Should Christians take prasad?
If yes, why should we take it? And how should we think? What should be our attitude?
Is not prasad food offered to gods/goddesses?
Is taking and eating prasad an act of worship?
If we should not take then what do we say or do to show respect to the Hindu person/friend or the Hindu priest who is offering prasad to us? What kind of words/actions would a Hindu expect if I am to respectfully reject his/her offer of prasad to me?
In the past, a Hindu friend (living, at that time, in an area where Christians are more in population) told me how annoyed he was when his Christians friends/neighbours never take prasad when he shared prasad with them. But then, he was expected to receive our food gifts during Christian events and especially during Christmas. This food was, of course, prayed over by the Christian priest/pastor. He was equating prasad with our Christmas feast. Was he right in doing this comparison?
What about groceries that we buy from Hindu or Muslim shopkeepers? Don't they, especially Hindus, dedicate their businesses to their god(s)? I live among them and every time I buy from them. About 90% of my daily needs!
A teacher at our seminary who has studied Hinduism (I think he has a PhD in Hindu studies) told us that we should not reject prasad since the meaning of it is that the Hindu priest is sharing the grace of God to all people regardless. We should, in a sense, receive NOT to share in the grace offered BUT to share true grace to the person offering us prasad. This is beside the point, as the NT does not clearly prohibit eating food offered to idols as in 1 Corinthians 8 but offers a balanced approach.
I personally think it has to do with our conscience. In my conscience, if I eat something like prasad or something that is dedicated or prayed over by people of other religion, I do not think that when I eat I am worshipping another god. All I have to be is careful that a Christian with a weak conscience does not stumble if, by any chance, he or she sees me eating prasad. Especially, if he/she does not think the way that I do. This attitude I take from my reading of 1 Corinthians 8.
Another attitude is about offence - from 1 Corinthians 8. If I offend a 'brother' - a fellow Christian, then I will not eat.
But it has been over 2000 year since the times of the NT. No Christian should give an excuse that he or she has not read or been taught the key teaching of the NT (including 1 Corinthians 8). Which is ever growing and increasing maturity in Christ - not remaining in a state of weak conscience or offence. Unless he/she has not read 1 Corinthians 8 (Have I also read and understood it fully?). Unless he or she has a lazy Bible teacher/preacher (am I one?). Unless he/she is still new in their relationship with Christ (which MAY be the situation that 1 Corinthians 8 is about). Unless they are forced to renounce Christ in a situation of persecution using food offered to other gods (Has anyone heard of such?).
Then again, should there be any limit to eating this kind of food? What about demonic influence that some claim may happen on those who eat such food? And other questions...
I am open to be corrected.
If yes, why should we take it? And how should we think? What should be our attitude?
Is not prasad food offered to gods/goddesses?
Is taking and eating prasad an act of worship?
If we should not take then what do we say or do to show respect to the Hindu person/friend or the Hindu priest who is offering prasad to us? What kind of words/actions would a Hindu expect if I am to respectfully reject his/her offer of prasad to me?
In the past, a Hindu friend (living, at that time, in an area where Christians are more in population) told me how annoyed he was when his Christians friends/neighbours never take prasad when he shared prasad with them. But then, he was expected to receive our food gifts during Christian events and especially during Christmas. This food was, of course, prayed over by the Christian priest/pastor. He was equating prasad with our Christmas feast. Was he right in doing this comparison?
What about groceries that we buy from Hindu or Muslim shopkeepers? Don't they, especially Hindus, dedicate their businesses to their god(s)? I live among them and every time I buy from them. About 90% of my daily needs!
A teacher at our seminary who has studied Hinduism (I think he has a PhD in Hindu studies) told us that we should not reject prasad since the meaning of it is that the Hindu priest is sharing the grace of God to all people regardless. We should, in a sense, receive NOT to share in the grace offered BUT to share true grace to the person offering us prasad. This is beside the point, as the NT does not clearly prohibit eating food offered to idols as in 1 Corinthians 8 but offers a balanced approach.
I personally think it has to do with our conscience. In my conscience, if I eat something like prasad or something that is dedicated or prayed over by people of other religion, I do not think that when I eat I am worshipping another god. All I have to be is careful that a Christian with a weak conscience does not stumble if, by any chance, he or she sees me eating prasad. Especially, if he/she does not think the way that I do. This attitude I take from my reading of 1 Corinthians 8.
Another attitude is about offence - from 1 Corinthians 8. If I offend a 'brother' - a fellow Christian, then I will not eat.
But it has been over 2000 year since the times of the NT. No Christian should give an excuse that he or she has not read or been taught the key teaching of the NT (including 1 Corinthians 8). Which is ever growing and increasing maturity in Christ - not remaining in a state of weak conscience or offence. Unless he/she has not read 1 Corinthians 8 (Have I also read and understood it fully?). Unless he or she has a lazy Bible teacher/preacher (am I one?). Unless he/she is still new in their relationship with Christ (which MAY be the situation that 1 Corinthians 8 is about). Unless they are forced to renounce Christ in a situation of persecution using food offered to other gods (Has anyone heard of such?).
Then again, should there be any limit to eating this kind of food? What about demonic influence that some claim may happen on those who eat such food? And other questions...
I am open to be corrected.
