Head Coverings for Women?

graciesings · Oct 19, 2014

Should Christian women wear head coverings? Here's a website that explains the case for it Beliefs, Purpose and Values | The Head Covering Movement although they kind of put too much focus on the whole head covering thing in my mind, testimonies and movements... what?

Also: Guys, what do you think if you see a woman who's wearing a head scarf, hat, bandana, etc... does that make you more or less likely to ask her out?

Girls, do you wear head coverings? Would you? And if so, what?

I know this has been brought up in GT before, but I'm curious to see what Singles thinks of it.

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To answer my own question, I do wear head coverings... not quite all the time, but always when I am at church and usually when I'm at home. I see it as an "all the time' thing, because Christians are supposed to always be "praying and prophesying" and because of the headship order thing.

I wear a lot of bandanas for day to day. I have some knit coverings that are close to the style Amish women wear, but in pretty colors. I also have some infinity scarves that I wrap in a way which looks a lot likie the traditional Jewish way of wrapping head scarves. I occasionally wear one of them in a more Islamic style, but not often... I should post some pictures lol. I occasionally wear a baseball cap or a wide brimmed hat.

KitKatMatt · Oct 19, 2014

They can if they want

I wouldn't want people to force, shame, or bribe women into doing it, though. Let them do it if they want, and let them choose not to if they want. It's no one's business what someone chooses or doesn't choose to wear.

I'm looking for a head covering right now, but not for religious reasons.

EmethAlethia · Oct 19, 2014

Part of what you have to understand is what it meant to have your head uncovered as a woman in that culture, and in many areas today where the general practice of having your head covered, as a woman, is followed.

The head covering was a sign of being under authority. Either a husbands', or a father's. To have your head uncovered meant that you weren't following any male leadership, but were your own woman, so to speak. The ultimate power trip for a woman was to run your own religion, and be in charge of spiritual matters.

The temple harlots, who sold their own bodies to bring in cash, in Corinth, were the next step, not only no male authority over them, but in charge of everything themselves without any male input whatsoever. These harlots were easily recognizable by their shaved heads.

Today, in our culture, a shaved head never connotes harlotry. It usually has to do with undergoing chemotherapy, and losing your hair. Same with having our heads covered or uncovered. Having your head covered usually means you are cold, or you are protecting yourself from the rain, snow, ... it has nothing at all to do with authority.

Since nothing means what it did, it seems ludicrous to follow those things that mean nothing. The question is, what, in this society, do women do to show that they are under the authority of their Husbands, or their eldest male family member? It is these things that are referred to here. Most of the time, it is what they do when someone asks something of them. Do they get the opinions of the male head of the family, and then follow it, or do they make the decision themselves. One of these is showing that you acknowledge and accept the authority of the head of your family. The other shows that you are your own authority.

As far as the consequences, to make a direct parallel, not doing what proves that you have a male head is comparable to dressing, acting, being ... a harlot in your culture, and standing on the street corners they stand on, and turning tricks. If you are going to do one, from God's perspective, you might as well go ahead and do the other.

KitKatMatt · Oct 19, 2014

Not showing that you submit to the authority of a man is the same as "turning tricks" on a street corner?

Did I read that right? I hope I didn't.

Gnarwhal · Oct 19, 2014

Blind post: For the traditions that observe that, I respect the practice. Whether or not it's some kind of binding law, I'm not sure. I can see the merit in the reasoning behind it though. Such practices for men and women alike make sense in some contexts.

As far as attraction, it has no bearing on my decision to ask a girl out, in that regard it's merely an accessory.

Nanopants · Oct 19, 2014

KitKatMatt said:
Not showing that you submit to the authority of a man is the same as "turning tricks" on a street corner?

Did I read that right? I hope I didn't.

But, but, it's "God's" perspective!!! Right now all I want to know is if "God" can tell me why he took my dog away from me.

JackofSpades · Oct 19, 2014

graciesings said:
Also: Guys, what do you think if you see a woman who's wearing a head scarf, hat, bandana, etc... does that make you more or less likely to ask her out?

If I knew someone is christian and she is wearing scarf, it would make me less likely to be interested. Nothing to do with looks but what it symbolises and signals. I think it would be more likely for such person to have rather conservative values and since I don't, it's a bit alienating.

So, if you're conservative christian and want to signal that for males by wearing scarf, at least in my case it would work

btw. Where I live, most (if not all) women who wear scarfs are muslims, so I strongly associate it with islam.

But I do have soft spot for women wearing bandanas, I think it looks good. I have never connected it with anything religious tho, and I guess this wasn't intended as "what looks good" - thread?.

Sketcher · Oct 19, 2014

graciesings said:
Also: Guys, what do you think if you see a woman who's wearing a head scarf, hat, bandana, etc... does that make you more or less likely to ask her out?

It depends on the overall look. If she looks like she's Islamic, Amish, or a feminist, I move on.

Neve · Oct 19, 2014

No, I would not wear a head covering for religious purposes. Even visiting The Vatican doesn't require a head covering. I would only wear something on my head if it's cold out. I think I wore a cap during the big ice storm that hit us last winter.

EmethAlethia · Oct 19, 2014

KitKatMatt said:
Not showing that you submit to the authority of a man is the same as "turning tricks" on a street corner?

Did I read that right? I hope I didn't.

The only group of women in Corinth who not only went around with their heads uncovered, but also shaved them, were the temple harlots. Paul is literally saying that if you are unwilling to do what signifies you are under male authority, you might as well go all the way and signify your rebellion to the will of God, the whole lock, stock and barrel.

Keep in mind that this is not my illustration. It is Paul's/God's. No one has to like it.

Sketcher · Oct 19, 2014

EmethAlethia said:
The only group of women in Corinth who not only went around with their heads uncovered, but also shaved them, were the temple harlots. Paul is literally saying that if you are unwilling to do what signifies you are under male authority, you might as well go all the way and signify your rebellion to the will of God, the whole lock, stock and barrel.

Keep in mind that this is not my illustration. It is Paul's/God's. No one has to like it.

It's also important to remember that was the culture of the time. God didn't dictate that culture, pagans did. What God said to do was to not say about yourself what these pagan women were saying about themselves.

graciesings · Oct 19, 2014

And it is important that this is Singles... not GT. I am not asking married posters to tell me what the culture was like in Ancient Rome.

Regardless of what the culture was like in Ancient Rome, there is a good argument for women wearing head coverings?

Sketcher · Oct 19, 2014

graciesings said:
And it is important that this is Singles... not GT. I am not asking married posters to tell me what the culture was like in Ancient Rome.

Regardless of what the culture was like in Ancient Rome, there is a good argument for women wearing head coverings?

The culture of Corinth is still relevant to the command (Paul was commanding Corinthian women). Even if he's not supposed to be posting here, I'm glad he brought it up because someone should have.

Outside of that, the only good reasons I would see for women to wear head coverings would be:

- It's cold, rainy, or snowy out.
- She has very short hair, and she needs to wear something to cover that in order to look good.
- It looks good on her anyway.

EmethAlethia · Oct 19, 2014

Sketcher said:
It's also important to remember that was the culture of the time. God didn't dictate that culture, pagans did. What God said to do was to not say about yourself what these pagan women were saying about themselves.

Actually, no, this is what Paul had to say about "so-called" Christian women who refused to show publically that they were under authority.

1Co 11:5 But every woman who has her head uncovered while praying or prophesying disgraces her head, for she is one and the same as the woman whose head is shaved. 6 For if a woman does not cover her head, let her also have her hair cut off; but if it is disgraceful for a woman to have her hair cut off or her head shaved, let her cover her head. 7 For a man ought not to have his head covered, since he is the image and glory of God; but the woman is the glory of man. 8 For man does not originate from woman, but woman from man; 9 for indeed man was not created for the woman's sake, but woman for the man's sake. 10 Therefore the woman ought to have a symbol of authority on her head...

Again, the cultural meaning has altered itself. Harlots no longer have shaved heads. There are other things that signify a harlot today. a woman having her head covered or not, no longer means you are acknowledging a man's authority over you or not. That occurs in a different way. The "symbols" that carry the meaning have changed, the principles behind them have not. Let's try a direct application of the meaning of the passage into the meaning in Phoenix Arizona.

1Co 11:5 But every woman who acts as if she is not under the authority of her husband or father disgraces herself, for she is one and the same as the woman who dress like hookers and proposition men on the street corners on Van Burin Street. 6 For if a woman does not acknowledge male authority in all things, let her also dress as a hooker and walk the streets with the rest of the prostitutes. For, if it is disgraceful for a woman to dress like a hooker and proposition men on street corners, then acknowledge the male authority over you at all times. 7 A man ought not to show behavior, attitudes ... in line with subjection, since he is the image and glory of God; but the woman is the glory of man. 8 For man does not originate from woman, but woman from man; 9 for indeed man was not created for the woman's sake, but woman for the man's sake. 10 Therefore the woman ought to have a symbol of authority on her head...

Something along these lines. Substitute the location where hookers in your locale hang out for Van Buren Street. When I was an officer for the Sherriff's department, that's where they were in Phoenix.

Gnarwhal · Oct 19, 2014

EmethAlethia said:
The only group of women in Corinth who not only went around with their heads uncovered, but also shaved them, were the temple harlots. Paul is literally saying that if you are unwilling to do what signifies you are under male authority, you might as well go all the way and signify your rebellion to the will of God, the whole lock, stock and barrel.

Keep in mind that this is not my illustration. It is Paul's/God's. No one has to like it.

I see that you're new so I'll just give a friendly heads up: this section of the forum is for singles only...

KitKatMatt · Oct 19, 2014

EmethAlethia said:
No one has to like it.

Aah, good. Because I don't.

No one should be forced to be under the "authority" of someone else just because of their gender. And they definitely shouldn't be likened to prostitutes just for being independent.

sunshineforJesus · Oct 19, 2014

I don't believe in wearing head coverings for myself personally,If others want to wear them that's cool.

Miss Spaulding · Oct 19, 2014

I couldn't care less either way. Personally, I don't believe Christian women 'must' wear head coverings. But if that's what they believe and are content to do so, ...hey...more power to them.

Because I attend a Reformed Presbyterian church, I would say that about 30 percent of the women in the congregation wear head coverings (scarfs, large hats, small hats, little crocheted cloths, ect.) and the rest do not.

sunshineforJesus · Oct 19, 2014

Miss Spaulding said:
I couldn't care less either way. Personally, I don't believe Christian women 'must' wear head coverings. But if that's what they believe and are content to do so, ...hey...more power to them.

same here,Thats another reason you're so cool Miss Spaulding

Somber · Oct 19, 2014

graciesings said:
Should Christian women wear head coverings? Here's a website that explains the case for it Beliefs, Purpose and Values | The Head Covering Movement although they kind of put too much focus on the whole head covering thing in my mind, testimonies and movements... what?

Also: Guys, what do you think if you see a woman who's wearing a head scarf, hat, bandana, etc... does that make you more or less likely to ask her out?

Girls, do you wear head coverings? Would you? And if so, what?

I know this has been brought up in GT before, but I'm curious to see what Singles thinks of it.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

To answer my own question, I do wear head coverings... not quite all the time, but always when I am at church and usually when I'm at home. I see it as an "all the time' thing, because Christians are supposed to always be "praying and prophesying" and because of the headship order thing.

I wear a lot of bandanas for day to day. I have some knit coverings that are close to the style Amish women wear, but in pretty colors. I also have some infinity scarves that I wrap in a way which looks a lot likie the traditional Jewish way of wrapping head scarves. I occasionally wear one of them in a more Islamic style, but not often... I should post some pictures lol. I occasionally wear a baseball cap or a wide brimmed hat.

In answer to your question. Yes, I wear headcoverings and they are related to my beliefs; much like in the description of the article that you shared, for praying and prophesying. In the scriptures it also mentions coverings in other passages, including with Rebecca, Ruth, and the Shulamite. I think this verse in Proverbs 31:22 "She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple." is an example of it too. I know there is often much debate on this subject, but I am convicted on this. I usually wear a simple nylon or cotton scarf, though my favorite has to be the tichel wrap. I like snoods, caps and hats too. I like them and feel more feminine wearing them.

I usually wear something similar to these:

(tichel)

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I really like the patters of these tichels that someone sells on Etsy, though I have never bought any; I'd like to try making them sometime though.

I think that these are pretty too:

Verses mentioning covers: Genesis 24:64-66, Numbers 5:18, Ruth 3:15, Song of Solomon 5:7, Ezekiel 16:10.

Head Coverings for Women?

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