Which religion doesn't eat meat on Fridays?

Many religions have customs and traditions around food, including when or what types of food can be eaten on certain days. One of the most well-known is the practice of abstaining from eating meat on Fridays, which is associated with Christianity – particularly Catholicism. However, there are also other religions that traditionally avoid eating meat on Fridays or have fasting practices that restrict meat consumption on certain days.

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Catholicism and Fridays

In Catholicism, abstaining from meat on Fridays is a form of penance and sacrifice. This practice was once strictly enforced by the Catholic Church, requiring all Catholics over the age of 14 to avoid meat every Friday. Over time, the strictness of this rule has relaxed, but Catholics are still required to practice some form of fasting or sacrifice on Fridays. Here are some key facts about Catholics and Fridays:

The Catholic law of abstinence dictates that Catholics aged 14 and over refrain from eating meat on Fridays during Lent as an act of penance.
In the United States, the rules around Friday abstinence from meat are more flexible. Catholics can choose an alternative form of sacrifice or penance.
During Lent, all Fridays are days of abstinence from meat. Many Catholics also abstain from meat on Fridays throughout the rest of the year, but this is not strictly enforced.

Fish and seafood are considered acceptable foods on Fridays and do not count as “meat”.
The tradition of abstaining from meat on Fridays comes from the early days of Christianity. Friday was chosen because it is the day Jesus died on the cross.

So in summary, abstaining from meat on Fridays is mandatory for devout Catholics during Lent, but optional for most Catholics on other Fridays throughout the year.

Other Christian Denominations

While Catholics have the strongest association with abstaining from meat on Fridays, some other Christian denominations also observe this tradition to varying degrees, including:

Eastern Orthodox – Traditionally avoids meat, fish, oil and dairy every Wednesday and Friday.
Lutheran – Many Lutheran churches encourage abstaining from meat on Fridays, especially during Lent.

Methodist – Fridays during Lent are encouraged as days of fasting or abstinence.
Anglican/Episcopalian – Recommends abstaining from meat on Fridays or fasting more broadly during Lent.

However, these requirements are usually not as strict as those for Catholics. Some Protestant denominations with less formalized traditions, such as Baptists and Evangelicals, do not have specific guidelines around Lenten fasting or abstaining from meat.

Other Religions that Avoid Meat on Holy Days

In addition to various Christian denominations, there are some other major world religions that restrict meat consumption on certain holy days or periods:

Hinduism

Many devout Hindus avoid eating meat or eggs and observe vegetarian fasting on holy days like Diwali, Maha Shivaratri, Navratri, or Ekadashi.
Hindus believe in non-violence toward animals and often follow lacto-vegetarian diets.

However, there are no absolute restrictions on eating meat, so practices vary regionally and individually.

Buddhism

Devout Buddhists observe Uposatha days, with fasting and avoiding meat on new moon and full moon days.
Many Buddhists also partake in vegetarian diets or veganism to practice non-harm against animals.

But meat consumption is not universally prohibited, except for some sects like Jainism.

Islam

During Ramadan, Muslims fast from dawn to sunset which includes avoiding meat and drink.
The Eid al-Adha holiday honors the prophet Ibrahim’s sacrifice of a lamb. Many Muslims perform a ritual slaughter of sheep, distributing the meat to the poor.

Islamic dietary law prohibits pork but other meats like beef, lamb, goat or poultry can be consumed if prepared according to Halal rules.

Judaism

Many Jewish holidays involve fasting and feasting, depending on historical significance.
Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, requires fasting with no food or water for 25 hours.

Passover Seders have symbolic foods but may include lamb or chicken dishes.
Kosher dietary laws determine which meats are acceptable, with pork and shellfish prohibited.

Reasons for Avoiding Meat in Different Religions

There are some common reasons why major religions have customs around avoiding meat consumption on certain holy days or events:

Sacrifice and Penance – Giving up valued things like meat is a sacrifice to show devotion to God or atone for sins.
Purity – Meat was historically seen as an indulgence, so avoiding it is purifying.
Compassion – Refraining from meat upholds values like animal welfare and non-violence.

Health – Abstinence from meat provides health benefits from vegetarian diets.
Identity – Dietary restrictions define religious groups and keep them separate from others.

So while the specific holy days and customs around meat vary between religions, the reasons behind food-based rituals often have similar roots.

Exceptions and Regional Differences

There can be many regional and cultural differences in how meat abstinence customs are practiced within a religion. Here are some examples of variations:

Some Catholic communities add extra no-meat days like no-meat Saturdays or vigils for saint’s feast days.
Orthodox churches from Slavic countries are more likely to be strictly vegan during fasts.

Hindu vegetarianism is strongest in northern/eastern parts of India like Gujarat or West Bengal.
Many Buddhists in China and Vietnam overall have less dietary restrictions.
Younger generations of Jews may be less observant of kosher dietary laws.

There can also be exceptions made for children, elderly, pregnant women or people with health conditions requiring specific diets. Overall, the abstinence customs tend to be practiced most strictly by devout, observant believers within a religion.

Conclusion

In summary, while Catholicism probably has the strongest global association with avoiding meat on Fridays, many other major religions have rituals and observances that restrict meat consumption on certain holy days or events. Reasons for fasting, abstinence or meatless days include sacrifice, purity, compassion, health and cultural identity. Customs around abstaining from meat vary between religions and often differ between regions, communities and generations as well. But such dietary restrictions remain an important spiritual practice for devout believers across many faiths.