Those who know me would not call me a terribly observant Jew. Nonetheless, I don't eat pork. I mean, in light of scientific knowledge I could simply explain the avoidance on medical or scientific grounds. But I don't. The reason I don't eat pork is because I am a Jew.
That might seem like circular reasoning to you. So be it.
The Jews throughout the centuries have been known for our love of studying and our love of laughter, especially irony. Study Torah long enough, and you'll realize that some of it makes absolutely no sense at all (not that this has stopped entire bookshelves from being written about the "reasoning" behind it).
I know it will inflame some of you, but the truth about my religion (and yours too, but I know that most Christians cannot tolerate irony and humor mixed with their beliefs) is that it doesn't have to make perfect sense. It is not rational. It does not have to be rational or explainable. That is why, for me, there is no conflict between religious belief and modern scientific knowledge: they are different realms.
As for the original Pork question, I can't speak on Islam, but while the laws of kashrut are important, they are certainly of lower urgency than other laws. A starving man would not be prohibited from eating pork, because maintaining a life outweighs dietary restrictions. A paramedic who is needed on Shabbos to save a life shouldn't even hesitate to work that day-saving lives is much more important than observing Shabbos. I remember reading a story about a deeply religious Jew who needed a new heart valve. When he was told by the doctor that he could choose between a plastic valve and one removed from a pig's heart, he asked his doctor which was the better choice. He was told "pig". The man agreed to it without hesitation. He understood his priorities, and where his duty to G-d lay.
I hope Islam is like that too.
