Vegetarianism

Vegetarianism is the practice of abstaining from meat consumption. Somebody who practices vegetarianism is referred to as a vegetarian. Vegetarianism is a common theme among the Dharmic religions, such as Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism. This stems from the belief that all higher animal life is sacred (though in Jainism, all life is considered sacred), one of the core concepts of all of these religions. Many people outside of these religions also choose to be vegetarians because of various other beliefs, such as protesting what they see as harmful practices by the meat production industry.

Forms of Vegetarianism

• Vegan - Someone who consumes only a diet based on plants; no animal meat, animal products such as milk or cheese, or byproducts such as gelatin.
• Lactovegetarian - Someone who eats a plant based diet but also eats animal produced foods such as milk and cheese.
• Ovo-lactovegetarian (or lacto-ovovegetarian) - Similar to the Lactovegetarian but also consumes eggs.
• Pescetarian - as above but with the inclusion of fish.

Biblical View

The Bible specifically takes a position on the eating of pork:

Nevertheless these shall ye not eat of them that chew the cud, or of them that divide the hoof: as the camel, because he cheweth the cud, but divideth not the hoof; he is unclean unto you. (Leviticus 11.4 KJV)

External Links

• USDA Dietary Guidelines