Religious Headcovering - Beliefs and Practices of Various Religions

[Ernie]

This is a thread to discuss:
Religious Headcovering - Beliefs and Practices of Various Religions

Information and discussion about both men and women's headcoverings are welcome.

I would like to keep this thread as an educational resource, without a lot of fluff and banter.

[Ernie]

Since at least the second century, some women in the Christian church seem to struggle with veiling their heads in an adequate manner.

Tertullian, around the year 200 AD, writes. "For even when they are about to spend time in prayer itself, with the utmost readiness they place a fringe, or a tuft, or any thread whatever, on the crown of their heads, and suppose themselves to be covered. Of so small extent do they falsely imagine their head to be!" ... "Others are to a certain extent covered over the region of the brain with linen coifs of small dimensions—I suppose for fear of pressing the head—and not reaching quite to the ears."

This same trend seems to have continued to the present day in some Christian settings.

Recently I wondered why Muslims don't seem to have this same trend. It seems that Muslims who quit veiling do so abruptly, without making the gradual transition from full coverings, to smaller coverings, to no covering at all, like happens in many Christian settings.

I'm curious as to why this might be.

[barnhart]

I'm not an expert in Muslim practice but it's my impression they veil to cover beauty. That is not found in the Christian practice, or I should say not commonly found because someone will certainly find an exception.

I see a parallel between the Islamic practice and the Orthodox Jewish practice where women are veiled (or cut off their hair or hide with a wig) or are hidden behind screens.

[Ernie]

I'm not an expert in Muslim practice but it's my impression they veil to cover beauty. That is not found in the Christian practice, or I should say not commonly found because someone will certainly find an exception.

Do you make a distinction between glory and beauty?

[barnhart]

I'm not an expert in Muslim practice but it's my impression they veil to cover beauty. That is not found in the Christian practice, or I should say not commonly found because someone will certainly find an exception.

Do you make a distinction between glory and beauty?

Interesting question. Just off hand I would say yes, exactly, but that is not a considered opinion.

[HondurasKeiser]

Since at least the second century, some women in the Christian church seem to struggle with veiling their heads in an adequate manner.

Tertullian, around the year 200 AD, writes. "For even when they are about to spend time in prayer itself, with the utmost readiness they place a fringe, or a tuft, or any thread whatever, on the crown of their heads, and suppose themselves to be covered. Of so small extent do they falsely imagine their head to be!" ... "Others are to a certain extent covered over the region of the brain with linen coifs of small dimensions—I suppose for fear of pressing the head—and not reaching quite to the ears."

This same trend seems to have continued to the present day in some Christian settings.

Recently I wondered why Muslims don't seem to have this same trend. It seems that Muslims who quit veiling do so abruptly, without making the gradual transition from full coverings, to smaller coverings, to no covering at all, like happens in many Christian settings.

I'm curious as to why this might be.

I would posit that Muslim civilization is less infused with an individualistic/Liberal (in the philosophical sense) worldview. Indeed, Muslim women that do take off the covering tend be those that have Westernized and imbibed the Liberal mindset. One other observation, covering in Muslim cultures is on a kind of spectrum. I am generalizing to be sure but in my observation, women in the Levant, Northern Africa and the major urban centers use headscarves and hijabs, whereas women in the Gulf States and into Afghanistan use the Chadas, Niqabs and Burkas. Much like our experience in the Mennonite/Anabaptist world; the less individualistic/Liberal their milieu is, the more covered they are.

[joshuabgood]

I am pretty sure that in some Muslim cases, while the size may not vary as much, there are some who veil sometimes and not others. And there is at least some variation in size...or there was in 2008 when I worked in a setting with a sizable number of various Muslim sects.

With Jewish folks there is also a distinction, at least in some sects, between married and unmarried. And the size can vary also.

[Ernie]

Since at least the second century, some women in the Christian church seem to struggle with veiling their heads in an adequate manner.

Tertullian, around the year 200 AD, writes. "For even when they are about to spend time in prayer itself, with the utmost readiness they place a fringe, or a tuft, or any thread whatever, on the crown of their heads, and suppose themselves to be covered. Of so small extent do they falsely imagine their head to be!" ... "Others are to a certain extent covered over the region of the brain with linen coifs of small dimensions—I suppose for fear of pressing the head—and not reaching quite to the ears."

This same trend seems to have continued to the present day in some Christian settings.

Recently I wondered why Muslims don't seem to have this same trend. It seems that Muslims who quit veiling do so abruptly, without making the gradual transition from full coverings, to smaller coverings, to no covering at all, like happens in many Christian settings.

I'm curious as to why this might be.

I would posit that Muslim civilization is less infused with an individualistic/Liberal (in the philosophical sense) worldview. Indeed, Muslim women that do take off the covering tend be those that have Westernized and imbibed the Liberal mindset. One other observation, covering in Muslim cultures is on a kind of spectrum. I am generalizing to be sure but in my observation, women in the Levant, Northern Africa and the major urban centers use headscarves and hijabs, whereas women in the Gulf States and into Afghanistan use the Chadas, Niqabs and Burkas. Much like our experience in the Mennonite/Anabaptist world; the less individualistic/Liberal their milieu is, the more covered they are.

I am pretty sure that in some Muslim cases, while the size may not vary as much, there are some who veil sometimes and not others. And there is at least some variation in size...or there was in 2008 when I worked in a setting with a sizable number of various Muslim sects.

With Jewish folks there is also a distinction, at least in some sects, between married and unmarried. And the size can vary also.

I interact with a lot of Muslims here at Penn State. I see the variety and understand the conservative-liberal spectrum.

But I never see a piece of cloth fastened to the back of the head, or a bit of lace fastened on a hairbun, or something of that nature. This seems to be unique to Christians who are in transition. I think some of the explanations given so far may speak to this.
The majority of Christian women who cover, view their veil (or cap or hat) as a head-covering with many even viewing it as a long-hair covering. (the majority of Plain Anabaptists)
But I think there is an element that view their veil as strictly a symbol and not a head-covering. As women transition from viewing their veil as a head-covering, to viewing it as a symbol only, it makes sense to simply pin a symbol on the back or top of the head, depending on the era in which one lives.
I think the point that Jews and Muslims don't view veiling as merely a symbol, probably explains why we don't see this transitional step to something symbolic in their traditions.

[Silentreader]

Since at least the second century, some women in the Christian church seem to struggle with veiling their heads in an adequate manner.

Tertullian, around the year 200 AD, writes. "For even when they are about to spend time in prayer itself, with the utmost readiness they place a fringe, or a tuft, or any thread whatever, on the crown of their heads, and suppose themselves to be covered. Of so small extent do they falsely imagine their head to be!" ... "Others are to a certain extent covered over the region of the brain with linen coifs of small dimensions—I suppose for fear of pressing the head—and not reaching quite to the ears."

This same trend seems to have continued to the present day in some Christian settings.

Recently I wondered why Muslims don't seem to have this same trend. It seems that Muslims who quit veiling do so abruptly, without making the gradual transition from full coverings, to smaller coverings, to no covering at all, like happens in many Christian settings.

I'm curious as to why this might be.

I would posit that Muslim civilization is less infused with an individualistic/Liberal (in the philosophical sense) worldview. Indeed, Muslim women that do take off the covering tend be those that have Westernized and imbibed the Liberal mindset. One other observation, covering in Muslim cultures is on a kind of spectrum. I am generalizing to be sure but in my observation, women in the Levant, Northern Africa and the major urban centers use headscarves and hijabs, whereas women in the Gulf States and into Afghanistan use the Chadas, Niqabs and Burkas. Much like our experience in the Mennonite/Anabaptist world; the less individualistic/Liberal their milieu is, the more covered they are.

I am pretty sure that in some Muslim cases, while the size may not vary as much, there are some who veil sometimes and not others. And there is at least some variation in size...or there was in 2008 when I worked in a setting with a sizable number of various Muslim sects.

With Jewish folks there is also a distinction, at least in some sects, between married and unmarried. And the size can vary also.

I interact with a lot of Muslims here at Penn State. I see the variety and understand the conservative-liberal spectrum.

But I never see a piece of cloth fastened to the back of the head, or a bit of lace fastened on a hairbun, or something of that nature. This seems to be unique to Christians who are in transition. I think some of the explanations given so far may speak to this.
The majority of Christian women who cover, view their veil (or cap or hat) as a head-covering with many even viewing it as a long-hair covering. (the majority of Plain Anabaptists)
But I think there is an element that view their veil as strictly a symbol and not a head-covering. As women transition from viewing their veil as a head-covering, to viewing it as a symbol only, it makes sense to simply pin a symbol on the back or top of the head, depending on the era in which one lives.
I think the point that Jews and Muslims don't view veiling as merely a symbol, probably explains why we don't see this transitional step to something symbolic in their traditions.

Of what is the covering to be a symbol?
In my opinion the covering is supposed to serve a purpose and also be a symbol. If it does not serve a purpose, then it is also no longer a symbol.

[barnhart]

I would posit that Muslim civilization is less infused with an individualistic/Liberal (in the philosophical sense) worldview. Indeed, Muslim women that do take off the covering tend be those that have Westernized and imbibed the Liberal mindset. One other observation, covering in Muslim cultures is on a kind of spectrum. I am generalizing to be sure but in my observation, women in the Levant, Northern Africa and the major urban centers use headscarves and hijabs, whereas women in the Gulf States and into Afghanistan use the Chadas, Niqabs and Burkas. Much like our experience in the Mennonite/Anabaptist world; the less individualistic/Liberal their milieu is, the more covered they are.

True, but I think Ernie is asking about the philosophy or doctrine that motivates the practice.