# Hindus and leather

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hindus-and-leather/192472>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [August 2, 2003, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hindus-and-leather/192472 "2003-08-02T01:01:29Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![x-ray\_vision](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/x-ray_vision/32/351_2.png) [@x-ray\_vision](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/x-ray_vision)\
**Post date:** [August 2, 2003, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hindus-and-leather/192472/1 "2003-08-02T01:01:29Z")

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I’m not an expert on Hinduism, but I believe Hindus don’t eat beef because of their belief that cows are sacred. I’ve known Hindus who if I’m not mistaken, didn’t eat beef, but wore leather goods. Anyone know the straight dope on Hindus and leather?

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**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\
**Post date:** [August 2, 2003, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hindus-and-leather/192472/2 "2003-08-02T02:26:10Z")

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Leather is made from animals other than cows.

So there would certainly be no prohibition on deer hide, pig hide, horse hide, etc.

Also, the use of bovine products is not _completely_ forbidden - hindus consume dairy products, for instance. I think it’s the idea of _harming_ a cow that’s the problem. For all I know, leather made from a cow that died of natural causes may be acceptable. I don’t know.

Wouldn’t surprise me, though, to find that Hindus use leather of non-bovine origin.

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**Author:** ![x-ray\_vision](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/x-ray_vision/32/351_2.png) [@x-ray\_vision](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/x-ray_vision)\
**Post date:** [August 2, 2003, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hindus-and-leather/192472/3 "2003-08-02T02:30:15Z")

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Well it would surprise me. I’m pretty sure Hindus here in the U.S are doing most of there shopping in the same places us non-Hindus are.

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**Author:** ![x-ray\_vision](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/x-ray_vision/32/351_2.png) [@x-ray\_vision](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/x-ray_vision)\
**Post date:** [August 2, 2003, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hindus-and-leather/192472/4 "2003-08-02T02:35:16Z")

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Anyone know if [these](http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/biz/2002/01/24/stories/2002012400360200.htm) leather products are made from cow hide?