It started years ago. Every other Tuesday, we met for breakfast. We typically numbered around four to eight, and you need not actually eat breakfast, just sit and chat. Sometimes we networked; occasionally we would vent about tech. As we sat in the cafeteria, we’d motion for any familiar face to sit down with us. Naturally, this was before the pandemic started.
During one such morning, I patiently walk to the station that cooks breakfast and order an omelet and hashbrowns, which take a few minutes. Next, I wander to the coffee station where I order two items: a tall latte with whipped cream and a bacon maple bar to go along with my breakfast. I watch as the man at the espresso stand makes my drink and hands it to me. He then proceeds to reach for a pair of green tongs to get my bacon maple bar and puts it on a cardboard plate. Finally, I set those on the nearby table where we normally congregate. As I wait for my breakfast, I watch as that same man reaches for a croissant with that same pair of green tongs and hands it to a customer.
Not cool, man.
That utensil was used to handle pork. Many people (including Jews, Muslim, vegetarians, and vegans) abstain from eating pork; other people (Hindu) abstain from eating beef. In other words, he just tainted their croissant. Not cool. Once I got back to my office, I sent mail to the manager of the cafeteria; I simply asked him to be more careful. Subsequently, that manager, Vincent, stopped by my office. He apologized profusely and handed me a $10 gift card. I enjoy eating bacon, this doesn’t affect me. I handed that gift card to my Muslim friend, whom it does impact.
We all have different standards and needs
Faith and principle are just two reasons to abstain from certain foods. Furthermore, there are also allergies; it could literally be a matter of life and death. If I order an item an item without pork, I should absolutely expect it to not have been tainted by pork.
Most adults that have such restrictions simply navigate it carefully. The terms Kosher and Halal are used to refer to standards for food for Jews and Muslim respectively. Only in recent years, I learned that there were more subtle restrictions. For instance, Jewish people may consume the animal or the product of an animal in a meal, but not both. Therefore, this means that a burger is permissible; a grilled cheese sandwich is fine. However, a cheeseburger is not okay. Some of these rules perplexed me; is a cheese omelet permissible?
If I, a reasonably intelligent adult, found these rules confusing, how would the children of such faith navigate these restrictions? However, the answer is surprisingly simple. In short, we should not serve pork or beef anywhere that may serve food to children. Problem solved.
“Did you just suggest that we should stop serving pork and beef?”
Similarly, we should also remove chicken (or eggs), but I digress. That is correct; I just suggested that we remove these items to protect all children to the standards of our faiths. There is no faith of which I’m aware that mandates the consumption of pork, beef, or chicken. Clearly, it’s what is best for everyone. It’s the most restrictive, so it’s the most inclusive.
For instance, we already avoid eating certain animals, like horses, dogs, and cats. Eating those animals is culturally taboo for just about all of us; eating pork is taboo for some of us. Therefore, it wouldn’t be that difficult to add three more animals to that exclusion list: the pig, the cow, and the chicken. Really think about it… It’s an easy case to make, we do what is the most accommodating to everyone. Therefore, it’s a win-win situation. Henceforth, your life will consist of grilled cheese sandwiches and tuna melts. Gone are food items like burgers, hot dogs, meatloaf, sausage, bacon, and fried chicken. You’re welcome! 🙂
Wait? Why?! Your children are not required to eat pork, beef or chicken on every meal, right? They’re not disallowed from eating grilled cheese or tuna melt sandwiches, right? What could possibly be the objection?! Unless of course, you believe that…
We can’t subject the standards of any one faith on everyone
It’s simple; eating pork is gross and objectionable to some citizens. Are you really implying those citizens should adhere to standards of their faith, but you should have the freedom to practice the standards of your faith? Interesting. Do you believe this even if their standards do not violate any rules of your faith? Interesting.
Basically, they do their thing, and you do your thing. I understand; it’s the whole first amendment and freedom of religion thing. We live in a free country and aspire to be more permissive, not more restrictive. It makes sense. Naturally, if the tables were turned, you’ll also be just as accommodating, right? You’ll allow others to deviate from the standards of your faith.
Hence, if my faith has no objections to homosexuals or transgendered people, then my children should not be subjected to the restrictions of your dogma. Similarly, health care workers and school administrators should be allowed to talk about these subjects to my child. And since it is my faith, supporting my child to the standards of my faith is my freedom of religion. No?! Wait, didn’t you just agree to “allow others to deviate from the standards of your faith” just a paragraph ago?
“No, that’s different… that’s gross…”
Is eating a burger gross? What if it was horse meat? What’s the difference? Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. If a segment of our population believes that eating pork is gross and uncouth, don’t they have the right to impose their standards upon your life and your children? Indeed, we need to collectively to protect all our children …from bacon. Should it matter if you disagree?
If we can collectively agree that we should all be able to raise our own children by our own standards of faith and not yours… That we agree that I can’t legislate ‘protection’ that is little more than a Trojan Horse to impose my religious dogma upon others who disagree… How do we rationalize the new ‘Don’t Say Gay’ legislature in Florida? Or the new Texas order that holds educators, health care workers, and even parents criminally liable for protecting a trans youth?
Freedom of religion is not conveniently applied only when it agrees with you. We have a word for this; it’s called hypocrisy.