Food Culture and Religion

There are many religious traditions found around the world and many subgroups or sects within these main categories.

Listings of the major world religions most commonly include the Baha’ı faith, Buddhism, Christianity, Confucianism, Hinduism, Islam, Jainism, Judaism, Shintoism, Sikhism, Taoism, and Zoroastrianism. There are many other religions that are not included in such lists, either because they are relatively new, are concentrated in single countries, or lack a unifying central organization or scripture.

COMPARATIVE RELIGIOUS DIETARY LAWS

 

Judaism
  • Eat only animals with cloven hooves who chew cud
  • Eat only forequarters of animals
  • Eat only fish with scales and fins
  • No blood

 

Islam
  • No blood
  • No pork
  • No intoxicating liquor

 

Sikhism
  • No beef

Religious Practices

 

Days of the Year

Christianity

  • No meat or dairy products during Lent (Orthodox)

 

Judaism

  • No food preparation on the Sabbath

Preparation of Food

Judaism

  • Ritual animal slaughter
  • Separate utensils for meat and dairy products

 

Islam

  • Ritual animal slaughter

 

Hinduism

  • Ritual bathing and donning of clean clothes by Brahmins before eating

Fasts

Christianity

  • 40-day great Lent fast before Easter; 40-day Advent fast (Greek Orthodox)

 

Islam

  • Month of Ramadan

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