Cutting hair

[Penelope]

Just another thread about women here, but about a matter that I've been pondering for a few months now. I've mentioned a couple times that I have a friend who is Pentecostal. At one point earlier in our friendship, I was explaining that I'm a traditional Catholic, that I veil at Mass, etc. She asked why I veil at Mass and I explained that it is in deference to the Eucharist and that while in front of the Eucharist, women should be covered because we are the glory of man and that men shouldn't be covered because they are the glory of God. Then I made a reference to Saint Paul. She was impressed with my knowledge (she's aware that Catholics don't usually know much about their Faith) and asked, "Do you know what part particularly of a woman is the glory of man?" "Her hair, of course," I said. "Yes, that's why we veil our hair, but did you know that if a woman has uncut hair, she is always veiled? I have never cut my hair, so I am always veiled."

Well, that last comment struck me as strange. I knew that there were some Protestant groups that believe in never cutting women's hair, but I never knew where that idea came from. Does anyone know where they get this idea and why they consider it imperative never to cut their hair? What should we as Catholics think about this never-cutting-hair business?

[OCLittleFlower]

I have no idea where they get it -- but a friend of mine who was raised trad Catholic was told by her (Mexican -- so idk if it's a cultural thing) dad that a woman's hair is her veil and should never be cut.  She thought that all Traditionalists believed this and was surprised that I'd never heard if before.

I don't think it was a strict NEVER cut it thing -- she was allowed to trim split ends, etc, just not to have "short" hair.  I'm not sure what counts as short. 

[Penelope]

See, I'm 99% sure my friend means never cut. As in NEVER. CUT. I keep wanting to ask her what she would do it someone accidentally spit gum into her hair or something, but I don't want to come across as rude, especially now that she's moved to a new state, so I can't ask in person.

[Gottmitunsalex]

1 Corinthians 11:2-16

[OCLittleFlower]

See, I'm 99% sure my friend means never cut. As in NEVER. CUT. I keep wanting to ask her what she would do it someone accidentally spit gum into her hair or something, but I don't want to come across as rude, especially now that she's moved to a new state, so I can't ask in person.

Odd.

[erin is nice]

See, I'm 99% sure my friend means never cut. As in NEVER. CUT. I keep wanting to ask her what she would do it someone accidentally spit gum into her hair or something, but I don't want to come across as rude, especially now that she's moved to a new state, so I can't ask in person.

Yes, pentacostals never cut their hair, not even trims. Because they don't have the Church to guide them, they have a very odd way of interpreting Scripture.

Personally, I think that St. Paul is writing about a lot of cultural norms (some pagan prostitutes had short hair, and women accused of adultery could have their hair cut) that don't apply to people today. Today, your hair isn't sending a message about your morality.

[Magnificat]

Today, your hair isn't sending a message about your morality.

I think it can and does. I don't know about NEVER cutting it, it seems from the examples of the saints and even religious that this isn't absolute. But hair cut, style and color can definitely send a message. You can't read a person's soul through their hair but it is one more exterior sign of the interior state.

That's why - in general, numbers large enough to notice - goths go black, lesbians go butch, rockers (or wannabes) go purple/blue and asymmetric, victoria secret models go long and wavy, playmates go platinum etc... Different cuts and colors have different "feels" to them and they attract people who sympathize with that "feel".   

[Gottmitunsalex]

Today, your hair isn't sending a message about your morality.

I think it can and does. I don't know about NEVER cutting it, it seems from the examples of the saints and even religious that this isn't absolute. But hair cut, style and color can definitely send a message. You can't read a person's soul through their hair but it is one more exterior sign of the interior state.

That's why - in general, numbers large enough to notice - goths go black, lesbians go butch, rockers (or wannabes) go purple/blue and asymmetric, victoria secret models go long and wavy, playmates go platinum etc... Different cuts and colors have different "feels" to them and they attract people who sympathize with that "feel".

I agree.

[Penelope]

1 Corinthians 11:2-16

I suppose verse 6 is where they get this never-cutting-their-hair idea?

For if a woman be not covered, let her be shorn. But if it be a shame to a woman to be shorn or made bald, let her cover her head

[erin is nice]

I think it can and does. I don't know about NEVER cutting it, it seems from the examples of the saints and even religious that this isn't absolute. But hair cut, style and color can definitely send a message.

Hair sends a message about personality, not morality.

Also, according to your post, I am a lesbian rocker wannabe playmate. 

[Kaesekopf]

Hair sends a message about personality, not morality.

Also, according to your post, I am a lesbian rocker wannabe playmate. 

This is the impression I had of you after meeting.

[Mithrandylan]

Today, your hair isn't sending a message about your morality.

I think it can and does. I don't know about NEVER cutting it, it seems from the examples of the saints and even religious that this isn't absolute. But hair cut, style and color can definitely send a message. You can't read a person's soul through their hair but it is one more exterior sign of the interior state.

That's why - in general, numbers large enough to notice - goths go black, lesbians go butch, rockers (or wannabes) go purple/blue and asymmetric, victoria secret models go long and wavy, playmates go platinum etc... Different cuts and colors have different "feels" to them and they attract people who sympathize with that "feel".

I agree.

Though it's painfully relative and subjective to the times.

I have a beard and long hair (for a guy-- past my shoulders) I usually have in a pony tail.  In another time I could have been confused for a knight or even a cleric.

[Magnificat]

Also, according to your post, I am a lesbian rocker wannabe playmate. 

I knew it!!

I think it can and does. I don't know about NEVER cutting it, it seems from the examples of the saints and even religious that this isn't absolute. But hair cut, style and color can definitely send a message.

Hair sends a message about personality, not morality.

You are right, but our personalities are not separate from morality. We use them for good or evil.

I'm not saying that "good" or "bad" haircuts are set in stone but like any other art or form of self expression, something from inside shows through. That's the whole point of self expression. That is what makes experimenting with hair cuts and colors and styles fun for most people, particularly women. 

You can have a saint and a sinner with the same dominant personality but who couldn't be more different in how they choose to dress or do their hair because of the lives they are choosing to lead. Personality plays a part but it doesn't make the final decision. 

[erin is nice]

You are right, but our personalities are not separate from morality. We use them for good or evil.

I disagree. Two people with similar personalities will not necessarily commit the same bad actions. And a bunch of people all with wildly different personalities could be murderers, for example.

And to bring this back to hair, take two women with very long hair-- one could be a holy roller while the other is a sexpot-- you can't tell from their hairstyles.

[poche]

It is also why women wear hats to church.