Question

How, in general, does Marvin Harris (a materialist) explain the biblical dietary laws?

a. they were means of establishing the identity of the ancient Hebrews
b. they were all related to the Hebrews worldview and what was "normal" in their world
c. they resulted from some practical, usually economic considerations
d. they functioned to impose order in one part of the ancient Hebrews' world

Answer 1

Marvin Harris explains the biblical dietary laws by taking into account practical and socioeconomic factors. He suggests that the dietary laws were influenced by economic considerations and functioned to establish religious identity and impose order on the ancient Hebrews' world.

Step-by-step explanation:

Marvin Harris, a materialist, explains the biblical dietary laws by recognizing the practical and socioeconomic factors associated with them. He argues that the dietary laws resulted from some practical, usually economic considerations. For example, Harris suggests that the prohibition against eating pork may have been due to the high risk of trichinosis associated with consuming undercooked pork. Additionally, the dietary laws may have functioned to impose order in the ancient Hebrews' world by establishing a sense of religious identity and separating them from other cultures.