An Internet reader sent this message: "I hit your column while surfing the Internet to find out about the history of meat eating among humans. I am curious to know how our societies came to the idea of vegetarianism, beefism, porkism etc.. What were the factors which prohibited people from eating certain animals like dogs, lions, rats, cows, pigs, eagles etc? Please write me back or guide me to find out its answer in a logical way instead of basing your reason on religion or bible."
The following is an excerpt from a magazine article I had previously written about humans and culture.
Only Mankind Has Culture
Would you consider eating dog meat? Maybe some poodle patties, beagle burgers or collie coldcuts? Do you believe eating cow meat or pig meat is a sin? Are you a vegetarian? If you enjoy some---or neither of these, you are demonstrating an aspect of human culture.
One of the most distinguishing characteristics that separates man from animals is culture. Man is able to develop attitudes, habits and values and then pass them on to the next generation through the use of language. Culture cannot be biologically transmitted, it comes with learning. In other words, attitude, habits and values aren't inherited from parents. As is well demonstrated in the human family, having saints for parents does not guarantee the children will also be saintly. Habits, attitudes and values are taught and learned.
The great difference between humans and animals becomes clearer when comparing the two in social settings. Animals have essentially the same patterns of behavior within a given species. For instance the social insects such as honeybees, termites and ants live by very rigid standards. Honeybee society is extremely complex. As many as 60,000 to 180,000 honeybees may live in a single hive under a caste system which is a system based on the biological differences of individuals. The caste system operates with rigid rules of social order. The members of this bee society are born to stations in life and that is where they remain, some as queens, some as drones and most as workers. The slave like life of a worker is described by Professor William Keeton as follows:
Worker honeybees usually serve as nurse bees for roughly the first two weeks after metamorphosis, first incubating the brood and preparing brood cells, and later feeding the larvae. Then they may become house bees for a week or two, acting as storekeepers, housecleaners, wax secreters, or guards. Finally they may become field bees for four or five weeks, foraging for nectar and pollen. The individual has no choice of roles in this system; her role is a combination of caste, stage of development, and conditions of the hive. And she cannot long survive apart from the group to which she belongs. Keeton, Elements of Biological Science, p.413.
A point intended by including the preceding passage is that the bee has no choice of roles. Similar parallels can be seen in animals that live in bands or extended families. They do show some socially learned behaviors called protoculture, or the beginnings of culture. However, the enormous degree that man outdistances animals by his learning and sharing is not a fair comparison.
The ability to deal with changes according to present conditions is part of behavior. This is especially true concerning food intake and is another excellent example of how man differs from animals. For example, a cow will eat grass and a lion will kill and eat prey. That's the way things are that's what we expect they will always be. However, such hard-fast rules are not necessarily found in the human family. Instead, humans eat a vast variety of foods as is pointed out in the following quote: "Food habits, for instance, vary endlessly. The Eskimos of the Arctic live almost exclusively upon meat and fish, in contrast to many Mexican Indian peoples, whose diet is based for the most part on cereals and vegetables. Milk and its products are regarded as luxury foods among the Baganda of East Africa, but the peoples of West Africa hold them in far less regard. Fish is used as a food by many American Indian tribes, but the Navajos and Apaches of New Mexico and Arizona consider it nauseating and unfit for human consumption. Many peoples eat dog meat (among some Mexican Indians a variety of dog was especially bred for food), but there are many others, like ourselves, find the idea of eating dog meat nauseating.
There are variations as well in the manner in which foods may be combined. Orthodox Jews do not combine meat and diary products in the same meal, but take them separately. A similar custom obtains among Eskimos, who require that sea foods be kept quite distinct from foods obtained from land animals, and who even serve these in different containers. Special observances of this sort may extend to the very processes of eating: witness not only the Polynesian custom of reserving certain utensils for the eating of human flesh, but also the rigid formality of our table etiquette in the proper use of knives, forks, and spoons . . . . . there are few or no ways of behaving that hold for all men at all places and times." An Introduction to Anthropology, Ralph Beals/Harry Hoijer, Fourth Edition, p. 101-2.
Returning to the original question the reader asked, "Please write me back or guide me to find out its answer in a logical way instead of basing your reason on religion or Bible." I would have to answer that there seems to be little or no logic to why people eat what they do, other than it is part of their cultural heritage that has been passed down to them. However, if that heritage includes the Jewish/Christian roots then the prohibitions of Leviticus 11 would be evident.
As I understand it, there are three reasons why people eat what they do: culture, religious dictates (Leviticus 11) and personal preference. Many people, including myself, choose to restrict what we eat because it is a healthful choice. These days, studies abound that point up the benefits of healthful living. Studies have demonstrated that people can actually add up to six extra years (or more) to their life by being careful with what they put into their bodies.
In conclusion, I wonder if God had a reason and a purpose when He instructed His people not to eat scavengers? Maybe there was something more to the Creator's prohibitions in Leviticus 11 then just trying to torment people with dietary restrictions?

For further information you might look at the following books at www.Amazon.com or a local book store.
To Your Health: How to Ear More And Live Longer and Better by Dr. Hans Diehl
Dynamic Living: How to Take Charge of Your Health by Aileen Ludington, M.D.
Blessings in your study of God's Word!

Marvin Hunt

There is never a charge for my articles, and if you have a good reason, there is no limit to how many you may request. However, if you find them valuable you may want to order my latest book, History, Mystery and Facts About the Bible. Order at 1-800-845-7618 (ext. 301). You may also order from Amazon.com. Proceeds from the book go to support this ministry.

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