Comments on Life On Gold Plates: Islam's Hijab and Mormon Garments: On Clothing as ...

Right, Don, that was sort of what I was looking fo...

2009-10-14T12:31:56.973-06:00

Right, Don, that was sort of what I was looking for. I forgot to close the thought of broadcasting in terms of garments. Your final sentence restates quite well what I was going for. "It makes me wonder how LDS culture change if we were asked to wear our religion on our sleeves."

Is there other religious clothing that is essentia...

2009-10-14T10:20:14.090-06:00

Is there other religious clothing that is essentially concealed like the LDS garment? Like hijab, all of the items I’m thinking of are visibly displayed.
Like you alluded to, since temple garments are only visible if you know what to look for (and open display is viewed as sacrilege), they don’t really act as a broadcast. Rather it’s closer to close-circuit television – visible only to the specified audience.
It makes me wonder how LDS culture change if we were asked to wear our religion on our sleeves.

Anon I agree that behaviour that promotes compassi...

2009-10-14T04:01:04.030-06:00

Anon
I agree that behaviour that promotes compassion,tolerance and mercy should be encouraged.

With clothes/accessories, we have the freedom to choose---and I may be mixing apples and oranges here---but what about "ethnicity"? (colors/tones of our body) should our behaviour speak about that or is that dangerous stereotyping?

....do we need a more balanced way of looking at things?......or.......?

Right on, Forest. None of us can perfectly live up...

2009-10-13T21:00:54.477-06:00

Right on, Forest. None of us can perfectly live up to such a symbol. Perhaps we become more aware of our own shortcomings, which can serve to remind us to be lenient and forgiving to others. Our broadcast shouldn't just be sending messages to others, but to ourselves as well.

I have had similar thoughts about the wearing of t...

2009-10-13T19:51:38.404-06:00

I have had similar thoughts about the wearing of the cross. That symbol of Christ's atonement to me would be such a serious thing.

I am a high school teacher and sometimes see "unchristian" behavior by students wearing a cross.

I know all of us do not live up to all of our beliefs, all of the time but went such a potent symbol is on display for all to see it seems like your idea of "broadcasting" is relevant.

Thank you for lending your thoughtful perspective,...

2009-10-13T18:48:50.780-06:00

Thank you for lending your thoughtful perspective, anon. You effectively highlight some of the political/religious issues involved with hijab.

Anon I agree that the Quran does not specify hijab...

2009-10-13T18:44:23.913-06:00

Anon
I agree that the Quran does not specify hijab--but modesty. Head covering was used by both men and women---the men wearing various types of head-covering depending on region. Today, many men have abondoned this practice except for some places in the world. (Some men still cover their heads during prayer)---For some women,the sense of "identity" from clothing is often a reaction to society--either a rejection of some prevalent notion or a reaction to it. Many women began wearing hijab after 9/11 because of the intense criticism and misunderstanding of Islam. In some countries, hijab became a symbol of disillusionment with things "western" and a "going back" to things Islamic. ---Which is why governments often get involved in womens wardrobe decisions---whatever the reasons women choose their clothing, it is nevertheless an expression of themselves and governments should stay out of it.
I am an undecided muslim woman---a part-time hijabi. I do agree with modest clothing because it promotes self-respect (and the Quran says so) but though the hijab was originally meant to promote self-respect and modesty as well, I am still debating its relevance in today's society---afterall, men have mostly abandoned it without effort and are doing fine......

Thanks DavidH.

2009-10-13T13:35:52.930-06:00

Thanks DavidH.

Thanks for this post. Canadian Muslim folk singer...

2009-10-13T10:50:12.120-06:00

Thanks for this post. Canadian Muslim folk singer Dawud Wharnsby wrote and performed what I think is a beautiful number about the Hijab. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8f96bGluhss

DavidH