Why is Pork Considered an Unclean Meat? Examining the History and Religious Views

Pork is one of the most commonly consumed meats worldwide. However, various religions and cultures view pork consumption as taboo and forbid eating pork completely. Why has pork garnered a controversial status as an “unclean” meat throughout history?

Background on Religious Pork Prohibitions

Several major religions prohibit pork consumption, including Judaism Islam and certain denominations of Christianity. While the exact religious reasons vary, a common theme is that pigs are perceived as unclean animals unfit for human consumption.

Judaism – Jewish dietary laws as prescribed in the Torah forbid the consumption of pork. Pigs are considered unclean as they do not chew their cud and they have cloven hooves.

Islam – The Quran prohibits consumption of pork as pigs are viewed as filthy animals. This stems from the view that pigs eat feces and are disease carriers.

Christianity – Historical prohibitions against pork stem from Jewish influences. Certain orthodox sects still ban pork while other denominations allow it.

Hinduism – While not banned outright, pork is generally avoided by devout Hindus as pigs are considered scavengers with unclean eating habits.

Buddhism – Most Buddhists avoid pork as they follow Hindu principles of ahimsa (non-violence) and do not wish to slaughter intelligent pigs.

Historical Perceptions of Pigs as Unhygienic

Pigs have been perceived as unclean by multiple cultures due to the reputation pigs have as scavengers with questionable eating habits. Here are some reasons pigs have been looked down upon throughout history:

• Pigs will eat anything – Pigs are omnivorous scavengers that will eat rotting food scraps and even excrement Their undiscriminating diets caused them to be seen as disease carriers

• Appearance of pigs – With hair rather than wool or feathers, pigs were seen as ugly and slovenly creatures. Their tendency to roll in mud contributed to an unhygienic image.

• Pigs spread illness – Diseases like trichinosis from undercooked pork fueled perceptions of pork as dangerous and unclean meat.

• Pigs carry parasites – Parasites like tapeworm were associated with pigs, making pork seem unsafe to consume raw or undercooked.

• Pigs compete for grains – Pigs were reputed to trample fields and outcompete humans for grains, giving them a negative image.

• Stigma survives today – Even modern, farm-raised pigs fed controlled diets still battle ancient stigmas given their genetic connection and ancestry to wild, scavenging swine.

Religious Argument Against Eating Pork

The Abrahamic religions of Judaism, Christianity and Islam share a common prohibition against pork rooted in scripture:

• The Torah in Leviticus 11 declares pigs unclean as they do not chew their cud or have cloven hooves.

• The Bible in Deuteronomy 14 echoes Leviticus that pork is forbidden as pigs are unclean.

• The Quran in Surah 5:3 forbids pork as haram or forbidden to Muslims. It states pigs are filthy beasts.

Orthodox Jews and Muslims strictly avoid pork in observance of religious dietary law. For Christians, views are mixed based on specific denominations and interpretations of scripture.

Those prohibiting pork view religious adherence and obedience to divine scripture as more important than any perceived health benefit from pork. They believe God expressly forbade pork, so humans must not consume it.

Arguments for Why Pork is Safe Today

Despite long-standing stigma and scriptural bans, several arguments suggest pork can be safely consumed today:

• Modern farming practices – Pigs raised in controlled environments on balanced diets do not ingest waste or carry diseases.

• No risk if cooked properly – Parasites and bacteria in pork are neutralized when meat is thoroughly cooked. Pork today can be safely consumed.

• Necessary food source – In cultures where livestock options are limited, pigs supply needed dietary protein. Some groups permit pork out of necessity.

• Part of a balanced diet – In moderation, pork can be part of a varied diet without health risks. Discriminating consumers can avoid overconsumption.

• Religion evolves – Reform Jews and some moderate Christians do not follow all prohibitions literally, allowing pork in modern contexts.

While health and necessity arguments make sense to some, to others, religious precedent and obeying scripture outweigh any benefits. The purity laws in their faiths transcend scientific reasoning.

Why Stigma Around Pork Persists

Though today’s pork is safer and pigs better regulated as livestock, the negative assumptions persist through inertia:

• Ancient religious texts solidified pork as taboo over millennia, so prohibitions are deeply ingrained.

• Generational customs codify these taboos into cultural identity, making change difficult.

• Converting lifelong avoiders to eat previously shunned pork requires rethinking entrenched mindsets.

• Even secular people display an “ick factor” towards pigs due to embedded cultural biases.

• Pigs still evoke images of their unpleasant ancestors even if modern pigs are cleaner.

Given thousands of years of prohibitions and stigma, the reputation of pigs is challenging to rehabilitate. For some, pigs may never fully overcome their stereotyped image as foul beasts unfit to eat.

So while the realities of hygienic pork production have changed dramatically, overcoming the emotional legacies of history remains an uphill battle. For many faiths and cultures, the pig forever remains an affront to their culinary sensibilities.