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There has been quite a kerfuffle over revelations that a local McDonalds outlet has been using halal meat in its hamburgers. The outlet, situated in perhaps the most concentrated Islamic area in Melbourne, made a low-profile announcement in-store, which was picked up by the local press from where it gained more notoriety. Typical responses have ranged the gamut of expectations, from those who find it irrelevant, through to Christians who argue that it is offensive. I wonder how many people know what words are uttered over non-halal meat? Or who know what the process is by which meat is prepared to make it halal? I suspect there are those who see it in the same light as vegetarian hamburgers - that it is not, in some way, 'real' meat.
Need we be concerned about this? As one who rarely frequents The Golden Arches, I would not hesitate to eat burgers containing meat prepared in this way. The process includes stunning the animal so it feels no/less pain, and prayers being offered over it as it dies. It seems to at least offer some respect for the life of the animal which is providing food, more than I suspect would take place in conventional abbatoirs.
A deeper question it raises concerns the Westernasation of Muslims, who are being introduced to fast-food culture as a result. One chicken chain seemed to jump on the bandwagon a week later announcing that all its chickens would be halal... which can only be seen as a crude attempt to gain market share and publicity. A major critique of the West by Islam is its slavish addiction to consumption and commercialisation. The Islamic market will likely be a growing one, which seems to be part of the marketing strategy. If I were Muslim, I'd be deeply suspicious of motives.
As a Christian, does it concern me? Not in the least. As the apostle Paul wrote: "Eat anything that is sold in the meat market, without asking questions for conscience' sake; for the earth is the Lord's, and all it contains." (1 Cor 10:24-25)
Posted by gary at December 9, 2006 12:25 PM
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