Would you eat halaal?

The Pharisees in the day of Jesus our Lord were subject to the folly of judging other believers basing on outside appearances. In fact they were guilty of valuing inappropriately, matters that concerned true spirituality in the day. They considered outside apperances as the all-in-one when in fact they lacked in real matters of being obedient to God. I have had thought recently about Halaal meat, consumed by Moslems and subsequently unwittingly consumed by Christians in countries such as mine. In the First World there are laws that commit all retailers to label all the products that they sell as to their make and composition. In most Third World nations this is not the case. As a result there is a good number of Christians unwittingly consuming Halaal meat. Recently I have been audience to a debate on Christians consuming Halaal meat and I have been one of the Christians guilty of Halaal meat consumption. I wonder what our Lord's take on this subject is? May some informed Rabbis answer this question for me please. Is there harm in Christians consuming Halaal unwittingly or wittingly? If I were to banish my family from eating Halaal wittingly would I be doing like the Pharisees?

They say a ritual is perfomed when Halaal meat is being slaughtered. Whatever the case, the ritual consecrates this meat to the Moslem god. I have a deep conviction my God Jehovah and the Islamic god are not the same. I don't buy the 'different paths' theory. Moslems go to hell. My contention is to do with whether or not I die by eating what is evidently not consecrated to the living God but to to a dead God...... May God light our eyes so we could discern right from wrong.

Hi Ropafadzo,This question is dealt with by Paul in I Corinthians the 10th chapter. A careful read of the passages seems to indicate that the issue depends on the perspective of the eater and those who are watching them eat or purchase the items for eating. If the Christian were all alone and had 'faith' and were to eat it would not be sin to him/her. If they could not eat the items in good conscience then they are NOT to eat them. Also if there are folks sitting around who may see you eat or buy the products and THEY do not have faith they may be compelled to eat them also as if it were OK to eat them (as food sacrificed or dedicated to false gods). This would cause the weak brother or sister to stumble and sin because they don't understand what is happening. Blessed is the man that condemeth not himself in that thing which he alloweth. (Romans 14:22). In other words, don't do something that will cause someone weak in the faith or ignorant to fall just because you have faith and eat the food as unto the Lord giving Him thanks (sinlessly). Hope that made some sense.God Bless,-Robert

1 Corinthians 8:[1] Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.[2] And if any man think that he knoweth anything, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know.[3] But if any man love God, the same is known of him.[4] As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one.[5] For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,)[6] But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.[7] Howbeit there is not in every man that knowledge: for some with conscience of the idol unto this hour eat it as a thing offered unto an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled.[8] But meat commendeth us not to God: for neither, if we eat, are we the better; neither, if we eat not, are we the worse.[9] But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak.[10] For if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in the idol's temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols;[11] And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died?[12] But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ.[13] Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.

I bet we have all eaten Halal at one time. Ever bought a Kebab on a night out? They taste really good by the way at 3.00am in the morning.I can't really see why you can't eat Halal. We don't belive in their God so why should it affect us?I watched a documentry the other day where they showed vegetables being fertilized by human fecies. They are importing these vegetables into the country. You eat this stuff, personally that would be alot worse...Basically I think it all comes down to where your heart is while your eating the stuff. Are you eating Halal for the sake of Muslim religion? No you just want a feed... :-D

Basically I think it all comes down to where your heart is while your eating the stuff. Are you eating Halal for the sake of Muslim religion? No you just want a feed...This is true if there is none occasion for others to be 'offended' by the act. I don't use the word 'offended' here in the sense of political correctness, but in the sense that it could somehow injure the cause of Christ. As mentioned in the I Cor 8 Paul stated that he would eat nothing that caused a brother or sister to be offended or stumble. Some may not realize that we do not acknowledge the god that the meat was dedicated or sacrificed to, and may think that we are partaking of the ceremony. New Christians who have little knowledge may be compelled to eat the food in participation of a pagan ceremony as if it were ok, when it is not. If you have not faith and knowledge concerning these things to eat would be idolatry in the same way as sacrificing to a Baal or Molech.

1 Corinthians 10:23-33 (New King James Version)New King James Version (NKJV)23 All things are lawful for me,[a] but not all things are helpful; all things are lawful for me,[b] but not all things edify. 24 Let no one seek his own, but each one the other’s well-being.25 Eat whatever is sold in the meat market, asking no questions for conscience’ sake; 26 for “the earth is the LORD’s, and all its fullness.”[c]27 If any of those who do not believe invites you to dinner, and you desire to go, eat whatever is set before you, asking no question for conscience’ sake. 28 But if anyone says to you, “This was offered to idols,” do not eat it for the sake of the one who told you, and for conscience’ sake;[d] for “the earth is the LORD’s, and all its fullness.”[e] 29 “Conscience,” I say, not your own, but that of the other. For why is my liberty judged by another man’s conscience? 30 But if I partake with thanks, why am I evil spoken of for the food over which I give thanks?31 Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 32 Give no offense, either to the Jews or to the Greeks or to the church of God, 33 just as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.i hope this helps. even though muslim claims that halaal meat is to allah we know that all meat is from the Lord and allah is not a true God, so we can eat it with thankfulness. but knowing our liberty we must also be watchful for those who are weak.

If anyone has raised this already... my apologies. Paul refers to 'the shambles' (KJV) This is really the 'meat market' and it is very likely that ALL the meat sold in that 'meat market' had been 'offered to idols'. This, so far as I understand, would be the same in countries under Sharia law. This would mean that any meat not slaughtered personally would have been 'prayed over' in a Muslim country. Of course we have no knowledge of the religious faith of the people who grow our vegitables either. They may be practising heathen fertility rites; I am sure this is still the case in some parts of the UK. This means that the sandwich I am eating may have been subject to considerable 'spiritual' contamination. Paul's admonition to TImothy may be significant here:“For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.” (1Tim. 4:4-5, KJVS)Perhaps, 'giving thanks' is more important than we have realised. To take food and 'set it apart to God's service' (sanctify it) in the sustenance of our bodies is something more than the old grace of 'Lord, bless this bunch as we munch our lunch'. The quotation above has interesting implications, for example, does that mean that every creature is only good and to be received when it has been 'sanctified by the word of God and prayer'?In our private homes or Christian gatherings it is very convenient to 'sanctify the meal' but how would that play out if I am in my Muslim or Hindu neighbour's home and enjoying his hospitality? Surely this would be a clear context in which to consider the passage:“Whatsoever is sold in the shambles, that eat, asking no question for conscience sake: For the earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof. If any of them that believe not bid you to a feast, and ye be disposed to go; whatsoever is set before you, eat, asking no question for conscience sake. But if any man say unto you, This is offered in sacrifice unto idols, eat not for his sake that shewed it, and for conscience sake: for the earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof:” (1Cor. 10:25-28, KJVS)It would not be conducive to our witness if we were to publically 're-pray' over the food. However, if my host is conscious of my rejection of his god and that I know my meal has been dedicated to his god, then conscience (and his not mine) becomes a real issue. It such circumstances I am to refuse, not for my own safety or comfort, but for the sake of his conscience.

"The Kingdom of heaven is not a matter of food and drink but of Rightousness Peace and Joy in the Holy Spirit."I have knowingly gone into Halall stores and bought meat and will continue to do so. I cant find good goat meat anywhere else. Jesus is not offended. I dont think He even noticed what false god they worship, be it allah or mullah, money or mtv. They still need to repent and trust Jesus and as far as "catching something" from their prayers:greater is He that is within me than he that is in the world. What do you think we have Holy Ghost for?