Why are Pigs considered Unclean?

So this has long been my question growing up as a Muslim. In the beginning, of course, I don’t question why pigs were considered haram. Then I reach early adolescence and start questioning the reasons behind why they were prohibited. The explanation that I received was that back in the biblical times, they had no refrigerators and so pigs’ meat would go bad faster than other meats. I found this explanation to be hilarious because why then would they still be prohibited today? The answer to that was because following the tradition was all that matters — another explanation that I just can’t accept.

This semester I am taking Intro to Anthropology and we did a little section on religion and covered the Book of Leviticus, the section where they discussed the different dietary prohibitions. In Mary Douglas’ Purity and Danger, she covered a section on the Abominations of Leviticus and I found this section very informative! Douglas’ explanation of why Muslims and Jews consider pigs as unclean really opened up my eyes to understanding the reasons behind the prohibitions. For shorter explanation, I will just copy an excerpt from my textbook discussion this section of Douglas’ book:

“The Abomination of Leviticus” (Cultural Anthropology: A Perspective on the Human Condition, Emily Schultz, Robert Lavenda)

Consider the prohibition against eating pork. For Jews and Muslims, pork is inedible, culturally speaking. According to Mary Douglas (1996), this has nothing to do with ecological problems associated with pig raising in southwestern Asia nor with defects in the digestive systems of Jews or Muslims. Douglas analyzed the Jewish dietary prohibitions detailed in the biblical Book of Leviticus. She argues that certain animals were prohibited as food because something about them violated the prototypes for edibility recognized in ancient Hebrew culture.

Prototypically “clean” land animals were supposed to have four legs and cloven hooves and to chew the cud; pigs were an “abomination” because they were four legged, cloven-hoofed beasts that did not chew the cud. “Clean” beasts of the air were supposed to have feathers and to fly with wings; therefore, hopping insects were “unclean” because they had six legs, neither walked nor flew, and lacked feathers. “Clean” water animals were supposed to have fins and scales; shrimp were forbidden because, although they lived in the sea, they lacked fins and scales.

By itself, Douglas argues, a prohibition against eating pork is meaningless and appears irrational. However, when the prohibition against pork is taken together with other dietary prohibitions in Leviticus, and when these are compared with the foods that were permitted, a pattern emerges. Douglas and Isherwood write, “Goods assembled together in ownership make physical, visible statements about the hierarchy of values to which their chooser subscribes” (1979, 5). Thus, Jews who consume only “clean” foods that meet the ritual requirements laid down by their tradition are doing more than procuring the means to satisfy their hunger; they are also making a social declaration of solidarity with their religious community, and the care with which they adhere to the dietary laws is a measure of their commitment. Their need for food is being met, but selectively, and the selection they make carries a social message.

Basically, it’s not just the rules that the people are following but what it means to follow the rules. They may seem irrational and meaningless, but the whole point to follow the different rules is to be “holy,” and not be different. Basically, by following the rules, they are sending a message that they are able to make choices and show their commitment to the religion. So in the end, basically, pigs are unholy because the bible said so.

Well it’s a much better explanation than what I have understood all these years. I certainly appreciate the information, but whether or not I will return to Islam will remain a question.

I found a counterfeit

So, I was wondering where my tips went and I remembered placing them in the back pockets of my work pants. So I went and grabbed it and forgot that it went through laundry. All the bills are fine, except this one:

Proof that counterfeit still exist (doh!) I’m not so happy that I lost $5, I could’ve used it for better things… I can’t believe anyone would tip Starbucks baristas with counterfeit money. Haven’t we worked hard enough?

For the love of Literature, the Library.

One thing I never knew I would love so much is the library. I have been reading more and more, as fast as approximately one novel per week. Coming in and out of the local library, I’ve just realized the advantage of reading from the local library. It’s free, everything is almost there, plus, there are people there to help you.

Perhaps I never though of using the people help up until today. I was searching for Jodi Picoult’s “Sister’s Keepers” but it has not been in stock for weeks. So while I was staring at the bookshelf, a kind woman (who has a manager tag — I didn’t see this until later on) offered me help. I told her what I needed and even she could not find the book. Then I told her if there are other similar authors that she would recommend I should read.

So far, my two top authors are Alice Hoffman and Jodi Picoult. Perhaps I’ve been so fixated that I have not been able to branch out and find more authors (I have in between here and there, but still pretty much stuck to the two of them). Many of my other recommended authors has only released a novel, only few have released numerous novel (like James Patterson for example, who have released possibly close to 100 books).

I never knew that I would find the need to ask for help from the librarian, but this time I do. It never occured to me that I could just ask a librarian for recommendations, I simply search online through the recommendations of other readers. Oh how helpful that was!

I am now on Anita Shreve and Anna Quindlen (currently reading Shreve). So far so good, Shreve is definitely a keeper.  Maybe I should start writing my own reading list? Summer is coming up and I will surely need one haha

p.s. Nadia, perhaps you could recommend me with some readings?

My Major Should be Biology?

Which College Major Should You Be?
	Your major should be Biology. You work hard, and you’re gonna keep working hard for many years to come. That’s why you keep your work organized and your health in good shape.
Find Your Character @ BrainFall.com

Well I found this online and filled it out before and it said that my major should be Business and Biology, yet everytime I go back and fill it out again, it says my major should be Biology. Oh well… I’m already on the science field and I think that’s good enough