Greetings in the name of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! It always gives me great happiness to write about Christianity in my blogs.
Hailing from India, a country of many gods and goddesses, I have often seen Church ministers and believers (for many generations) try to prove themselves holier than the other religions. While the notion itself is not wrong, it often leads to practices that aren't mentioned in the Bible. I have discussed about a few below. Please do read and leave me your valuable comments (it would be much appreciated).
NWJ-Not wearing jewels:
I would first like to clarify that there is no such thing in the Bible. This is a tradition that is believed to have been borrowed from Buddhism. Women and men are forbidden in Churches to wear any jewel of any kind. When the Bible itself has got numerous references of even saints wearing them, I don't understand the necessity of such a thing. Many Churches deny even the holy communion or baptism to the “jewel wearing” women. They are given no part in the Church activities too. (It is an Indian tradition of women to wear gold jewellery). I find it way too much. When God Himself has given them salvation, who are we to deny them baptism?
I often find little girls who love trinkets being told that they will land in hell. If that is to be true, even great saints like Abraham, Isaac, and Job will not find a part in Heaven. Telling your kids to be modest is good. Actually, the best. Please don't mislead them at a very young age.
No Makeup:
I believe that you could visualise the Churches which do not allow women to wear even jewels, will certainly not allow them to wear makeup too. I still remember my sister (when she was ten) being condemned in Church for wearing a lipstick. Adding a dash of colour to your face won't add up to your sin list I believe.
The white Sundays:
Somehow, Indians are so colour specific; from the yogis who have saffron attire to some famous hindu temples having uniforms of black, red or yellow. Eventually, the Churches started following a white Sunday code. I don't call it wrong. I just find it being unnecessarily stressed. It is good to be different. But if people are not willing, please don't compel them.
Hairstyles:
Would you believe me if I told you that I got scolded in my childhood by a pastor because I side parted my hair and plaited it?
Around two decades ago, my mom was diagnosed with lupus (an autoimmune disease). After lots of prayer, she recovered from her deathbed by God's grace. And, most of the believers accused her that her sickness was because of her hairstyle. (She should have worn it in a bun instead of her usual plaiting they claimed).
Till date, most of my cousins (who happens to be pastor’s kids) aren't allowed to even cut their hair. They are being told 1Corinthians11.6 (For if a woman does not cover her head, she might as well have her hair cut off; but if it is a disgrace for a woman to have her hair cut off or her head shaved, then she should cover her head.) that it is disgraceful.
Thankfully, plaits are not considered as sin in Church nowadays. But loose hair is still a sin. Hope it will change sooner.
To be continued...
