Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
3
Role of Religion,
Spirituality, and Faith
in Food Choices
Jeffrey Stanton Kellam
contents
Abstract .................................................................................................................... 33
Introduction.............................................................................................................. 33
Food and Spirituality................................................................................................ 34
Food and Religious Belief ....................................................................................... 36
Dietary Laws, Ceremonies, and Rituals in Representative Religions...................... 37
Ethical Considerations Regarding Food Choices..................................................... 41
Conclusions.............................................................................................................. 41
Study Topics ........................................................................................................ 43
References................................................................................................................ 43
AbstRAct
The chapter examines the profound personal relationship that humans have with
food. Besides providing physical sustenance, there is an abundance of evidence that
one looks to food to satisfy other needs. There are specific religious laws, followed
by millions of people for centuries, that concern food restrictions, consumption, pro-
duction and cultivation, preparation, animal care and slaughter, fasting, feasts, and
prayer. Many human emotions and behaviors are intrinsically linked to food. Eating
symbolic food is a ceremoniously spiritual experience, and the use of food items
as metaphors for life is commonplace in our vernacular. Faith synthesizes matters
of religion, individuality, and spirituality. The importance of food on our psyche is
timeless and contemporary, holistic and ever modulating, and is affected by gover-
nance and secularity. The chapter intends only to highlight key areas of this compli-
cated subject matter.
IntRoductIon
“Eat of the things provided, and render thanks to Allah.”
—Qur'an 2.172
33
