Religious Headcovering - Beliefs and Practices of Various Religions

[HondurasKeiser]

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.

As in what philosophy motivates the Muslim covering?

[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.

As in what philosophy motivates the Muslim covering?

Yes, and how does that align with Christian, Jewish or Hindu practice.

[barnhart]

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.

Maybe, but I have seen some practice that seemed a little symbolic. For example a Muslim woman with a head covering wear very tight stylish jeans and spiky high heels.

[Ernie]

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

As in what philosophy motivates the Muslim covering?

Yes, and how does that align with Christian, Jewish or Hindu practice.

I was not familiar with Hindu practice so I read this short summary. https://moditoys.com/blogs/theology-thu ... -ghoonghat

[JohnH]

The hijab is meant to cover the neck in addition to the hairline. So as it becomes smaller, it shrinks in a different manner than Anabaptists women’s do, but overall it still shrinks. For an example of this look at Persian or Indonesian or Malaysian women with headscarves sort of half falling off.

[Ernie]

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.

Maybe, but I have seen some practice that seemed a little symbolic. For example a Muslim woman with a head covering wear very tight stylish jeans and spiky high heels.

Yes, I think you are correct. That seems to show a symbolic understanding/practice. (much like Plain Anabaptists today who wear a covering but also wear tight clothing and heels.)

But the Muslims still practice "head covering" vs. the "wearing a covering".

In Anabaptist settings, the terminology is usually something like, "She started wearing a covering." or "My aunts all wore large coverings."

For many Christians who did not grow up with the practice, but begin sometime during adulthood, the terminology is often something like, "I started covering when I was ...."

I think the nuance is significant.

[Ernie]

The hijab is meant to cover the neck in addition to the hairline. So as it becomes smaller, it shrinks in a different manner than Anabaptists women’s do, but overall it still shrinks. For an example of this look at Persian or Indonesian or Malaysian women with headscarves sort of half falling off.

Hmmmm... I think this is another significant reason...

It's been about 400 years since European Christian women stopped trying to cover the neck with their headcover.
https://www.scrollpublishing.com/store/ ... story.html

[JohnH]

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.

Maybe, but I have seen some practice that seemed a little symbolic. For example a Muslim woman with a head covering wear very tight stylish jeans and spiky high heels.

But they still practice "head covering" vs. the "wearing a covering".

In Anabaptist settings, the terminology is usually something like, "She started wearing a covering." or "My aunts all wore large coverings."

For many Christians who did not grow up with the practice, but begin sometime during adulthood, the terminology is often something like, "I started covering when I was ...."

I think the nuance is significant.

Amongst Muslims they would call it hijab or niqab etc and would say “I started hijab at age xx”. Mostly it is treated as simply another article of clothing, but is considered part of decent attire. Such Muslim groups generally would object to men having pants shorter than the knees as well.

The hijab is intended to cover the neck and visible hair (and ears) as they are “awrah” - areas that should be covered. This doesn’t apply in the home sphere but does once stepping outside. I actually find this very similar to Amish practice.

Christian women used to wear garb basically identical to the hijab. If we wanted to return to early church practice, Christian women would attire themselves like Mary was depicted on the 6th century:



In some areas like Alexandria, covering some of the face was expected or commonplace as well.

[Anthony]

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.

My theory is that Islam is general is just more legalistic and spiritually it actually works that following rules = holy. So you cant really gradually skirt the rules like you can with the bible, playing forgiving jesus off of whatever rules you dont like. you either have a hijab or you are an apostate. Theres cultural variation but i believe being a devout muslim women = hijab, no other way to view it.

[Esdras]

Our family is quite pro-headcovering as we look at the command to pray without ceasing and also seek to exegetically understand how 1 Corinthians 11 (no mention of “in the churches”) relates to 1 Corinthians 14 (which does mention “in the churches”). So our ladies headcover or have a headcovering with them (at the very least) at all times.

With that being said, the zeitgeist of this age seems to seek to undermine the veiling of women ever since NOW in December 1969 burned veils (among other articles of clothing) to reject any symbol of subjection.

I’ve always found it remarkable that the other Abrahamic* religions do continue to veil their women in their more conservative sects. I also find it relevant that very few females who fancy themselves as pastors (or pastrixes?) ever enter into the pulpit with their heads covered.