Which religions ban the eating of pork? What is the reasoning behind each religion's decision not to eat pork? How has this effected the worldwide distribution of pork-related products?

http://www.google.com/search?as_q=pork+religions&hl=en&num=10&btnG=Google+Search&as_epq=&as_oq=&as_eq=&lr=&as_ft=i&as_filetype=&as_qdr=all&as_nlo=&as_nhi=&as_occt=title&as_dt=i&as_sitesearch=&as_rights=&safe=active

Here's an interesting article on Jewish Kosher laws. It cites that some believe it is not necessarily health concerns that got Kosher laws started:

http://www.jewfaq.org/kashrut.htm

I don't think we can fully know. Most of what I heard in religion classes had to do with health reasons as to why it got put in the Torah.

As far as religions that ban eating pork, the Jewish faith often holds strongly to Kosher dietary laws. Several sects of Christianity also follow the Kosher laws. (I don't know any off hand that are strict on it, but I can help you investigate if you cannot find the answer). Islam also follows the Kosher laws of the Hebrew Scriptures.

I have not heard of Eastern Religions that have any restrictions on pork. But they could be out there.

As far as distribution of pork-related products....I don't know. That's something I never even thought of. I know a lot of products are inspected to be sure they are Kosher so they can advertize themselves as such. I wonder if that's an angle your teacher wants you to look at to come up with an answer for that. It's a little off the topic, but I wonder if it would lead to something else.

Matt

I'm a Seventh-day Adventist & we follow Jewish kosher dietary laws for health and scriptural reasons. All things that God had declared to be abomination are still abominable in His sight and should be avoided, not out of legalism, but out of love for God. He has given us dietary regulations so we can be happy and healthy. Its harder to serve God when you are sick.

Religions that ban the eating of pork include the Jewish faith, certain sects of Christianity, and Islam. The reasoning behind each religion's decision not to eat pork varies.

In Judaism, the ban on consuming pork is part of the Kosher dietary laws outlined in the Torah. The exact reason for this prohibition is not explicitly stated in the religious texts, but there are various theories and interpretations. Some suggest that it may be related to health concerns, as pork can carry diseases and parasites. Others believe that it serves as a symbol of separation and identity for the Jewish people, distinguishing them from other cultures.

Certain sects of Christianity, such as Seventh-day Adventists and Messianic Jews, also follow Kosher laws and abstain from eating pork. Their reasoning is often influenced by both the biblical teachings of the Hebrew Scriptures and health concerns, as they view the Kosher laws as promoting a healthy lifestyle.

In Islam, the prohibition on consuming pork is mentioned in the Quran. The primary reason is considered to be the religious commandment from God. Muslims believe that pork is impure and spiritually unclean, and consuming it is considered sinful. From a practical standpoint, Islam also shares the health concerns associated with pork consumption.

The worldwide distribution of pork-related products is affected by the dietary restrictions of these religions. In regions with a significant population following these faiths, the demand for pork-related products is lower compared to areas where these religious dietary restrictions are not prevalent. This impacts the availability and production of pork products in different parts of the world.

In some cases, pork-related products undergo specific inspections and certifications to ensure they meet the dietary requirements of these religions. For example, products may be labeled as Kosher to ensure they are compliant with Jewish dietary laws. This labeling allows manufacturers to target specific religious communities and cater to their needs.