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I've been in churches that required beards on dudes, and ones that didn't, I never really considered it to be a biblical requirement or prohibition, more cultural, so I can't add much to that side.
But to the cultural side, as one who's worked in customer service for a few years (where you see every stripe of male and female and some you don't know which), I have to admit it was nice when I saw full whiskers to know I was pretty safe to call them a sir.
Also, I gotta say I like the looks of a well kept beard on a fellow

I shall now be quiet

Talitha wrote:I've been in churches that required beards on dudes, and ones that didn't, I never really considered it to be a biblical requirement or prohibition, more cultural, so I can't add much to that side.
But to the cultural side, as one who's worked in customer service for a few years (where you see every stripe of male and female and some you don't know which), I have to admit it was nice when I saw full whiskers to know I was pretty safe to call them a sir.

I had not considered that: we don't see cross-dressers in campgrounds. Lesbian campers with guns, yes, but no cross-dressers.

I wonder if the teaching in Deuteronomy 22:5 would lead Christians, who are living in a sexually confused and liberal area, to embrace those attributes that emphasize separation of the genders? Example: men's beards and women's dresses with long hair.

MaxPC wrote:

Talitha wrote:I've been in churches that required beards on dudes, and ones that didn't, I never really considered it to be a biblical requirement or prohibition, more cultural, so I can't add much to that side.
But to the cultural side, as one who's worked in customer service for a few years (where you see every stripe of male and female and some you don't know which), I have to admit it was nice when I saw full whiskers to know I was pretty safe to call them a sir.

I had not considered that: we don't see cross-dressers in campgrounds. Lesbian campers with guns, yes, but no cross-dressers.

I wonder if the teaching in Deuteronomy 22:5 would lead Christians, who are living in a sexually confused and liberal area, to embrace those attributes that emphasize separation of the genders? Example: men's beards and women's dresses with long hair.

That's the proof text Apostolic Pentecostals like to use, although they do not require the beard and used to mandate no beards.

Having given facial hair full right of self expression in all the enthusiasm my follicles could muster, in much younger times and for reasons utterly devoid of religious content, I have concluded this phenomenon likely arose as a result of the fall from grace recorded as causing a banishment from the presence of the Almighty shortly after creation. How else does one explain the infernal itch? It is inconceivable a merciful Deity intended such a thing in a perfect world. I could never be Amish.

Amen, Gene! Beards are yucky. Sorry, heir.

So what about ethnic groups/ individuals who physically cannot grow a beard?

If this is such a universal principle of distinction, why are there groups to whom this couldn't apply?

KingdomBuilder wrote:So what about ethnic groups/ individuals who physically cannot grow a beard?

If this is such a universal principle of distinction, why are there groups to whom this couldn't apply?

They need to intermarry with Swiss people.

Josh wrote:

KingdomBuilder wrote:So what about ethnic groups/ individuals who physically cannot grow a beard?

If this is such a universal principle of distinction, why are there groups to whom this couldn't apply?

They need to intermarry with Swiss people.

Silly me- of course! That's in Deuteronomy, right?

I'm curious how a church group who require beards for men would treat a man who wishes to join their church but he is unable to grow a beard. Sometimes called the "perpetual baby-faced syndrome". Would they still be accepted into the fellowship?

Sudsy wrote:I'm curious how a church group who require beards for men would treat a man who wishes to join their church but he is unable to grow a beard. Sometimes called the "perpetual baby-faced syndrome". Would they still be accepted into the fellowship?

It would probably be acceptable to outsource the growing, as in this solution.