Eating shellfish?

[Britina]

Hi all, I've been raised Seventh Day Adventist and I've always abided by the OT rules of eating. I don't eat pork, shrimp, crab, lobster, etc. and I've been fine with it. Lately though, I've been wanting to try sushi and go to Red Lobster and such and I'd like to try different lobster dishes, but I don't know if it's a sin or not. I know some people say we don't have to follow those rules anymore, and some say we should. I've since gone nondemoninational and not SDA anymore, but I'd still like some opinions on it. And if anyone has any verses I could look up pertaining to it (I should know the Bible better than I do, sadly!) I'd really appreciate it. Thanks!

 

[Sadiegrl]

Acts 11 tells us about the vision Peter had from God telling him that it is ok to eat all foods that God has created. In the OT rules were alot more strict, but the NT is Gods new promise to mankind and God calls all food good. Acts 11:4 specifically talks about how all food is good. Romans 14:19 also says that all food is good. Hope this helps!

 

[unkern]

it is no longer a sin to eat anything that was once unclean, but the main reason God called them unclean was because of how unhealthy they are for you: Shellfish (shrimp, lobster, crab, etc) for instance are bottom feeds, they eat all the fish poop and there bodies literally absorb the toxins into their skin. Thats why they named shrimp the cockroaches of the sea (you are what you eat, lol) Now as for pig, Pigs do not sweat like we do, there bodies contain harmful bacteria that cant even be killed off at 400 degrees. Pigs eat literally everything even their own fecal matter. If you've ever heard of the trickle down theory: A farmer put caged pigs one on top of each other and only fed the top pig, the other pigs never starved. In fact if you push on a pigs foot green puss will come out. I would suggest still avoiding these animals

 

[Sadiegrl]

that is disgusting lol...i dont think i like pig anymore

 

[peanutbutter12]

Mmm I love me some crab. Vacation soon. Beach, ocean, seafood, CRAB!

 

[Sketcher]

it is no longer a sin to eat anything that was once unclean, but the main reason God called them unclean was because of how unhealthy they are for you: Shellfish (shrimp, lobster, crab, etc) for instance are bottom feeds, they eat all the fish poop and there bodies literally absorb the toxins into their skin. Thats why they named shrimp the cockroaches of the sea (you are what you eat, lol) Now as for pig, Pigs do not sweat like we do, there bodies contain harmful bacteria that cant even be killed off at 400 degrees. Pigs eat literally everything even their own fecal matter. If you've ever heard of the trickle down theory: A farmer put caged pigs one on top of each other and only fed the top pig, the other pigs never starved. In fact if you push on a pigs foot green puss will come out. I would suggest still avoiding these animals

There are modern ways of making pork safe to eat. Also, the way you're supposed to eat shrimp is after they've been cleaned - the black "vein" down the top of their backs is the intestine, and this is supposed to be removed. It isn't always, so I don't trust popcorn shrimp anymore. They leave the main blood vessel in there though, that's opposite the intestine.

 

[Britina]

Thanks guys for all the responses! It's helped me a lot.

 

[ChoirCupcake]

I'd like to try different lobster dishes, but I don't know if it's a sin or not. I know some people say we don't have to follow those rules anymore, and some say we should.

I believe in the New Testament there is a passage where God gave a vision to Paul or Peter, I can't remember for sure. But He showed him a blanket full of animals including a turtle, and told him to pick what he wanted to eat.

Peter/Paul (?) was like "No! I don't want to disobey you."

But God insisted it was okay.

What goes in your mouth doesn't make you unclean, it's what comes out of it.

I don't believe eating shellfish , raw fish, or lobster is a sin.

We are free from the old law. The new law is grace. God made the old law to keep the lawbreakers in order... we aren't lawbreakers... we're lawkeepers. That's what grace is for, to catch us if we fall.

 

[jelvenko]

Ok, I'm and SDA. Been raised that way, and still am.

I grew up the same way. Not vegetarian, but following the Biblical dietary guidlines.
I have tried pork though... And it made me physically sick for 3 days. I don't think that happened because it was a sin. But because my body is not used to it. I didn't grow up eating it, so when I did, my body rejected it.


As far as the text that was refered to in a previous post about the unclean animals in the blanket... It needs to be read in context. The vision was given to Peter, because he didn't want to go to the house of a gentile when God had told him to. It was to show him and the other believers that it didn't matter if you were Jewish or not to hear the message of God. Because the Jews believed they were the only chosen ones. The vision was to show that it doesn't matter what your background is to be chosen.

I'm not saying that it's wrong to eat unclean meats. I believe that is a personal choice. I'm not going to try and force my beliefs on others.

 

[picnic]

I would say there were some underlying reasons behind the dietary laws and that those foods are better for us. I don't think Peter's vision in Acts was specifically about food, rather about the Jews and the Gentiles and I think the rest of the passage supports that. I try not to eat the forbidden foods but I'm trying not to be legalistic about it.

 

[JCFantasy23]

picnic
I do not abide by Leviticus laws on food but I think you have a great point, which I've always considered. I doubt God picked foods not to easy just to give commands, but rather he said to avoid them, meaning they're likely not good for us. People just do not digest pork as well as other foods. More people swell up after eating pork and get intestinal gripes, and even more get swelling and the same from seafood. As for alligators and such, they are cold-blooded and it does not seem right to me. I don't get legalistic about it either, it just makes sense to me.

 

[Mikeb85]

Hi all, I've been raised Seventh Day Adventist and I've always abided by the OT rules of eating. I don't eat pork, shrimp, crab, lobster, etc. and I've been fine with it. Lately though, I've been wanting to try sushi and go to Red Lobster and such and I'd like to try different lobster dishes, but I don't know if it's a sin or not. I know some people say we don't have to follow those rules anymore, and some say we should. I've since gone nondemoninational and not SDA anymore, but I'd still like some opinions on it. And if anyone has any verses I could look up pertaining to it (I should know the Bible better than I do, sadly!) I'd really appreciate it. Thanks!

Keep in mind most sushi is just raw fish, rice and vegetables, not shellfish (although they have that too). Sushi's great BTW, I highly recommend it.

Me personally, I avoid shellfish and pigs because they're, well, disgusting animals. There's also much tastier animals out there to eat...

 

[SaintInChicago]

there are sushi dishes that do not break the dietary codes. Tuna rolls are one example.

 

[gadrogeek]

I find it quite interesting how people "justify" their habits, especially dietary. Quoting this or that scripture seems often to be the "way out". I do not eat pork or shellfish. Why?

Part of this started with 1 Cor. 6:19-20, "Your body is the temple of God." How can anyone believe in Scripture and not understand the implications of this?

I am appalled when I see physicians and clergy smoking. How can they possibly ignore the health consequences of what they are doing?

And please, too many people jump into the "sin" issue. To me it is ludicrous to invoke a very important concept like sin to defend a position like eating pork. However, one is clearly going against the "advice" of the Almighty by doing what is expressly "frowned upon". (Again I am avoiding such inflammatory terms as "forbidden".)

Some would have us believe that the dietary "rules" regarding pork were initially put in place to protect us, perhaps because people did not yet have the understanding of what the consequences were from not properly handling and cooking such "foods". This is again, IMHO, oversimplifying the issue.

Are people "healthier" by avoiding pork and shellfish? Do they live longer? This certainly may be a reason that the SDA live well into their nineties and beyond.

So, for me, it is not about "sin" or "damnation". I will not hedge my bets. It is important not to try to circumvent Scripture (for whatever reason). In modern terms, I choose the "precautionary principle".

Has my health suffered from not eating pork or shellfish? No! Would I possibly be putting my health at risk by doing so? Yes! Biology tells us that virtually all shellfish (crabs, lobsters, mussels, shrimp) are benthic dwellers and filter feeders. What so-called "modern" man has done is to greatly pollute our lake and marine environments. These creatures have the ability to concentrate some of these pollutants (e.g. heavy metals).
Therefore, it would seem prudent to avoid them.

Life is about risks. Some would argue "risks" are what make life worth living (e.g. mountain climbing). So, each individual needs to determine his or her own level of acceptable risk and go with that. I choose not to eat shellfish and pork. If this honours our Lord, then that is definitely a bonus.