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.

I know, Panda. It's all very much a matter of opinion, isn't it, though. Some branches of Chrisitianity take the idols and blood thing very seriously, whereas some take the position that nothing is off limits. I even knew some Chrisitnas who became vegetarian in preparation for the Millennial Rule, assuming that, because "death will be no more", a veggie diet will be needed. I think that Peter's vision makes things quite clear, but on a deep level, I am pretty disturbed by the idea of eating blood products - but then I've been veggie for 35 years (not a religious thing), so it might just be that.

Personally, I am in favour of the not making my brother stumble approach in most things, as that would seem the loving thing to do.

Perhaps anti-muslim prejudiced extremists are stirring up mischief and preying on the general level of ignorance around these issues.

There was a similar 'outrage' about the halal status of Baked Beans.

Halal means, roughly, spiritually clean, or allowed, haram means forbidden / spiritually taboo. Meat is made halal by the prayer the animal hears in it's last moment. Vegemite is halal by nature of being a vegan product with no haram qualities, Ditto Baked Beans, oven chips (made with sunflower or any other veg oil), Marmite, Cadbury's hot chocolate, frozen raspberries, spaghetti hoops, Walkers Ready Salted, Robertson's jam, etc etc are all halal foods that any Christian may find in their shopping baskets!

Beware the idiots and trouble makers.

And ask yourself how Christian is this ignorant scaremongering?

Turns out after all her 'true Christian' blah blah she is a wiccan. So that makes it all even more nonsensical! Anyway I deleted her on the dreaded Facebook after she claimed all Muslims should be sent to and island and blown up

blu that's the point I was trying to make to her and she claimed I didn't 'get it'

Think I shall return to my happy land where I (a Christian) live happily and peacefully side by side with my many Muslim/sikh/Buddhist friends. I shall continue to eat with them when that meal is halal. :)

On a completely different note, sorry OP, I find the Council of Jerusalem, that Panda mentioned, really, really interesting. All that jockeying for position and the ability to influence the direction of the early church. All that internal politics at play.

Paul's position must have been really quite difficult. He came along, claiming to be a chosen apostle with a mission to the gentiles with no direct relationship with the earthly Jesus and having been a prominent persecutor of the first Christians. it must have been difficult for the others to accept, especially as he obviously wanted to exert a very great influence on where the church was headed. Fascinating stuff.

by the way there actually are Christians who eat halal did you know that?
They are called Coptics and come from Egypt and the Sudan.

No I didn't know that Sunny it's interesting thank you.
Although presumably it hasn't been prayed over in Allah's name? Or has it because of where they live?

I dont know about that - they do live more like Muslims do from what I saw living in a town with lots of Coptic people. They were big on icons and Jesus with a crown of thorns and accompanying blood drips.

when I was working in a halal butchers there were plenty more down the street and my boss explained to me that they were not all Muslim but some Christian too

Thanks for the info. I find it fascinating tbh and wish I was more educated in such matters.
Might have a Google when I have time.

When i lived in South East Asia, all meat that wasn't pork was halal. The Christians had no problems eating it. However i d remember people seeking guidance regarding eating meet that had been sacrificed to the ancestors (by non-Christian family). The clergy answered i line with 1 Cor 8 where Paul says that food is food but warns that one shouldn't eat it if one feels uncomfortable about it or if it would cause a brother or sister to fall.
Many Christians retain or adopt the customs regarding food in their local culture. For example, from what i gather, it isn't uncommon for Christians in Pakistan to consider pork unclean.