Religion Change Dietary System
The connection between food and religion is very attractive. From the benign faith controlling human dietary system, this control turns into spiritual rules and religious identity. Almost all religions set ground rules that shape the food system and what should be allowed to eat and things that are not pure to eat have sanction on it. like Islam strongly follow HALAL rule ( Meat should be slaughtered in a halal way. And islam also bans pork and alcohol as well. Judaism obeys KOSHER LAWS which dictate what kind of foods are allowed and the way food must be prepared. This law includes eschew animals such as pork and shellfish. And it separates dairy from meat and not mixing with milk together. Hinduism and Buddhism inspire a lot of their followers to vegetarianism. Hinduism considers cow HOLY. These ground rules give followers a sense of spiritual purity and regulation which give birth to recognizable dietary culture.Faith not only creates distinct what kind is eaten, it also prescribes when food should be consumed.
Restrictions on Food:
Islam:
Almost all types of vegetables, grain, seafood and fruits are halal so there is no restriction. But Blood, Alcohol, Pork and animal killed by wild predators or improperly slaughtered is forbidden ( Haram )
Hinduism:
Most Hindu practice as vegetarians because in their religion cows are sacred so they avoid eating beef. In some periods of time they also avoid eating onions and garlic but restrictions on food in Hinduism are not uniform.
Buddhism:
Buddhism strongly follow the principles of non-violence and practice mindfulness so they avoid mead and alcohol because it breaks the law of non-violence. They follow strict vegetarian diets and also avoid strong stats of onions and garlic.
Judaism:
In Judaism pork, shellfish and bird’s prey are banned foods and also blood can’t be consumed; some grape products required Jewish supervision. All types of vegetable can be eaten with dairy and meat ( animal should be slaughtered by shechita or by the law )
Religion also brings attention to fasting and feasting.
Christianity:
Fasting in Christianity of one’s own free will to abstain from their food and other comforts to pay attention to God over his seek. purpose involved in spiritual needs because Jesus fasted 40 days and these fasting gives spiritual power to say “NO” to temporary things over better attention to God. Feasting purpose is to praise the virtue of God’s creation by expressing their gratitude and love.
Islam:
Muslim do fasting in the month of Ramadan because fasting is a core pillar of Islam. Abstaining food from sunrise to post sunset having a daily break for 30 days only for God is called fasting. By completing a month fasting from a spiritual discipline, empathy to the less fortunate and self control create a stronger connection with God. Feasting in Ramadan by taking Suhoor meal before day begins, Iftar meal dates and water at sunset that breaks the fast for 30 days. After complete fasting Eid al-Fatr festival for a three-day holiday to express pleasure on family gathering and sharing food with the community. This 30 day cycle gives follower balance gratitude, spiritual relief, highlights the importance of sacrifice and charity
Hinduism:
Fasting is a fundamental part of religious activities, for believers spiritual purification, discipline. Fasting is related to communal meals on selected days like Navratri, Ekadashi and personal devotion. Fasts in Hinduism are different types like Fixed-day Fasts, Partial Fasts, Festival Fasts and Conditional Fast. Honoring Deities by fasting in Hindu religion brings good fortune, devotion, celebration of religious ceremonies and charity act generates good karma in Hinduism.
Buddhism:
Buddhism also encourages fasting on Uposatha daily restriction on food in after noon meals; it indicates self control and mental clarity through great self discipline for religious reasons. Fasting in Buddhism is beyond Food because followers have to quit from entertainment, excessive sleep to promote a pure and peaceful state of being. fasting on specific days like new moon, full moon and quarter moon
Food and Rituals:
Christianity:
Wine and bread is the symbol of the blood and body of Christ. It’s a special food for ceremonies of Christmas and Easter.
Hinduism:
There are many religious ceremonies are celebrated in Hinduism -the gathering bring foods like fruits, sweets and vegetarian meals
Buddhism:
Buddhism didn’t follow specific types of foods; they usually eat their regular and mindful foods like ( kummasa and sattuu ) and vegetable products.
Islam:
Islam only follows Halal Foods in their religious ceremonies but sometimes Muslim prefer dates, honey, olives, milk and seafood. These food types are mentioned in Islamic religious books with their nutritional and healing properties.
