Adventists

Early Adventists condemned Christmas as a pagan-derived holiday. Today, many Adventists are more accepting of holiday traditions but still avoid overt Christmas celebrations for theological reasons.

Worldwide Church of God

This church once banned Christmas observance but now allows low-key celebrations. They still avoid lavish festivities and commercialism they associate with pagan traditions.

Hebrew Roots Movement

Seeing the Bible as their sole authority, Hebrew Roots followers avoid Christmas for perceived pagan origins. They say Jesus’ birth should only be celebrated during the Feast of Tabernacles, not “Christmas”.

Armstrongism Churches

This denominational family descending from Herbert W. Armstrong’s teachings shuns Christmas. They consider it a papal mass wrongly instituted by the Roman Catholic Church.

How Do These Groups Mark the Holiday Season?

Faiths that eschew Christmas commemorate the winter season in other ways:

• Jewish people celebrate Hanukkah, the 8-day “Festival of Lights” in December.

• Jehovah’s Witnesses observe the anniversary of Jesus’ death, not his birth, in spring.

• Some Adventists exchange gifts at Thanksgiving instead of Christmas.

• Armstrongism churches may celebrate the Old Testament Feast of Tabernacles in autumn.

• Worldwide Church of God focuses on the coming Kingdom of God rather than Jesus’ birth.

So while most of Christianity revels in Christmas, some denominations adhere to their convictions by commemorating other aspects of their faith during this season.

Balancing Convictions With Compassion

For groups who avoid pork and Christmas, these abstentions are deeply rooted in their understanding of scripture and desire for obedience. However, this can create tension with family or friends who celebrate more traditionally.

Navigating these boundaries requires discernment and grace. Those abstaining should avoid judgment towards others. And family members should respect each other’s differences.

With open and loving communication, people of diverse beliefs can still foster connection during the holiday season. The spirit of the season calls us to extend understanding across our divides.