Is Covering hair a religious requirement for Christian Women?

Answer 1

Answer A

No,

Covering the head when entering a place of worship is a necessity for women in Islamic mosques, and for both men and women in Sikh Gurdwarahs. However, despite some customs that women should wear a hat in church there is no religious requirement for them to do so.

Some cite Corinthians 11 as 'evidence' that women should cover their heads. However, reading in context, this was a suggestion (and not a rule) made by Paul (and not Jesus Christ) to the Church in Corinth that addressed a particular question and at a particular time. Corinth in those days was a den of vice of all religions, and sexual immorality was rife and worse than most red-light districts in major ports even today. The context of Paul's suggestion was not only to to preserve the modesty of women caught in a society where their sexuality was exploited terribly, but also to make it easier for Christian women to uphold the moral stance of their faith without being pressurized by the surrounding sexual tension in the city. It is notable that Paul does notmake such distinction between men and women in other letters, simply because the social conditions in other Churches were very different from those in Corinth. As one example, in the letter to the Galatians (Galatia was a rural province in Turkey), he categorically states that 'there is neither male nor female, Jew nor Gentile, slave nor free, for we are all one in Christ Jesus' meaning that there should be no discrimination between sexes, social standing or faith. Reading in context, therefore, Paul makes it very clear that the sexes are equal and therefore singling out women's dress code as a Christian rule for all time is not and never was not an intention of Paul. The teaching of Jesus Christ himself has no mention whatsoever of head attire for neither women nor men.

In 50 years of attending churches of many denominations, therefore, apart from the occasional local custom, there is not and never has not been any absolute requirement for women to have their heads covered. However, modest dress (for both sexes) has been something which is seen as appropriate - not because it is a Pauline 'rule' - but because it is simply good manners and honoring to God.

Regarding the links posted on the site, these two sites are not representative of the Christian Church as a whole. One is from an individual with little real Biblical knowledge and the other from an organisation that condones hitting children, regards sickness as caused by sin, that the Abrahamic heritage of Christianity (and of both Judaism and Islam) should be disregarded, and a host of other worrying beliefs wrapped up in orthodox, loving Christianity.

Therefore, they should really be read with a huge health warning attached.

Answer B

Some believe that covering the head by woman in Christianity is a requirement. Some others believe that covering head by Christian women is a requirement only during praying in the church or during praying at home.

In The Bible, the First Epistle to the Corinthians, chapter 11, verses 3-10."But I would have you know that the head of every man is Christ and the head of the woman is the man, and the head of Christ is God. Every man praying or prophesying with his head covered, disgraces his head. But every woman praying or prophesying with her head uncovereddisgraces her head, for it is the same as if she were shaven. For if a woman is not covered, let her be shaven. But if it is a disgrace for a woman to have her hair cut off or her head shaved, let her cover her head. A man indeed ought not to cover his head, because he is the image and glory of God. But woman is the glory of man. For man was not created for woman, but woman for man. This is why the woman ought to have a sign of authority over her head, because of the angels."

Refer to the related link for more information (to be honest, I am not sure of the authenticity of these links and if their authors represent the Christian Church as a whole).

On the other hand, to be fair, it is important to mention also that while there are some Christian denominations (eg the Bretheren, Armish etc) who expect women to be subservient and cover their heads, (because they choose to interpret Corinthians 11 as such to agree with their own pre-judged beliefs), most Christians turn to the teachings of Jesus Christ for their inspiration and life-rules - and he had absolutely nothing to say about this.

You should also be careful that there are still those who will cite scripture, badly interpreted, and often biased, to act as a back up to their own prejudices, as usually done in other religions including Islam. For example, there are those who cite 'scripture' to back up male supremacy, white supremacy, racism, the defamation of other faiths (including Islam), and many other bigoted prejudices.