Religion+and+dietary+restrictions,+including+veganismvegetarianism

Dietary Restrictions and Religions Catholicism In the Roman Catholic Religion dietary restrictions occur during the season of lent. Lent is the period of fasting leading up to the feast of [|Easter], recalling Jesus' 40-day fast in the wilderness. Catholic Lent begins on Ash Wednesday and ends right before the evening Masses of [|Holy Thursday], although Lenten penance continues through [|Holy Saturday]. Fasting is a form of penance. It is a traditional doctrine of Christian spirituality that a constituent part of repentance, of turning away from sin and back to God, includes some form of penance, without which the Christian is unlikely to remain on the narrow path and be saved (Jer. 18:11, 25:5; Ez. 18:30, 33:11-15; Joel 2:12; Mt. 3:2; Mt. 4:17; Acts 2:38). Catholics quote that Christ Himself said that His disciples would fast once He had departed (Lk. 5:35). The general law of penance, therefore, is seen as part of the law of God for man.

The Roman Catholic church has specified certain forms of penance. Thus, the 1983 Code of Canon Law specifies the obligations of Latin Rite Catholics. The Roman Catholic Church, therefore, has two forms of official penitential practices - three if the Eucharistic fast of one hour before Communion is included. The law of abstinence requires a Catholic 14 years of age until death to abstain from eating meat on Fridays in honor of the Passion of Jesus on Good Friday. Meat is considered to be the flesh and organs of mammals and fowl. Also forbidden are soups or gravies made from them. Salt and freshwater species of fish, amphibians, reptiles and shellfish are permitted, as are animal derived products such as margarine and gelatin which do not have any meat taste.
 * Canon 1250 All Fridays through the year and the time of Lent are penitential days and times throughout the entire Church.
 * Canon 1251 Abstinence from eating meat or another food according to the prescriptions of the conference of bishops is to be observed on Fridays throughout the year unless they are solemnities; abstinence and fast are to be observed on Ash Wednesday and on the Friday of the Passion and Death of Our Lord Jesus Christ.
 * Canon 1252 All persons who have completed their fourteenth year are bound by the law of abstinence; all adults are bound by the law of fast up to the beginning of their sixtieth year. Nevertheless, pastors and parents are to see to it that minors who are not bound by the law of fast and abstinence are educated in an authentic sense of penance.
 * Canon 1253 It is for the conference of bishops to determine more precisely the observance of fast and abstinence and to substitute in whole or in part for fast and abstinence other forms of penance, especially works of charity and exercises of piety.
 * Abstinence **

On the Fridays outside of Lent the U.S. bishops conference obtained the permission of the Holy See for Catholics in the US to substitute a penitential, or even a charitable, practice of their own choosing. They must do some penitential/charitable practice on these Fridays. For most people the easiest practice to consistently fulfill will be the traditional one, to abstain from meat on all Fridays of the year. During Lent abstinence from meat on Fridays is obligatory in the United States as elsewhere.

The law of fasting requires a Catholic from the 18th Birthday (Canon 97) to the 59th Birthday (i.e. the beginning of the 60th year, a year which will be completed on the 60th birthday) to reduce the amount of food eaten from normal. The Church defines this as one meal a day, and two smaller meals which if added together would not exceed the main meal in quantity. Such fasting is obligatory on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. The fast is broken by eating between meals and by drinks which could be considered food (milk shakes, but not milk). Alcoholic beverages do not break the fast; however, they seem to be contrary to the spirit of doing penance.
 * Fasting **

Those who are excused from fast or abstinence Besides those outside the age limits, those of unsound mind, the sick, the frail, pregnant or nursing women according to need for meat or nourishment, manual laborers according to need, guests at a meal who cannot excuse themselves without giving great offense or causing enmity and other situations of moral or physical impossibility to observe the penitential discipline.

Aside from these minimum penitential requirements Catholics are encouraged to impose some personal penance on themselves at other times. It could be modeled after abstinence and fasting. A person could increase the days that they abstain from meat. Some people give up meat entirely for religious motives (as opposed to those who give it up for health or other motives). Some religious orders, as a penance, never eat meat.

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Kashrut is the body of Jewish law dealing with what foods Jews can and cannot eat and how those foods must be prepared and eaten. "Kashrut" comes from the Hebrew [|root] Kaf-Shin-Reish, meaning fit, proper or correct.
 * Judaism **
 * Kosher **

Although the details of kashrut are extensive, the laws all derive from a few fairly simple, straightforward rules:
 * 1) Certain animals may not be eaten at all. This restriction includes the flesh, organs, eggs and milk of the forbidden animals.
 * 2) Of the animals that may be eaten, the birds and mammals must be killed in accordance with Jewish law.
 * 3) All blood must be drained from meat and poultry or broiled out of it before it is eaten.
 * 4) Certain parts of permitted animals may not be eaten.
 * 5) Fruits and vegetables are permitted, but must be inspected for bugs (which cannot be eaten)
 * 6) Meat (the flesh of birds and mammals) cannot be eaten with dairy. Fish, eggs, fruits, vegetables and grains can be eaten with either meat or dairy. (According to some views, fish may not be eaten with meat).
 * 7) Utensils (including pots and pans and other cooking surfaces) that have come into contact with meat may not be used with dairy, and vice versa. Utensils that have come into contact with non-kosher food may not be used with kosher food. This applies only where the contact occurred while the food was hot.
 * 8) Grape products made by non-Jews may not be eaten.
 * 9) There are a few other rules that are not universal

[[image:http://www.wineinyourdiet.com/My_own_popular_diet_articles/kosher_food_encyclopedia_in_popular_diets.jpg caption="Kosher food encyclopedia in popular diets"]]
Of the "beasts of the earth" (which basically refers to land mammals with the exception of swarming rodents), you may eat any animal that has cloven hooves and chews its cud. Lev. 11:3; Deut. 14:6. Any land mammal that does not have both of these qualities is forbidden. The [|Torah] specifies that the camel, the rock badger, the hare and the pig are not kosher because each lacks one of these two qualifications. Cattle, sheep, goats, deer and bison are kosher. Of the things that are in the waters, you may eat anything that has fins and scales. Lev. 11:9; Deut. 14:9. Thus, shellfish such as lobsters, oysters, shrimp, clams and crabs are all forbidden. Fish like tuna, carp, salmon and herring are all permitted.

The mammals and birds that may be eaten must be slaughtered in accordance with Jewish law. (Deut. 12:21). We may not eat animals that died of natural causes (Deut. 14:21) or that were killed by other animals. In addition, the animal must have no disease or flaws in the organs at the time of slaughter. These restrictions do not apply to fish; only to the flocks and herds (Num. 11:22). Ritual slaughter is known as shechitah, and the person who performs the slaughter is called a shochet, both from the Hebrew [|root] Shin-Cheit-Teit. The method of slaughter is a quick, deep stroke across the throat with a perfectly sharp blade with no nicks or unevenness. This method is painless, causes unconsciousness within two seconds, and is widely recognized as the most humane method of slaughter possible. Another advantage of shechitah is that it ensures rapid, complete draining of the blood, which is also necessary to render the meat kosher.

The [|Torah] prohibits consumption of blood. Lev. 7:26-27; Lev. 17:10-14. This is the only dietary law that has a reason specified in Torah: we do not eat blood because the life of the animal (literally, the soul of the animal) is contained in the blood. This applies only to the blood of birds and mammals, not to fish blood. Thus, it is necessary to remove all blood from the flesh of kosher animals. The first step in this process occurs at the time of slaughter. As discussed above, shechitah allows for rapid draining of most of the blood. The remaining blood must be removed, either by broiling or soaking and salting. Liver may only be kashered by the broiling method, because it has so much blood in it and such complex blood vessels. This final process must be completed within 72 hours after slaughter, and before the meat is frozen or ground. Most butchers and all frozen food vendors take care of the soaking and salting for you, but you should always check this when you are buying someplace you are unfamiliar with.

The [|sciatic nerve]The sciatic nerve and its adjoining blood vessels may not be eaten. The process of removing this nerve is time consuming and not cost-effective, so most American kosher slaughterers simply sell the hind quarters to non-kosher butchers.

A certain kind of fat, known as chelev, which surrounds the vital organs and the liver, may not be eaten. Kosher butchers remove this. Modern scientists have found biochemical differences between this type of fat and the permissible fat around the muscles and under the skin.

All fruits and vegetables are kosher (but see the note regarding [|Grape Products] below). However, bugs and worms that may be found in some fruits and vegetables are not kosher. One must wait a significant amount of time between eating meat and dairy.

The restrictions on grape products derive from the laws against using products of idolatry. Wine was commonly used in the rituals of all ancient religions, and wine was routinely sanctified for pagan purposes while it was being processed. For this reason, use of wines and other grape products made by non-Jews was prohibited. (Whole grapes are not a problem, nor are whole grapes in fruit cocktail). For the most part, this rule only affects wine and grape juice. This becomes a concern with many fruit drinks or fruit-flavored drinks, which are often sweetened with grape juice.

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Islam Muslim's dietary practice is fundamentally about obeying God. In Islam, certain foods are forbidden to eat and there are rules for the proper method of slaughtering an animal for consumption according to writings in the Qur'an. The word **halal** is used for food permissible to eat according to Islamic law, however if there is no other food available, then non-halal food can be eaten (Quran 2:173). Halal actually means "lawful" or "legal". **Harām** means unlawful. The proper way to slaughter an animal so it can be halal is using a swift, deep cut with a sharp knife on the neck, cutting the jugular veins and carotid arteries and leaving the spinal cord intact. This causes the blood from the animal to gush out leaving negligible amounts of blood remaining in the body, which is necessary because blood and bodily fluids are forbidden to eat. Less blood is also thought to mean less germs. The name of God must be mentioned during the slaughter and the person slaughtering must be Muslim. However, some **fatwas** (religious opinions concerning Islamic law issued by Islamic scholars) dispute this, ruling that, according to verse 5:5 of the Qur'an, an animal properly slaughtered by People of the Book is halal. This means that some Muslims eat meat that is kosher.

Forbidden foods: •Pork and all pork products •Carnivorous animals •Birds of prey •Any human substance or part •Meat from a halal animal that died before slaughter •Meat that is not slaughtered in the prescribed Islamic way •Any food or drink with alcohol in it •Gelatin from an animal sources, lard, rennet (natural enzymes produced in stomach of mamals to digest the mother's milk, used in cheese production), whey (by-product of cheese making), and vanilla extract (some have 50% alcohol content) •Some sects abstain from sea animals which do not have fins or scales

Intoxicants and "games of chance" were called "abominations of Satan's handiwork," intended to turn people away from God and forget about prayer, and Muslims were ordered to abstain (Q 5:90-91). In addition to this, most observant Muslims refrain from consuming food products that contain pure vanilla extract or soy sauce if these food products contain alcohol.

Source: Waines, David. "Food." __The Encyclopedia of the Qur'ān__. 2nd vol. Leiden: Brill Publishers, 2002. 216-223.

Hinduism Food in Hinduism is of central importance, it is incorporated into rituals, myths, regulates society and social behavior, and exemplifies complex Hindu philosophy.

There are three categories that food is separated into: •**Sāttvic** foods include milk, yogurt, vegetables, ghee butter (clarified butter), pulses (legumes), and some sweet products. These foods are thought to bring out a pure state of mind and nature essential to the devotion of God. •**Tāmasic** foods include onions, garlic, meat, and fish. These foods are thought to lead to a dark state of mind, spiritual ignorance and physical lethargy. •**Rājasic** foods are those that are excessively spicy, alcohol, and drugs that lead to altered consciousness These are considered to lead to an overexcited state of mind and misery. They might prohibit the development of a spiritual relationship with God.

Consequently, vegetarianism is widespread for Hindus. It is also based on the idea of reincarnation and respect for all living things. Not all Hindus are vegetarian however, especially with the diaspora (Hindus that have moved outside of Asia, including Australia, the U.K., the U.S.A., and Canada).

•Beef is always abstained from. The cow in Hindu society is regarded as a caretaker and a maternal figure, and Hindu society honors the cow as a symbol of unselfish giving. The reverence for the cow makes killing cows legally banned in most states of India.

Food is also made in elaborate offerings so that the food becomes sacred and after the devotee consumes it, it is said to satisfy physical hunger and spiritual hunger.

The **caste** system (social class divisions in India) is also reinforced in the preparation and consumption of food. A person from the highest caste, ritually and spiritually pure cannot eat food that was prepared by a person from the lowest caste, because they are thought to ritually and spiritually impure. All castes can accept foods prepared by a person from the highest class, a brāhmana. However, this practice has also been eroded away because of the diaspora. During certain festivals and pilgrimages, food becomes an important vehicle for devotion.

Source: Wood, Martin "Food." __Encyclopedia of Hinduism__. London: Routledge Press, 2008. 248-250.

Vegetarianism A vegetarian diet is based on eating fruits, vegetables, cereal, grains, nuts, seeds, mushrooms and usually includes dairy or eggs. Vegetarians do not eat meat, including red meat, game, poultry, fish, crustacea, and shellfish. Lacto-Ovo vegetarians eat dairy, eggs, and plants excluding meat, poultry, and fish. However, there are Ovo-Vegetarians who do not eat dairy and Lacto-Vegetarians that eat dairy but not eggs.

Choosing a vegetarian diet can include religious, ethical, health, and, ecological reasons:

Religions that (for the most part) observe a vegetarian diet are Hindism and Buddhism. While it is not mandated in these religions, I was able to find a Christian Vegetarian Association, a Jewish Vegetarian group, and even a Muslim Vegetarian Group.
 * Religious**

Animal right’s activists claim the conditions of the food industry and slaughterhouses as cruelty to animals. The website PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) claims 16 billion animals are killed every year for food in the U.S. and that they are neglected, mutilated, genetically manipulated, put on drugs that cause pain and crippling, transported in weather extremes, and killed in gruesome ways. They claim that even “free range” animals are “often mutilated without the benefit of painkillers, kept in diseased sheds, and killed in the same ways as animals from factory farms”. People that want to support the rights of animals choose to be vegetarian or vegan as a boycott to the industries that are cruel to animals.
 * Animal Rights**

media type="youtube" key="1Zz-Ubsn-2U?fs=1" height="385" width="480" Video from PETA stating reasons to be a vegetarian.

Source: PETA-Animals for food

Some believe that giving up meat and dairy products is the best way to ensure good health. Fruits, vegetables, grains, and nuts are thought to provide all the nutrients needed without saturated fats, cholesterol, and contaminants found in meat, eggs, and dairy products. Plant-based diets are thought to help against heart disease, diabetes, obesity, strokes, and several types of cancer.The U.S. National Cancer Institute wrote a report published in the Public Library of Science journal (PLoS Medicine) that people who eat a lot of red and processed meats have a higher risk of several types of cancer, including lung cancer and colorectal cancer. Some claim that vegetarians tend to have stronger immune systems and, on average, live 10 years longer than meat-eaters do. This is supported by several associations, one is the American Dietetic Association, the largest organization of food and nutrition professionals. It states: “It is the position of the American Dietetic Association and Dietitians of Canada that appropriately planned vegetarian diets are healthful, nutritionally adequate and provide health benefits in the prevention and reatment of certain diseases.
 * Health Benefits**

Sources: [|Meat Consumption and Cancer] Meat Consumption [|American Dietetic Association] ADA Report

Factory farms pollute the air and water for many miles, often spreading contamination in the from of ammonia, nitrogen, and phosphorus that are produced from cow waste. These cause pollution and illness to the people who live and work nearby. Also, less land is needed to cultivate to feed vegetarians because omnivores, like cows, that we eat must themselves be fed by more vegetation grow. But most of the nutritional value of this vegetation is used by the animals for their own bodies' maintenance. So people who only eat plants, instead of feeding the plants to animals, can feed many more people.Overfishing is also a dramatic problem worldwide due to over consumption of fish. Some estimate that as much as 20 percent of greenhouse gas emissions are from our cow farms. Cattle Farming is also the most important factor in the deforestation of the Amazon, as space is cleared for pastures and the cultivation of soy for animal feed.
 * Ecological Reasons**

John Harris, "Killing for Food". __Animals, Men and Morals__//,// ed. Godlovitch and Harris. New York: Taplinger Publishing, 1972.

 Veganism is a strict form of vegetarianism. A vegan is one who does not consume any animal products including all dairy products and eggs. Many vegans do not believe in using leather, wool, honey, or any products which contain slaughterhouse ingredients. In addition most vegans prefer to use shampoos, cosmetics, and cleaners that have not been animal tested. The term was coined in 1944
 * Veganism**

Fasting

** Yom Kippour ** is a the only Biblical fast day on which Jews pray for forgiveness for all their sins. No eating, drinking, bathing, annointing or marital relations are allowed. Wearing leather shoes is also prohibited.
 * Judaism**

Fasting is considered an opportunity to earn the approval of Allah, to wipe out previous sins, and to understand the suffering of the poor. Fasting means abstaining from food, or with ritual fasting, abstaining from food and sexual activity. There are three types of fasting: ritual fasting, fasting as compensating or repentance, and fasting to practice self-discipline.
 * Islam **

__Ritual Fasting__ Fasting during Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, is for repentance, and self-discipline and is mandated by Islam, which means Muslims must not eat, drink, or have sex from dawn to dusk during the month. Ramadan commemorates the period when the Qur'ān was first revealed to Prophet Muhammad. It is the fourth ritual observance in the Five Pillars of Islam. The fast during the day is considered a denial of pleasure and one can be more focused on their spiritual life. They are also expected to put more effort into following the teachings of Islam by refraining from violence, anger, envy, greed, lust, profane language, and gossip. Fasting during Ramadan is obligatory, but is forbidden for several groups for whom it would be very dangerous and problematic. These include pre-pubescent children, those with a medical condition such as diabetes, elderly people, and pregnant or breastfeeding women. Observing fasts is not permitted for menstruating women, but once menstruation ceases, they must fast for what they missed. Other individuals for whom it is considered acceptable not to fast are those who are ill or traveling.

__For Compensation and Repentance__ When one is unable to observe pilgrimage rituals, fasting, charity, or sacrifice, it is prescribed that they should fast. For an insufficient fulfillment of a pilgrimage a fast of ten days is prescribed. For involuntary manslaughter one must free a slave or fast for two consecutive months is demanded. Fasts are also commanded for a breach of oaths and promises, divorce, also for breaking trusts and contracts.

__Ascetic Fasting (Self discipline)__ Found in Q 33:35, “God has prepared forgiveness for men who fast and women who fast”. This supports fasting as pleasing to God.

Other times for fasting include: •6 days during the month of Shawwal (the month after Ramadan) •The 10th day of Muharram (the first month in the Islamic calendar) •The 9th day of Zul Hijjah (the month of Hajj - pilgrimage). Voluntary fasting is also common on Mondays and Thursdays (it is undesirable to fast on certain days of the months and on Fridays).

Source: Wagtendonk, Kees. "Fasting." __The Encyclopedia of the Qur'ān__. 2nd vol. Leiden: Brill Publishers, 2002. 180-184.

Fasting is done to prepare for a ritual initiation, to help cleanse and that is meant to purify the body, for a widow, and for those who want to display their asceticism (self discipline). It is practiced in almost every arena of Hindu practice. Fasting can be abstaining from food altogether as well as abstaining from specific foods. Ancient scriptures depict fasting as a mark of virtue and as a means of achieving success.
 * Hinduism **

In the Hindu calendar, each day ends with "-var", which means "fast". Literally, that means that everyday is a reminder of a deity to be honored by fasting. The Hindu calendar also prescribes specific fasts based on the lunar cycle, even the increase or decrease of portions of rice to be consumed according to the moon's cycle. Fasting is seen as a device for meditation and a way to exercise self-discipline.

Gandhi is famous for fasting for idealized purpose and others fast to persuade a deity to grant a wish, like the healing of a love one, success in a commercial venture, passing of exams, and conceiving children. Hindu fasting is not about the separation of mind and body that by giving up physical comfort, one gains mental and spiritual strength. It is more related to "the self" embracing duty and responsibility, the mind and body as one.

Source: Robinson, Sandra "Fasting." __Encyclopedia of Hinduism__. London: Routledge Press, 2008. 241-242.