What's your opinion on 1 Corinthians 11: (women's head covering)? anonymous

First, I think this part of Paul's letter to the Corinthians needs to be considered within the context of the whole so that we don't miss Paul's real concern. The covering - or lack of one - for THEM was something far different from anything most of us have experienced, for its meaning was very much tied into their culture. In other words, if a woman was to publicly pray in their gathering without a covering over her head it was culturally recognized as a public disregard of the man, whereas in most modern cultures the significance is only recognized as "religiously" motivated.

The attitudes among the Corinthian believers had been altered by the false - but commonly accepted - preachers of the day (the same ones Paul had contrasted himself with in both the letters to these believers). Paul's rebukes to the believers were shown to be tied into their association and acceptance of those who were preaching the wisdom of the world (which is devoid of the wisdom of God).

The so-called Biblical matter of head coverings for a society in which it is non-relevant only creates another religious practice.

Jim