New Year

Dear Readers,

How quickly the time has gone by, and here we are at another year end already!

(not everyone is represented here)

At this time of new year resolutions, I pray for every one of you who will read these words: that you will continue to learn and grow stronger in faith, that you will find comfort and encouragement from others to do what you know is right, that as you learn you will not forget that others have not seen and heard the things which you have, and so they deserve your patience and gentleness in word and deed. 

May we live quiet lives of peace, humbly covered by unconditional love, shining like candles in the dark.  May our little pieces of cloth be a sign of devotion, humbleness, and gentleness to all, and may we remember why we wear those headcoverings - every time we struggle to keep them in place.

And now, as the apostle, Paul, I praise you: for remembering me and all those who write to you of good things; and for holding firmly to the ordinances and traditions which you were given.

LisaM


(photo taken from Women’s Head Coverings in Different Religions; November 29, 2011 by humarashid, in the blog, The Reasonably Prudent Law Student.)

History and Headscarves in Politics - Turkey

Often when we are looking up news stories concerning head coverings, the country of Turkey appears.  Its history, especially the recent past, can be confusing to many.  In Turkey, the secular West struggles with the conservative Muslim population, in all areas, and especially as things concern women.  Conservative women cannot attend university or get many jobs if they choose to wear a head covering, and secular women feel that the growing popularity of Islamic political groups threatens to keep them from jobs or other opportunities.  It is a time for open eyes and minds, and for real investigation of all the different ways of life.  If Turkey has you stumped, you have to keep up with it.  The article linked below gives a brief though quite helpful overview of the situation for women in Turkey, which may help us to all better understand others in the world, and the confusion surrounding the head covering in other places too.

"Muslim Lite: Women, Islam and the Turkish Way" by Roger Friedland, Visiting Professor, New York University-Abu Dhabi, in the Huffington Post (image above linked from this article)

The Sojourner: The Head Covering Command

Thorough study in this blog on the 1 Corinthians 11 passage. Please see:

The Sojourner: The Head Covering Command: 1 Corinthians 11:2-16: v. 2 Now I praise you, brethren, that you remember me in all things and keep the traditions just as I delivered them to you.