Further thoughts on hijab or habit

I am compelled to comment further on this topic. Much can be said. I will add to my initial thoughts here with more to come.

Many have visited the blog on hijab or habit, but to my dismay there are no reactions or responses posted. I am interested in what you think. Help me better understand this.

When I discussed the issue with some of my friends and acquaintances the predominant response was that Roman Catholic nuns voluntarily seek out the lifestyle and thus they differ from Muslim women who are wearing the attire at the demand of the men who are intent on “controlling” their women.

I will argue that many women over the years have been forced to join the “nunnery” because they dared to speak their opinions or rebel against men who were most likely their fathers. Becoming a nun was more often a punishment than a voluntary choice. If you disagree with me, please cite some reliable sources available to all so we can all learn. 

No one can argue that the hierarchy of the Roman Catholic Church is not male dominated beginning with the Pope. I am unable to come up with a correlation in the Islamic religion. If there is one please inform me.

Related, but for another blog, is the fact that the 7th Day Adventist Church was founded by  a woman, Ellen G. White,  but who are the dominant church leaders today? Are they women?

During my time growing up in Montana I wore a headscarf during cold weather and in Montana that was most of the year. Today, my ears remain sensitive to cold air and I need to cover my ears. Many stare at me as if there is something peculiar with me. Something that makes me different. Most likely, judgments are made about me as a person.

Growing up within the Roman Catholic Church it was mandatory for women to cover their head in church. One could never enter the church without covering their head. Today as I look at the hijab, I think how much more creative these women are with their scarves than any of us were!

Tell me that women of the Christian and Jewish religions are not “required” to dress modestly. Look at how the Mormon women dress. Look at how the Amish or 7^th Day Adventist women dress. Look at how the orthodox or Hassidic Jewish women dress. How is this different from Muslim women?

My post was not about men’s control over women but about seeking similarity of religious beliefs and dress. The theme of men’s dominance over women is another forthcoming post.

Choice seems to be a big issue for many with regards to this topic. That resonates with me in that I am a firm believer of individual choice. With choice comes responsibility, one I willingly accept.