From: youngbn@reis53.alleg.edu (Nathan Youngblood)
Subject: Re: WhyIsSwineProhibited? Answer.
Organization: Allegheny College
Date: Fri, 16 Oct 1992 00:31:32 GMT

In article <1992Oct10.165044.5739@gw.wmich.edu>  writes:
> The following article wa prepared and submitted by an 11th grade high  
school
> student, Harris S. Quddos.  It is an article appropriately written and  
of
> interest to all  ages.
> 
> 	THE PROHIBITION OF SWINE IN ISLAM, JUDAISM, AND  CHRISTIANITY
> 
> 
> 	Swine, which is the name given for any of the cloven-hoofed  
mammals of
> the family Suidae, native to the Old World.  A swine has a rather long,  
mobile
> snout, a heavy, relatively short legged body, a thick bristly hide, and  
a small
> tail.  The name swine is applied especially to domestic animals, which  
are also
> known as hogs.  Sometimes these are called pigs, a term which in the  
United
> States is more correctly reserved for these animals.  Swine which is  
being used
> today for their flesh, prepared as ham, bacon, and pork, and their fat  
(lard);
> they also provide leather for gloves, footballs; and numerious other  
aritlces,
> and bristles for brushes.  Swine are classified in the phylum Chordata,
> subphylum Vertebrata, class Mammalia, order Artiodactyle, and family  
Suidae.
> 
> 	The pig by its very nature is a scavenger.  It may eat any type of
> filth, garbage, or trash.  The stomach of the pig is quite poor in  
structure
> and it takes roughtly three hours for it to digest whatever food it  
eats.  This
> means that if the pig, for example, starts eating filth, manure, rotten
> meat or whatever other impurities, within three hours; the trash has  
passed
> through its system, is absorved, and comes back as part of its flesh.   
If that
> same pig is killed three hours after it has had its meal of trash and  
other
> impurites, and a dish of pork , or whatever other type, is prepared,  
then you
> would actually have a dish of trash.  There might also be a number of  
germs,
> bacteria, and parasites which infest the pig and live in its flesh.
> 
> 	Thus, it may be concluded without doubt that the swine or pig is
> definitely an impious and unsanitary animal.  It is important to  
establish this
> fact before understanding why Allah (God) has prohibited the consumption  
of
> swine.  Before moving further it is essential to make clear that the
> prohibition of swine includes not just the flesh but also other edible
> portions as well.
> 
> 	Allah has clearly explained that swine has been prohibited for all  
of
> mankind in the Quran, Sura Al-Baqara, verse 173:  "He hath only  
forbidden you
> dead meat, and blood, and the flesh of swine, and that which any other  
name has
> been invoked besides that of Allah.  But if one is forced by necessity,  
without
> wilful disobedience, nor transgressing due limits, then he is guiltless.   
For
> Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful."
> 
> 	However, the prohibition of swine has not only been stressed in  
Islam,
> it is prohibited in Judaism and Christianity as well!!  The reason for  
this is
> very simple to understand.  He Who revealed the law to Prophet Moses  
(pbuh) is 
> the same Who revealed or gave the gospel to Prophet Jesus (pbuh) and He  
is the
> same Who revealed the last scripture, the Quran to Prophet Mohammad  
(pbuh).
	






		Okay.... I'm an American newly exposed to the culture of
Pakistan... but not to Islam.  I think that it's very nice that this  
article tries to explain why Pork is forbidden in ISLAM.  The argument  
about the meat being susceptible to disease is quite true.  The other  
arguments seem rather foolish, though.  The reason a pig will eat anything  
is because it's an omnivore.  Just like humans are. Why do you think  
cannibles in indochina used to call people 'longpigs'.  We taste just like  
streched out pigs.  Does the quran also forbid Bear meat?  They're  
omnivores too!  The things a pig eats aren't magically transmitted to the  
meat... It has to go through a digestive system.  The system filters out  
the waste before the food continues on to the rest of the body.  You have  
to remember, the quran is a very old book written for ancient peoples.   
There was far more of a problem with sanitary meat then.  This passage in  
the quran was meant to protect them from plagues quite often brought on by  
diseased meat.  Times have changed and now it's far safer to eat pork than  
it was two to three thousand years ago.  I'm not saying that the islamic  
tradition is wrong at all.  It is a very good one that should be kept on.   
I'm just saying that it wasn't the best way to explain why such a decree  
is made.  Finally I'd like to say that it is very arrogant to say that  
what is written in the quran now applies to christians and jews as well.   
Just as arrogant as it was for christians to come and try to convert  
Muslims into Christians (remember how that feels?).  I was raised  
Christian but i feel that all religions should receive equal  
consideration.  
	My best regards to everyone on this news group.

		Nathan Youngblood
		(youngbn@alleg.edu)


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