TrueBlueTerrier wrote:After a cursory search about your claim that some cultures and religions see dogs as being unclean, that is indeed the case in Judaism and Christianity (Leviticus 11:27) and yes Islam but not all islam. For Sunnis Dogs that Guard (such as a guide dog ?) are not considered unclean. In fact there is one Hadith apparently that tells how the Prophet himself had prayed in the presence of his playfully cavorting dogs. In Surah Kahf, mention is made of the companions of the Cave and their dog. (S18: 18-22) So I guess that this "Asian" was Christian, Jewish, or Islamic but not a Sunni.

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Another search for the shiite view and it appears that they don't think dogs are unclean (rajis or are Haraam) like pigs , but just that they are (najis) if they come into contact with the dogs saliva then they need to wash the area 7 times before praying, once with dust.
TBT,
Don't get us started on Leviticus
- There's Uncleanliness and its treatment (11:1–15:33)
A. Unclean animals (ch. 11)
B. Uncleanliness caused by childbirth (ch. 12)
C. Unclean diseases (ch. 13)
D. Cleansing of diseases (ch. 14)
E. Unclean discharges (ch. 15)
- And there's loads on Prescriptions for practical holiness (the Holiness Code, chs. 17–26)
A. Sacrifice and food (ch. 17)
B. Sexual behaviour (ch. 18)
C. Neighbourliness (ch.19)
D. Grave crimes (ch. 20)
E. Rules for priests (ch. 21)
F. Rules for eating sacrifices (ch. 22)
G. Festivals (ch.23)
H. Rules for the tabernacle (ch. 24:1–9)
I. Blasphemy (ch. 24:10–23)
J. Sabbatical and Jubilee years (ch. 25)
K. Exhortation to obey the law: blessing and curse (ch. 26)
