Why Does Christianity Allow Pork and Alcohol When Both Can Be Harmful?

I am a Christian and enjoy alcohol in moderation on weekends. I also eat pork at times. From my understanding, according to the New Testament, God is more concerned with how we treat others and how we see Him as a loving heavenly father than what we eat or drink. Therefore, moderate consumption, whether of pork or alcohol, is not inherently wrong as long as it is done responsibly. Just do not drink and then drive.

Understanding the Diversity Within Christianity

Considering that the Christian world consists of major and minor faiths which total thousands (arguably over 33000), it would be quite inaccurate to broadly classify Christians as a religion that allows the consumption of pork and alcohol. This diversity ranges from individual to group doctrines, making a blanket statement unfair.

Denominations that Prohibit Pork and Alcohol

Two primary Christian denominations that prohibit the consumption of pork and alcohol are the Orthodox Christians and Seventh-day Adventists. Since there are so many factions of Christian denominations, you will find that dissenting or breakaway factions will modify the doctrines of their mother church, which may include the consumption of pork and alcohol. One example is a breakaway Methodist that allows alcohol in moderation.

Is Pork and Alcohol Really Bad for Health?

It is important to note that pork and alcohol are not the only things that can be harmful to health. There are countless substances and practices that can negatively impact our well-being. However, Jesus said, 'It is not what goes into your mouth that makes you unclean, but what comes out of your mouth. ' This statement symbolizes that our internal motivations, as evidenced by our actions and speech, determine the quality of our character, not adherence to religious rituals.

Faulting Humans for Religious Rules

It is often pointed out that normal human beings created the rules for Christianity, and it suited them at the time. While this is true, it does not diminish the importance of Christian teachings. It highlights that the rules we follow are created by humans, not God directly writing the Bible, Geeta, or Quran. These texts were written by individuals who added their thoughts based on various reasons.

Personal Responsibility and Wisdom

People are smart enough to know what is good and what is bad. The challenge lies in the fact that even if they know, some still choose to abuse it. The responsibility lies not in following a list of dos and don'ts but in living with pure motivations from a constant standpoint.

Conclusion

Throughout different denominations and practices within Christianity, there is a growing understanding that moderation and responsibility are key. As long as one adheres to these principles, there is no inherent prohibition against consuming pork or alcohol. The focus should remain on treating others kindly and expressing our love for God through our actions and speech, rather than worrying about the specifics of religious practices.