Alternative to Lard

[earlene]

not necessarily. Muslims might have an issue with lard in their soap, but not palm oil

Also some Jewish people. Although my neighbor knows my soap has lard and she’s fine with that.

Well, now these are religious issues, not ethical issues. However, just because one belongs to a religion which observes dietary food laws, that does not equate to restrictions of other uses of those products.

For example, in my youth, we observed specific dietary food laws that restricted us from eating any animal without a cloven hoof or any shell fish, among other things. That did NOT mean that we did not wear or use leather shoes or belts made from those animals or that we didn't collect seashells, etc. Dietary food laws only applied to the consumption as food and nothing else.

 

[lenarenee]

Well, now these are religious issues, not ethical issues. However, just because one belongs to a religion which observes dietary food laws, that does not equate to restrictions of other uses of those products.

For example, in my youth, we observed specific dietary food laws that restricted us from eating any animal without a cloven hoof or any shell fish, among other things. That did NOT mean that we did not wear or use leather shoes or belts made from those animals or that we didn't collect seashells, etc. Dietary food laws only applied to the consumption as food and nothing else.

Interesting. How does one differentiate? Without getting too philosophical, aren’t our ethics rooted in religious beliefs? (Not challenging your statement, just curious because I find the history and origins of our beliefs interesting.)

 

[earlene]

Interesting. How does one differentiate? Without getting too philosophical, aren’t our ethics rooted in religious beliefs? (Not challenging your statement, just curious because I find the history and origins of our beliefs interesting.)

One does not have to be religious to believe in right and wrong, which is what ethics is about. Ethics is based on logic and reason, rather than traditions and doctrine.

 

[Susie]

^^^Everything Earlene said! There is a difference between a religious issue and an ethical one.

When I was considering selling soap, I asked a local rabbi if he would have a problem with using a lard soap. His reply (paraphrased) was that he wasn't going to eat the soap. He also said that other rabbis might have other opinions, but he was not aware of anyone that avoided using any non-food products that contained other porcine products.

You need to do your own research before using anything that your target market will have a problem with. Your outcome may be way different than mine.

My opinion on using lard is that it is a by-product of the meat industry. No one is raising pigs strictly for their lard. It is either going to be used or disposed of in a landfill. I might as well use it. And, as it makes awesome soap that is quite nice on my skin, I am going to keep using it. I do have a problem with people destroying habitat in order to grow more palm trees.

 

[lenarenee]

One does not have to be religious to believe in right and wrong, which is what ethics is about. Ethics is based on logic and reason, rather than traditions and doctrine.

Not arguing, just digging deeper. Which came first, the idea of rigjt and wrong, or religion. (I always thought our ideology stemmed from religion)

 

[earlene]

I think the topic has been derailed.

Not arguing, just digging deeper. Which came first, the idea of rigjt and wrong, or religion. (I always thought our ideology stemmed from religion)

How would I know? I am only 72. Mankind has lived on this earth a very long time, and I have no idea how philosophy or even religion or even ethics evolved from the neanderthal era (or earlier? or later?) I believe this discussion does not belong in this thread.

This thread is a about substitutions for lard. My apologies to @michael732.

 

[melinda48]

If people have an ethical issue with lard, and don't have an ethical issue with palm oil, they are not as informed as they should be. Just saying.

Sadly, virtue signaling is endemic among many folks who have no real idea what they are talking about because they are simply parroting what they hear. I discount them but truly respect those with sincerely held feeling about these things. In my mind, lard/tallow is simply a way to use the whole of the animal - thereby reducing waste.