THE GRAND RAPIDS PRESS THURSDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2020 B5 ETHICS & RELIGION TALK Many people of faith practice dietary rules Rabbi David Krishef
[email protected] Traci asks, “Could you discuss any dietary bidden to be consumed: intoxicants, carrion, blood, pork, restrictions your religions may have, includ- animals dedicated to anyone other than God. Prohibited ing alcohol?” methods of slaughtering; an animal whose meat is lawful must be slaughtered applying Islamic methodology by The Rev. Linda Knieriemen, senior pastor at First invoking the name of God.” Presbyterian Church in Holland, responds: “Wine was a staple beverage in the ancient world. Jesus Fred Stella, the pracharak (outreach minister) for consumed wine; in fact, at the wedding of Cana, he turned the West Michigan Hindu Temple, responds: water into wine! If Christians want to live like Jesus, they “There are no absolute hard and fast rules on diet in should enjoy their Cabernets and Chardonnays! But there most of Hinduism. As with many religions, there is a spec- are also warnings about excess consumption of alcoholic trum of observance, and individuals may place them- beverages in the pages of the Bible, so thoughtful consid- selves anywhere within it. The only thing that is pretty eration is prudent and has been plentiful. much universal is refraining from eating beef. I’ve never “In the PC (USA) there are no dietary restrictions, nei- met a practicing Hindu who does. But consumption of ther is alcohol prohibited. My congregation opens its fi sh, fowl, goat and lamb is not unpopular. Vegetarianism doors to 12-step recovery group meetings for the com- is considered the ideal, but many do not meet that high munity, so the life-altering eff ects of alcohol addiction standard.