Religion and hair

[Breathe]

Why do some religions have a thing for discussing or controlling one's hair?


So many religions control human hair, bodily, facial or head hair.
But.. why?


Buddhists shave their heads as they enter temple, Sikhs grow all their hair without shaving it, Taoists and Confucians traditionally grew their hair. Vaishnava Hindus keep short hair, and Bahá'ís are prohibited from keeping hair past their ears. Women were supposed to have short hair, and men long hair in traditional Christian beliefs (Paul), and Muslims are usually seen as supposed to keep a beard at least fist length, and their moustaches trimmed.


What does your religion say about hair, if it says anything at all?
Why must hair be discussed and even in some cases, restricted?

How important is it to your religion, and to you personally?



Even though I go from clean faced to stubbly on the beard side, I wouldn't think of chopping off my lovely long curls. Something reminded me of hair in religion, so I thought I'd ask away.

 

[blackout]

My Religion requires Purple hair.

Then again, it is MY Religion. :flirt:

 

[9-10ths_Penguin]

Why do some religions have a thing for discussing or controlling one's hair?


So many religions control human hair, bodily, facial or head hair.
But.. why?

One big reason: it can be a handy outward symbol of the religion. For instance, you can identify a Sikh a mile away because of his hair. This mutual identification can help instill a sense of community.

OTOH, it also means that other community members who might not like Sikhs can also identify that Sikh a mile away. This can mean that there's a personal cost to the religion, which social groups like religions generally need: if it's easy to join, it's easy to leave, so tying a personal cost to membership ensures that only truly committed people become members.

Also, in extreme cases (e.g. cults), very wild treatment of hair can lead to ostracization from larger society, which helps to ensure that members of the group don't associate with non-members, which strengthens the group leaders' control.

 

[thedope]

Surely it is comfort for the ego. Even the hairs on our head are numbered.

 

[Breathe]

Surely it is comfort for the ego.

Can you elaborate, please?

 

[thedope]

Can you elaborate, please?

Is hair a comfort to god? Who does ritual reassure?

 

[Gaura Priya]

Also, in extreme cases (e.g. cults), very wild treatment of hair can lead to ostracization from larger society, which helps to ensure that members of the group don't associate with non-members, which strengthens the group leaders' control.

I KNEW those hair dryers in the salons were anti-men brainwashing tools!! Especially with all the women socialising away their hidden secret agendas and womanly thoughts!

Those hair salons are stealin' our women! :149:

CULT!!

 

[Katzpur]

What does your religion say about hair, if it says anything at all? Why must hair be discussed and even in some cases, restricted? How important is it to your religion, and to you personally?

Don't get me started. In the LDS Church, there are certain things men may not do while wearing a beard. These include belonging to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and serving a mission for the Church. Never mind the fact that seven of the sixteen Presidents of the Church had beards. (The last one who did died in 1951, so all of them since then have been clean-shaven.) Never mind that every picture of Jesus Christ that you will ever see hanging in an LDS church or temple depicts him as having a beard. There is no doctrinal basis for this ruling. It's completely a matter of somebody having decided that facial hair denoted rebellion and lack of respect for authority. (I think it had something to do with those damned hippies back in the '60s. ) Sooner or later this will change but it doesn't look like it's going to happen any time soon. If my husband and I were to decide to serve a mission (yes, couples can serve; it's not strictly 19-21 year old boys who do), he would have to shave his beard. He looks about 100 times better with a beard than he does without it and I would have a very hard time with what I think is a totally ridiculous rule. (Please nobody tell MadHatter that I am once again "attempting to discredit the Lord's servants." I don't think I could survive another round with him. )

 

[Rakhel]

Judaism says a lot about hair. Most of it is tradition and can be debated about. From whether a woman should cover her hair to how long a man's hair should be.
Needless to say, it can be quite complicated.

 

[Sunstone]

I want you to know I consider this a hairy topic to discuss, Odion.

 

[Rakhel]

I want you to know I consider this a hairy topic to discuss, Odion.

that was so bad my former rabbi wouldn't have even used it. And he is famous for his bad puns.

 

[Sunstone]

that was so bad my former rabbi wouldn't have even used it. And he is famous for his bad puns.

I pride myself on going the extra mile.

 

[Klaufi_Wodensson]

I'm with you Odion. Regardless of my religion, I'd never cut my hair. I've had it this long for years, and it has become a part of me. Cutting it off is like removing an arm. I just won't do it!

 

[Madhuri]

My religion isn't too fussed about hair, but encourages modesty in women by keeping hair long, tied back and mostly covered. Men are encouraged to maintain clean-shaven face and head because hair is to some degree considered dirty. However, these are not strict rules.

 

[Marble]

As for women's hair I read that unbound hair symbolizes freedom & independency, while bound hair stands for submission.
So in earlier times unmarried girls had the hair unbound while married women used to bind their hair.

For that thing with beards in Islam, I think that has to do with Muhammed beeing the ideal Muslim whose example every male Muslim should follow.

 

[Breathe]

I'm with you Odion. Regardless of my religion, I'd never cut my hair. I've had it this long for years, and it has become a part of me. Cutting it off is like removing an arm. I just won't do it!

YAY! Glad to see there's another long haired one here.
I agree; it would be like cutting an arm off to lose this hair!

I want you to know I consider this a hairy topic to discuss, Odion.

That was so bad I laughed. Frubals, Phil.

 

[Father Heathen]

Didn't you know? The tastes, fashions and styles of human cultures are one of god's top concerns and priorities.

 

[Madhuri]

Didn't you know? The tastes, fashions and styles of human cultures are one of god's top concerns and priorities.

At least with my religion it is understood that such recommendations are not God's word, but the recommendations of man.

 

[Father Heathen]

At least with my religion it is understood that such recommendations are not God's word, but the recommendations of man.

It's peculiar how a lot of religions are similiar to silly high school cliques where kids imitate each other and pursue what others think is "cool" in their desperate need for acceptance and belonging. I can't imagine the creator of the universe being as petty and superficial as a teenage girl.

 

[Madhuri]

It's peculiar how a lot of religions are similiar to silly high school cliques where kids imitate each other and pursue what others think is "cool" in their desperate need for acceptance and belonging. I can't imagine the creator of the universe being as petty and superficial as a teenage girl.

Yes, that's human nature unfortunately.