Q/A: I am a Muslim and I have a few questions about Christianity. 1) Is eating shrimp allowed in Christianity?  Leviticus 11:9-12 says: “These shall you eat of all that are in the waters: whatsoever has fins and scales in the waters, in the seas, and in the rivers, them shall you eat.  And all that have not fins and scales in the seas, and in the rivers, of all that move in the waters, and of any living thing which is in the waters, they shall be an abomination unto you: They shall be even an abomination unto you; you shall not eat of their flesh, but you shall have their carcasses in abomination.  Whatsoever has no fins nor scales in the waters, that shall be an abomination unto you.” 2) Is eating pork allowed in Christianity where the Bible says: “The pig is also unclean; although it has a split hoof, it does not chew the cud.  You are not to eat their meat or touch their carcasses.” 3) Do you, Mr. Albrecht, consume pork and shrimp? - Zafar

Q/A: My niece is a Seventh Day Adventist.  They teach her that we shouldn’t be eating meat.  I think she said it has to do with cleansing the body, if I can remember.  She might be joining me for Thanksgiving and it wouldn’t be a problem having a meat-free alternative for her.  But would it be wrong for me, as a Christian, to eat meat in front of her if she views that eating meat is wrong?  I see Scripture that might suggest that it is (Romans 14:13 -15).   If meat is a stumbling block to her, then should I not eat it in her presence— or even serve it, for that matter? - Landrum

Q/A: I was looking at what others are asking Greg.  I am interested to know your comments on the question about eating meat and the question about eating pork. - Nancy

Q/A: What are your thoughts on alternative medication/therapies or holistic health?  My main concerns are with chiropractic, homeopathic and applied kinesiology.  Some friends, who are Christians (including my wife), are into this kind of thing.  I’ve done extensive research on this topic and found that Christians should stay away from this sort of thing because of its pagan origins.  I would be very grateful for your input into this. - Steve

Q/A: In the next to the last chapter of the book of Acts, around the next to the last verse, it says that Mary “rested the Sabbath day, according to the commandment”.  I would like your comment on that.  I would also like to ask—how can all meat be clean?  Surely rats are not clean.  And did God create the empty space (which I assume goes on forever and ever) which contains the heavens and the earth?  Oh!  And one more question: the Bible says that eye has not seen nor ear heard nor has entered into the heart of man that which God has prepared for them that love him, but has revealed it to us by his spirit.  That last part—does that mean that some Christians have known what God has prepared for them that love him? - M.G.

Q/A: I am trying to understand why more Christians do not follow a vegetarian diet.  Everything I have learned about diet indicates that eating meat is bad for your health (and consequently the temple of God).  The practice of eating meat is bad for animals that are genetically manipulated to be THINGS grown simply for food with no regard to their lives or living conditions.  It causes unnecessary pollution and wastes the earth’s limited resources and it helps to spread diseases that sicken (and even kill) people. Genesis 1:29-30 implies that man was created by God to be vegetarian.  Later in the Bible it seems that God permitted meat eating (some people say that was after sin entered the world—some say it was due to the Flood).  Why would God create man to be vegetarian and then later say that it is okay to eat meat (knowing that it is so bad in so many ways)?  This question has always perplexed me. - Chuck

Q/A: I heard that everything that God did had a reason.  The 40 lashes that Christ received--are there 40 categories of illnesses?  What is your comment on this? - Philip

Q/A: How have you been eating pig when your Old Testament shows God saying not to eat pig?  As you know, Jesus (PBUH) came not to change God’s law but to fulfill it.  As you can see, eating pig is certainly a change of the “pig eating law”.  Some good Christians don’t eat pork, but about 80% of you Americans, Christians or not, know nothing but pig?  Don’t be a deceiver, give an answer. - M. Ali

Q/A: Do you believe in divine healing/healers? - Abang

Q/A: I have been reading through the questions and answers that you have provided.  It’s great that you are doing this.  I read a question from another lady who asked about blood transfusions and how the Jehovah’s Witnesses don’t accept them.  I have a hard time believing that God would not allow us to have blood transfusions if needed to save lives.  But in studying the Bible, I did run into a verse—Acts 21:25.  It mentions to abstain from blood.  Can you explain this to me, and what does it refer to when it says abstain from blood?  I think it means from literally drinking blood, but I’m not sure.  Your help is greatly appreciated. - Marie

Q/A: Where in the Bible is the topic of “self murder”?  Please explain how God feels toward it.  All I ever heard about suicide from a Christian perspective is that if you take your own life you have no chance of ever entering heaven.  Is that true?   Also, I smoke cigarettes.  The consensus among society is that smoking kills.  Well, is it safe to say that not all people who smoke die from smoke-related causes?... Anyway, I know God is not happy with my smoking.  I’ve gotten to the point now that sometimes I cry while I smoke because I know God is watching and I feel so terribly guilty. ... Is it possible that God views smoking as an act of suicide?  Although my intent is not to kill myself, I know that this behavior could eventually lead to an early death.  Please be as frank and open as possible in your response. - Angela

Q/A: Nutritionists say that butter is bad for us - too much cholesterol. Yet butter is mentioned in 8 books of the Bible as food and gifts. Is butter really bad for us if it comes from God? - Troy

Q/A:  I have this problem with smoking. I know, it seems, we are more concerned about the physical aspect of our bodies and not the spiritual. What I'm trying to ask - is it a sin, physical or spiritual, to smoke? - Dennis

Q/A:  I would be very grateful for information for a (non-hostile) essay that I'm writing. Do you believe that carnivores, or at least the carnivorous habit, did not exist before the Fall of Adam, as do the Jehovah's witnesses and many "mainstream" evangelical Protestants? If so, could you let me know the details of a reference stating this doctrine? - Richard

Q/A: Yoga is a really big thing right now.  People who are doing yoga correctly seem to have pretty incredible bodies, both with muscle and in flexibility.  Is Yoga O.K. for Christians to follow? - Rhonda