Talking with different people here, I have heard many explanations for Islamic practices. We briefly had an Algerian roommate who liked to put Islam in scientific terms. For example, when Muslims pray, they kneel and touch their head to the floor. She explained to me that this is because, scientifiquement, human beings have a negative charge and the earth has a positive charge, so the action of performing the prayer balances the charge. I found this interesting because there was no explanation as to what happens to us if we are negatively charged nor did it matter to her. Scientists have discovered the Earth has a positive charge and humans have a negative charge so the salat prayers are essential. It’s settled!
My personal favorite are the various scientific and non-scientific explanations of why pork is haram or forbidden. Let’s look at the different reasons:
1. In order for animal meat to be considered halal or permitted, a prayer must be said when the animal is being slaughtered. Since pigs will eat anything, they may eat meat that was not killed in the proper manner so it will then be contaminated itself.
2. In the 7th century, during the time of the Prophet, pigs were a vector for disease so it was forbidden by the religion to discourage its consumption to protect the health of the population.
3. Scientific studies have “proven” that pork is just plain “bad” for you, no further elaboration than that is necessary.
Now for my personal favorite…
You are what you eat! There is a belief here that you will take on the characteristics of what you consume. We have been told, “If you eat pork then you will ignore your wife and kids”.
I have never paid attention to the family life of pigs, but apparently, the males are not family oriented. Therefore, if you eat pork, you will neglect your family. That must be the cause of all the divorces and infidelity we have in the West, we are bacon lovers! I don’t know why we have never noticed this connection before! I find it ironic because chicken is widely accepted here as meat but isn’t it typically one rooster mating with dozens of hens? I’m more of a turkey-mating expert but I assume it is quite similar. Just some food for thought.
