Received this evening from a friend:
I checked this – found the following links…
http://halaladvocates.org/2011/07/costco
and Lamb too
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2708982/posts
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halal
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qiblah
I did some shopping at Costco on Saturday. Nothing too special, just looking to pick up some meat to BBQ. My eldest son was down with his fiancée from Iowa, so we wanted to have some family time. My wife and I worked our way past the various displays and only picked up an ice chest to keep the meat from spoiling on the return trip to Magdalena, (we were strong willed for a change). We arrived at the refrigerated section and began the difficult task of choosing our cuts of meat for the family get together. Right away, I spotted the chicken breasts, they were already boneless and vacuum sealed. The price was good as it was organic chicken from Oregon, but then I saw on the sign a note that stopped me cold.
The whole chickens that looked wonderful for the family bar-b-que, just a moment before, were now an offense to me. Right on the sign were the words “Certified Halal”.
Halal is the Islamic term that basically means the meat is lawful to eat for a devout Muslim. What makes it lawful or acceptable is that the meat has been processed in a very specific way. Now, you may think that this is no different than meat that is acceptable to the Jewish people or kosher. Unlike kosher food, where the physical processing of the meat is the focus, for Islam it is the spiritual component that makes the meat lawful.
For lawful (halal) meat in Islam, the animal must be killed while the butcher faces Mecca, and either the butcher cries “Allah Akbar” or a tape plays the words over a loud speaker. Understand, that when they face Mecca, they face the black stone, the very definition of idol worship.
I am glad that Costco is finally telling us plainly that the meat is halal or sacrificed to an idol, but I have a feeling that this not to benefit the Christian, but rather the muslim. I will state again that I have not fear of a lifeless false god, but the book of Acts plainly tells us that we are not to eat meat sacrificed to idols. The false religion of Islam continues to make inroads into America as they attempt to force some of our communities to submit to Sharia law and demand that halal food be sold in mainstream stores.
I would point out that normally this type of food has been called “ethnic” food or given a special section like the Chinese food or whatever. That is not what we see here. This food is being sold with the standard fair, and one must read the small labels on the back of the food to find out if it is halal or not.
I believe in freedom of religion. What I am starting to observe, however, is that one religion (currently the minority) is being given a wide berth and allowed special status. Those that know their Bible are not surprised by this, we are talking about the religion of the anti-Christ after all. But it still amazes me that it can (as the Bible predicted) happen so suddenly and without anyone really taking notice.
i smell intolerance and racism in your post. i’m Jewish and live in America and I’m not Muslim. I’m also not religious at all. So as a reader, you offended ME. you should be tolerant to Muslims wanting their meat halal and having Costco provide it. And if they want to provide kosher meat or Christian meat, it also should be ok. Why not? WEIRD you.
Dear Pricila,
Hmmm, well I’m Chistian and a patriot and you offend me by your ignorance. It is also ok according to Islamic Law to cover women from head to toe and to beat them into submission. Does that offend you? Should we accommodate that law or consult their Imams on that issue? You said you were not religious, but considered yourself Jewish. Lol, yet you defend the very culture that wants Jews erased from history. It amazes me how the radical Islamic Trojan horse has infected society and brainwashed so easily. You keep throwing your freedom to the wolves. They will devour it. I suggest you keep reading radiopatriot daily.
Again, more ignorance. No Islam doesn’t allow all the crap you mentioned below. Question for you….do you know any Muslims personally? What translation of the Quran are you wasting your time reading?
Thank you! Very well stated
I am glad there are no Costco stores here in our area. However, I will now be watching the stores where I do shop to make sure I’m not eating meat sacrificed to idols. It amazes me that people in general have become so cavalier about respecting the feelings of Christians. I know the scriptures prophesied this would happen, but I didn’t expect it to happen so quickly and in my lifetime. Very sad state of affairs when Christians must fear for their lives simply for being Christians. But then, it was sad when the Jews went through it during WWII and equally sad through the ages anytime ANYONE decides that everyone must bow to THEIR ideals or die for not doing so. God is watching and taking notes. Look in the mirror and ask yourself “how am I doing?”.
Muslims don’t pray to idols. Please don’t believe everything you read on the Internet.
Oooh, the scary Muslims are at it again.
Let’s put aside for the moment that the author assumes because it is “organic chicken from Oregon” (as though is some concrete evidence of the chickens’ provenance) is wholesome.
The author “believes in freedom of religion”, but the tone of the entire article suggests that freedom of religion should only extend to those in the christian diaspora. I posit that the author would also express the same sentiment should a mosque open up in their neighbourhood. The call to prayer would be deemed offensive, but, say, church bells in the same area would not.
The ‘spiritual component’ alone is not enough to make something halal. Yes, animals that are considered wholesome must be slaughtered in a prescribed manner. Otherwise the food is considered haraam, or forbidden. The list of forbidden items could fill several volumes, but in short: pork, blood, alcohol, carrion, any animal that hunts with claws, animals that have been beaten, strangled, gored, killed by a fall, or animals savaged by a beast of prey.
Many commercially available foods are certified halal. Unless the author of the article is unreasonably vigilant, halal foods are most likely consumed without the author’s knowledge. In fact, many foods that are certified kosher are also certified halal. The Koran is quite clear- “The food of the People of the Book is lawful to you as yours is to them”. (Surah 5:5)
So, let’s see- Jews, Christians, and Muslims can all call the same geographical area of the planet as the birthplace of their particular brand of faith. Does it not make sense that they would share the same views on the purity of food? Buddhists such as myself share many of the same dietary principles as both kashrut and halal laws (minus the eating of animals). This does not seem to cause any consternation among those who consider themselves Buddhist. I’m not saying one is better than the other or more ‘right’ than the other. I’m saying the author considers themself Christian, even though the tone of speech is not even remotely Christ-like.
I DO believe in religious freedom. I DO believe that EVERYONE should be able to worship whatever god they believe in. However, I do NOT believe that ANY religion has the right to KILL those who do not believe as they do and any religion that makes that their DUTY is evil as far as I’m concerned. I am offended by the Muslim idea that it’s okay — even a commandment — to KILL those whom they consider infidels. The God I know and love would NOT do that. On the other hand, folks seem to think it’s wrong to fight back to protect ones self. It is NOT. God does NOT expect us to just lay down and open our shirts and say “here’s my heart, go ahead and stab me in it”. IF the Muslim religion accepted OUR religious freedom as much as they are asking US to accept theirs, I might be more inclined to ignore their idiosyncrasies. But they want to KILL me because I don’t believe as they do and never will. My life is not theirs to take. Only God has that right and He will take me in His own due time and in His way. And I am also offended by educated fools who make it look as if they know oh, so much more about everything than the rest of us by using big words and “holier-than-thou” attitudes. Get off your soapbox and realize that EVERYONE has the right to live and breathe air — NOT just the Muslims.
Please educate yourself a little more on this topic. Muslims are not allowed to kill infidels. There is more to that statement that you left out. Muslims may kill infidels that pose harm to them or their family. There are too many circumstances that would also affect this rule. Too many to type.
I agree with NIck. IT is completely true every word you used. No better way to put it.
Everyone should be equal……food is food.
I highly recommend you read your bible Patriots of America. If the god of Moses was Jesus why would he order the death of and entire city? Why would little girls at the age of 3 be married? How is a prophet a drunkard? How would a prophet end up having relations with his daughter? Stop learning about Islam from non Muslims. Get your facts straight.
If you dare to you would use this information:
http://www.answering-christianity.com
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Py5iiOMMu2w&feature=youtube_gdata_player
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q372PFvXlKM&feature=youtube_gdata_player
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8s9MUU1IGI8&feature=youtube_gdata_player
Thank you!!!
With all due respect this is so discriminatory. The bible refers to “people of the book”. People of the book are Christians, Muslims, and Jews. These are the three religions that DO NOT worship idols. Mecca is not an idol??!!?? No
One prays TO Mecca. The Muslims fce that direction so they are all facing the same way when they pray. Get your info correct please and go study your religion in more detail before you speak of other religions.
There are so many things wrong with your post that I probably won’t have time to address them all. However, I’ll start with a few and explain why you are so wrong.
1. Lack of education
If you are not educated in a subject, then you should not have the authority to speak or rant about it. For example, you imply that Muslims worship idols. However, in the Quran (which is the Muslim holy book that you probably don’t know) it clearly states that idol worshipping is forbidden. The Ka’bah is not an idol, thus proving your lack of education in the matter.
Second, you seem to think that the only conditions for the piece of meat to be Halal is that it is sacrificed and words are said. This isn’t the case. The animal must not have been deceased, the animal could not have had disease, and the animal would have to be killed swiftly to ensure it does not suffer. I don’t know about you, but don’t you think that you’d also rather eat something that doesn’t have disease?
2. Hypocrisy
In your final paragraph, you begin with “I believe in freedom of religion” in an attempt to justify yourself. However, from the way you write it’s easily to see that this is not the case. To start off, you don’t even capitalize the word “Muslim”, but you do for the word “Christian”. You then call Islam a “false religion”. Part of believing in “Freedom of Religion” is also respecting other religions.
3. Exaggeration
You continue to exaggerate aspects you don’t agree with or don’t understand in a sad attempt to persuade others. For example, you use statements like “to force some of our communities to submit to Sharia law”. Sorry, is someone forcing Halal meat down your throat? Is that the only option available at Costco? It’s not being forced upon anyone, it’s simply an option that you don’t have to choose. It’s just like me saying I’m being forced to be a Christian because there are Churches in the USA.
Finally I’d just like to say that I’m not attacking your beliefs or any religion (even though you are). If you are too blind to know about other religions, then please don’t talk about them or demean them. Honestly it doesn’t seem like you know your own religion, because even Christianity says that you should respect the beliefs of others.