Hindu religion is more than 5000 years old .It was not in very organized form but it evolved and assimilated with different beliefs along its growth.The main followers of Hindu religion were Aryans- the white race(now roots of Germans,north indians and westerners).As the time went by, these people made home in the indus river valley.During that era - the main source of food was agriculture and cattles.female species were always respected in Hindu religion than in any other.that is why you see for everygod their is goddess.Female are considered more powerful than male.During that time male and female were equally responisible for the finance and household.But society defined the male dominace because of physical strength later on.(i am diverting little bit here cause i want to potray the respect for female in Hinduism that you cannot find in any other religion) Ok now coming back Cow is female species.If you eat cow then who is going to give milk and produce more cows (that these people are so dependent on)that is why a society norms became one of the priniciples of (patched) to hinduism. Now time has changed there are people who produces cows in mass quanities:).If you like you can go ahead eat it.Hindu religion doesn't stop you from eating cow.It gives you flexibility too choose.Then again. it is better not to eat as it is stressed centuries after another why? because many people then might have experimented eating cows.Which that time might have got mad cow dieases. Who knows??Some of the recent finding of science has been found way ahead of time during that period Only problem is people do not get to interpert correctly or people took wrong meaning out of it. As time passed there were many branches of Hindusim .Some supports eating meat then some doesn't.hindu religion basically is not a religion .It is teaches way to lead a content life.So it leaves upto your judgement.What can be better than this???????there is no hard and fast rules. It acknowlege sex as vital part of life .most religion shy away with that context or have stong stance on it.Why- then again other religion were more focused on getting powerful supports on male dominant societies. I can explain caste system too .if you understood this.:) HINDU IS NOT RELIGION IT IS WAY OF LIFE - WHICH HAS BEEN DEFINED AS IT HAS GROWN FROM THE BEST EXAMPLES. IT IS THE MOST NATURE FRIENDLY, LOGICAL ,SCIENTIFIC SCHOOLS OF THOUGHTS THAT EXIST AS A RELIGION.