Diet Rules of The Gods

First of all, why are the gods so interested in what you eat, or when you eat it? I vaguely remember as a child that we weren't supposed to eat meat on Friday, but fish was okay. I don't know why our house (sort of) followed what I think was a Catholic dietary rule, since we were supposedly Lutheran. I don't know why the Catholic rule existed (or still exists). Mentioning seafood reminded me that the Abrahamic gods either don't like pork or certain birds, and require halal meat (but not donkeys, horses, some others) (Allah), or prohibit non-finned "fish" or non-kosher meat (Yahweh/Spirit), or prohibit meat on Friday (God/Jesus/Ghost; possibly only a specific sect's rule). The Baha'i (monotheistic personal god) are mostly vegetarian (and denounce cruelty to animals). The Hindus (Brahma, Vishnu, Krishna, many others) do not eat beef (cows are considered sacred, hence the "no sacred cows" idiom in the US). The Sikhs (Allah, via gurus) are mostly vegetarian, many are vegan; but some sects possibly can eat meat (usually not beef or pork), as long as it isn't "sacrificial" meat of the Jews or Islamists (the animal must be killed quickly without suffering or religious ritual [Jhatka], not slowly and torturously). Rastafarians, or Rastas (Jah, with Christ as an earthly "manifestation"), are mostly vegetarians (small fish only), and follow a mostly raw diet. Mormons (Jesus only, no trinity) avoid meats, sugars, cheese, spices. Seventh Day Adventists (Christ, Saturday is sabbath) are mostly vegans. This is just dietary rules; what about "god's rules" on mixed fabrics, or length of beard, or covered heads, or human rights? All this (and more) is followed in the name of a god or a required religious practice. Why would any God care, in any way? 

In antiquity, you know the reason for most of these dietary rules was because certain foods spoil faster than others. There was no refrigeration, no canning, no preservation. See:  http://www.faqs.org/nutrition/Pre-Sma/Religion-and-Dietary-Practices.html  OR https://www.gfs.com/en-us/ideas/eating-according-religious-practices-kosher-and-halal. The more educated (or more observant of the natural world) folks became the group leaders and made these rules for the health of their tribes. As "god" stories were developed, these dietary restrictions were incorporated as "the word of god", further ensuring compliance by the less educated masses. As the common people noticed they didn't get sick as often, the status of the leaders rose. These higher status individuals became the church leaders and government officials, working in tandem for the strength and health of the tribe, and later hamlets and towns, members. As "holy writings" evolved, the "word of god" became perfected to further control and guide the peasants. 

The later religions (Baha'i, Mormons, Seventh Day Adventists, Rastas...) simply adopted and adapted the "word of god" to suit their needs (we had developed meat preservation techniques and canning by the mid 1800s, early residential refrigeration by early 1900s).

To be clear, it was never the word of any god; it was the word of men who said it was the word of some god, just like all the other "holy writings". 


As an aside or bonus, depending on your point of view - Vegetarian or even vegan cuisine is more healthy for us, and better for the environment in many ways. There are several excellent vegetarian recipies here: https://cookieandkate.com/20-simple-vegetarian-dinners/  I like the Extra Vegetable Fried Rice, and I don't even much care for rice. I usually use leftover angel hair or farfalle pasta instead. Interesting 2016 BBC Wales news article, vegan should be an option in schools and hospitals: https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-politics-47440365