What to do ....

[ladypeartree]

Learn to make it yourself ?

here in the Uk a well known fast food chain decided to turn 50 % of their chan into a halal outlet in order to satisfy so many muslims in various areas ... they thought it would add to the turnover as they were offering a service designed to be attractive to a large portion of the population .

The result ??

They lost out over 70 % of their turnover and over half the restaurants that advertised this went out of buisness.

I have to say that if iIKNOW it is sacrificial meat I do NOT eat it but I also understand that I may inadvertantly eat such stuff as in todays society most food is " mass produced "

[MorningGlory]

I wouldn't eat it if I knew it was 'halal'. Such meat is a sacrifice to a 'god', a false one......the true God doesn't require such things since Jesus made the ultimate sacrifice.

[Isaiah 6:8]

1 Corinthians 8 (New King James Version)

1 Now concerning things offered to idols: We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies. 2 And if anyone thinks that he knows anything, he knows nothing yet as he ought to know. 3But if anyone loves God, this one is known by Him.

4 Therefore concerning the eating of things offered to idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is no other God but one. 5 For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as there are many gods and many lords), 6 yet for us there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we for Him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and through whom we live.

7 However, there is not in everyone that knowledge; for some, with consciousness of the idol, until now eat it as a thing offered to an idol; and their conscience, being weak, is defiled. 8 But food does not commend us to God; for neither if we eat are we the better, nor if we do not eat are we the worse.

9 But beware lest somehow this liberty of yours become a stumbling block to those who are weak. 10 For if anyone sees you who have knowledge eating in an idol's temple, will not the conscience of him who is weak be emboldened to eat those things offered to idols? 11 And because of your knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died? 12 But when you thus sin against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ. 13 Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never again eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble.

1 Corinthians 10 (New King James Version)

23 All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful; all things are lawful for me,but not all things edify. 24 Let no one seek his own, but each one the other's well-being.

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."

27 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; for "the earth is the LORD's, and all its fullness." 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.

This is what Paul has to say. Not sure how to read it, but it would seem the act in and of itself of eating meat offered to idols is not bad, insomuch as the witness it may give. Now as much as I know about Islamic culture I honestly had not heard of this halal and may have innocently eaten at such an establishment. Now that I know, the question " what would me witness be by eating here?" makes a difference. So is the food poison?No are you becoming an idol worshiper? No. But knowing it was sacrificed to Idols, may tarnish your witness, and cause a brother to stumble so based on that I would not eat there.

But that is only my two cents.

[Fez]

All do yourselves a favor. Next time you do your monthly shopping, have a look at the back of the packet of chips, biscuits, whatever. In my country many of them have a small logo saying "certified halal". Our industries have realized the power of the market, especially here where we have a large Indian population, many of them Muslim.

Many of you have eaten or drank foods that are certified halal without even knowing it.

Where does it stop?

I live under the grace of Jesus. Food is food. He knows that when I dedicate it to Him, when I thank Him for the provision that allowed me to purchase it, that I am not worshiping any idol.

10 For if anyone sees you who have knowledge eating in an idol's temple, will not the conscience of him who is weak be emboldened to eat those things offered to idols? 11 And because of your knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died? 12 But when you thus sin against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ. 13 Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never again eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble.

Eating a good vindaloo curry makes no brother of mine stumble. Nor does it me.

God knows my heart.

Blessings

[wyguy]

I look at this issue the same way I look at Christmas and Halloween - they both have pagan origins, but since I'm not involved in the original pagan practices, I'm fine and dandy with 'em.

My favorite chinese restaurant has a big ol' statue of Buddah that they burn incense to - now, does that alter my taste for beef fried rice?

Nope.

[ayin jade]

Hmmm so does my favorite Thai restaurant. However Im not convicted with that one. Only with the halel one. Perhaps that is because of my muslim in laws.

[winsomebulldog]

I have come to believe that when my heart and conscience is convicted that something 'isn't right'.... I need to listen and pay attention. I do not enjoy middle eastern food, so it's not an issue for me. But, given the fact that their doctrine is so prevalent in the preparation of this food (as you describe), I would not enjoy it. As Fez says, any food that you pray grace over and dedicate yourself to serving Jesus - is also dedicated to the service of Christ. I'm sure that I've eaten plenty of food prepared by God-less heathens and been protected by asking God's Grace upon the food and upon me.

I agree, Believer.

I do have to say that for some, unknown reason, "God-less heathens" struck me as uproariously funny.

Might be the chemo brain.

Hope no one's offended.

[winsomebulldog]

I look at this issue the same way I look at Christmas and Halloween - they both have pagan origins, but since I'm not involved in the original pagan practices, I'm fine and dandy with 'em.

My favorite chinese restaurant has a big ol' statue of Buddah that they burn incense to - now, does that alter my taste for beef fried rice?

Nope.

Stop it! You're making me hungry.

Pepper chicken, anyone?

[~candice~]

Yes I am under grace, but I still do not feel the freedom to eat meat I KNOW is offered to idols. If I am not aware of it, then fine, but if I have full knowledge of the offering of it to idols... nope.

There is a difference between eating in ignorance, and eating in full knowledge, as Paul pointed out.

No offense or condemnation from me Fez, I just disagree with you.

[Littlelambseativy]

www.pakbutchers.co.uk:thehalalprocess.htm.webloc-

The above website gives a great deal of info on the halal process and the need to repeat the name of Alllah during the butchering process. A fascinating ritual.