Dietary practices of atheists

2020-02-03T18:20:51Z

Snowfall: I removed two sentences that didn't seem relevant to the page.

[[File:Blue Marble.jpg|thumbnail|right|220px|The dietary practices of [[Atheism|atheists]] are largely dependent on where they live and where they were raised. A majority of the world's atheists are likely [[East Asia]]ns (see: [[Asian atheism]] and [[Global atheism]]).]]
As can be seen below, the '''dietary practices of atheists''' are largely dependent on where they live and where they were raised.

The current [[atheist population]] mostly resides in [[East Asia]] (particularly China) and in [[secular Europe]]/Australia primarily among whites.<ref>[https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2013/05/23/a-surprising-map-of-where-the-worlds-atheists-live/ A surprising map of where the world’s atheists live], By Max Fisher and Caitlin Dewey, ''Washington Post'', May 23, 2013</ref> See: [[Global atheism]] and [[Western atheism and race]]

Razib Khan points out in ''Discover Magazine'', "most secular nations in the world are those of East Asia, in particular what are often termed '[[Confucius|Confucian]] societies'. It is likely therefore that the majority of the world’s atheists are actually East Asian."<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20150905135558/http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/gnxp/2010/11/most-atheists-are-not-white/ Most atheists are not white & other non-fairy tales], Discover magazine</ref> See: [[Asian atheism]]
== Asian atheists diet ==

''See also:'' [[Asian atheism]] and [[China and atheism]]

Most atheists in the world are likely [[East Asia]]ns (See: [[Asian atheism]]).

[[China]] has the world's largest [[atheism|atheist]] population and practices [[state atheism]].<ref>[http://www.thechapmans.nl/news/Atheist.pdf Top 50 Countries With Highest Proportion of Atheists / Agnostics (Zuckerman, 2005)]</ref><ref>[https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2013/05/23/a-surprising-map-of-where-the-worlds-atheists-live/ A surprising map of where the world’s atheists live], ''Washington Post'' By Max Fisher and Caitlin Dewey May 23, 2013</ref> China has one of the highest rates of atheism in the world.<ref>[http://www.thechapmans.nl/news/Atheist.pdf Top 50 Countries With Highest Proportion of Atheists / Agnostics (Zuckerman, 2005)]</ref><ref>[https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2013/05/23/a-surprising-map-of-where-the-worlds-atheists-live/ A surprising map of where the world’s atheists live], ''Washington Post'' By Max Fisher and Caitlin Dewey May 23, 2013</ref>

=== East Asian/Chinese diet ===

See: [https://www.reddit.com/r/nutrition/comments/9b45zn/following_a_chineseeast_asian_diet/ East Asian/Chinese diet]

=== China and obesity ===

See: [[China and obesity]]
[[File:Peking duck (1).jpg|thumbnail|200px|center|A [[China|Chinese]] cook slicing Peking roast duck.]]
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=== Origin of the Wuhan coronavirus epidemic and the dietary habits of Chinese atheists ===

''See also:'' [[Atheism and the Wuhan coronavirus epidemic]] and [[Cat slaughtering practices in China]] and [[Atheists and dog meat eating]] and [[Atheism and rodent eating]]
[[File:Chow chow.jpg|thumbnail|left|200px|Each year thousands of [[dog]]s are stolen in [[China]] and as many as 20 million dogs are killed in China to satisfy the dog meat industry.<ref>[https://www.unilad.co.uk/featured/stop-pet-dogs-stolen-for-meat/ The Chinese Government Must Stop Pet Dogs Being Stolen For Meat] by JERRY GADIANO, Unilad website</ref>
 
 
According to ''ABC News'', gruesome techniques are used in Chinese dog slaughterhouses.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NjbWQAASPcs Chinese Dog Meat Festival | Undercover Cameras Reveal Brutality Chinese Dog Meat Festival | Undercover Cameras Reveal Brutality], ABC News, YouTube</ref>
 
 
[[China]] has the world's largest [[atheism|atheist]] population and it practices [[state atheism]].(see: [[China and atheism]]).<ref>*[http://www.thechapmans.nl/news/Atheist.pdf Top 50 Countries With Highest Proportion of Atheists / Agnostics (Zuckerman, 2005)]*[https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2013/05/23/a-surprising-map-of-where-the-worlds-atheists-live/ A surprising map of where the world’s atheists live], ''Washington Post'' By Max Fisher and Caitlin Dewey May 23, 2013</ref>
 
 
Most atheists in the world are [[East Asia]]n (see: [[Asian atheism]]).]]
As noted above, [[China]] has the world's largest [[atheism|atheist]] population and practices [[state atheism]] (see: [[China and atheism]]).<ref>[http://www.thechapmans.nl/news/Atheist.pdf Top 50 Countries With Highest Proportion of Atheists / Agnostics (Zuckerman, 2005)]</ref><ref>[https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2013/05/23/a-surprising-map-of-where-the-worlds-atheists-live/ A surprising map of where the world’s atheists live], ''Washington Post'' By Max Fisher and Caitlin Dewey May 23, 2013</ref>

The ''Washington Post'' reported:
{{Cquote|China failed to learn one of the most important lessons of the SARS outbreak 17 years ago, that wild animal markets are a potent breeding ground for disease with the possibility of ailments jumping to humans, health experts say.

SARS, or severe acute respiratory syndrome, was thought to have originated in masked palm civets, tree-dwelling mammals native to parts of Asia. The trigger point for the current [[coronavirus]] remains unclear, but China has linked the outbreak to the Huanan Seafood Market in Wuhan, which despite its name also appeared to be selling live cats and dogs, wild chickens, snakes and marmots.<ref>[https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/coronavirus-outbreak-underscores-potential-health-risks-in-chinas-wild-animal-trade/2020/01/25/5f5353be-3f6f-11ea-971f-4ce4f94494b4_story.html Coronavirus outbreak underscores potential health risks in China’s wild animal trade], ''Washington Post''</ref>}}

CNN reported:
{{Cquote|In western markets, shoppers can buy beef, chicken, pork, and, if they're lucky, perhaps some duck or bison.

But the options in China can be a bit more exotic.
Vendors in small city markets often sell wild animals including rodents, yak, snakes and even porcupines, and experts say that makes them far more dangerous. The meat could contain deadly pathogens like the coronavirus.

Highlighting those fears, Chinese officials announced on Sunday that the trading of wild animals would be temporarily suspended in hopes that would help contain the outbreak.<ref>[https://www.cnn.com/2020/01/27/world/coronavirus-china-bans-wildlife-trade-trnd/index.html Chinese officials crack down on wildlife markets as coronavirus outbreak nears 3,000 cases] By Alicia Lee, CNN</ref>}}
[[File:Chinese Cobra.jpg|thumbnail|200px|right|Some researchers believe the deadly coronavirus outbreak in Wuhan, China may have originated in snakes like the Chinese cobra pictured above.]]
Philly Voice reported:
{{Cquote|In the case of this 2019 coronavirus outbreak, reports state that most of the first group of patients hospitalized were workers or customers at a local seafood wholesale market which also sold processed meats and live consumable animals including poultry, donkeys, sheep, pigs, camels, foxes, badgers, bamboo rats, hedgehogs and reptiles. However, since no one has ever reported finding a coronavirus infecting aquatic animals, it is plausible that the coronavirus may have originated from other animals sold in that market.

The hypothesis that the 2019-nCoV jumped from an animal at the market is strongly supported by a new publication in the Journal of Medical Virology. The scientists conducted an analysis and compared the genetic sequences of 2019-nCoV and all other known coronaviruses.

The study of the genetic code of 2019-nCoV reveals that the new virus is most closely related to two bat SARS-like coronavirus samples from China, initially suggesting that, like SARS and MERS, the bat might also be the origin of 2019-nCoV. The authors further found that the viral RNA coding sequence of 2019-nCoV spike protein, which forms the “crown” of the virus particle that recognizes the receptor on a host cell, indicates that the bat virus might have mutated before infecting people.

But when the researchers performed a more detailed bioinformatics analysis of the sequence of 2019-nCoV, it suggests that this coronavirus might come from snakes.

The researchers used an analysis of the protein codes favored by the new coronavirus and compared it to the protein codes from coronaviruses found in different animal hosts, like birds, snakes, marmots, hedgehogs, manis, bats and humans. Surprisingly, they found that the protein codes in the 2019-nCoV are most similar to those used in snakes.

Snakes often hunt for bats in wild. Reports indicate that snakes were sold in the local seafood market in Wuhan, raising the possibility that the 2019-nCoV might have jumped from the host species – bats – to snakes and then to humans at the beginning of this coronavirus outbreak. However, how the virus could adapt to both the cold-blooded and warm-blooded hosts remains a mystery.<ref>[https://www.phillyvoice.com/coronavirus-outbreak-china-originate-snakes-cobra/ The new coronavirus outbreak in China may have originated in snakes] by HAITAO GUO, UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH; GUANGXIANG “GEORGE” LUO, UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AT BIRMINGHAM, AND SHOU-JIANG GAO, UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH, Philly Voice</ref>}}

== Atheists and dog eating ==

*[[Atheists and dog meat eating]]

[[File:Dogs being butchered in Guangdong, China 1999.jpg|thumbnail|center|200px|Dogs being butchered in Guangdong, China.
 
 
For more information, please see: [[Atheists and dog meat eating]] ]]
[[File:Golden retreiver with a ball.jpg|thumbnail|center|200px|Rabbi Levi Welton wrote:

"...I've often wondered if the [[Bible]] supports animal activism and what exactly [[God]] would say if I posed the question, "Do You love dogs?"
 
 
Dogs are the only animals in the [[Torah]] that receive a reward for their actions. When the Jewish slaves flee Egypt, it states "not one dog barked” ([[Exodus]] 11:7). As a reward for that, [[God]] said, "…and flesh torn in the field you shall not eat; you shall throw it to the dog[s]" (Exodus 22:30; Mechilta)...
 
 
The notable sixteenth century [[Jew]]ish leader, the Maharsha, says that a dog is a creature of love. Hence, the [[Hebrew]] name for a dog is "kelev" which is etymologically derived from the words "kulo lev" or "all heart"...".<ref>[http://www.aish.com/sp/ph/Does-God-Love-Dogs.html Does God Love Dogs?] by Rabbi Levi Welton, Jan 4, 2014</ref>
 
 
For more information, please see: [[Atheists and dog meat eating]] and [[Judaism and dogs]] ]]
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== Atheists and cat eating ==

Both China and [[Vietnam]] practice [[state atheism]].

Please see:

*[[Cat slaughtering practices in China]]
*[[Cat meat trade in Vietnam]]

[[File:Cat.jpg|thumbnail|center|220px|China and [[Vietnam]] practice state atheism.
 
 
In 2009, ''The Star'' reported: "China's ''Chengdu Business Daily'' estimated recently that as many as 10,000 cats are consumed throughout Guangdong everyday."<ref>[https://www.thestar.com/news/world/2009/07/26/trying_to_get_cat_off_the_menu_in_china.html Trying to get cat off the menu in China], ''The Star'', 2009</ref>
 
 
In the late 1990s so many cats were eaten in Vietnam that rodents took over farms in plague proportions and destroyed the year's crops.<ref>[https://www.express.co.uk/news/world/932285/Cat-meat-market-vietnam-gruesome-photos-animal-cruelty-slaughter-drown-boiled-alive-photos ''Inside a sickening cat meat market: Photos reveal the horror of barbaric cat trade''], Express, 2018</ref>
 
 
For more information, please see: [[Cat slaughtering practices in China]] and [[Cat meat trade in Vietnam]] ]]
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== Atheism and rodent eating ==

''See also:'' [[Atheism and rodent eating]]

[[File:256px-Rat meat dishes.jpg|thumbnail|200px|center|Rat meat dishe in Yangshuo, Guangxi, China]]
{{Clear}}
In 2020, CNN reported concerning China, which has the largest atheist population in the world and has a high percentage of atheists in its population (see: [[China and atheism]]): "Vendors in small city markets often sell wild animals including rodents, yak, snakes and even porcupines, and experts say that makes them far more dangerous. The meat could contain deadly pathogens like the coronavirus."<ref>[https://www.cnn.com/2020/01/27/world/coronavirus-china-bans-wildlife-trade-trnd/index.html Chinese officials crack down on wildlife markets as coronavirus outbreak nears 3,000 cases]</ref>

In 2020, amidst a [[coronavirus]] epidemic, Chinese officials began cracking down on wildlife markets.<ref>[https://www.cnn.com/2020/01/27/world/coronavirus-china-bans-wildlife-trade-trnd/index.html Chinese officials crack down on wildlife markets as coronavirus outbreak nears 3,000 cases]</ref>

NBC News reported:
{{Cquote|Tired of fast food? Well, now you can travel to China and try some "pest food." As the country suffers from a plague of a reported 2 billion rats displaced by a flooded lake, many of the creepy creatures are being trucked from central China to the booming south to end up in fancy restaurant dishes, Chinese media reported.

[[Rat]]s had been doing a roaring trade thanks to strong supply over the last two weeks, the China News Service quoted vendors as saying.

"Recently there have been a lot of rats... Guangzhou people are rich and like to eat exotic things, so business is very good," it quoted a vendor as saying, referring to the capital of Guangdong province, where people are reputed to eat anything that moves.<ref>[http://www.nbcnews.com/id/19852455/ns/business-small_business/t/mmm-rodents-china-feasts-rat-infestation/ Mmm,rodents. China feasts on rat infestation], NBC News</ref>}}
=== Eating of live mice in China ===

''See also:'' [[China and atheism]] and [[Asian atheism]] and [[Atheism and rodent eating#Eating of live mice in China|Eating of live mice in China]]

''The Daily Mail'' reported:
{{Cquote|An Asian man has been filmed dipping a live baby mouse into a bowl of sauce before eating it.

The disgusting footage showed the man picking up a baby mouse with chopsticks before calmly devouring the squeaking rodent that was still moving.

The revolting meal, which was accompanied by a plate of tomatoes, is reportedly considered a delicacy in the Guangdong province of southeast China.

The government banned the dish, but it can still be found in backstreet restaurants.

The practice has been given the gruesome name of 'Three Squeaks' because the mouse squeaks when it gets picked up by a diner, again when it gets dipped into the sauce and finally as it dies...

In November 2015 a shocking video of newborn mice being prepared to be eaten emerged online.

The footage is believed to have been shot at a restaurant in Guangdong, south China, where mice are a specialty.

The video showed the mice next to a pot of broth being dipped into a plate of sauce.

A separate footage of a man actually eating the mice was also posted online.

The man was seen with a plate of the baby rodents in front of him.

After smothering the still-wriggling creatures in a brown sauce, he put one in his mouth and chewed on the mouse.<ref>[https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7927747/Asian-man-dips-baby-mouse-bowl-sauce-eating-ALIVE.html Disturbing footage shows diner calmly dipping a baby MOUSE in a bowl of sauce before eating it alive as part of banned Chinese delicacy known as 'Three Squeaks']</ref>}}

== Chinese atheists in southern China and bat eating ==
[[File:Myotis-blythii-cropped.jpg|200px|center|thumbnail|The lesser mouse-eared bat can be found in [[China]]. ]]
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In [[East Asia]], namely southern China, bats are commonly eaten and can often be seen in markets. However, International agencies encouraged the Chinese government to create legislation forbidding both the hunting of bats and the sale of bat meat following the early 2000s SARS outbreak where hundreds of individuals died, but no such legislation was passed.<ref>Mildenstein, T.; Tanshi, I.; Racey, P. A. (2016). "Exploitation of Bats for Bushmeat and Medicine". Bats in the Anthropocene: Conservation of Bats in a Changing World. Springer. p. 327. doi:10.1007/978-3-319-25220-9_12. ISBN 978-3-319-25218-6.</ref> All wildlife trade in China, including the sales of bat meat, was banned in January 2020 in response to the Wuhan coronavirus outbreak.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/china-bans-wild-animal-trade-until-coronavirus-epidemic-eliminated/2020/01/26/0e05a964-4017-11ea-971f-4ce4f94494b4_story.html| title=China bans wild animal trade until coronavirus epidemic is eliminated| website=The Washington Post| date=26 January 2020| access-date=30 January 2020| first1=Simon| last1= Denyer| last2=Lyric| first2= Li }}</ref>

== Western atheists diet ==
[[File:France location.png|thumbnail|right|200px|The [[France|French]] are well-known for their culinary achievements.<ref>[https://www.thespruceeats.com/introduction-to-french-food-and-cooking-1375348 A Brief Introduction to French Food and Cooking] BY Rebecca Franklin</ref> See also: [[French cuisine]] ]]
=== Secular Europe ===

''See also:'' [[Secular Europe]]

From a global perspective, [[Europe]] is more secular/[[Atheism|atheistic]] than the rest of the world although it does have a considerable amount of religious immigrants who have higher birth rates (see: [[Atheist population]] and [[Global atheism]]).

==== European diet ====

*[https://oureverydaylife.com/470612-european-culture-and-diet.html European culture and diet]

==== Secular Europe and obesity ====

See: [[Secular Europe and obesity]]

=== Australia ===

See: [[Irreligion in Australia]]

==== Australian diet ====

*[https://rumblespaleo.com.au/the-standard-australian-diet/ The Standard Australian Diet: The Good and The Bad]
*[https://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/food/eat/australian-diet-worse-than-originally-thought-csiro-study-suggests/news-story/2b55affbb7bdaf14a82ec5d64761722c Australian diet worse than originally thought, CSIRO study suggests]

==== Australia, irreligion and obesity ====

See: [[Australia, irreligion and obesity]]

== Atheism and obesity ==

''See also:'' [[Atheism and obesity]]

[[File:11834504 3cc3c49559.jpg|186px|right|thumbnail|Two of the major risk factors for becoming [[obesity|obese]] according to the [[Mayo Clinic]] are poor dietary choices and inactivity.<ref>[http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/obesity/DS00314/DSECTION=causes Causes of obesity]</ref> According to the [[Gallup poll|Gallup Inc.]], "Very religious Americans are more likely to practice healthy behaviors than those who are moderately religious or nonreligious."<ref>[http://www.gallup.com/poll/145379/Religious-Americans-Lead-Healthier-Lives.aspx Very Religious Americans Lead Healthier Lives], Gallup Poll, 2010</ref> ]]
The current [[atheist population]] mostly resides in [[East Asia]] (particularly [[China]]) and in [[secular Europe]]/[[Australia]] primarily among whites.<ref>[https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2013/05/23/a-surprising-map-of-where-the-worlds-atheists-live/ A surprising map of where the world’s atheists live], By Max Fisher and Caitlin Dewey, ''Washington Post'', May 23, 2013</ref> Most [[atheism|atheists]] are [[East Asia]]ns (see: [[Asian atheism]]). See: [[Global atheism]] and [[Western atheism and race]]

Secular Europe and communist [[China]] have significant problems with obesity (see: [[Secular Europe and obesity]] and [[China and obesity]]). In addition, [[Australia]] has a significant problem with obesity (see: [[Australia, irreligion and obesity]]).

In the [[United States]] at the present time, the greater the degree of irreligiosity in a generation, the [[Atheism and obesity#Irreligion/religion, generations in the United States and obesity|higher their obesity rate is]].

According to the [[Gallup poll|Gallup Inc.]], "Very religious Americans are more likely to practice healthy behaviors than those who are moderately religious or nonreligious."<ref>[http://www.gallup.com/poll/145379/Religious-Americans-Lead-Healthier-Lives.aspx Very Religious Americans Lead Healthier Lives], Gallup Poll, 2010</ref>

Gallup declared concerning the study which measured the degree to which religiosity affects health practices: "[[Generalized linear model]] analysis was used to estimate marginal scores all five reported metrics after controlling for age (in years), gender, race/ethnicity, marital status, education (number of years), log of income, and region of the country... Results are based on telephone interviews conducted as part of the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index survey Jan. 2-July 28, 2010, with a random sample of 554,066 adults, aged 18 and older, living in all 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia, selected using random-digit-dial sampling.<ref>[http://www.gallup.com/poll/145379/Religious-Americans-Lead-Healthier-Lives.aspx Very Religious Americans Lead Healthier Lives], Gallup Poll, 2010</ref>
[[File:Hand and cookies.jpg|thumbnail|left|201px|Obesity is positively associated with impulsiveness, lower [[self-control|self-discipline]] and [[neuroticism]].<ref>
*[http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18549987 Personality traits and eating behavior in the obese: poor self-control in emotional and external eating but personality assets in restrained eating]
*[http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19433123 Eating styles, self-control and obesity indicators. The moderating role of obesity status and dieting history on restrained eating]
*[http://www.wellspringcamps.com/obesity_research.html Wellspring Camps - Obesity research]</ref> See also: [[Atheism and hedonism]] and [[Atheism and mental illness]] ]]
The Gallup study gives some insight into the above average health habits of the very religious and not necessarily the health habits of [[atheism|atheists]]. The reason is that the Gallup organization defines a non-religious as a person where "Religion is not an important part of daily life and church/synagogue/mosque attendance occurs seldom or never. This group constitutes 29.7% of the adult population."<ref>[http://www.gallup.com/poll/145379/Religious-Americans-Lead-Healthier-Lives.aspx Very Religious Americans Lead Healthier Lives], Gallup Poll, 2010</ref> While many [[Western World|Western]] atheists are non-religious, not all non-religious people are atheists.

Gallup further declares:
{{cquote|Very religious Americans make healthier choices than their moderately religious and nonreligious counterparts across all four of the Healthy Behavior Index metrics, including smoking, healthy eating, and regular exercise. Smoking is one area of particular differentiation between the very religious and less religious Americans, with the nonreligious 85% more likely to be smokers than those who are very religious.<ref>http://www.gallup.com/poll/145379/Religious-Americans-Lead-Healthier-Lives.aspx</ref>}}

A 2010 study reported in the ''Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion'' found that for Korean women living in California, religion "may help prevent obesity."<ref>[http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2951288/ Can religion help prevent obesity? Religious messages and the prevalence of being overweight or obese among Korean women in California.] J Sci Study Relig. 2010;49(3):536-49.
Ayers JW1, Hofstetter CR, Irvin VL, Song Y, Park HR, Paik HY, Hovell MF.</ref>

== Atheists and pork consumption ==

''See also:'' [[Health risks of eating pork]]

See: [[Atheists and pork consumption]]

[[File:Pig.jpg|300px|thumbnail|center|Most of the world's [[Atheism|atheists]] are likely [[East Asia]]ns (see: [[Asian atheism]]).
 
 
A very significant portion of atheists eat [[pork]] - especially [[China and atheism|Chinese atheists]] (see: [[Atheists and pork consumption]]).
 
 
''The Economist'' recently called China the "Empire of the pig" (see: [https://www.economist.com/christmas-specials/2014/12/17/empire-of-the-pig China: Empire of the pig]). ]]
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== Irreligion and horse meat eating ==

*[[Irreligion and the treatment of horses|Atheism and horse meat eating]]

[[File:Girl with a horse.jpg|thumbnail|center|200px|Although [[horse]]s are seen as an intelligent animal by many and a useful partner in getting work accomplished in many areas around the world, there are irreligious countries that also see horses as a source of food.<ref>[https://brandongaille.com/20-horse-meat-consumption-statistics/ ''21 Intriguing Horse Meat Consumption Statistics'']</ref>
 
 
For more information, please see: [[Irreligion and the treatment of horses|Atheism and horse meat eating]] ]]
[[File:Horse picture.jpg|thumbnail|200px|center|There are [[Irreligion and the treatment of horses|several irreligious countries that engage in horse meat eating]].
 
 
China produces more horse meat than any other country in the world, creating nearly half of the world’s supply of this animal protein.<ref>[https://brandongaille.com/20-horse-meat-consumption-statistics/ ''21 Intriguing Horse Meat Consumption Statistics'']</ref>
 
 
The reason why it is considered a dangerous animal protein is that horses are often given a medicine called phenylbutazone [or “bute” for short] that is dangerous to humans.<ref>[https://brandongaille.com/20-horse-meat-consumption-statistics/ ''21 Intriguing Horse Meat Consumption Statistics'']</ref>
 
 
For more information, please see: [[Irreligion and the treatment of horses]] ]]
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== Dietary/culinary practices of atheists ==

''See also:'' [[Atheism and food science]] and [[Atheism and culinary science]] and [[Atheism, culinary arts, inspiration, innovation and food science]]

[[File:Food Science and Technology.jpg|thumbnail|250px|right|A [[food science]] laboratory]]

=== Atheism, food science and culinary science ===

Despite the efforts of food scientists and chefs in irreligious cultures to develop more flavorful food, there have been a significant amount of irreligious cultures with bland food that is not exciting from a culinary point of view (See also: [[Atheism and food science]] and [[Atheism and culinary science]]).

=== Soviet Union and bland food ===

Claude Lewis wrote in ''The Philadelphia Inquirer'' about the food is the former [[Soviet Union]] which had militant [[state atheism]]: "Many people in the Soviet Union have grown tired of institutionalized food in state-run cafeterias found at state-run cafeterias such as Stolovaya No. 22 and Stolovaya No. 23 where the menus seldom change and often lack variety. Most food in the Soviet Union is unimaginative, tasteless and bland."<ref>[http://articles.philly.com/1990-07-25/news/25898649_1_food-menus-cafeterias Making A Beef About Soviet Food]</ref>

=== Irreligious Nordic countries and bland food ===

[[File:Flag of Sweden.png|thumbnail|200px|left|[[Sweden]] is one of the most atheistic countries in the world.<ref>[http://www.adherents.com/largecom/com_atheist.html Top 50 Countries With Highest Proportion of Atheists / Agnostics(Zuckerman, 2005)]</ref>
 
 
[[Nordic]] food is often depicted as being bland.<ref>http://www.npr.org/2013/11/13/244600582/new-nordics-cool-but-old-scandinavian-food-holds-its-own</ref>]]
[[Nordic]] countries have high atheist/[[agnosticism|agnostic]] populations within them (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden).

[[Sweden]] is one of the most atheistic countries in the world and in [[secular Europe]]. The website adherents.com reported that in 2005 46 - 85% of Swedes were agnostics/atheists/non-believers in God.<ref>[http://www.adherents.com/largecom/com_atheist.html Top 50 Countries With Highest Proportion of Atheists / Agnostics(Zuckerman, 2005)]</ref> Sweden also has the 3rd highest rate of belief in evolution as far as [[Western World]] nations.<ref>[http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/bigphotos/21329204.html Photo: Evolution Less Accepted in U.S. Than Other Western Countries, Study Finds]</ref>

Denmark has the highest rate of belief in evolution in the [[Western World]].<ref>[http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/bigphotos/21329204.html Photo: Evolution Less Accepted in U.S. Than Other Western Countries, Study Finds]</ref> In addition, in 2005 [[Denmark]] was ranked the third most atheistic country in the world and the website adherents.com reported that in 2005 43 - 80% of Danes are [[agnosticism|agnostics]]/atheists/non-believers in God.<ref>[http://www.adherents.com/largecom/com_atheist.html Top 50 Countries With Highest Proportion of Atheists / Agnostics(Zuckerman, 2005)]</ref>

Finland was ranked the 7th most atheistic country in the world in 2005.<ref>[http://www.adherents.com/largecom/com_atheist.html Top 50 Countries With Highest Proportion of Atheists / Agnostics(Zuckerman, 2005)]</ref> Finland has the 17th highest rate of belief in evolution in the Western World.<ref>[http://www.adherents.com/largecom/com_atheist.html Top 50 Countries With Highest Proportion of Atheists / Agnostics(Zuckerman, 2005)]</ref>
[[File:Christopher Hitchens and Richard Dawkins.jpg|thumbnail|right|300px|The Britain born [[New Atheism|new atheists]] [[Christopher Hitchens]] and [[Richard Dawkins]]. The late Christopher Hitchens was known for his heavy drinking.<ref>[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/08/17/christopher-hitchens-desp_n_685021.html Christopher Hitchens: Despite Cancer, I'd Drink & Smoke Again]</ref> ]]
Iceland is one of the most irreligious countries in the world according to Gallup International.<ref>"[http://icelandreview.com/icelandreview/daily_news/Iceland_Ranks_High_on_World_Atheist_List_0_392552.news.aspx Iceland Ranks High on World Atheist List]". Iceland Review. Retrieved 2013-10-05.</ref> A Gallup International poll conducted in 2012 reported that 57% of Icelanders considered themselves "a religious person", 31% considered themselves "a non religious person", while 10% defined themselves as "a convinced atheist", which places Iceland in the top 10 atheist populations in the world.<ref>"[http://redcresearch.ie/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/RED-C-press-release-Religion-and-Atheism-25-7-12.pdf GLOBAL INDEX OF RELIGION AND ATHEISM]" (PDF).</ref>

Nordic food is often depicted as being bland.<ref>http://www.npr.org/2013/11/13/244600582/new-nordics-cool-but-old-scandinavian-food-holds-its-own</ref>

=== Irreligious Britain and bland food ===

A Eurobarometer poll in 2010 reported that 37% of UK citizens "believed there is a God", 33% believe there is "some sort of spirit or life force" and 25% answered "I don't believe there is any sort of spirit, God or life force".<ref>[http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/archives/ebs/ebs_341_en.pdf Special Eurobarometer, biotechnology, p. 204"]. Fieldwork: Jan-Feb 2010.</ref> See also: [[British atheism]]

International food authority Andrew Zimmern said of Britain's food: “Twenty years ago the food of the British Isles was universally considered to be among the world’s worst—boring, bland and boiled.”<ref>[http://www.bbcamerica.com/anglophenia/2012/03/five-myths-about-british-food Five myths about British food]</ref>

(In the last 20 years, Britain has seen a large influx of immigrants many of whom eat spicier food. No doubt that is why Zimmern said "twenty years ago".)

See also: [http://www.foodrepublic.com/2014/09/03/why-does-british-food-get-such-a-bad-rap-we-examine/ Why Does British Food Get Such A Bad Rap? We Examine]

=== Irreligious Germany and bland food ===
[[File:Flag of Germany.JPG|thumbnail|200px|right|[[Germany]] is one of the most [[Atheism|atheistic]] countries in the world and the website adherents.com reported that 41-49% of Germans are [[agnosticism|agnostics]]/atheists/non-believers in God.<ref>[http://www.adherents.com/largecom/com_atheist.html Top 50 Countries With Highest Proportion of Atheists / Agnostics(Zuckerman, 2005)]</ref>]]
[[Germany]] is one of the most [[Atheism|atheistic]] countries in the world and the website adherents.com reports that 41-49% of Germans are [[agnosticism|agnostics]]/atheists/non-believers in God.<ref>[http://www.adherents.com/largecom/com_atheist.html Top 50 Countries With Highest Proportion of Atheists / Agnostics(Zuckerman, 2005)]</ref>

''Parlour Magazine'' reported about German food:
{{Cquote|From a young age the German palate is adapted to enjoy the simple flavors of salt, wurst (sausage) and breadcrumbs, shunning anything too sweet, too spicy or too complex.

...I do occasionally enjoy a bit of spice and this is the dilemma. I grew up in a West Indian household led by my grandfather who was a chef, to say I was spoiled in terms of flavorful food would be an understatement. The pepper, the curry, the jerk – all flavors that fueled my youth and make me feel at home. How I survive in Germany, the land of bland, is a mystery to most who know me.<ref>[http://parlourmagazine.com/2011/12/black-in-berlin-german-food-american-food-travel-tips/ Black in Berlin: Surviving Germany’s Food Culture], Parlour Magazine</ref>}}

=== Irreligion, Eastern Europe and flavorless food ===

[[Eastern Europe]] was under about 70 years of atheistic, [[Soviet Union|Soviet]] [[Communism|communist]] rule (see also: [[Atheism and communism]]). For example, [[Albania]] was an atheist state from 1967 to 1991.

The [[Czech Republic]], [[Estonia]], and East Germany have some of the lowest levels of religious belief in [[secular Europe]].

[[File:Czech location.png|thumbnail|200px|thumbnail|In 2005, the [[Czech Republic]] placed second in the world in alcohol consumption.<ref>[http://www.radio.cz/en/section/curraffrs/czech-alcohol-consumption-figures-highlight-rising-number-of-problem-drinkers Czech alcohol consumption figures highlight rising number of problem drinkers], 23-02-2011 16:29 | Chris Johnstone</ref> See also: [[Atheism and alcoholism]] ]]
From a historical perspective, the [[Czech Republic|Czechs]] have been characterised as "tolerant and even indifferent towards religion".<ref>Richard Felix Staar, ''Communist regimes in Eastern Europe'', Issue 269, p. 90</ref> According to the 2011 census, 34.2% of the Czech population declared they had no religion, 10.3% was [[Roman Catholic]] and 10.2% followed other forms of religion both denominational and nondenominational. Furthermore, 45.2% of the population did not answer the question about religion.<ref>Richard Felix Staar, Communist regimes in Eastern Europe, Issue 269, p. 90</ref> From 1991 to 2001 and further to 2011 the adherence to Roman Catholicism decreased from 39.0% to 26.8% and then subsequently to 10.3%.<ref name="1921-2001censuses">{{cite web|url=http://www.czso.cz/csu/2008edicniplan.nsf/engt/24003E05ED/$File/4032080119.pdf|title=Population by denomination and sex: as measured by 1921, 1930, 1950, 1991 and 2001 censuses|language=Czech and English|accessdate=2010-03-09|publisher=Czech Statistical Office}}</ref>

Estonia is one of the least [[religion|religious]] areas in the world. Merely 14% of the population declared religion an important part of their daily lives.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://euobserver.com/social/27587|title=Estonians least religious in the world|date=11 February 2009 |accessdate=9 January 2014|publisher=EU Observer}}</ref>

''The Guardian'' reported in 2012 about Eastern Germany:
{{Cquote|A recent study called Beliefs About God Across Time and Countries found that 52.1% of people asked whether they believed in God identified themselves as atheists. This compared with only 10.3% in western Germany. Indeed, the survey was unable to find a single person under the age of 28 in eastern Germany who believed in God.<ref>[http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/belief/2012/sep/22/atheism-east-germany-godless-place Eastern Germany: the most godless place on Earth]</ref>}}

The ''Maverick Traveler'' reports:
{{Cquote|Eastern Europe isn’t known for its variety of exquisite dishes. Most of the dishes are a combination of three ingredients: bread, potatoes and meat. While it’s very hearty, it’s also very flavorless. If you’re there on a short trip or in the beginning of a more extended sojourn, you might find the food interesting and even exotic, but I can guarantee that you’ll quickly get tired of it.

Once you get tired of going out and eating bland local food, you’ll have two options: go to restaurants that serve international cuisine or cook your own food. The problem with the first option is that the international restaurant scene is rather limited in Eastern Europe.<ref>[http://mavericktraveler.com/13-things-dont-tell-eastern-europe/ 13 Things They Don’t Tell You About Eastern Europe] by James Maverick, Maverick Treveler</ref>}}

== Atheism and veganism ==

See: [[Atheism and veganism]] and [[New Atheism and veganism]] and [[Richard Dawkins on veganism]]
[[File:Vegetables.jpg|thumbnail|275px|center|Most atheists are not vegans (see: [[Atheism and veganism]]).
 
 
The majority of [[atheism|atheists]] are likely [[East Asia]]n (see: [[Asian atheism]]).<ref>[http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/gnxp/2010/11/most-atheists-are-not-white/ Most atheists are not white & other non-fairy tales], Discover magazine</ref>
 
 
[[China]] has the world's largest [[atheism|atheist]] population (See: [[China and atheism]]).<ref>[http://www.thechapmans.nl/news/Atheist.pdf Top 50 Countries With Highest Proportion of Atheists / Agnostics (Zuckerman, 2005)]</ref><ref>[https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2013/05/23/a-surprising-map-of-where-the-worlds-atheists-live/ A surprising map of where the world’s atheists live], ''Washington Post'' By Max Fisher and Caitlin Dewey May 23, 2013</ref>
 
 
An estimated 4 to 5 percent of Chinese are [[vegetarian]]s.<ref>[https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Vegetarianism_by_country&oldid=908977651 Vegetarianism by country]</ref>]]
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== Atheistic cultures and baby/children eating ==

See: [[Atheists eat babies meme|Atheists and baby eating]]

For additional information, please see:

*[https://abcnews.go.com/Health/chinese-made-infant-flesh-capsules-seized-korea/story?id=16296176 Chinese-Made Infant Flesh Capsules Seized in S. Korea], ''ABC News''

*[https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2014/dec/31/chinese-cannibalism-infant-flesh-outrages-world/ Chinese cannibalism of infant flesh outrages the world], ''Washington Times''

*[https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2140702/South-Korea-customs-officials-thousands-pills-filled-powdered-human-baby-flesh.html Thousands of pills filled with powdered human baby flesh discovered by customs officials in South Korea], ''The Daily Mail''

*[https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2012/05/horrifyingly-ground-baby-pills-are-real-thing/328490/ Horrifyingly, Ground Baby Pills Are a Real Thing] by Alexander Abad-Santos, ''The Atlantic''

=== Atheistic cultures and children eating ===

*[[Atheists eat babies meme#Soviet Union, famine and individuals eating children|Soviet Union and the eating of children]]

*[[Atheists eat babies meme#North Korea, famine and a father eating his children|North Korea and the eating of children]]

[[Image:Baby.jpg|thumb|200px|center|In 2014, ''The Washington Times'' reported: "China’s one child policy, baby trafficking, and sex trafficking of [[North Korean]] women aren’t the worst human rights violation happening in the country. [[abortion|Aborting]] innocent and healthy unborn children and eating them to boost one’s stamina and sexual health is.
 
 
South Korean customs officials recently seized thousands of pills filled with powdered human baby flesh arriving from China. Since August 2011, South Korean officials have intercepted more than 17000 pills smuggled from China."
<ref>[https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2014/dec/31/chinese-cannibalism-infant-flesh-outrages-world/ Chinese cannibalism of infant flesh outrages the world], ''Washington Times'', 2014</ref>}}
 
 
Please see: [[Atheists eat babies meme|Atheists and baby eating]] and [[Atheists eat babies meme#Atheistic China and baby eating|Communist China and baby eating]] ]]
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[[File:Fetus1.jpg|thumbnail|200px|center|South Korean officials became aware of a horrific practice of eating aborted fetuses after Seoul Broadcasting System showed a documentary on Chinese doctors who performed abortions and then ate the fetuses. One Chinese doctor on the documentary took out fetuses from his refrigerator.<ref>[https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2014/dec/31/chinese-cannibalism-infant-flesh-outrages-world/ Chinese cannibalism of infant flesh outrages the world], ''Washington Times'', 2014</ref>]]
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== Atheism and cannibalism ==

See: [[Atheism and cannibalism]]

[[File:Jeffrey Dahmer Milwaukee Police 1991 mugshot.jpg|thumbnail|center|200px|The [[serial killer]] [[Jeffrey Dahmer]] engaged in [[cannibalism]]. He was an [[atheism|atheist]] while he committed these acts.<ref>[http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x1sv4ky_serial-killer-jeffrey-dahmer-blames-atheism-and-evolution-belief-for-murders_news Serial Killer Jeffrey Dahmer blames Atheism and Evolution belief for Murders]</ref>
 
 
For more information, please see: [[Atheism and cannibalism]] ]]
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== See also ==

*[[Atheism and health]]

== Notes ==
{{reflist|2}}

[[Category:Atheism]]
[[Category: Food]]

Conservapedia - User contributions [en]

Dietary practices of atheists