Pork and Kosher Laws (Religion)

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Specifically why don't those of the Jewish and Islamic faith eat pork?

What is the rational and history of kosher laws?

-- Ken S. in WC TN (scharabo@aol.com), January 12, 2001

Answers

Hey Ken...I do not know how accurate this is, just my own understanding over the years, but in the Old Testament which the Koran is based upon, the law was handed down that pork was from an "unclean' animal and therefore cannot be eaten.In medical school, we were taught that this law probably saved alot of lives because when you live in a desert environment, the risk for contaminated pork is extremely high..obviously, I am speaking of biblical times where refrigeration was not around. Salt was a precious commodity, as was firewood for smoking meat. There are some rather interesting strict Kosher dietary rules, such as not mixing dairy products with meat products,etc. which make tremendous sense from a health perspective for the same reasons. Having said all that, in 50-75A.D., Paul writes in the New Testament that is is not necesary to abstain from any particular food to please God and so the old law is null and void.This kind of serves to go more towards strictly religious beliefs rather than health concerns because all of the other reasons above still applied! So the Christians went ahead and ate anything they chose to and the Jewish people stuck with the O.T., and then when the Koran came along, the Muslims kept to the old law as well...as they say in New york, "go figure"...God bless.

-- Lesley (martchas@bellsouth.net), January 12, 2001.

Pigs don't sweat same as some other animals, something about sweating through their feet. Not all the toxins cook out, therefore you can get sick. Other animals that are considered unclean are rabbits, catfish, shrimp, other shellfish. Animals that eat meat. I read where an animal(a lion) that eats another one(vegetarian animal), will go for the intestines first after killing to get the vegetation the other one ate. Gross!

-- Cindy (atilrthehony_1@yahoo.com), January 12, 2001.

Does the Bible also refer somewhere to the meat from cloven animals? There is a breed of pigs called Mulefoot, which does not have cloven hoofs?

-- Ken S. in WC TN (scharabo@aol.com), January 12, 2001.

You can read of the Food laws in Lev 11. God did not put scavengers on earth for us to eat. If you do eat them you will in the long run get sick.

-- Linda (hesscat@cot.net), January 12, 2001.

Ken and others, may I recommend an excellent book on the subject. "What the Bible Says About Healthy Living" by Rex Russell, M.D. It covers about anything you'd wanna know.

-- Cindy (atilrthehony_1@yahoo.com), January 12, 2001.


In a nutshell, Jews may eat any animal which has a split hoof completely divided AND chews a cud, any sea or stream creature which has fins and scales, birds not listed as forbidden, and of insects they may eat only those that belong to certain classes of the locust family. (There are also many laws regarding the slaughter and preparation of food in addition to the types of permitted food.)

Forbidden are carnivorous animals (esp. pork), scavenger and predatory birds, shellfish and most insects.

As you can see, the forbidden foods are those that would be likely to cause food poisoning, infect with parasites, etc., esp. in warm climates. It is believed this was the primary reason these foods were forbidden to the Jews. If you read further (Leviticus 11:32-40) you see that many of the additional laws regarding preparation etc., were to prevent contamination of food and water.

These were Old Testament laws. In the New Testament (Romans 14:14) Paul says he is fully convinced that no food is unclean in itself, but if anyone regards something as unclean, then for him it is unclean. He also warns that it is wrong for anyone to distress another by what they eat, as this would not be acting in love. (I'm paraphrasing, not quoting exactly. Please read this for yourself.)

Altho my own beliefs do not prevent me from eating pork, I have many friends who follow the Old Testament laws. Some are sensitive to what we eat, so we make sure we do not eat pork in their presence, or do things like cook bacon for breakfast on a day I know they will visit. (hard to get the smell out of the house) Other friends won't eat pork, but have no problem whatsoever with us doing so - they will sit down at the table with us and just pass on anything that they are not allowed. I make sure they are aware of any dishes that have something forbidden to them. According to my understanding of the Bible, and my conscience, I believe I am doing what is pleasing to the Lord in this. As to WHY the law changed between the Old and New Testaments, I am not sure. Perhaps cooking methods were different by then? I know some laws were intended strictly for the Jews, others for Jews and Christians alike. Jews (who haven't converted to Christianity) do not believe in the NT, therefore Paul's comments would not apply to them.

-- Lenette (kigervixen@webtv.net), January 12, 2001.


This is long but I am writing a direct quote from "What the Bible Says About Healthy Eating" by Dr. Rex Russell, he attended Baylor School of Medicine in Houston, Texas and did his residency at the Mayo Clinic at Rochester, Minnesota.

"One reason for God's rule forbidding pork is that the digestive system of a pig is completely different from that of a cow. It is similar to ours, in that the stomach is very acidic. Pigs are gluttonous, never knowing when to stop eating. Their stomach acids become diluted because of the volume of food, allowing all kinds of vermin to pass through this protective barrier. Parasites, bacteria, viruses, and toxins can pass into the pigs flesh because of overeating. These toxins and infecious agents can be passed on to humans when they eat a pigs flesh.

In the "Biblical Archeological Review", Jane Cahill Examined the toilets of a Jewish household in Jerusalem, finding no parasites or infectious agents, but only pollen from the many fruits, vegetables, and herbs they had eaten. A similar study done about Egyptians revealed eggs from Schistosoma, Trichinella, wire worm and tapeworms, all found in pork. All of these organisms cause significant chronic diseases.[ this is footnoted Jane Cahill and Peter Warnock, "It had to happen,Scientist Examines Ancient Bathrooms of Romans 586B.C." BAR May/June 1991]

In what is probably a strong illustration of the perils of pork, at one time no cases of trichinosis had been reported in the country of Bolivia for several years.[ this is footnoted from "Veterinary Parasitology" May 1993] However,25% of pigs tested were infested with trichinosis. People working on these farms and the population eating the pigs were also found to be positive for infestation with this parasite. The primary symptoms of this infection include muscle pain, headaches, fever and swelling in the extremities.[foot noted Baker, Bryant, Urban, and Lumney, "Swine Immunity to Selected Parasites", "Veterinary Immunology and Immunopathology" October 1994] These are all nonspecific symptoms that do not necessarily indicate any one disease. Although this may explain why the trichinosis had not been diagnosed in Bolivia for several years, it is strong circumstantial evidence that many people became ill because of pork.

Dr. W.J. Zimmerman reviewed the diaphragm muscle from multiple autopsies done in the U.S> in the late 1960"s, and reported that trichinosis was not an unusual finding.[ footnoted Zimmerman, Steele, And Kagan, "Trichiniases in the U.S. Population, 1966-70: Prevalence and Epidemiologic Factors", Health Services Reports 88:7 Aug/Sept 1973] It is well accepted that illnesses caused by parasites have a significant economic effect worldwide.

In the U.S., three of the six most common food-borne parasitic diseasesof humans are associated with pork consumption. These include toxoplasmosis, taeniases or cysticercosis[caused by the pork tapeworm Taenia solium] and trichinellosis.

In Japan, the source of these infections was traced to the flesh of pigs, bears, horses,racoons and foxes. All of these animals are listed in Scripture as putrid or unclean.

Swine are also good incubators of toxic parasites and viruses- although the animal doesn't appear to be ill while carrying these diseases. A scientist at the University of Giessen's Institute for Virology in Germany showed in a study of worldwide influenza epidemics that pigs are the one animal that can serve as a mixing vessel for new influenza viruses that may seriously threaten world health.

If a pig is exposed to a human's DNA virus and then a bird's virus, the pig mixes the two viruses-developing a new DNA virus that is often extremely lethal for humans. These viruses have already caused worldwide epidemics and destruction. Virologists have concluded that if we do not find a way to separate humans from pigs, the whole earth's population may be at risk. [footnotedScholtissek,M.D., "Cultivating a Killer Virus" National History Jan. 1992]

The 1942 Yearbook of Agricultur reported that 50 diseases were found in pigs, and many of these were passed on to humans by eating the pig's flesh.

Additionally, just the handling of swine has an element of risk. A large hog-raising facility in the area where I live wisely requires its employees to wear gloves, masks and protective clothing while working in the pig barns. The workers are required to shower each day before going home.

little wonder that GOD would inspire His prophet to include eating pork among the disobedient acts of stubborn people in addition to idolatry and conjuring spirits of the dead,

"continually provoke me to my

face,...who eat the flesh of pigs, and whose pots hold broth of unclean meat"[Isa. 65:3,4]" "

I apologize for the length of this but I didn't want to leave anything out. I used to think that GOD told the ancient hHebrews not to eat pork because of lack of refrigeration and other modern sanitary conveniences but not any more.



-- Artie Ann Karns (rokarns@arkansas.net), January 12, 2001.


The Torah ("Old Testament") explicitly states that the only animals that are Kosher are those with cloven hooves and which chew their cud. Therefore, pigs, camels, horses...not Kosher. Goats, Cows, Sheep, Deer..are Kosher. It is also specified that insects and shellfish are not kosher. To be a Kosher, an animal is also slaughtered in a ritual manner, by a specially trained religious man called Schoetkle (sp?). This man must go to school and learn the ways of Kosher slaughtering. Kosher meat is also salted during the processing. Under Kosher laws it is also forbidden to eat an animal that is sick or that died before slaughtering.

In Islam, the equivalent to Kosher is called Halal. I am not familiar with Moslem slaughtering laws, although there probably are some similarities.

The Muslims and Jews are both descended from Abraham--the Jews from Isaac and the Muslims from Ishmael. So, our link is quite close, and hence our food laws are similar.

-- amy (acook@inweb.com), January 12, 2001.


I always find it interesting that we try to analyze Kosher food laws by looking at science. Jews and Muslims simply accept it as the word of G-d--pure faith!

-- Amy (acook@in4web.com), January 12, 2001.

FYI The Torah is not the same as the Old Testament. Kosher means that not only is the food not a forbidden but it must be blessed by a rabbi which is to say that the slaughtering practices and general handling of the food was done in a safe manner.

-- Terri (terri@tallships.ca), January 12, 2001.


I placed "Old Testament" in quotes so people have some idea what I mean by Torah. The Tenakh is the 'Jewish Bible' --includes the Torah (the Five Books of Moses) ; Nevi'im (Books of the Prophets); and Ketuvin (Holy writings). The food laws are spelled out in the Torah. Also, I did some research into the food laws and according to one source, "The reason the Torah prohibited certain foods is because they defile the purity of the soul; thus, contaminating us spiritually. And, the aim of the Torah is to maintain and promote the purity and health of teh soul rather than promote physical health." (The Taryag Mitzvos 613).

-- Amy (acook@in4web.com), January 12, 2001.

Artie, I did not read your full post but have to disagree with the good doctor- Pigs are not glutonous, they do know when to stop eating. They will stop when they are full, as compared to a sheep, goat, horse, donkey and many cattle. Have you ever heard of a pig that was fondered? I have lost sheep and goats and one calf that have gotten into the grain and eaten themselves to death.

-- Terri Perry (teperry@stargate.net), January 12, 2001.

== Pigs are gluttonous, never knowing when to stop eating. ==

Hmmmm, interesting. My pigs free feed, are not fat, have a straight belly line. But then, I free feed ALL my livestock and none of them are gluttonous ~ besides the hogs, there are or have been equine, bovine, goats, sheep, dogs, cats, poultry, etc.

-- ~Rogo (rogo2020@yahoo.com), January 12, 2001.


Artie, I enjoyed your post. But, I have heard that hogs do not overeat, that is, they won't eat themselves to death the way some animals(like my goats) will.

The laws of kashrut specify the following animals as being clean and acceptable food: any animal with BOTH cloven hooves and that chews the cud, any fish that has both fins and scales, chickens, ducks, geese, turkeys, doves,and pigeons, and eggs or milk from any of the clean birds or animals. Pig milk, or seagull eggs, for example, are unclean. For the meat to be clean, it has to be slaughtered correctly. Death must be instantaneous and painless, if it is not, the meat is unclean, having been 'torn'. The knife must be razor sharp, without even a nick in the blade, the animal must be killed by a single cut across the throat, cutting the jugular vein. If the job requires two cuts to kill the animal, the meat is torn, and unclean. It is not acceptable to stun or shoot the animal first, and then cut the vein, hence shooting wild game is out of the question. The animal must be calm at the time of slaughter, and if it is diseased, or has a life threatening condition, it is not kosher. The organs are inspected for any sign of disease that amy not have been apparent before death. Quite a contrast to the mainstream meat market, where sickly, cancerous animals are processed into food!

-- Rebekah (daniel1@itss.net), January 12, 2001.


Whoops, I accidentally posted that too soon. After the meat has been properly slaughtered, and has been found to be healthy, the hind quarters are set aside. These are not kosher because of the sciatic nerve, which is very difficult to remove entirely. The reason Jews don't eat the sciatic nerve is found in Genesis, 32:33. The meat has already been well bled out because of the method of slaughter, but it also has to be soaked in water, and salted, to remove any residual blood. Any blood is strictly forbidden,Lev 17:10-12, Acts 21:25. This law applies to both Jew and gentile. An alternative to the soaking and salting is broiling the meat on a grid or grate in the oven, so that the blood cooks out of the meat.

Because of the commandment in Exodus 23:19,32:46 Deut 14:21,"You shall not boil a kid in it's mother's milk", milk and meat are prepared in seperate vessels and are never cooked or served together. This is beacuse of the basic cruelty of combining the life giving element of the animal(milk) with the death element(it's flesh).

The basis for the laws of kashrut includes a reverence for life. Originally, man was a vegetarian, and meat was allowed as a concession. Life is sacred, and it should only be taken under certin circumstances and with respect.

-- Rebekah (daniel1@itss.net), January 12, 2001.



Thanks Rebekah, I had looked that up a little while ago and was talking with my husband about the difference between how meat is processed in general and how it should be done. I used to have a neighbor who worked at a Butcher shop, he did all the killing and he told some awful stories. I felt so sorry for the animals and would never take my animals there. That was just a small place. I shudder to think what the large slaughter houses are like.

-- Artie Ann Karns (rokarns@arkansas.net), January 12, 2001.

oh and i meant to say I know nothing about raising pigs because I never have. I don't know if they are gluttonous or not, it would seem that they might be.. we usually say "eat like a pig". I always took that to mean ate a lot. Maybe it means being messy..oh well. Anyway it is a quote, nothing from my own experience, but he sure documents most of what he says by independent research. Food for thought? Food for pigs? Whatever.

-- Artie Ann Karns (rokarns@arkansas.net), January 12, 2001.

This thread got me thinking a bit more about contaminated foods. My neighbor, a Kosher slaughterer, states that anytime he has slaughtered a goat he has found the lungs to be infected; therefore the meat was rejected by Kosher standards. Has anyone here that kills goats for meat found this to be true? I assume the goats he has come across had respiratory illnesses.

-- Amy (acook@in4web.com), January 13, 2001.

Thansk for posting the Jewish ways. I think most Christians know about Jews as well as most Americans know about Canadians. We know they're there and we like them, but we'd sure flunk a test about them.

-- Cindy (atilrthehony_1@yahoo.com), January 14, 2001.

Rebekah, curious to know on what do you base this statement?

" Originally, man was a vegetarian, and meat was allowed as a concession. "

-- Earthmama (earthmama48@yahoo.com), January 14, 2001.


Amy, maybe your neigbor was referring to lung worms? WE butchered a wether this past year and found nothing wrong with his lungs, in fact all his organs were perfect, clean, and really beautiful, sounds weird to be saying this, they looked good compared to what you see in the grocery store! Of course we didn't cut into the lungs, but we will next time for my homeschooled son to have a biology lesson, we just quickly examined the organs this time.

-- Carol in Tx (cwaldrop@peoplescom.net), January 14, 2001.

I have always been amazed at how Hebrew kosher law and U.S. health regulations share many like aspects such as sharp knickless edge knives that minimize the harboring of bacteria, scaulding water, salt for antiseptic purpose. A rabbi I knew, once told me kosher was the first health dept. I guess he had a point.

-- Jay Blair in N. AL (jayblair678@yahoo.com), January 14, 2001.

Earthmama, i base that on the first few chapters of Genesis.9would have to look up the refs). Man originally ate fruit, nuts, and green herbs. After sin came into the world, killing and death entered into the picture also. The scriptures incdicate that in the new world, even meat eating animals will eat green herbs and grass rather than meat.

-- Rebekah (daniel1@itss.net), January 15, 2001.

Earthmama is right about man originally being veggies. In Genesis 1:29-30, G-d said, "See, I give you every seed-bearing plant that is upon all the earth, and every tree that has seed-bearing fruit; they shall be yours for food. And to all the animals on land, to all the birds of the sky, and to everything that creeps on earth, in which there is the breath of life, [I give] all the green plants for food," This is a translation from Hebrew to English from the JPS Torah Commentary. According to the interpetation, G-d was setting it up so that there be a "pristine state of vegetarianism."

-- Amy (acook@in4web.com), January 15, 2001.

sorry, I posted before proofreading--Rebekah is right! :-)

-- amy (acook@in4web.com), January 15, 2001.

Never mind; scratch my question. If your sole historical reference is the Bible, enough said.

-- Earthmama (earthmama48@yahoo.com), January 15, 2001.

Earthmama, I honestly have no idea if people were vegetarians eons ago. I thought you were asking about the Bible reference since this thread was about Kosher laws, which pertain to the Bible. I was merely quoting the Bible from an historical standpoint. I have a great interest in comparative religions and have actually enjoyed looking into this topic, particularly since I was raised Jewish and have only just recently taken an interest in learning where all these "laws" came from.

-- Amy (acook@in4web.com), January 15, 2001.

Sorry Amy; I have a habit of going off on some detail that catches my eye. I should have been more specific anyway. It's ok; good subject for another thread I should think.

-- Earthmama (earthmama48@yahoo.com), January 15, 2001.

I think by reading Artie Ann Karns (rokarns@arkansas.net), article sent January 12, 2001, tells you all you need to know

-- Maria (mrkoti@yahoo.com), March 01, 2002.

This is by far one of the most interesting threads I've seen in awhile! I can't wait to get back and reread it! You know, I've wondered about that too!

-- Ardie/WI (ardie54965@hotmail.com), March 01, 2002.

Pigs are no more scavengers than chickens. A pig in the wild will root and eat mostly vegetables. A chicken will go bonkers over anything that she can peck and draw blood from.

I have seen numerous articles which try to establish scientific reasons for why God made the dietary laws he did for the Jews in the O.T. But none of them really held up under honest scrutiny. Most of them cite obscure "studies" or "findings" which cannot be substantiated. It reminds me of the culture of the Mennonites I grew up in, trying to prove that women should wear a net covering over their hair as they did, for their safety's sake! They cite unprovable legends of ladies in distress who were delivered from being raped because the criminal was frightened off by her strange head-bonnet.

These scientific proofs offered to support reasons WHY God commanded no pork usually hold jsut about as much water as those extra-biblical reasons given for wearing a head-covering. God never said WHY he didnt want the Jews to avoid eating pork. However, I am thankful that I am not condemned under the new covenant for eating it. It is totally unprofitable spiritually to allow laws concerning what we eat, to occupy the mind. Hebrews 13:9 Also, please note that when the Apostles told the new Gentile believers what 4 things were NECESSARY, they said nothing about abstaining from PORK. Acts 15:28,29 If it wasnt necessary for first century christians to abstain from pork, then it isnt for me, either.

-- daffodyllady (daffodyllady@yahoo.com), March 01, 2002.


Even though I believe in the Bible, I cannot believe that humans were created to be vegetarians. The physical evidence says that we are designed to eat both meat and vegetables. I have a question for anyone who opposes me on this point: Where in the animal kingdom do you find an animal that has designer-teeth for eating both meats and vegetables, and that also has a medium-length digestive system, such as our own, which still eats a vegetarian diet? In the animal kingdom, you see those animals which have teeth and a digestive system designed for a vegetarian diet, eat exactly what they are designed for. Every animal eats exactly the diet for which he is obviously created. And humans are NOT fitted for a vegetarian diet, if you look honestly at the physical evidence of teeth and digestive tract.

Anthropoligical evidence also supports the fact that humans are healthier when eating an omnivorous diet. The ancient egyptians were the closest thing to what vegetarians today are striving for-- very little to no meat in the diet, lots of grains, huge amounts of vegetables and fruits. And everything consumed was ORGANIC. Guess what? With today's technologies, they are examining the mummies preserved from that time, and heart disease was rampant. Strokes were common. Diabetes was prolific. Obesity was extremely common. We look at those hieroglyphics, and think, "Nooooo, egyptians were skinny!" Yeah, like our magazines tell the whole world that Americans are skinny! lol

The healthiest groups of people found in the anthropological record are those which ate a rather high amount of protein from animal sources. They tended to have a heavy bone structure, and lived long, productive lives. I know, this goes against a lot of what we are spoon-fed by today's politically correct New Age gurus, but if you are willing to do the research, it is solid truth.

I highly recommend a book called "Nutrition and Physical Degeneration", by Dr. Weston Price. He did some serious research at a critical time in the world's history, in studying groups of peoples who lived in near-perfect health, and followed their degeneration as they adopted western diets. It is a fascinating, though almost wearying book, as he is extremely thorough in his documentation of the evidence.

-- daffodyllady (daffodyllady@yahoo.com), March 01, 2002.


Daffodyl lady, Acts 15:20 that you quoted DOES prohibit blood. It also prohibits eating strangled animals. There are many methods of killing that do not allow the animal to fully bleed out. When I have bought store meat, it is nearly always sitting in a pool of blood on the styrofoam tray.

-- Rebekah (daniel1@itss.net), March 01, 2002.

Also- about whether or not man was a vegetarian in the beginning, let me clarify a little. I think that if we are to take the book of Genesis and the creation account in a literal sense, then the garden of Eden was perfect. Nothing killed or ate meat. (It does make me wonder why they needed to reproduce if nothing was going to die?)even lions and bears for example, would have been vegetarian. This corresponds with Isaiah 65:25's description of the future. As I see it, life in the garden of Eden was perfect. No thistles, no biting mosquitos, no poison ivy, no death or disease. This is the way it will be in the world to come also. If you read Genesis, it is only after the ark lands safely that Noah is permitted to kill and eat meat.

Whether or not we take this portion of the bible literally is another question altogether, seperate from this thread. It may be that the garden of Eden corresponds to the time of our infancy and early childhood, where we don't know right from wrong and are innocent, where life is (or should be) idyllic. As we grow and learn about good and evil, and make mistakes, life changes for us and we have to accept the consequences that life has to offer, including male dominance, painful childbirth, and working for a living.

-- Rebekah (daniel1@itss.net), March 01, 2002.


Wow daffodyllady, that must be some strange church you went to. That is one that I have NEVER heard. No wonder you are so anti- Mennonite now if they had all those crazy doctrines.

Nice points Rebekah, you always present your positions in such an orderly and understandable fashion.

-- diane (gardiacaprines@yahoo.com), March 01, 2002.


I think basically it boils down to people believe what they want to believe and are comfortable doing so.

Some still don't believe NASA put men on the moon and returned them. Some are adament 'the face on Mars' is the result of an ancient Mars civilization while others are equally adament it is merely a natural formation. There are conspiracy theories on just about everything. When you find others who believe as you do, it somewhat takes on the aura of being factual.

The same applies to religious practices. Whether or not there were once practical reasons for them, Jews (and other faiths) follow religious laws because it is what they believe in as part of their faith. It also extended to dress and appearance, which is often used to show differences from others. They can be used likewise to support conformality, such as Amish dress and lifestyle.

Perhaps the world would be a better place if we all learned to respect differences.

-- Ken S. in WC TN (scharabo@aol.com), March 02, 2002.


Nice to see you're still here Ken!! I enjoy your posts!

-- cowgirlone in OK (cowgirlone47@hotmail.com), March 02, 2002.

OK, well I got more than I bargained for. I am not a religious person. I am a natural, homegrown, country type, non-wasteful,do it myself person. I have just built a pig pen. I am getting excited about the experience my three homeschooled boys will get. Then my sister, who has begun to practice the Jewish faith, warns me that pork is bad for my body, has parasites in it and is un-clean. Then she suggests I look on the internet for info. I look under pork, pig, swine, hog, and get all the info I need for personal education. Then I call myself resourceful to come to sites like this one. Now I do understand her point of view. And that I am happy for. I did find info here and on similar sites that I think is a shocking, confusing, fairy tale type of thinking. I will go buy my pig, I will consult experienced swine people. I will feed it the organically grown food from my garden, and it will have a clean housing unit, with clean water. It will receive exercise to lessen the fat in exchange for muscle. And furthermore, I don't think I will become fat, lazy, morally bad, diseased or any of the other negitive things that are stated in the information that I read tonight. I am sorry if I have offended any one or their religious beliefs. I do not mean to be nasty, but I am also a person who deals best with the simple things in life. I like Kens last statement.

-- Chris in Texas (shanzi@ezmailbox.net), March 23, 2002.

Two ministers were in disagreement over whether God approved of Christians eating pork. They were both at a ministerial conference. Ham was being served at their dinner. The minister who thought pork was okay to eat asked the other minister to ask the blessing.

Being put in this difficult situation, the minister gave the following prayer: "Father in heaven, if you can bless what you cursed in the Old Testament, bless this meal."

-- HV (veggie@ourplace.com), March 23, 2002.


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