"Muslims Aren’t The Only Ones Who Don’t Eat Pork"
by Saaudiah Lisa Muhammad
Whenever someone says, “I don’t eat pork,” and you’re Black, people will automatically assume that you’re a Muslim. Honestly, I stopped eating pork before I became a Muslim. Granted, my decision to stop eating pork at the time, was based on one of the cutest guys on campus declaring that any girls who wanted to be down with him, couldn’t eat pork. That was LITERALLY my motivation to get the pork off my fork, (laugh out loud). Though a few years later, I became a Muslim, I was in fact a Christian and a non-pork eater. As a Muslim, I can’t count the number of times I’ve had to say to people, very kind and polite, "I’m sorry but I don’t eat pork, when in casual settings". When I add in I’m a vegetarian their expression is always the same. A bit of shock and awe, even in the year of 2015! When I am explaining about my diet, I inevitably begin to sing the praises of the books, 'How To Eat To Live' (Books 1 &2) by the Honorable Elijah Muhammad. I also mention to those that are Christians, what the Bible says in reference to pork. Leviticus chapter 11 verses 1-8 says:
"And the LORD spake unto Moses and to Aaron, saying unto them, Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, These are the beasts which ye shall eat among all the beasts that are on the earth. Whatsoever parteth the hoof, and is cloven footed, and cheweth the cud, among the beasts, that shall ye eat. Nevertheless these shall ye not eat of them that chew the cud, or of them that divide the hoof: as the camel, because he cheweth the cud, but divideth not the hoof; he is unclean unto you. And the coney, because he cheweth the cud, but divideth not the hoof; he is unclean unto you. And the hare, because he cheweth the cud, but divideth not the hoof; he is unclean unto you. And the swine, though he divide the hoof, and be cloven-footed, yet he cheweth not the cud; he is unclean to you. Of their flesh shall ye not eat, and their carcass shall ye not touch; they are unclean to you."
I’m not trying to convince anyone with my words or stance about eating pork. However, if the Bible, which is the standard that one who is a Christian should strive to live their life by, makes it crystal clear that pork among other animals is not to be eaten. It also states that their carcass should not be touched. Often time’s people will try and have it appear that Muslims and Christians are so different from each other, but we have so much in common. For those who are Christians, these verses alone should end the discussion about whether non-Muslims should be eating pork. If from a theological perspective you still aren’t convinced as for the case not to eat pork, how about a few facts that should convince anyone who values their health not to eat pork. One of the biggest concerns with eating pork meat is trichinellosis or trichinosis. This is an infection that humans get from eating undercooked or uncooked pork that contains the larvae of the trichinella worm.
This worm parasite is very commonly found in pork. When the worm, most often living in cysts in the stomach, opens through stomach acids, its larvae are released into the body of the pig. These new worms make their homes in the muscles of the pig. Next stop? The unknowing human body who consumes this infected meat flesh. And while no one particularly wants to consume worms, trichinellosis is a serious illness that you should do virtually anything to avoid. Common Symptoms of Trichinellosis are nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, fever, chills, cough, swollen eyes, muscle pain, aching joints, coordination problems, heart issues and breathing problems (http://draxe.com/why-you-should-avoid-pork/).