Re: Question about Meat, Alcohol, and Sex
Hi bp,
I really don't know about the history of beef eating in India and so cannot comment on it. It is probable that the idea of the cow being sacred came at a particular point in history, rather than being a sentiment held sincethe begining of mankind. Whatever though, what people thought or think does not affect my sentiments toward cows, which I have lived with for a number of years and can vouch for their beautiful and loving nature. I would never want to cause harm to a cow, and I equally dislike the idea of hurting any sentient creature for good and logical reasons.
As for the sex and alcohol, I think that this is easier to understand that you may realise. People are silly. Its that simple. Really quite ridiculous, absurd, exasperating. Whatever. That's what humans are/can be.
I think that people focus so much on things like beef or pork/ham eating because it is more unique whereas sex and alcohol are considered no-nos by so many groups. And most do it anyway, so its easier to overlook or ignore.
I also think that a lot of people realise that the idea of illicit sex is contextual. Of course it was a bad idea throughout history and in cultures where women have so little power next to men that falling pregnant outside of marriage was a horrible situation for the woman and child. It still can lead to bad situations now, but people have more excuses now- contraceptives, women can be independent and work, get government support etc. And don't forget that its such a huge physical temptation that the fat that society is sex-crazed makes it near impossible to abstain and I think people in general can excuse it easily.
Alcohol is something else. I don't think people are aware of all the things that various religious groups are and are not aupposed to do. I don't think it ever occurred to my friends to question my consumption of alcohol (on those rare occasions that I actually had some). I don't think they realised that its a no-no. Hell, lots of them are Christian but that doesn't stop them.
So in other words, it comes down to the fact that being forbidden cow/pig is unique and thus a kind of symbol that people come to associate with that particular religion, unlike sex and alcohol which are hardly unique at all- quite boring really, and thus easy to ignore.
"For a bewildered person in the materialistic way of life, the body, the mind and the senses, which are engaged in sense gratification, are the cause of bondage to repeated birth, death, old age and disease. But for one who is advanced in spiritual knowledge, the same body, senses and mind are the cause of liberation"
Prabhupada.
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