Religious rules serve as signposts of the times, however, as cultures evolve, many of these rules become curious historical footnotes, out of step with contemporary life. Here are 18 prescriptions from religious texts that have largely fallen out of practice.
Prohibiting Fortune Telling
Religious texts like Deuteronomy explicitly prohibited practices such as seeking oracles or engaging in fortune-telling, labeling them as abominations. Yet, fortune-telling has not only endured but also transformed throughout the ages, from an activity shrouded in mystery and disapproval to a form of modern entertainment
A Ban On Tearing Clothes in Mourning
In the Levitical laws, there were clear mandates against tearing one’s clothes in grief, a practice that signified deep mourning and despair. In stark contrast, contemporary expressions of mourning are varied and highly individualized.
Purebred Livestock Only
Leviticus set forth rules that animals of different kinds should not be crossbred. Modern agricultural practices, however, often focus on hybridizing animals to enhance certain traits, such as disease resistance, productivity, or to adapt to environmental changes.
Stoning Sabbath Breakers
In the book of Numbers (Numbers 15:32-36), a man found collecting wood on the Sabbath day was stoned to death at God’s command. Such an extreme punishment is inconceivable today, as the Sabbath is observed in a host of different ways, by many in the Jewish and Christian faiths.
Only Eating Strictly Selected Seafood
The dietary laws in Leviticus were once strict, especially concerning seafood, prohibiting the consumption of shellfish. In modern gastronomy, such restrictions have lost their hold, giving way to a celebration of diverse seafood, with dishes from lobster bisque to clam chowder being staples in many diets.
Observing Three Years Before Eating Tree Fruit
Instructions from religious texts forbade eating the fruit from trees within the first three years of planting. This practice was intended to ensure the sustainability and health of the crop. Today, while sustainability practices are still crucial, they are science-driven, focusing on modern agricultural techniques rather than religious rules.
Eating Only Certain Birds
Leviticus lays out specific birds that should not be eaten, a list that today would largely be irrelevant, as many of the birds are not commonly consumed. Modern dietary choices are influenced more by cultural habits, ethical considerations, and personal tastes rather than ancient dietary laws.
Regulated Beard Trimming
The book of Leviticus in the Hebrew Bible (Leviticus 19:27) explicitly instructs men not to trim the edges of their beards, positing it as a divine command. Modern grooming trends, however, have made styled beards the norm.
Avoiding Mixed Fabrics
Another rule from Leviticus (Leviticus 19:19) forbids wearing garments made of two different types of thread, known as ‘shatnez’ in Hebrew. Today’s global textile industry thrives on blending materials for better wear and cost-effectiveness, making this ancient directive impractical for most people.
Gleaning the Fields
The concept of gleaning — leaving the edges of fields unharvested for the needy — comes from Leviticus (Leviticus 23:22). It’s a compassionate rule that embeds charity into agricultural practice. Sadly the edges of a field would be of no use to poor people in urban areas with no idea how to harvest cereal crops.
Tolerance For Eating Winged Insects
Found within the dietary laws of Leviticus (Leviticus 11:20-23), there’s a peculiar allowance for eating certain insects, particularly locusts. While some cultures do include insects in their diet, for most modern societies, this practice is more of an exotic outlier than a norm.
Sacrificing Animals
Animal sacrifice was a cornerstone of religious practice in ancient times, with detailed instructions in Leviticus (Leviticus 1:2-17). While the symbolism of sacrifice remains in religious narratives, it is largely metaphorical now, replaced by symbolic or monetary offerings that reflect a more humane approach to religion.
Wearing Tassels
Deuteronomy (Deuteronomy 22:12) commands the wearing of tassels on the corners of garments as a visual reminder of the commandments. Today, this is observed only within strict Orthodox Jewish communities, with many seeing the practice as a personal choice rather than a broadly applicable commandment.
Ritual Cleansing After Childbirth
Ritual purity after childbirth is detailed in Leviticus (Leviticus 12:1-8), requiring a woman to undergo a purification process. In the 21st century, the focus is on the medical and psychological needs of postpartum women, with ancient purity rituals giving way to modern healthcare practices.
Not Clipping Nails at Night
According to Hindu tradition, it’s considered inauspicious to clip your nails after sunset. This rule, which may have originated from practical concerns about cleanliness or cutting oneself in poor lighting, hardly fits with the modern home filled with ample light sources.
Avoiding Dogs with Cropped Ears or Docked Tails
Zoroastrianism, one of the world’s oldest monotheistic religions, has a unique rule regarding dogs with cropped ears or docked tails. These dogs are to be avoided as they are considered to have been subjected to unnecessary cruelty, thus diminishing their spiritual purity. Dogs are generally highly regarded in Zoroastrian culture.
Handling Pigskin
According to ancient biblical rules, touching the skin of pigs made an individual ritually unclean. In today’s world, such a regulation seems nonsensical, considering the global popularity of sports like American football, where pigskin is iconically used.
Compulsory Polygamy
Polygamy, the practice of having multiple wives (Doctrine and Covenants, Section 132), was once a sanctioned part of Mormon doctrine. However, the mainstream Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints officially renounced polygamy in the late 1800s and the practice is now bypassed by most modern Mormons and almost everyone else.
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