Christians eating halal food.

[IneedAwittierNickname]

Or actually any non Muslims.
Is it allowed? If not why not? I tried looking it up in the bible and found opposing views that I didn't understand.
I'm a Christian and I will eat whatever, I can't see the issue. However I've been told I shouldn't because it's 'Islamic extremists' trying to trick me
trying to trick me into what?
I either need a good comeback or an explanation so am turning to the wisdom of mumsnet.

[capsium]

This passage in 1 Corinthians deals with this:

"26 For the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof.

27 If any of them that believe not bid you to a feast, and ye be disposed to go; whatsoever is set before you, eat, asking no question for conscience sake.

28 But if any man say unto you, this is offered in sacrifice unto idols, eat not for his sake that shewed it, and for conscience sake: for the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof:"

So in other words don't ask the question and don't express that eating this meat is in any way a religious act for you.

[capsium]

"25 Whatsoever is sold in the shambles, that eat, asking no question for conscience sake:"

Sorry verse 25 is the bit which talks about not asking the question.

[IneedAwittierNickname]

So does that mean I can eat it if I don't know it's halal? What about if I do know?

[Tykeisagirl]

I know that some people have an issue over the fact that for meat to be halal the animals aren't stunned before slaughter, but other than that it's just meat.

Halal meat doesn't somehow mutate in your body to alter your religious or political views, it's just food, the same as any other food. FFS.

[IneedAwittierNickname]

That's what I thought Tyke
Apparently in Australia they are labelling vegemite as halal and they shouldn't have changed it to pacify the Muslims

[FaithLoveandGrace]

I'm Christian and I think it's fine to eat Halal meat. Yes it's meat sacrificed to Allah technically and we're told not to eat anything sacrificed to idols however I personally don't have an issue as I'm not the one worshipping an idol - if that makes sense? As for how the animal is treated, I don't think one should refuse to eat halal because it may not have been stunned - if that were an issue we should also have an issue with how the animals are treated before slaughter too and thus refuse to eat pretty much any meat sold on a commercial basis, regardless of if it is Halal.

[IneedAwittierNickname]

That's what I think as well Faith.
One bible passage I found said not to eat things sacrificed to idols and another said it's ok if we don't know.
I actually think Allah and God are the same deity just by a different name. And even if they aren't then prayers to a 'false' god (I don't like the term for some reason) won't 'do' anything.

[capsium]

I think the point is to identify yourself as Christian, regardless, not to let someone think because you've eaten meat sacrificed to their god, which is not your own, is an act of worship to that god IYSWIM. For the sake of their conscience, so that they don't identify you with what their god stands for.

[FaithLoveandGrace]

Ineed I agree and think that Allah and God are the same deity and I know many of my Christian friends think the same. I don't know too much about how Muslims view it though.

I'm not sure why anyone would say 'Islamic extremists' are trying to trick you? You can't be converted simply by an act of eating food. Faith ultimately comes from within and even if God does view Halal meet as a sacrifice to an idol eating it isn't going to change your beliefs or your faith in him. Fwiw a clergy friend of mine and I were discussing this recently and he regularly eats halal food in communal setting where they try to please Muslims and non-Muslims so easiest way is to have halal. He sees nothing wrong with it and he's been a member of the clergy for around 10-15 years now.

[IneedAwittierNickname]

Ah ok capsium I see. Thanks :)

[pengymum]

Halal meat is NOT sacrificed to God. Muslims do NOT worship idols. We believe in the ONE God same as Jews & Christians. Islam is an Abrahamic religion as is Judaism & Christianity.
Hope that clarifies things a little.

[FaithLoveandGrace]

pengy I thought halal meat was prayed over / sacrificed to God? It's good to hear a Muslim agree Allah / God is the same deity :)

I didn't mean Muslims do worship idols just that if Allah was seen as a different God, then technically from a Christian's view point he could be seen as an idol. However I personally see Allah and God as the same thing.

[IneedAwittierNickname]

Thank you pengy
I knew it was prayed over, wasn't sure if that made it a sacrifice or not. Like Faith I see it as the same God hence putting false in '' hope I haven't caused offence :)

[NotTheKitchenAgainPlease]

In fact idolatry in Islam is forbidden.
Pp is right - Islam is a monotheist Abrahamic religion.
There is no religious reason why you couldn't eat halal or kosher meat.

[BackOnlyBriefly]

Well perhaps Jews and Muslims believe in the same god, but Christians believe Jesus was god and Muslims don't. There's no way to spin that to make it right is there.

[FaithLoveandGrace]

Backonlybriefly - yes that's true but I'm confused as to what the belief (or not) in Jesus being the Son of God has to do with whether or not we as Christians can eat Halal?

[BackOnlyBriefly]

It was said that it wasn't a problem even if you considered it a sacrifice to Allah because it was the same god. Yet clearly Christians and Muslims don't think they worship the same god. I'd call that relevant.

[BackOnlyBriefly]

That doesn't mean I'm opposed to Christians eating meat sacrificed to another god. That's up to them.

[MaryWestmacott]

It's perfectly fine as a Christian to eat Halal food. However, I wouldn't eat halal meat on animal cruelty grounds.

[acharmofgoldfinches]

I don't follow any particular faith, but over the years I have worked with and for Christian, Muslim, Jewish, Buddhist and Hindu groups (amongst others), and my experience is that the offering and sharing of food is fundamental to all of them.

At a time where misunderstanding/mistrust between faiths is all too easily stoked, can I suggest that whether someone of one faith "should" be eating food prepared in accordance with another is missing the point: the only chance we have of promoting inter-faith tolerance (and thus helping to prevent extremism) is by breaking bread with anyone who is generous enough to offer it!

And yes I do know where that phrase comes from

[FaithLoveandGrace]

backonly okay fair enough that's your opinion. I'm Christian, I believe Jesus is the son of God but since Islam is an abrahamic faith and believe in one God (same as Christians and Jews) I still think Allah and God are the same.

mary how is halal meat tarted any worse than chickens who are stuffed into cages and have no room to even spread their wings? I can never understand how people complain of animal cruelty at death but have no qualms about eating something that's been treated horrendously throughout it's life.

acharmofgold very well said :)

[FaithLoveandGrace]

Oh gosh awful autocorrect! Was trying to say treated not tarted!

[BackOnlyBriefly]

FaithLoveandGrace well the bit about Muslims not believing Jesus is god is not my opinion and the bit about Christians thinking he is god is is not my opinion either.

I know less about Islam than Christianity, but this seems pretty conclusive.

They do blaspheme who say: “God is Christ the son of Mary.” They do blaspheme who say: God is one of three in a trinity: for there is no God except one God Allah. If they do not desist from their word of blasphemy, verily a grievous penalty will befall the blasphemers among them. Christ the son of Mary was no more than a Messenger; many were the Messengers that passed away before him.”

[FaithLoveandGrace]

That's interesting. I don't know a great deal about Islam and wasn't aware of that verse. Thanks for sharing.

[pengymum]

Muslims believe Jesus Christ was a Prophet not the son of God as God has no sons/daughters, mother/father. They do not accept the Trinity or the Resurrection but that Jesus Christ was not killed on the cross. He was taken up to Heaven by God and will return to Earth on the Day of Judgement. God is all powerful.
I am not a scholar of religion so cannot go into great detail and I believe in live & let live, as long as no one is harmed by someone's beliefs & practises.