Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Toto · 09-05-2013, 06:29 PM

War over Christian Beards

Christianity Today has an interesting compendium of theological opinions on male facial hair, starting with Clement of Alexandria, c. 195, who called the beard "the mark of a man" and wrote "it is therefore unholy to desecrate the symbol of manhood."

But it seems most Christians after that were clean shaven. In 361, Roman Emperor Julian wore a beard to show his break with the shaven Christian emperors before him, and to mark his connection to pagan Roman religion.

Jesus is almost always portrayed with a beard. "Mainstream Christianity holds Isaiah Chapter 50: Verse 6 as a prophecy of Christ's crucifixion, and as so, as a description of Christ having his beard plucked by his tormentors."

Why Does God Love Beards?, asks Slate.

Quote:

In the absence of any divine exposition, many theologians have posited that a hairy face is a symbol of masculinity bestowed upon men by God. St. Clement of Alexandria, who was among the most emphatic proponents of this view, argued: “But for one who is a man to comb himself and shave himself with a razor, for the sake of fine effect, to arrange his hair at the looking-glass, to shave his cheeks, pluck hairs out of them, and smooth them, how womanly! And, in truth, unless you saw them naked, you would suppose them to be women.” St. Augustine seconded Clement’s characterization, noting, “The beard signifies the courageous; the beard distinguishes the grown men, the earnest, the active, the vigorous. So that when we describe such, we say, he is a bearded man.”

Muslims agree:

Quote:

As in Christianity, a number of theologians believe that the beard is holy because it is part of God’s distinction between man and woman. One Pakistani scholar noted: “The Prophets of Allah kept beards and expressed their liking for it since this is from among the norms of human nature. It is an expression of manliness and as such a sign, which distinguishes men from women.”

Roger Pearse · 09-06-2013, 02:48 AM

Only Christians can grow beards.

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09-06-2013, 02:48 AM	#2
Roger Pearse Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: N/A Posts: 4,370	Only Christians can grow beards.

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