Is your hair long for religious/spiritual reasons?

**brightonwoman** · July 20th, 2008, 03:17 PM

(I hope it's okay to ask something like this...I'm still a newbie here, and I wasn't sure where to put this post.)

The title pretty much sums it up...I know that some religions have grooming/modesty standards, and I've seen a few churches where it seemed like all the women had long hair, so I guessed it was probably part of the faith. But I never really knew for sure.
In my case, it's not something my religion asks or requires, but it is something I feel spiritual about...having long hair, and the time and care involved in growing it, makes me feel more in touch with nature and the Divine, you know? And I really like that.
What about you?

**Saryn Jumail** · July 20th, 2008, 03:20 PM

Well, I'm Jewish, and we're not supposed to cut our hair, but that's not the only reason I'm growing it.
I'm growing it because I like it, and because a lot of the people around here don't appreciate long hair, and I want to be able to show them that having long, healthy hair is possible.

**AJoifulNoise** · July 20th, 2008, 03:23 PM

Yes and no.

I started growing my hair long for religious reasons. I was attending an apostolic pentecostal church and long hair was part of the doctrine. I have since left that church and I don't think long hair is required by God. I am continuing to grow anyway (a) because I like my long hair and (b) I am still studying my beliefs and praying about what God really wants.

ETA: It's a miracle in of itself that I didn't cut as soon as I left the church. That tends to be how my personality works. If someone tells me I have to do something, I do the opposite. But... I love my hair so I'm keeping it.

**truepeacenik** · July 21st, 2008, 06:34 PM

Originally Posted by Saryn Jumail

Well, I'm Jewish, and we're not supposed to cut our hair, but that's not the only reason I'm growing it.
I'm growing it because I like it, and because a lot of the people around here don't appreciate long hair, and I want to be able to show them that having long, healthy hair is possible.

I'd be interested to know which denomination, as most women at my shul have short hair. Some wear wigs over that, to boot, but cloche hats are popular, with the occasional scarf.

My hair is indeed an oddity, in length and color.

But to the OP, I grow it for spiritual reasons (meaning, {way} aside from Judaism).
I feel that cutting is subtracting from you and your essence (funny, I don't feel that way about nails or dieting, just hair)
and that subtracting is bad for one's soul.

**mommy2one05** · July 20th, 2008, 03:23 PM

Yes my long hair is for religious reasons. When I was younger I had hair almost down to my ankles (I won the Illinois state ponytail contest several times), but then when I got out of church I cut my hair till it was a little shorter than touching shoulders (this was multiple cuts) and I could only get a stub of a ponytail . The last cut was in the late fall of 2004 and since then I got back in church and have been growing my hair....now it is waist lenght but it really feels like it grows slow. By the way I am Pentecostal/Apostolic. Feel free to ask any questions and I will not shove the religion down your throat.

**jesusfreak2185** · July 21st, 2008, 05:30 AM

so do you know how to do a lot of the hairstyles that pentecostals do with their hair. i would like it if you could share with me on how to do some of those hair styles.

**tobikay** · July 21st, 2008, 06:13 AM

Originally Posted by jesusfreak2185

so do you know how to do a lot of the hairstyles that pentecostals do with their hair. i would like it if you could share with me on how to do some of those hair styles.

Honestly I wish that I could figure out some of those styles. Although I will say that from what I do know (this is why I don't attend the Apolostic/Pentecostal church, the ladies aren't "friendly" there) they use alot of heat to get those curls and lots and lots and lots of hairspray and other product. They are good at getting their hair to look healthy when it is up, but I have seen many with severely damaged hair.

**kashencarrie** · July 21st, 2008, 09:11 AM

Originally Posted by tobikay

(this is why I don't attend the Apolostic/Pentecostal church, the ladies aren't "friendly" there)

I'm Apostolic Pentecostal.
<a little hijack> I want to say I'm sorry the ladies at that church weren't friendly. How awful. You can come to my church anytime and be bombarded by all the people who want to meet you

<end hijack>.
Second, I grow my hair because of a personal conviction I have. It is not because my religion told me to. I believe though my own bible reading that if I have long hair it is pleasing to God. So I make a personal choice to have long hair.
Finally, I can't do any of those styles either. I have very fine, slippery, heavy hair. It would take me a million bobby pins and a ton of hairspray to hold it.

**swirlytresses** · March 16th, 2009, 09:47 AM

Originally Posted by kashencarrie

I'm Apostolic Pentecostal.
<a little hijack> I want to say I'm sorry the ladies at that church weren't friendly. How awful. You can come to my church anytime and be bombarded by all the people who want to meet you

<end hijack>.
Second, I grow my hair because of a personal conviction I have. It is not because my religion told me to. I believe though my own bible reading that if I have long hair it is pleasing to God. So I make a personal choice to have long hair.

Well spoken.

**swirlytresses** · March 16th, 2009, 09:32 AM

Originally Posted by tobikay

Honestly I wish that I could figure out some of those styles. Although I will say that from what I do know (this is why I don't attend the Apolostic/Pentecostal church, the ladies aren't "friendly" there) they use alot of heat to get those curls and lots and lots and lots of hairspray and other product. They are good at getting their hair to look healthy when it is up, but I have seen many with severely damaged hair.

I'm sorry that you have had bad experiences with "unfriendly" pentecostal/apostolic ladies....and you are right, a lot of the ladies use a lot of heat and bad products in their hair. Unfortunately they are not all taught how to take proper care of their hair. I personally have learned this on my own for mine and my daughter's sake and I am trying to help others too.....and yes I am pentecostal/apostolic too. As for hairdo's I can get some pics together of all the different styles that we do on ourselves. Mine and one of my daughter's hair is long and curly and my other daughter's is straight. I will try to get these together but it may take a little time. HTH.