P.

MOHAMED THAMIR IN535 0057

BELIEF SYSTEM

Does the belief system play a major role in the dietary habits of
humans?

INTRODUCTION

Food separates people. I chose it because I hail from India where we have a different culture,
religion which influences our food habits. Being an Indian Muslim I have heard about people
being beaten just for consuming beef. I am also more curious to research this topic because
food also helps us unite with our culture that tells us how we eat, what we eat and when we eat.
In the world there are many different types of religion, culture and there are various food habits
for each one. Each of these food preferences were influenced by the place our ancestors lived.
Religion also plays a major role in our food habits. Food belief system divides into religion and
culture. My research will be focusing on the Indian perspective of this.
Food is an important part of most cultural celebrations. Depending on their culture, they have
different foods and eating habits. People demonstrate their wealth or social standing by
providing an abundance of food. People provide different meals during ceremonies, depending
on their culture or tradition. Food customs vary greatly across the globe. Even people from the
same cultural background who eat the same foods have different eating habits. Families' normal
routines change when they travel or have visitors. Men and women eat differently as well.
(Food: Identity of Culture and Religion, ResearchGate, 2020).

HISTORY OF VEGETARIANISM

The ancient Indians were meat eaters, and their religion was based on offering animal sacrifices
and eating animal flesh. Priests from the Brahmin community carried out the sacrifices. Even so,
there is proof that vegetarianism has its origins in the Vedic era (1700–1100 BCE), when an
animal would occasionally be replaced by a figure made of flour. Mahavira's "Pure Unchanging
Eternal Law" stated that "All things breathing, all things existing, all things living, all things
whatever, should not be slain or treated with violence for any reason." Ahimsa is the ethical
principle of not harming living things.Jains strictly avoid certain items, including mushrooms,
fungi, and yeast because they can grow in unsanitary environments and contain other life forms.
Honey cannot be collected because doing so would be violent towards bees. Additionally,
according to the Jain texts, a disciple should not prepare food or eat at night. Jain nuns and
monks adhere to even stricter regulations, forbidding the consumption of fermented foods, buds,
sprouts, and fruits and vegetables with seeds or that grow underground. However, the majority
of Jain people eat dairy products and are not vegans.

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FOOD BELIEF SYSTEM FOLLOWED IN INDIA

Dietary laws are among the most widely practised customs in India, according to the Pew
Research Centre. In India, four out of ten adults are vegetarians, and the majority limit meat in
their diet in a similar way, according to a survey conducted by the research centre. These polls
and studies indicate that the majority of Indians are meat-free vegetarians. In India, veganism
has almost attained fashion status. Vegan fashion is defined as clothing made without using any
animal products, such as leather, wool, silk, or fur. (Pew Research Centre’s Religion & Public
Life Project).

FOOD BELIEF SYSTEM DUE TO RELIGIONS

The dietary practises that are recommended in each religion's holy book, which contains the
laws that each religion states, are heavily influenced by religion. For instance, according to
Islamic teachings which we have been taught from a young age, all foods are halal with the
exception of a few, like pork and its byproducts like jerky or bacon. Animals that have been
slaughtered improperly, that have already died before being slaughtered, or that have been
slaughtered in the name of someone other than Allah SWT are all regarded as haram, which is
Arabic for forbidden, so we are not allowed to eat them. A large number of Jain adherents
refrain from both meat and vegetables obtained from the root in order to avoid destroying the
entire plant, which is seen as a form of violence in Jain theology. Due to the Hindu belief that
cows are sacred animals, restrictions on the consumption of beef and the slaughter of cows
have also become politically sensitive topics in India. This can be harmful because it affects
people on an unprecedented scale. For instance, during the Muslim festival of Bakr-Id in 1983,
several cow-killing riots broke out. They continued in 1984 and were the worst riots to occur in
British India since the 1857 uprising. In the late 19th century, riots caused by cow killings broke
out in Lahore, Delhi, Bihar, and other locations. Since then, there have been numerous
additional riots, but they are not publicised and are kept quiet, so details about these incidents
are not readily available.

51% of Hindus and 72% of Jains claim they would never consume food in a location where the
dietary regulations are different from their own. On the other hand, 37% of Buddhists, 33% of
Muslims, and 28% of Christians are significantly less likely to say they would refrain from eating
in these situations.

Dietary limitations and religious observance are closely related in India. Hindus, for instance,
are intensely spiritual and more likely to identify as vegetarians. Comparatively to vegetarian
Hindus nationwide, vegetarian Hindus in the south are more likely to say they would eat in the
home of a non-vegetarian neighbour or friend. Indians as a whole do not consider themselves to
be vegetarians. Apart from those who call themselves vegetarians, a large number of Indians
refrain from eating meat in one way or another. Despite not being vegetarians, four out of ten
Indians claim to abstain from eating meat on particular days or with certain meats. (Pew
Research Centre’s Religion & Public Life Project).

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FASTING

Why do people fast? Fasting is the practise of refraining from food and/or alcohol for ritualistic,
religious, or ethical reasons. This abstinence may be total or partial, ongoing, intermittent, or of
varying lengths of time. Medical professionals recommend for and participate in fasting. For
instance, it's best to avoid eating or drinking anything other than water for several hours prior to
a blood test because when you eat and drink normally, those things get absorbed into your
bloodstream. Fasting was once a common practise to help people get ready to approach the
gods, especially priests and priestesses. It was believed that after a fast that required the
complete devotion of devotees, the gods would only reveal their divine teachings in dreams and
visions. In addition to its use for religious purposes, fasting can be used to express social and
political viewpoints, particularly as a sign of protest. Mahatma Gandhi set an example for this by
fasting in the early 20th century to atone for the violent deeds of his followers who disobeyed his
teaching of satyagraha (non-violence). (Fasting | Definition, Description, Types, Benefits, &
Facts Encyclopaedia Britannica, n.d.)

Regardless of their religion, the majority of adults in India fast, including nearly eight in ten
Hindus (79%), Jains (84%), and Muslims (85%). Sikhs fast at the lowest rate (28%), while
Christians and Buddhists have smaller majorities (64% and 61%, respectively). Hindus report
fasting at similar rates regardless of their age, level of education, or caste. While Hindus who
place a high value on their religion are more likely to fast than other Hindus, Hindu women are
significantly more likely to fast than Hindumen. (Pew Research Centre’s Religion & Public Life
Project).

No matter their level of education, age, or geographic location, the vast majority of Muslims
claim to fast because it is one of Islam's five pillars. However, Muslims in the Northeast are
marginally less likely to report fasting than Muslims globally (65% vs. 85% nationally).

A large portion of the population worldwide continues to fast during Ramadan, which is
observed annually on the ninth day of the ninth lunar month of the Islamic calendar. Because
the holy month starts the morning following the crescent moon's visibility to the unaided eye, it is
subject to change every year.In addition to Muslims, Christians also practise fasting, especially
during the Lenten season before Easter. Lent is meant to help believers prepare for Easter
through prayer, mortifying the flesh, confessing their sins, living simply, and self-denial.

CONSEQUENCE OF FOOD BELIEF SYSTEM

Deficiencies or excesses in nutrient intake, as well as an imbalance of vital nutrients, can lead to
malnutrition, which is characterised by a person's body being weak. In addition to obesity and
noncommunicable diseases linked to diet, malnutrition also includes undernutrition. Muslims
should also abide by some of the dietary laws that are listed in the holy books in order to fulfil
their commitment to their religion. Some of the religious practises we strictly follow could result
in deficiencies from malnutrition. But according to the Quran, breaking the fast is allowed for
women who are menstruating, pregnant, or nursing as long as they make up for it by continuing

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the fast at a later time in the year after Eid. Fasting is also not allowed for those who are sick,
elderly, or travelling. Jews and Muslims may be more at risk for iron deficiencies as a result of
animal slaughtering practises. Jews could be at risk from consuming too much sodium from
home-cooked food. Some Hindus and Buddhists may experience deficiencies in vitamin B12,
calcium, iron, zinc, selenium, and n-3 fatty acids as a result of their vegan diets. When followed
strictly, the majority of religious regulations are harmless. But patients with low incomes,
children, or women who are pregnant or planning a pregnancy are more likely to experience
these deficiencies. (Religious Dietary Rules and Their Potential Nutritional and Health
Consequences - PubMed, 2021).

SOURCE EVALUATION
The data I've provided above is verified as it was taken from reputable websites and is
guaranteed to be accurate and current with current information. The majority of the data came
from the WashingtonDC-based, non-biased Pew Research Centre’s Religion & Public Life
project, which collects data on social issues, public opinion, and demographic trends. The Pew
Research Centre, a subsidiary of the Pew Charitable Trusts, does not hold any political
positions. The information taken from the Britannica articles was written by reputable and
recognisable authors. WATHI is a fresh civil society group with a focus on inclusive, creative
citizen think tanks in West Africa, for certain sensitive topics such as the riots due to the Hindu
beliefs in cows, much information was not available and as a result I was struggling to find
information to provide. As a result, the data and information presented above can all be taken
as true and verified.

My perspective and conclusion

People in my opinion, do not divide over food. It is an integral part of their lives and has a big
impact on many things, like ceremonies that are held all over the world, regardless of their
religious beliefs or dietary restrictions. The main thing that brings people together or keeps them
apart is this. It can bring people together and strengthen their bonds. It is mostly used in social
gatherings or ceremonies that bring people together. especially birthdays, anniversaries, and
several other events, including weddings and even funerals. They are given different kinds of
food depending on the nation in which they reside. People from various religions and cultures
can be found in India, a country with a diverse culture, showcasing its uniqueness and cuisine.

CENTRE NAME: ST.PETERS MATRIC.HR.SEC.SCHOOL

CENTRE NUMBER: IN535

CANDIDATE NAME: P. MOHAMED THAMIR

CANDIDATE NUMBER: 0057

WORD COUNT: 1802

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