Good Hair, Weaving and Christianity

[LoveisYou]

la la la.......................

 

[msa]

If you are a Christian does this make you think twice about weaving with real Indian hair? Nope.
Is the fact that this hair is a sacrifice to a different god than the one you worship significant to you? Nope.
Are we encouraging deceptive practices by purchasing Indian hair? Yup.
Is this sacrilegious? Might be.

Being honest, I feel worse about the amount of trash I produce and the oil that I use and the energy it takes for the Indian hair to get to my house.

No matter what you choose to buy, someone, somewhere is getting taking advantage of just so you can have what you want. And all the Chinese ladies who are being exploited to sew designer purses probably aren't Christian either, but that's not going to stop me from buying a bag.

It's all about choices and no matter what you consume these issues are going to be a part of it. So I say buy up all the Indian hair you want and swang that weave.

 

[LoveisYou]

la la la.....................

 

[msa]

My comment wasn't about their religion, I was commenting on the ritualistic/sacrifical elements involved in the hair shaving practices.

I think buying a bag made by someone who isn't Christian is completely different than buying buying a a good that has been used as a sacrifice.

Ah I see. For me, it's no different. I look at my beliefs as black and white...either it's wrong or it's right. So someone giving their hair as sacrifice to whatever god is the same thing to me as a Chinese <insert religion here> sewing up my bag and chanting a ritual over the factory it's made in or the machinery that's used.

Another example, almost every nail shop by my house is owned by someone Buddhist who always has a full altar to Buddha set up in the front. Do I stop going to the nail salon even though they're using my money (in theory) to buy the incense or the cookies on the altar? Nope. It's all the same to me.

But I do see what you're saying though.

 

[naijamerican]

I just saw the movie "Good Hair" and was appalled when I found how Indian hair enters the market as an accesible good . Basically, a lot of Indian women sacrifice their hair to one of the gods in the Hindu religion. The shaved hair from the temple is then sold to hair dealers who put the hair in a stream of commerce to be sold in the U.S. It's a big business and many of the women have no idea this is being done to their hair/sacrifice. If you are a Christian does this make you think twice about weaving with real Indian hair?
Is the fact that this hair is a sacrifice to a different god than the one you worship significant to you?
Are we encouraging deceptive practices by purchasing Indian hair?
Is this sacrilegious?

Hmmm.... those are some great questions. I've never really thought of it as sacrilegious.

On a completely different note, you look FABULOUS in your siggy picture! Go head on, wit yo bad self!

 

[carameldelight87]

I personally wouldn't put a stitch of Indian hair in my head out of respect of their religious beliefs, not because of mine.

Most African statues, masks, etc., that we pick up as souvenirs and decorations have been dedicated to some god of their respective tribe so it's practically impossible to be fully aware of the religious intentions or dedications of every product we buy.

However, I respect other people's religious choices and would never want to interfere with their practices or rituals. It'd be the equivalent of me disrupting their prayers, services, etc in dedication to their gods and frankly, my moma raised me better than that. There are certain things that are sacred, whether u agree with them or not is irrelevant. I respect God's house whether or not I like the pastor and I respect other people's spiritual devotion.

 

[carameldelight87]

Oh yes, u do look absolutely stunning in ur siggy pic! naijamerican just reminded me with those bold letters. Lol.

 

[jennboo]

Yes, the siggy pic is fierce ...'tis all.

 

[Gin&Tonic]

I wear indian hair sometimes and will not stop. I don't think that using the hair will stand in the way of my personal relationship with god. My relationship with god is stronger than that.

Some Indian women sell their hair. I know an Indian woman who sold hers. I have no idea how the hair I purchase come to the market.

Heck I have no Idea if the hair really came from India anyway. I could be from Malasia, China,Peru, Indonesia.....

 

[soulie]

SOME Indian women have their hair shorn at the temples. Other women just sell it to secular hair purchasers. Do you think that Indian hair should be labeled based on whether it was religious or secular cutting? Just askin' because you know they won't really do it, and will lie to you about it.

 

[beans4reezy]

I am a Christian, but this reveal wouldn't deter me from purchasing Indian Hair. I think there are so many items we purchase that are somehow tied to ritualism (both known and unknown); who has the energy to boycott so many things?

I just focus on a personal relationship with a higher power and the rest works itself out

 

[discodumpling]

GOD is GOD no matter if you call him (or HER) Krishna, Allah, Buddah, Durgaah, Jehova, JAH.

 

[Daughter]

Hmm... I wouldn't buy human hair regardless, but would the ritualistic intent deter me? I thought about this with regard to food, ie eating at Indian restaurants. As with anything regarding the Christian faith, we turn to Scripture. Romans 14 comes to mind; it's a matter of conscience, since idols are nothing and food can be consecrated by thanksgiving and prayer. I suppose it's a similar thing with the hair extensions.

So IMHO, I'd say examine your conscience and make a careful decision, but I wouldn't scream "NOOOOOOO don't do it!"

 

[honeybuni84]

doesnt stop me 1 bit....

it sounds a little nit picky to me really

 

[JayAnn0513]

As someone else said buying Indian hair that has been sacrificed for their God is more an an insult to their religion than it is against Christianity. There is nothing in the Bible that I am aware of that prevent a Christian from buying something that was sacrificed in the name of another religion. It's not like you are practicing their religion or anything.

 

[Fine 4s]

Another example, almost every nail shop by my house is owned by someone Buddhist who always has a full altar to Buddha set up in the front. Do I stop going to the nail salon even though they're using my money (in theory) to buy the incense or the cookies on the altar? Nope. It's all the same to me.

But I do see what you're saying though.[/QUOTE]

Interesting perspective OP.

Hey Msa,
The latter example is not a parallel to the OP's central point. Would you collect the fruits that are placed at the Buddhist altar in the nail shop to sell in the fruit market?

I'm not sure where I stand on this but if I could just block out HOW I get the hair, I'd be weaving it up too...
It's better to be ignorant sometimes
J/K!!!!!!!!!!!! maybe.

 

[LoveisYou]

Is it sacrilegious to their religion to yours?

 

[Filmatic]

I think that only some of the hair is from sacrifices. Some also come from women that sale it. I don't wear Indian hair but may. It will not stop me. I still go to the Indian store and get my henna too.

I must say you are working that dress!

 

[msa]

Interesting perspective OP.

Hey Msa,
The latter example is not a parallel to the OP's central point. Would you collect the fruits that are placed at the Buddhist altar in the nail shop to sell in the fruit market?

Sure would if I were hungry and I needed the money.

My point is...they're all the same thing to me. If "idol" worship is wrong in this instance, then it's wrong in all others too. When I walk into the nail shop, that altar is part of the person's "worship" to Buddha...in my eyes just by being there I'm cosigning it.

If folks were removing one of their kidneys to sacrifice to their god, and instead of letting the kidneys be thrown away doctors collected them in a hospital for transplant...please believe if I needed a kidney transplant I would be first in line. Would I still be wrong? Yes, if I believed that by taking the kidney I'm participating in the sacrifice in some way. But I'd just have to say a little prayer and keep it moving with my new kidney.

 

[Fine 4s]

Now ya'll got me thinking...

Is the loss of hair the sacrifice or is it the act of surrendering something to appease a God? If it's the latter than why does it matter what the byproduct (if you will) of that sacrifice is? Meaning hair in the trash that one has NO control over. IF the hair cannot be used, wouldn't it be prudent to burn it or dispose of it in a way that would be acceptable to the religious members?

Hmmm....

I think this boils down to a values based judgement.
Those are not debatable.
It's either wrong to some or right/fair to some others.

 

[Hairsofab]

I'm not Christian but I used to be. I don't understand why it would matter one way or another the reason why people give up their hair. If you don't believe in their gods, and don't believe their gods have power, then why does it matter? Do you think the hair holds on to some evil spirit/power or something? I have seen some people believe this even though I don't think it is truly rooted in Christian belief.

The women in India have given up their hair in this way for centuries, but before it was just destroyed, now the temple workers have found a commercial use for it. I just don't see it as a big deal if the temple folks want to sell the hair. And if the Indian women don't know what the hair is used for, I don't think it would be hard for them to find out. If it was an issue in their culture, they wouldn't allow it.

 

[anon123]

As someone else said buying Indian hair that has been sacrificed for their God is more an an insult to their religion than it is against Christianity.

I agree. I'm not religious and I don't wear weaves, but I find the idea of wearing someone else's hair (a little creepy to me in the first place, being honest) when they shaved it specifically for the purpose of honoring their gods a little perverse. Though I don't believe, it's a part of a very basic respect of others' beliefs. Just like I wouldn't take someone's communion wine and serve it as a beverage at my party.

 

[saved06]

Hmmmmm this is a great thread BTW!!! The Bible does say not to eat food sacrificed to idols. I wonder what God thinks about hair/weave used as a sacrifice? I guess each individual should seek God about that.

God told me in a dream to stop wearing weave and go natural. And I obeyed One of the best decisions I made in my life.

 

[saved06]

I am a Christian, but this reveal wouldn't deter me from purchasing Indian Hair. I think there are so many items we purchase that are somehow tied to ritualism (both known and unknown); who has the energy to boycott so many things?

I just focus on a personal relationship with a higher power and the rest works itself out

Good point. Starbucks is tied into ritualism and occult but I won't go there

 

[carameldelight87]

What about the fact that we know. Does the knowledge change your view? The purpose of my post is not to bash other religions.

The Bible says in James 4:17 "Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin."

If u know better, u do better. If I find out that something I own was used in idol worship, then it's my responsibility as a Christian to get rid of it.

It's not just about "boycotting" products, as someone mentioned earlier. It's about spiritual distractions and destruction.

We all believe that if God is the only way, that no one else can be "spiritual" if they aren't Christian. Not true. The devil is a spirit too.

Read Mark 5. "And when he was come out of the ship, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit... 9And he asked him, What is thy name? And he answered, saying, My name is Legion: for we are many."

Those things sacrificed to other gods or devils come with spirits of their own. That's nothing to play with or pretend to be "ignorant" about. Spirits travel between us with ease. U meet one person and can't figure why they drain u so, or why u can't seem to stop cursing around this person, etc. Be careful with stuff like that.

 

[carameldelight87]

My point is...they're all the same thing to me. If "idol" worship is wrong in this instance, then it's wrong in all others too. When I walk into the nail shop, that altar is part of the person's "worship" to Buddha...in my eyes just by being there I'm cosigning it.

If folks were removing one of their kidneys to sacrifice to their god, and instead of letting the kidneys be thrown away doctors collected them in a hospital for transplant...please believe if I needed a kidney transplant I would be first in line. Would I still be wrong? Yes, if I believed that by taking the kidney I'm participating in the sacrifice in some way. But I'd just have to say a little prayer and keep it moving with my new kidney.

So ur saying u'd rather offend God by taking part in or as u said "cosigning" idol worship than to put the time and effort into avoiding such practices in those places?! That's a heavy comment...assuming u are a Christian.

U could always go to a Black nail salon or even a White nail salon. While they aren't as common as the Korean ones, they are there. Or u could go to a franchise salon where most religious paraphernalia is prohibited if u really didn't want to "be wrong."

 

[GV-NA-GI-TLV-GE-I]

I just saw the movie "Good Hair" and was appalled when I found how Indian hair enters the market as an accesible good . Basically, a lot of Indian women sacrifice their hair to one of the gods in the Hindu religion. The shaved hair from the temple is then sold to hair dealers who put the hair in a stream of commerce to be sold in the U.S. It's a big business and many of the women have no idea this is being done to their hair/sacrifice. If you are a Christian does this make you think twice about weaving with real Indian hair?
Is the fact that this hair is a sacrifice to a different god than the one you worship significant to you?
Are we encouraging deceptive practices by purchasing Indian hair?
Is this sacrilegious?

It was also a big issue in the Jewish community a few years ago for that very reason. Christianity has evolved a different set of rules and if you look into Romans, you can either eat meat offered up to idols if it would not bother your conscience or another christian in your circle. False g-ds are just that, so if one considers Hindus worshipping false g-ds, then they can partake in it. Vice versa.

This is not to justify discrimination against our Hindu sisters, tho and I respect my Hindu friends. Religions dictate different things so if it bothers the conscience, don't do it. If it doesn't, it's not going against your particular g-d because the one you worship invalidates the one another worships.

 

[LoveisYou]

The Bible says in James 4:17 "Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin."

If u know better, u do better. If I find out that something I own was used in idol worship, then it's my responsibility as a Christian to get rid of it.

It's not just about "boycotting" products, as someone mentioned earlier. It's about spiritual distractions and destruction.

We all believe that if God is the only way, that no one else can be "spiritual" if they aren't Christian. Not true. The devil is a spirit too.

Read Mark 5. "And when he was come out of the ship, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit... 9And he asked him, What is thy name? And he answered, saying, My name is Legion: for we are many."

Those things sacrificed to other gods or devils come with spirits of their own. That's nothing to play with or pretend to be "ignorant" about. Spirits travel between us with ease. U meet one person and can't figure why they drain u so, or why u can't seem to stop cursing around this person, etc. Be careful with stuff like that.

la la la........................................

 

[Lucky's Mom]

I just saw the movie "Good Hair" and was appalled when I found how Indian hair enters the market as an accesible good . Basically, a lot of Indian women sacrifice their hair to one of the gods in the Hindu religion. The shaved hair from the temple is then sold to hair dealers who put the hair in a stream of commerce to be sold in the U.S. It's a big business and many of the women have no idea this is being done to their hair/sacrifice. If you are a Christian does this make you think twice about weaving with real Indian hair?
Is the fact that this hair is a sacrifice to a different god than the one you worship significant to you?
Are we encouraging deceptive practices by purchasing Indian hair?
Is this sacrilegious?

It is more tragic that these women - as women around the world are - are being exploited - as usual.....
I hope that people can just stop and think.. However - I found a wig that I LURRRVE. And I will werk it!!!!

 

[yellow08]

Christian-Checks in!
Wears Weaves-Checks in!
Will I stop buying real Indian hair?-Nope!
*Carry on*