I Corinthians 8:
Now about food sacrificed to idols: We know that “We all possess knowledge.” But knowledge puffs up while love builds up.
Those who think they know something do not yet know as they ought to know. But whoever loves God is known by God.
So then, about eating food sacrificed to idols: We know that “An idol is nothing at all in the world” and that “There is no God but one.”
For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as indeed there are many “gods” and many “lords”), yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live.
But not everyone possesses this knowledge. Some people are still so accustomed to idols that when they eat sacrificial food they think of it as having been sacrificed to a god, and since their conscience is weak, it is defiled.
But food does not bring us near to God; we are no worse if we do not eat, and no better if we do.
Be careful, however, that the exercise of your rights does not become a stumbling block to the weak.
For if someone with a weak conscience sees you, with all your knowledge, eating in an idol’s temple, won’t that person be emboldened to eat what is sacrificed to idols?
So this weak brother or sister, for whom Christ died, is destroyed by your knowledge.
When you sin against them in this way and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ.
Therefore, if what I eat causes my brother or sister to fall into sin, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause them to fall.
As the video above demonstrates, Muslims are doing what they need to do to make sure food sacrificed to idols (Allah) is introduced into our society. There are multiple reasons for this, some having to do with money, some with Stealth Jihad.
Allah is not the God of the Bible.. To those of us who believe in the God of the Bible, Allah is an idol.
This Halal food is not harmful to us, either physically or spiritually. The God of the Bible is not cowed by Allah. Allah is nothing to the God of the Bible.
And therefore, Allah is nothing to us.
That being said, MUSLIMS KNOW that the food has been sacrificed to Allah, AND THEY KNOW WE KNOW.
Muslims are weak. They are among the weak ones spoken of in I Corinthians 8. They are in bondage to Allah, who is a God of power and submission, blood, and death. This is why Muslims kill, each other, cut themselves up, beat their heads on the ground, play with entrails, and all the other abominations that are part of the worship of Allah.
Therefore, if we eat of their food, we are causing them to stumble.
If we eat of their food, they are destroyed by our knowledge.
If we eat of their food, we sin against Christ.
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.”[a]
ReplyDelete27 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;[b] for “the earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness.”[c] 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.
1 Corinthians 10:25-33
So then you would only refuse to eat it if there was a sign that says, "Halal"?
ReplyDeleteThe problem for me is, the "sacrificed to Idols" part is not the whole of the issue.
The other MAJOR issue is that money from sales of Halal products goes to Jihad.
No the point of my quote is that one shouldn't feel as though one has sinned because of choosing to eat something "sacrificed to idols", as I understand Paul's intent.
ReplyDeleteThe money issue is separate. No, if it was marked Halal certified I would not purchase it.
However, aside from what she mentions in the video, what practically can the average person do to avoid these foods. Nearly everything in the local supermarkets (it seems) goes through halal certification. One moth o very hungry if they avoided it all. Unless (like my wife) they get stuff like milk and eggs and vegetables from local farmers and meat from local butchers.
But still, from a practical standpoint, what would you suggest for the average schmuck in the street?
So the conundrum down this rabbit hole, as I see it, is thus.
ReplyDeleteOf course we don't want to knowingly eat halal because of funding Jihad.
That's the money issue. No question there.
But (and borrowing from your last few sentences in the post) if we eat it we cause them to stumble.
I believe they have already stumbled on their own by believing in their false god and not because I am eating their food.
They are destroyed by our knowledge. That may be so but eating it says to them that their god and belief have no power over my choice. Their activities and practices are for naught. Their actions and free will brought them to this, not mine. And theirs has no effect on mine.
We sin against Christ. Again, the point of my original comment was that by eating it and giving thanks for it (saying grace etc) makes it not a sin.
But still, even if by eating it we show them they have no power over our free will or our relationship with God (and thus hopefully destroying their "religion" or beliefs) we still have the problem of, by doing so, we are funding Jihad.
I'm not even sure I'm making sense at this point.
Yesterday, I bought some hamburger at my local grocery store (Safeway). There was no hamburger not marked "halal"! Yesterday was the first time that all the hamburger in the store was marked halal. Damn.
ReplyDeleteousewife and mother of three believes Halal certification goes against Australian values and is pushing for an investigation into whether the profits fund terrorism
ReplyDeleteMR,
ReplyDeleteI'm not condemning you, or anyone. I'm telling you my opinion. Every individual should make his own choice.
The subject of whether or not to buy and eat Halal foods is more complex than just the information I posted here. The points you and AOW bring up are pertinent too.
The separation of Church and State issue is also important, when Halal foods are served to our children at their schools.
I eat at restaurants all of the time which have a halal certification because it is the requirement of my Muslim guest. I do not mind being gracious within that context.
ReplyDeleteIt is one thing for a restaurant which caters to Muslims to seek the certification. It is an entirely different scenario when the halal authorities come to a business functioning like an average protection racket collecting their monthly fees. The industry pays - to keep from being eternally bullied. Halal certification is a projection of soft power. If you don't believe it, check out the list of global geopolitical Islamists who attend the yearly Halal conference. I know two such individuals, who were at one of the conferences in Istanbul.
If we do not stop this application of Shari'ah, the next push will be for halal menus in public schools.
Either we believe American values of human liberty are worth defense, or we can just roll over and give up.
Grow a pair, guys.
Tammy Swofford