Veils-Head Coverings, Leaving in Public, Sign of Oppression or Modesty?

tobelieveinHim · Jul 7, 2026

I have a question.. With the fast rising Islam in states in the country, I can empathize with a lot of their teachings. Music, veiling, etc.. Having women be covered outdoors, etc.
Not in the public sphere.

I understand the benefits to this, but as an involuntary Single woman, Meaning there is someone I want, but he's Not I dunno even know if he knows me, And my preference is to remain, Single. At this point.

I've got to be able to do something to support myself. Veiling can look nice, if it's done right, and etc..
If it's not done right, and is it a sign of oppression?

I bought two Orthodox, pretty flowy, sheer head coverings, but i'm not gonna wear them except more like a scarf, drapey across my shoulders, etc.
It's a symbol, and a nod that I see both sides, but ultimately in cases like mine, I have got to be able to support myself.

This is also America, and so I would stand out in society, if I were wear one on my head, and I don't believe that is Biblical, either.
I have a Doctor's appointment coming up soon, and this is the primary

Place I want to wear it, because I need to communicate my distrust in what medical industry has become, while at the same time,

I am benefitting from it. I think..

PloverWing · Jul 7, 2026

Discern for yourself whether you need/want to cover your head, and follow your conscience.

Yes, you will stand out a bit. But (as you note) our communities include increasingly many Muslim women who cover their heads. You will, I hope, be treated with the same respect and courtesy that are given to your Muslim sisters.

Reluctant Theologian · Jul 7, 2026

tobelieveinHim said:
I have a question.. With the fast rising Islam in states in the country, I can empathize with a lot of their teachings. Music, veiling, etc.. Having women be covered outdoors, etc.
Not in the public sphere.

I understand the benefits to this, but as an involuntary Single woman, Meaning there is someone I want, but he's Not I dunno even know if he knows me, And my preference is to remain, Single. At this point.

I've got to be able to do something to support myself. Veiling can look nice, if it's done right, and etc..
If it's not done right, and is it a sign of oppression?

I bought two Orthodox, pretty flowy, sheer head coverings, but i'm not gonna wear them except more like a scarf, drapey across my shoulders, etc.
It's a symbol, and a nod that I see both sides, but ultimately in cases like mine, I have got to be able to support myself.

This is also America, and so I would stand out in society, if I were wear one on my head, and I don't believe that is Biblical, either.
I have a Doctor's appointment coming up soon, and this is the primary

Place I want to wear it, because I need to communicate my distrust in what medical industry has become, while at the same time,

I am benefitting from it. I think..

At the time Biblical texts were written - all women wore a head covering in public or in churches, but the reasons the Bible gives for women to do so is quite different from what Islam teaches or practises. Islamic tradition instructs covering of head / body and even face (in some tradition) because otherwise men would be tempted, so it presupposes men can't exercise any self-control when confronted with the female skin. In the Bible Paul instructs women to cover their head while praying or prophesying because of spiritual reasons/authority - not male temptation.

Islamic tradition unfortunately bans too much music, it prohibits women from singing, etc. no such limitations are found in the Bible where music and singing is an important expression of praise and worship.

Most orthodox churches worldwide and even Pentecostal churches in India and Eastern Europe still have head coverings for women in church - wearing a head covering in public would make you stand out indeed. It might however create an opportunity for witnessing among Muslims, because most people will simply assume you're Muslim.

For a Christian, wearing one is not a sign of oppression but of recognising authority and clearly, responding to a Biblical instruction.

Be blessed!

tobelieveinHim · Jul 7, 2026

PloverWing said:
Discern for yourself whether you need/want to cover your head, and follow your conscience.

Yes, you will stand out a bit. But (as you note) our communities include increasingly many Muslim women who cover their heads. You will, I hope, be treated with the same respect and courtesy that are given to your Muslim sisters.

I'm not Muslim, I'm a Christian. Christian women stopped veiling. Out of respect for my mom, i also cannot wear it around her. I'd end up giving her a heart attack. She is so opposed to them, the only thing I'm opposed to, is the lack of consent, in Islam. How rape still happens, amongst acqaintances, usually but, it still happens.
I am a Christian, who listens to music, sings along to it, etc Who doesn't have a problem with the wardrobe aspect of it,
But, I empathize in that i want all that kept indoors. In private, and etc. I would have no problem, only leaving with someone and staying indoors, as well.

I understand the mindset, but having Islam in actual power, concerns me. I do not think I would be allowed to choose to stay alone, because of one man, and I've had a bf

PloverWing · Jul 7, 2026

tobelieveinHim said:
I'm not Muslim, I'm a Christian. Christian women stopped veiling. Out of respect for my mom, i also cannot wear it around her. I'd end up giving her a heart attack. She is so opposed to them, the only thing I'm opposed to, is the lack of consent, in Islam. How rape still happens, amongst acqaintances, usually but, it still happens.
I am a Christian, who listens to music, sings along to it, etc Who doesn't have a problem with the wardrobe aspect of it,
But, I empathize in that i want all that kept indoors. In private, and etc. I would have no problem, only leaving with someone and staying indoors, as well.

I understand the mindset, but having Islam in actual power, concerns me. I do not think I would be allowed to choose to stay alone, because of one man, and I've had a bf

I'm not following everything you're saying here, so you may have to explain your thinking a little more for me.

Speaking just for myself, if I veiled, it would be a sign of submission to men, and thus a sign of oppression. So I don't veil.

But I'm told that for some women, their veil is a sign of reverence for God, that it's not about submission to men at all. I'm willing to listen to that and try to understand.

And I'm told that for some women, it's just the kind of clothing that adult women wear in their culture -- something like how my mother always wore a dress, because that's what adult women did in 1950 -- in which case it's just what's comfortable for them, and I should mind my own business.

So that's why I want to explore your thinking. If a veil makes you feel that you are inferior to men, I'd ask you to reconsider, because you are a beloved child of God. But if a veil for you is an offering to God and a reminder of God's constant presence, then do what brings you close to God.

What does the veil mean to you?

Aussie52 · Jul 8, 2026

In the Greek,1 Cor 11 is not about veils as in English translations but rather about whether women have their hair up or flowing down.
When you see pictures or sculptures of Greco-Roman women, their hair is always held up. To have one's hair down in public was a shame and a sign of sexual looseness. This was what Paul is describing in Corinthians.

RileyG · Jul 8, 2026

tobelieveinHim said:
I'm not Muslim, I'm a Christian. Christian women stopped veiling. Out of respect for my mom, i also cannot wear it around her. I'd end up giving her a heart attack. She is so opposed to them, the only thing I'm opposed to, is the lack of consent, in Islam. How rape still happens, amongst acqaintances, usually but, it still happens.
I am a Christian, who listens to music, sings along to it, etc Who doesn't have a problem with the wardrobe aspect of it,
But, I empathize in that i want all that kept indoors. In private, and etc. I would have no problem, only leaving with someone and staying indoors, as well.

I understand the mindset, but having Islam in actual power, concerns me. I do not think I would be allowed to choose to stay alone, because of one man, and I've had a bf

Some Catholic women, sometimes at the ordinary form (vernacular) and almost ALWAYS at the traditional Latin Mass (extraordinary form) wear a veil. I think some Eastern Orthodox women and some other eastern traditions such as the Coptic orthodox veil at the Divine Liturgy.

Some anabaptists such as river brethren also veil at Church. Mennonites and Amish women also wear a hair covering.

Im not sure about other Protestant denominations. I think “Church hats” among African American women were once popular.

In everyday life, at least for Catholic and Orthodox women outside Church, they usually don’t wear a veil.

Many women from the Middle East veil even if they aren’t Muslim- such as belonging to a religious minority such as the Yazidi’s.

Many Muslim women in the western world choose not to veil.

Do what makes you most comfortable.

Peace

RileyG · Jul 8, 2026

Aussie52 said:
In the Greek,1 Cor 11 is not about veils as in English translations but rather about whether women have their hair up or flowing down.
When you see pictures or sculptures of Greco-Roman women, their hair is always held up. To have one's hair down in public was a shame and a sign of sexual looseness. This was what Paul is describing in Corinthians.

I remember reading years ago, a woman with no hair covering in those days, and was living in the Middle East, was working as a prostitute. IIRC, it has been debunked and was not actually accurate.

RileyG · Jul 8, 2026

PloverWing said:
I'm not following everything you're saying here, so you may have to explain your thinking a little more for me.

Speaking just for myself, if I veiled, it would be a sign of submission to men, and thus a sign of oppression. So I don't veil.

But I'm told that for some women, their veil is a sign of reverence for God, that it's not about submission to men at all. I'm willing to listen to that and try to understand.

And I'm told that for some women, it's just the kind of clothing that adult women wear in their culture -- something like how my mother always wore a dress, because that's what adult women did in 1950 -- in which case it's just what's comfortable for them, and I should mind my own business.

So that's why I want to explore your thinking. If a veil makes you feel that you are inferior to men, I'd ask you to reconsider, because you are a beloved child of God. But if a veil for you is an offering to God and a reminder of God's constant presence, then do what brings you close to God.

What does the veil mean to you?

Culture. Exactly! I think even Christians wear the hijab in the Middle East because it’s cultural. Not necessarily “religious.”

That’s what I understand, anyway.

Peace

jas3 · Jul 8, 2026

Aussie52 said:
In the Greek,1 Cor 11 is not about veils as in English translations but rather about whether women have their hair up or flowing down.

So you think Christians just misread the Greek for over 1,900 years? The Greek churches today where women still wear headscarves don't understand Greek?

JustaPewFiller · Jul 8, 2026

This is just my 2 cents..

You asked "oppression or modesty"? My answer is going to be along the lines of "oppression or not".

Case A: You wear it because you want to. Whatever the reason. Modesty, you like the way it looks, cultural, religious, being respectful, any reason you chose. But that is the kicker. You are choosing to wear it or not. You are not going to face any kind of punishment or retribution for wearing it or not. Case A is fine in my book. It is your choice to or not- whatever your reasons.

Case B: You wear it because you will face some kind of punishment or retribution if you do not. Depending on where you live this may vary from a few harsh words to a fines, beating, arrest, etc. This is not okk in my book and is oppression.

David Lamb · Jul 10, 2026

Just wondering what the words "Leaving in Public" mean in the thread title.

Aussie52 · Jul 10, 2026

jas3 said:
So you think Christians just misread the Greek for over 1,900 years? The Greek churches today where women still wear headscarves don't understand Greek?

The Greek spoken today is nothing like NT Greek. In fact, the Church Greek spoken in the Liturgy in Greek Orthodox Churches is not itself, modern Greek, and thus, not understood by most of the congregation.

In regard to my comment of women having hair up or down as the meaning in 1 Cor 11, I read it in Phillip B Payne's book, 'Man and Woman, One in Christ'. As he is a 'textual critic' and scholar of the NT, I will take his word for it.

jas3 · Jul 10, 2026

Aussie52 said:
The Greek spoken today is nothing like NT Greek.

But the Greek spoken in, say, AD 150, was a lot like NT Greek, and Christians then also understood that the passage referred to head covering, not hair.

Aussie52 said:
I read it in Phillip B Payne's book, 'Man and Woman, One in Christ'.

Oh, you found a feminist argument in a feminist book written by a feminist?

Aussie52 said:
As he is a 'textual critic' and scholar of the NT, I will take his word for it.

Bart Ehrman is also a textual critic and NT scholar. Are you going to take his word for Christ's resurrection never having happened?

jas3 · Jul 10, 2026

David Lamb said:
Just wondering what the words "Leaving in Public" mean in the thread title.

I'd guess it's an autocorrect of "veiling in public."

Aussie52 · Jul 10, 2026

jas3 said:
But the Greek spoken in, say, AD 150, was a lot like NT Greek, and Christians then also understood that the passage referred to head covering, not hair.

Oh, you found a feminist argument in a feminist book written by a feminist?

Bart Ehrman is also a textual critic and NT scholar. Are you going to take his word for Christ's resurrection never having happened?

Bart is an apostate. He has fallen from grace.
Payne is not a feminist but rather an egalitarian, and a competent Greek scholar.

David Lamb · Jul 10, 2026

jas3 said:
I'd guess it's an autocorrect of "veiling in public."

That makes more sense. Thanks.

tobelieveinHim · Jul 10, 2026

David Lamb said:
Just wondering what the words "Leaving in Public" mean in the thread title.

Leaving the house uncovered, by yourself, etc.. it's not my preference, but it's also not my choice.

I don't want it to become not become my choice, at the same time, either.

PloverWing · Jul 10, 2026

tobelieveinHim said:
Leaving the house uncovered, by yourself, etc.. it's not my preference, but it's also not my choice.

Why is it not your choice?

tobelieveinHim · Jul 10, 2026

B

PloverWing said:
Why is it not your choice?

Because I am involuntarily, single! Lol. And I can only leave with my parents, every so often.

I can't avoid leaving the house by myself sometimes.
But, I don't think the answer is to make veiling, mandatory.
For the Orthodox ones I bought, I'm gonna let them be drapey, over my shoulders
Like a scarf

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