what religion doesnt eat beef or pork

What Religion Doesn’t Eat Beef or Pork? A Look at Religious Dietary Restrictions

Eating pork and beef is prohibited in certain religions. The most well-known are Judaism and Islam which have very strict dietary laws forbidding consumption of these meats. However there are also other faiths that place restrictions on eating pork and/or beef. In this article, we’ll take a comprehensive look at what religions don’t eat these common meats and the reasons behind these dietary practices.

Judaism – No Pork

In Judaism, pork consumption is expressly prohibited according to Jewish dietary laws known as kashrut. This prohibition stems from directives in the Torah, the foundational Jewish text, which identifies the pig as an unclean animal. Specifically, Leviticus 11:7-8 and Deuteronomy 14:8 state that pigs, because they do not chew their cud, are impure and should not be eaten.

This kashrut restriction applies to all parts of the pig, including fat, blood, and flesh. Even dishes, utensils, and surfaces touched by pork are considered contaminated. Interestingly though, beef and other kosher meat like lamb, goat, and poultry can be consumed according to kashrut.

The Torah does not give a specific rationale for prohibiting pork. However, Jewish scholars have theorized it may be due to the pig’s omnivorous diet, questionable hygiene habits, or association with pagan rituals. Nevertheless, avoiding pork products has become an integral part of Jewish identity and obedience to religious law.

Islam – No Pork or Beef

In Islam, consumption of pork and beef slaughtered in a non-halal manner is forbidden. This is directly stated in the Quran, the central Islamic scripture. Verse 2:173 clearly prohibits dead animals, blood, swine flesh, and anything not slaughtered in Allah’s name.

Based on this Quranic injunction, Muslims cannot eat pork in any form. All parts of the pig are considered haram (forbidden). As for beef, it must be slaughtered according to Islamic guidelines in order to be considered halal (permissible). This involves invoking Allah’s name at the time of slaughter and severing the animal’s windpipe, carotid artery, and jugular vein in one swipe. Beef slaughtered in any other way is prohibited.

As with Judaism, clear reasons for these prohibitions are not given in the Quran. But Islamic scholars theorize it has to do with avoiding physical and spiritual impurity associated with improper slaughter or unclean animals like pigs.

Seventh-day Adventism – No Pork

Unlike other Christian denominations, Seventh-day Adventists avoid eating pork as part of their health code outlined by prophet Ellen G. White. Adventists abstain from pork due to the perception of pigs as scavengers of meat and waste.

White declared swine flesh to be unsuitable for food due to the animal’s fat and habits. She cited instances of pork causing disease and affirmed that God sanctioned the Israelites to avoid swine flesh, so Seventh-day Adventists follow the same principle.

However, White did not prohibit beef or other meats. In fact, Adventists are ovolactovegetarians, meaning they eat eggs, dairy, and occasionally fish, but abstain from pork and other meats. So while Adventists do not eat pork, they have no dietary restrictions on beef slaughtered in the standard manner.

Rastafarianism – No Pork

Rastafarians follow a strict ital diet that mimics Jewish kosher laws. Ital forbids consumption of pork and shellfish, among other restrictions. Like Jews and Muslims, Rastafarians consider pigs to be scavengers and therefore unfit for human consumption.

Interestingly though, Rastafarians typically do not prohibit beef or other meats. The vital aspect is that the meat must be prepared in a natural, chemical-free manner. Most Rastafarians are vegetarian or vegan, but those who do eat meat can consume beef and poultry prepared according to ital specifications.

Hinduism – No Beef

Unlike the Abrahamic faiths, Hinduism does not expressly forbid pork in its scriptures. However, many devout Hindus abstain from eating beef. This stems from the veneration of cows as sacred, motherly figures representing life and sustenance.

Various Hindu texts highlight the importance of cows in society and agriculture. The slaughter of cows, oxen, and calves is equated to killing one’s mother. This gives rise to the taboo against beef consumption. However, eating pork and other meats is not explicitly prohibited.

So Hindus may avoid beef to respect the sanctity of the cow. But pork, lamb, poultry, and other meats that are jhatka (quickly killed) may be permitted, while beef is strictly forbidden.

Buddhism – No Beef

In Buddhism, diet is shaped by the first precept of non-violence and compassion for living beings. As such, many Buddhists practice vegetarianism or veganism. However, some may consume meat occasionally.

For Buddhists who do eat meat, beef is often avoided. As with Hindus, cows hold a sacred place in Buddhism. Buddha’s teachings emphasized compassion for all life, including cattle. Killing cows violates the first precept, so Buddhists abstain from beef.

That said, there is no doctrinal prohibition on pork in Buddhism. Some Buddhist monks avoid it for health reasons, while others consume it in moderation. But beef is strictly avoided by most Buddhists due to the principle of ahimsa (non-violence) and respect for cows.

Jainism – No Beef

In Jainism, a religion originating in India alongside Hinduism and Buddhism, the most strict adherents avoid harming any living being through diet. As such, they are completely vegetarian, even avoiding root vegetables.

However, those Jains who do consume some meat restrict beef. Cows are considered sacred in Jainism as they are in Hinduism and Buddhism. Harming or slaughtering cows violates vital Jainist vows of non-violence.

While stricter Jains avoid all meat, pork may be permitted for those who consume select animal products. But beef is universally prohibited due to the principle of ahimsa paramo dharma – non-violence is the highest duty.

African Traditional Religions – No Pork or Beef

Indigenous African religions often prohibit consumption of both pork and beef. This relates to cultural traditions and spiritual beliefs around these animals. Pigs are seen as dirty, prone to disease, and bringing bad luck. Cows are respected for their strength, provision, and even mystical powers.

As such, pigs and cattle play important roles in rituals, sacrifices, and offerings. Eating their meat is taboo in many communities. Beyond this, some tribes like the Maasai avoid all meat except blood drained from cattle.

So while diet varies across thousands of ethnic religions in Africa, many feature restrictions on pork and beef relative to the cultural values attached to these animals.

Reasons for Avoiding Pork and Beef

In examining these faiths that prohibit pork and/or beef, some shared reasons emerge:

• Perception of pigs as foul, unhygienic scavengers
• Pigs carry disease risk (trichinosis, etc.)
• Cows provide sustenance and labor
• Cows represent life, fertility, and motherhood
• Eating prohibited animals seen as spiritually or ethically wrong
• Violates principles like ahimsa (non-violence)
• Associated with pagan traditions or improper slaughter
• Reinforces group identity and obedience to religious law

The takeaway is that for some faiths, avoiding or restricting consumption of pork and beef has important cultural, ethical, spiritual, and practical implications. These dietary restrictions are deeply interwoven with belief systems, values, and conceptions about human-animal relations. Respecting these prohibitions is instrumental to religious obedience and practice.

Conclusion

These dietary constraints may seem mystifying or inconvenient to outsiders, but they hold profound significance for faithful practitioners. By understanding what religions restrict pork and beef and why, we can better appreciate the diversity of belief systems and value of religious freedom, even regarding something as mundane as diet. If nothing else, these examples showcase how deeply food and faith can intertwine in the vast tapestry of human culture.