What may be eaten
Steak is forbidden.
This prohibition applies specifically to steak rather than to all beef.
According to Rolloist tradition, the First Prophet once ate steak and afterward suffered a terrible toothache. In his heart, he felt that Malk was disappointed in him. From this event came the prohibition against eating steak.
Eating steak is considered an insult to Rollo, to Malk, and to the First Prophet.
Other permitted forms of beef remain unaffected, unless prohibited elsewhere in dietary law.
All ribs are forbidden, except lamb ribs.
The prohibition concerns the ribs. It is not generalized to the entire animal.
Pork itself is permitted, but there are restrictions.
Pork taken from the underside of the pig is considered unclean and may not be eaten.
Pork taken from the rear or buttock region of the pig is also considered unclean and may not be eaten.
Good-quality ham is permitted.
Cheap, heavily processed packaged pork products should not be treated as equivalent to proper pork.
Sausages are forbidden.
Sausages are regarded as an insult to Rollo.
This prohibition applies independently of what animal the sausage contains.
Shrimp are permitted, provided they have been properly cleaned before being eaten.
Shrimp occupy a special position within Rolloist dietary teaching. According to Rolloist doctrine, Rollo created shrimp for human consumption, and shrimp are therefore an exception to the broader prohibition against eating small and defenseless creatures.
Rolloist doctrine also teaches that shrimp do not experience pain in the relevant sense.
Shrimp hold an especially important place in Rolloist holy-day meals.
Fish are generally permitted, but size matters.
Very small fish that cannot reasonably defend themselves are forbidden. Larger fish may be eaten.
There is no rigid numerical size measurement. Followers are expected to use reasonable judgment.
Sharks, whales, and dolphins are strictly forbidden as food.
They are regarded in Rolloism as beautiful creations and perfect creatures, and they are therefore not to be eaten.
This prohibition is not based merely on size.
Oysters and scallops are forbidden.
They are regarded as both unclean and defenseless.
Crabs may be eaten, depending on their size.
Large crabs are permitted. Small crabs that cannot reasonably defend themselves are forbidden.
Lobsters are likewise permitted depending on size.
Large specimens may be eaten. Very small specimens that would fall under the protection given to vulnerable animals are forbidden.
Rolloist dietary law generally prohibits eating small and defenseless animals.
There is no universal measurement determining what counts as too small. Followers should instead ask whether the creature is reasonably capable of defending itself within the normal nature of its species.
For sea animals, vulnerability is particularly important.
For land animals, large animals such as cows and pigs may generally be eaten, subject to the other restrictions of dietary law. Small land animals are generally forbidden.
There are specific revealed exceptions, especially shrimp and chickens.
Snakes are forbidden as food.
They are regarded, alongside creatures such as sharks, whales, and dolphins, as especially beautiful and perfect creations.
They must therefore not be eaten.
Chicken is permitted. According to Rolloist doctrine, chickens were created by Rollo for human consumption, and they therefore constitute an exception to the general protection given to smaller animals.
Ducks and other poultry are forbidden. The chicken exception is not automatically extended to other birds.
Eggs are permitted, but they must be cleaned and blessed before consumption.
After cleaning the egg, the follower holds it in their hand and says: “Baramoth Hasanai Rollo Banahai.”
No English translation of these words has been established, and none is supplied here.
Alcohol is permitted.
Drinking becomes morally unacceptable when intoxication causes the drinker to become a public nuisance, aggressive, disruptive, dangerous, or harmful to others.
Rolloism therefore does not prohibit alcohol itself but places responsibility on the conduct of the person drinking it.
Recreational drugs are generally forbidden.
Marijuana is the exception. It may be used provided that its use does not become addictive, controlling, or dominant in the person's life.
Marijuana is permitted under this condition rather than commanded. It is not described as universally encouraged.
Medicines and prescribed drugs are permitted when they are genuinely being used for medical treatment.
Medical treatment must not be confused with prohibited recreational drug use.
Dairy products are permitted. This includes foods such as milk, cheese, butter, yoghurt, and other ordinary dairy products.
No additional blessing or ritual is currently required.
Gluttony and habitual overeating are forbidden. Eating should not normally become excessive or uncontrolled.
The exception is during Rolloist holy days, when feasting and unusually large meals may form part of legitimate religious celebration.
This exception specifically concerns the religious tradition of feasting. It does not make every form of harmful conduct acceptable during holidays, such as conduct that is a public nuisance, aggressive, disruptive, dangerous, or harmful to others.
Rolloist dietary law does not reduce every animal or food to a single category. Some foods are forbidden because they are unclean. Some are forbidden because the animal is unusually vulnerable. Some creatures are protected because they are regarded as especially beautiful or perfect.
Other creatures, particularly shrimp and chickens, have specific revealed exceptions within Rolloist doctrine.
Where revelation does not clearly establish whether a food is permitted or forbidden, do not invent a new rule. Where revelation is silent, we do not invent.
A silence in scripture is not an empty room waiting to be furnished. It is a door, and the door is shut.