Practical & cultural reasons behind religious doctrine

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Permalink Reply by Louis on July 12, 2009 at 12:51pm

I suppose that since, back in the day, children were exchanged as marital trading chips so it would make sense that wouldn't want the goods spoiled before hand.

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Permalink Reply by Tarquin St John Sh'gn'sty on July 12, 2009 at 6:34pm

"Does anybody know of a site which gives the practical and cultural reasons behind some of the supposed moral imperatives in religious teachings?'

A couple of ideas;

(1) Pragmatic; Mosaic law was set over 3000 years ago. No refrigeration.Shellfish goes off very quickly,and also absorbs toxins easily. Likewise with pork,which also can also have a parasite, trichina spralis ,which causes the disease trichinosis. It can survive to harm humans who eat the pork ,unless it is very thoroughly cooked.

(2) Cultural: Both shellfish and pigs are seen as UNNATURAL: Shellfish live in the sea but are not fish. Pigs have cloven feet but do not chew the cud. These creatures don't fit the traditional Jewish view of the natural order.

There may also be pragmatic reason for [male]circumcision in dry sandy countries,among nomadic people with poor static hygiene


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trichinella_spiralis

Pigs may also carry a tape worm, Taenia solium

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taenia_solium

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Permalink Reply by Goz on July 20, 2009 at 1:38pm

Yes. Ted Talks have an interesting video on this very subject...I believe the url to it is her on AN,but i forget where.
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