Some people may be surprised at how many people shy away from Islam because they love pork so much. To some people it is a barrier that they can not cross. They can not fathom life without swine. Most often, I hear this excuse used by people of color. This is not shocking considering that for four hundred years during slavery, they were given pork and other scraps to eat. They became accustom to it. The most reviled part of an animal became a delicatessen to slaves and their descendants. Until today, black people love pork despite the abundance of negative effects that it has on their body and mind. But this is not just a black issue. Almost all races of people love pork and they are reluctant to give it up, but is the renouncement of one source of food grounds to discount an entire religion?
Most people are surprised to know that the Bible emphatically denounces the consumption of pork, calling pigs unclean and unsuitable to eat. Though some suggest that pork was made "kosher," the book of Isaiah describes the Last Days when God will catch people as they are sinning and one of those sins will be eating pork. Even the normally non-controversial Joel Osteen has had a sermon on why pork is unfit to be eaten. But with all that said, what is the big deal about eating pork? Is this a commandment in Islam that if broken is tantamount to blasphemy?
Absolutely not. The importance placed on not eating pork comes from those who eat pork and do not want to stop. Their reluctance has caused Muslims to be extra stern on this issue, as if it is a pillar of Islam. Though it is a commandment of God and it should not be taken lightly, it is far less important than your belief in God, in his prophets, belief in his revelations and your own righteousness. Once you believe in these things, then you began to change. One does not make the change first and then believe. As a child, I ate ham, sausages, and bacon (luckily I never ate chitterlings) and I must confess, it was delicious. But as my mother said, "everything that is good to you, may not be good for you." I used to try to convince my father, who was a Muslim, to buy me pork. I did not understand his problem with it. As I grew older and I started to embrace Islam, pork was easily extracted from my diet. It is to the point now that oftentimes the smell of pork turns my stomach ( I know that it's all in my mind). But the point is, this is how it works. A person is convinced of the truth of Islam, THEN they follow its tenants.
Food for thought is far more significant than food for the stomach.
Peace to all.
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