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Do you believe this quote is true? Does not the very nature of things teach you that if a man has long hair it is a disgrace to him? Please write back.
The quote is obviously not true as it stands, since it is the "nature" of man (or woman) for the hair, left uncut, to grow long. The quote, taken from St. Paul, certainly must have meant something more in the nature of custom, or social acceptance, but certainly not "nature" as we understand and use that word today. This is why you have to be careful when quoting scripture verses, that you understand the correct meaning of the words being used, and even that the translation being used, is accurate and correct. A simple example would be from the King James Bible "Suffer the little children to come unto Me." The word 'suffer' in the English of the 16th century had the meaning of "to allow". It no longer carries that meaning in modern English.
The question is irrelevant because the quote was taken out of context.
No.
-J
So if this quote is from St. Paul, it's from the Bible, right? I don't see how it could be true, since so many men had long hair back then. Jesus had long hair.
To be answered, the question has to have a context. First: How long is long? In a society in which a woman's hair could easily reach her knees, anything shorter than mid-back would have to be considered short. While Paul was a Roman citizen (In Roman society, men typically had very short hair), absolutely nothing in this quote tied it to Rome. Indeed, when a Jewish man dedicated himself to God as a Nazarite - typically for a period of 7 years - one of his promises was that he would not cut his hair. Nothing in scripture would even begin to imply that Paul felt that dedicating oneself to God in this way was a disgrace.
In Roman society, it was typically the barbarians (by Roman description) that had long hair. As a result, this could be a societal question, not spiritual.
Finally, for those who take scripture literally, word for word: note that this quote is not a statement of fact, it is a question. If we look into nature - as the quote asks us to - we must take note that in all species, it is the *MALE* not the *FEMALE* that has the "plumage." Therefore, if the quote is taken literally as a question, the answer must be "NO".
Taken in context, I have no problem with the quote's accuracy.
I observe, in myself and others, that a belief, regardless of what it is and what it is in, acts as a hindrance. Holding a belief says, like it or not, that I am not going beyond this point on this subject. The belief defines a boundary beyond which I will not go. So, beliefs can be pretty dangerous. They can also make us feel pretty safe. They also create a lot of arrogance, because, from the vantage point of my belief, whatever it is, I can and will judge.
Experience is a better guide than belief. If you take this statement as a belief, then you will judge those of us with long hair as wrong. You won't spend time getting to know us. If, on the other hand, you allow yourself to experience longhaired people, you will have a very different view that may turn your belief on its head.
Robert
If you want to talk intelligently about the nature of things; then by their very nature all men should grow their hair as it is capable of doing and attempts to do on its own.
If you'd rather follow someone else's dogma without a thought of your own . . .
Oh, man, you are so right. When I got up this morning, staggered into the bathroom and turned on the light, the sight that greeted me in the mirror was nothing less than a disgrace -- not only to me, but to all mankind! My hair was all over the place! I knew that if I didn't do something, it would wind up dangling into my morning bowl of Cheerios which would be more than a disgrace -- it would be like, ummm, an abomination.
Fortunately, a few minutes with a brush and comb and the quick application of a banana clip made it all okay, and my long hair was once again in harmony with the very nature of things. I was able to enjoy my breakfast while reading about the Lakers' victory last night a hint of worry that my hair might be flavoring my cereal -- or vice versa. As the Met fans used to tell us, "You gotta believe!" Have a nice eternity.
. . . JP in san diego.
JP: I, too, have viewed the spectre that is known as bedhead hair. I found this odd as I usualy do not cast a reflection. I draggad myself out of my coffin and went to the loo only to find a vision of my former self looking back at me with a grisly death's head grimace. I thought he/I was about to tell me that I would be visited by the ghosts of Yuletides past, presant and future. I braid it before going to bed at sunrise and I stay away from spicey foods at bedtime
Ignoring the 'authoritative' source, for the time being, consider the question itself. In what ways does 'the nature of things' teach us anything about men and long hair? Men and women have similar hair (except, perhaps, for average terminal length). Animals, both male and female, grow their hair to terminal length for them; this depends upon the animal and the season. I believe (in the sense of semi-remembering) that male lions have longer ruffs than lionesses, and stallions have longer manes thane mares. If my memory's right, then 'nature' would seem to favor longer hair on the male!
"if a man has long hair ..."
Is that hair he has in his hand been cut off of someone's head? Does that mean he cut somebodies hair? Shame shame shame! What is part of the body belongs to the body. And all bodies belong to God. Never cut that hair!
I nearly had a nervous breakdown worrying about that Bible verse once.
I just came across this today.
http://www.llano.net/baptist/jesuslonghair.htm
All they seem to deduce is that ROMANS and some other cultures liked short hair in certain time periods.
I thought Jews of the time considered shoulder length a sign of virility.
I think longhair has been preferred to a significant extent throughout history.
I also agree with the "animal kingdom" posts. What do fish, birds and lions teach us?
If it's "nature", why doesn't it stop at a certain length like arm hair?
I should say, I am quite skeptical and cynical now, and not concerned with religon.
Hope you find peace, if this was troubling you.
Dear Anonymous,
It's interesting that you haven't come back to respond to any of the comments you've received here. My guess is that yours was a "drive-by posting" devoid of any attempt to really have a conversation. I'd like you to prove me wrong.
I believe that science and human experience do not support the Apostle Paul's assertion about "the very nature of things". In addition, I believe this comment is internally inconsistent with other parts of the Bible, such as the Nazarite vow and with "everyone" liking Absalom's long hair (his sin wasn't long hair, it was attempting a violent coup to overthrow his father's government!).
I also believe that just because a statement is in the Bible does not mean that it has anything at all to do with what is a good idea for selecting one's actions here and now. However, I suspect that Victor would prefer to not get into that kind of "flame war" on his discussion board so I'll not pursue that theme here.
- Chris
The Bible was translated from Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek into Latin and then into the vernacular during the protestant revolution. How much of that you believe stayed true to its original translation depends on what some call faith and others call gullibility.
I am a Pagan.
I follow the gods/goddesses of my ancestors.
The Bible means as much to me as bicycles mean to fish.
If the Bible says a man should not wear long hair, it probably means that I should.