Faiths, cultures and diet

Faiths and cultures

Buddhism

Buddhists believe that it is wrong to hurt or kill animals and that a human soul can be reborn in an animal body. For this reason many are vegetarian (although some do eat fish), and some traditions such as the Mahayana Buddhists follow this more strictly than others.

Christianity

Most Christians have no religious objection to eating any kind of meat. Some fast on Fridays or during Lent mainly for spiritual reasons.

Hinduism

Hindus consider the cow as a sacred animal and therefore do not eat beef. Some Hindus are vegetarians and do not eat eggs or fish. Hindus believe that animals have spiritual awareness. If a Hindu was to consume meat they would need to equal the balance by doing good actions and may learn the lesson in this life or the next.

Islam
Practising Muslims have to keep to a very strict diet and they have to treat animals with compassion. For muslims to be able to eat meat (the word halal means it is permissible) it has to be slaughtered in a particular way. During the month of Ramadan Muslims must not eat during the hours of daylight.

Judaism

Jews have strict rules about their diet know as the “Kshrut”. The word “Kosher” means permitted and “Treif” means forbidden. Only certain animals, fish and birds can be eaten.
Jews are not allowed to mix dairy and meat food together, they would not be allowed a cheese burger and must wait before consuming any dairy products after eating meat.

Sikhism

Most Sikhs are vegetarian and don't eat eggs or fish or any foods made out of them. Sikhs are not allowed to consume alcohol because they need to be alert at all times.

Back to top