My Muslim parents are upset because I like wine and pork. Is religion all about food ?
112703
It is not what goes into the mouth that defile a man its what comes out of the mouth ,this is what defiles a man not what he eats or drinks. Hope that helps.
699606
I can't speak for all Muslims but unless its Halal meat then i don't eat it.
76284
I grew up in the West but since have embraced an eastern religion.  I am now a vegetarian, but it was not easy to make that change because meat-eating is such a given in my culture.  I think the main reason that modern Westerners tolerate meat-eating is that they take it for granted and do not think about it.  They grew up with it, so they just never think to question it.\n\nOriginally, meat-eating may have been necessary for people in cold climates in Europe or something.  Perhaps that is all they could find to eat to keep themselves alive in winter.  I know that even my own mother had to eat groundhog when she was a kid because that is literally all they could find to eat.\n\nBut once this becomes a part of the culture, people forget about the fact that what was once only done out of necessity is now done for pleasure.  People in my culture just love meat.  They don't like vegetables!  Eastern cuisines just know better what to do with vegetables!  They use spices and good sauces, whereas here, we basically just put butter, salt, and pepper on everything (usually out of a can at that).  So we think veggies taste bad!  \n\nAnother issue is the fact that some people purposely refuse to be vegetarians because they fear the stereotypical image that some vegetarians have.  They do not want to be seen as a "New Age liberal freak."  That's really how a lot of people see vegetarianism where I am.  \n\nThe Bible says that God put man over the animals and nature to "have dominion."  But instead of seeing this as a responsibility to care for the animals and plants, too many people see in this a justification to USE animals and plants to whatever benefit we can derive from them.  Most Christians I have talked to about this say that animals do not have souls, and that they were put here strictly for OUR purposes.  I believe that this is merely an attempt to justify their actions.  I do not think that is what the Bible originally intended.  In fact, the Bible depicts 2 times in history that are vegetarian:  the Garden of Eden, and the Messianic Era - the times where things are right and done in the proper way.
453018
Muslims don't eat pork because it is haraam, unclean and forbidden.\n\nMany Hindus [though definitely not all] are vegetarian- they don't eat pork and beef in addition to chicken, turkey, fish, mutton, and any other kind of meat- because they believe in the sacredness of all life and ahimsa [nonviolence]. They see killing an animal as an act of violence. Also, an animal, being equal with humans in that its life is also valued and sacred, has as much right to live, in their belief, as a human. Almost all Hindus stay away from beef, even if they eat other kinds of meat, because in our belief the cow is life-giving and particularly worthy of respect. We believe that it is wrong to kill a cow because cows provide milk, manure which acts like fertilizer for the soil [many Hindus lived off agriculture in the past] and many other essentials. Lord Krishna, a Hindu God who was an avatar of Vishnu, was a cowherd and loved cows dearly.
701375
I follow the teaching of the life of Ifa. Yoruba tradition. On my end everyone is different. So people are instructed not to eat meat not to drink certain types of wines etc. I cannot eat sea food. My head is believe to be split under the orisa of love sweet waters and all things sweet Osun and the mother of all orisa Yemonja. I am not allowed to partake of anyhting from the sea. I use to eat it but when i choose this part i couldn't eat it.
306280
i'm a muslim and here is my life.\ni pray, i work, i listen to music (placebo, coldplay, radiohead, etc..)\ni watched f.r.i.e.n.d.s regularly and i have it all on dvd, i am watching scrubs now regularly, i love the godfather movies, i hate harry potter, lord of the rings, star wars and star trek.\ni pray i fast and i hope to visit god's holy house.\nafew muslims may say there are stuff in my life that i shouldnt be doing, but this is my life and this is how i live it.\n\nprophet muhammad (pbuh) had fun by chatting with his friends, and in the islamic feasts he allowed kids to sing and have fun.
812230
It's not supposed to be about bringing the right gift, originally they brought live turkeys for goodness sake! If you can make a desert or something traditionally english take that! If not stick with the wine and tell them about asking what to bring on the internet, it's the thought that counts after all and you'll have a conversation starter!
768414
If his parents found out no it should not be a problem. Certainly not as far as Islam is concerned.\nA Muslim man may marry a Christian woman.\n\nYou will only have a problem if his parents don't personally agree with it. But as long as you are happy, respect each others religions then his parents should be happy.\n\nI am a Christian woman married to a Muslim man for 3 years now (we have been together for 5years). His family are wonderfull, they never had a problem.\n\nThe only thing that may be of concern to his parents (which I believe someone else mentioned in their answer) is the whole "dating" process. But this is something you should discuss with your boyfriend, he will know better than anyone how his parents will feel. Other than that, this is only of concern to your boyfriend.\n\nBut anyway, if your question was only out of concern of the Christian and Muslim situation then no, it is no problem.\nI hope this all makes sense?\nJanie x
690213
I am raising my children in a Pagan household.\n\nEvery day at dinner we say a prayer and set aside a dish for the anscestors and then after dinner we take an offering out for the nature spirits. My children are taught to live in harmony with nature and to respect everyone as a necessary part of the world. They are also taught to seek earth friendly alternatives, and to take care of themselves in a natural way. They learn how to make their own cosmetics, cook from scratch and what wild plants are good to eat, what makes good tea and what can kill you. We very easily discuss things like sex, religion and politics. My kids are my best friends. \n\nOn full moons we gather with other families to worship and on Sabbats we gather with an even larger group to celebrate the seasons. \n\nBut really, we're very normal. I work 8 hours a day, they go to school. I wear a suit, they wear jeans. We're all crabby in the morning and my teenager uses up the hot water, slacks on her homework and chores and sasses me sometimes. My little one sometimes falls off his bike or stays outside after dark and I have to go fetch him and scold him. The dog still digs in the garbage and eats shoes. We eat breakfast and dinner together and they eat school lunch and I eat leftovers from dinner for lunch at work. On Sundays we go to my mom's for dinner, sometimes Sunday morning we go to Church with my mom, on special occasions when the whole extended family goes. On Saturdays we go to the zoo or the rec center and on many Saturday nights the house is either empty cause the kids are all gone, or filled with giggling teenagers who have taken over my kitchen and are demanding I help them make frybread.\n\nHow really different is a Pagan household from any other household?? \n\nYes, they get teased at school. My daughter revels in it, she likes the attention. She even dresses goth to provoke it, that's just the way she is. My son doesn't like it. It makes him sad, and I asked him if he'd rather I just didn't teach him about these things, or maybe we could keep it quiet, and he said no that those people were just ignorant and he could be stronger than them. That he knew they weren't good Christians anyway, because he knows what Jesus said. \n\nAnd for the record, I have three different versions of the Bible in my home and several of the "forbidden" Gnostic texts. We celebrate Christian holidays with my Mother & Co. and my children are taught about a variety of faiths. In the end, ultimately, their religion will be their decision. They know this.
977698
That I'm Muslim and i don't give thanks and eat with my family once a year!!!
965075
Assamalu Alaykum Sister.\n\nI am also a convert to Islam, and my family is Christian. The family of my significant other is also Christian, and all of them do "celebrate" the "holidays." However, I do not think it is wrong to visit with your family during these holidays, or to accept gifts from them or to give gifts to them-- unless it is explicitly stated that this is a form of worship of Jesus. If your family is similar to mine, then the is probably no mention of Jesus at all when exchanging gifts.\n\nOur family are our most important links in this world, and if the holidays are an exceptional opportunity for you to spend time with them, then it cannot be wrong. When the Qur'an was first revealed, it was important for the believers to stay together, because there were not so many of them, and they had many enemies who wished them dead. Times have changed now, and I believe that Allah wishes us to honor our parents and family no matter what religion they choose. Family is the foundation of society, and we should not let our religious beliefs rip our foundations apart because of stubbornness.\n\nWhen it comes down to it, Sister, you must choose what makes you feel most comfortable. Allah does not wish hardship on us, so do not make more hardship for you than is necessary.  If you will feel pain because you are afraid of committing shirk, then do not spend Christmas with your family (please note the difference between the word "celebrate" and "spend"). However, if you are certain you can spend Christmas with your family without shirk becoming an issue, then do not give up your family because you think it will be more righteous.\n\nThis decision is entirely yours. You can seek guidance from anyone.. converts, Imams, friends, but ultimately, your decision will only be between you and Allah. Inshallah, you will do what is right for you.\n\nAnd Allah knows best.
705024
In folklore terms, eating the meat of the pig is said to contribute to lack of morality and shame, plus greed for wealth, laziness, indulgence, dirtiness and gluttony. We insult a person by calling him or her a "Pig" when they demonstrate these characteristics. Muslims are forbidden by God to eat the meat of the pig (pork). \n\nThis is detailed in verses 2:173, 5:3, 6:145, and 16:115 of the Qur'an. An exemplary verse is quoted here: "He has only forbidden you dead meat, and blood, and the flesh of swine, and any (food) over which the name of other than Allah has been invoked. But if one is forced by necessity, without willful disobedience, nor transgressing due limits, then Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful."
489973
Your parents want the closness you want to, believe me.  You're so young, you have all the things in life to look forward to, with your parents at your side!  Marriage, children, a lot of fun at holidays.........be honest about your feelings.  I am not a mushy, touchy-feely mom, but my kids never said they missed that.  It's not like I don't love my kids, I don't realize what they really want deep inside!  I know that, although we parents are close to perfection, we are not able to read our child's minds.  The fight is over, right?  You don't mention how serious it is, but forget about it, you can't change what was said.  Please talk to them.  Good luck. And try and pray about it!
608471
Everyone loves mashed potatoes...extra butter, salt and pepper. Yummy, the food of the gods.  Is that why you put it under religion? ha!
800656
Luckily for me I had no formal religious up bringing. When I was little some one did give me a book called" The greatest story ever told." I was really impressed with a wizard that could walk on water and heal people.  I was probably in my early teens before I realized that it was jesus the book was about.  But  it did not change my perception of the book or jesus for that matter.  So today I am a pagan but I was not forced into any religion.  I did go to a catholic church with my friend once I was really disturbed by the wine and wafer aspect of the rite.. I thought that was a little on the cannibalistic side.
568070
Food is more ethnic and geographical than religious.
1058691
Both the Bible and the Qur’an prohibit the eating of pork. Muslims are aware of this prohibition and observe it strictly. However, most readers of the Bible say they do not know where they can find this in the Bible.\n\n      In the book of Leviticus, chapter 11, v. 7, it is recorded that God declares the pig to be unclean for believers. Then, in verse 8, God says: “You must not eat their meat or touch their carcasses; they are unclean for you.” This command is repeated in Deuteronomy 14:7-8. Then, in Isaiah 65:2-4, and 66:17, God issues a stern warning against those who eat pork.\n\n      Some people are aware of this prohibition from God, but they say that they can eat pork because St. Paul said that all food is clean in his letter to the Romans 14:20. St. Paul said this because he believed (as he wrote in his letter to the Ephesians 2:14-15) that Jesus had abolished the Law with all its commandments and regulations. He seems, however, to have misunderstood what he heard about Jesus. In the Gospel According to Matthew 5:17-20, Jesus is reported to have said quite the contrary, as follows: “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law . . . ." \n\n      Jesus then went on in that passage (in verse 19) to denounce anyone who would break the smallest commandment and teach others likewise. He also praised his true followers who will practice and teach even the smallest commandment. One of the commandments, as we have seen, is to stay away from pork.\n\n      This is why the true followers of Jesus, holding on to his teachings, did not let unclean food such as pork enter their mouths, so that Peter, the chief disciple, can say, “I have never eaten anything impure or unclean” (Acts of the Apostles, ch. 10, v. 14)\n\n      Five chapters later in the Acts of the Apostles, 15:29, we find that the original disciples still differentiate between clean and unclean foods, and this time Paul is in agreement with them. Six chapters later, in ch. 21, v. 25, their decision to impose food regulations on believers is mentioned without regret, and this time Paul is challenged to prove that he is in agreement with them; and he demonstrated his full agreement with them.\n\n      What remains, then, is that Jesus, on whom be peace, upheld the prohibition against pork. His disciples also upheld it, and so must all his followers. Those who fail to uphold it need to be informed and reminded of this rule from God. This is one reason why God sent His final messenger, on whom be peace. God says:\n\n      “O people of the Scripture ! Now has Our Messenger come unto you, expounding unto you much of that which you used to hide in the Scripture, and forgiving much. Now has come unto you light from Allah and a plain Scripture.” (The Meaning of the Glorious Qur’an 5:15)