I was just wondering if it is a sin for a woman to shave her head? I was just curious if it there was any biblical reference about the subject. -- Jeanette

Culturally, this is looked down upon almost universally. I have visited Buddhist nations where nuns were shaved, but this is only an exception to the rule. Certainly Paul assumed of his own time and culture that a woman's hair was her glory (1 Corinthians 11) but how far this should be pressed in our day is a matter of debate.

Yet I would hesitate to call this a "sin" -- even though I would feel very uncomfortable if my wife or daughters came home one day with head shaved!

This article is copyrighted and is for private use and study only. © 2004. Reprints or public distribution is prohibited without the express consent of Douglas Jacoby.