Blog# 172 Some Religions Teach Mercy Through Dietary Guidelines

Recently, I visited my friend, Badou, at his restaurant, Badou’s Senegalese Cuisine, on Howard Street, in Chicago, for a delicious dinner.  I often eat dishes from his vegan menu, which is extensive.  This time, I found him, his sister, just recently visiting again from Senegal, and his son, sorting many cuts of meat and fish, all of which had just arrived, and placing them in several freezers. He told me that he would participate in a neighborhood celebration of cultures and foods that coming weekend, and the extra food was for that weekend.  I also learned that all the meat he serves in his restaurant is Halal, meaning all the meat is appropriately raised and then mercifully sacrificed, according to Moslem law.  According to Moslem law, the animals should be raised humanely and be healthy.  They should be killed with the least trauma possible, by slitting their throat without cutting the spinal cord.  All the blood is allowed to leave the animal’s body this way.  Blood is regarded as a carrier of toxic substances and disease, as well as of various emotions, which may have arisen during the animal’s life, especially just prior to sacrifice.  The sacrifice must be carried out while the animal is alive, and must be performed by an adult Moslem of sound mind.  The animal must not be in the presence of other animals, so that no animal is affected by the death of another.  A prayer/blessing must be said over the animal at the time of slaughter, in the name of Allah, stating that Allah is the greatest.  Alcohol is forbidden in a Halal diet.

Other religions also have dietary guidelines.  Judaism has the Kosher laws and guidelines, which are more stringent than Halal, but basically are geared to the same end: a Kosher diet leads to improved health for the consumer of foods, respect for the animal’s life and merciful attitudes and actions in relation to sacrificing the animal.  The Kosher laws and practices also bring in an attitude of respect and holiness when an animal is slaughtered, and the process associates God or the Divine with Life and with the transition from Living to Dying.  Hinduism, also places a strong value on mercy.  About a third of Hindus are vegetarian or vegan.  They don’t believe in killing animals in order to nourish themselves.  Not only does the killing cause suffering, but it also adds hormones, toxins and the animal’s suffering to people’s diets.  Hinduism does find eating plant foods acceptable, since plants appear to suffer less than animals, though we really do not know that, absolutely.  Another religion that contains special dietary guidelines is Buddhism, many branches of which teach a strongly preferential adherence to a vegetarian diet, with periods of fasting or other dietary restrictions.  No alcohol or tobacco are permitted.  

Some cultures have dietary preferences which are not associated with religions, but still encourage compassionate attitudes toward animals and also toward human health and Life.  Some of these people are Vegan, some are Vegetarian, some are Raw foodists, and some consume strictly Organically or Biodynamically produced foods.  Some of these groups are among farmers, homesteaders, and small gardeners.  Respect and care for the Earth and soil is strongly valued.  Certain fertilizers may be used or avoided.  Certain plants may be raised near others, for example, cacao, banana, palm and rubber trees.  The latter three provide good shade for the smaller cacao trees, and also contribute extra nutrients to the soil.  

So consider remembering the spiritual and/or religious attitudes connected with different nutritional choices.  These nutritional disciplines could go deep.  In some groups of people, they go deeper than others.  The more these dietary guidelines are regarded as supportive of individual and group physical and mental health, as well as the health and integrity of the soil and especially, the cultivation of attitudes and actions of mercy and peace between people, cultures and nations, the better off all Life on Earth will be.

This blog’s offer:  Check out Badou Senegalese Cuisine, on 1947 W. Howard Street, in Chicago.  Be sure to call and check that they are open and that Badou is there, if possible, at least for your introduction to the restaurant.  Here is the link:  badousenegalesecuisine.com

If you have any questions, feel free to contact me.