At seventeen years of age I was refused entry into a church. I asked: “Why?” Their response: “Your hair is too long.” My reply: “Didn’t Jesus have long hair?” Their reply: “Yeah, but yours is too modern.” True story.
Outside of weddings or funerals, that was the last time I went to a church on my own.
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The hair is different now.
But many churches are not. I go to ‘church’ regularly but its not a traditional one. Its about community and the heart. A fine group of seekers.
A question arises though – did Jesus have long hair? We have this idea or belief of it. This arises from paintings in the Renaissance – their idea of it. But in those days, there was less travel. I have heard it suggested people were clean shaven in the area at the turn of the millennium. If he lived in that area, would he not have been darker skinned? What we now think of as “Palestinian’? Or terrorist?
It is very curious to consider how deeply the story goes. And how little it makes sense.
This causes me to ask: What are the meaningless things in my life that I give meaning to?
You are right, Davidya.
These stories are too deeply ingrained that we may never know for sure what may have been the case. It has no real significance anyway, but it is interesting that some people actually fight over this very thing.
The way the man looked has become important to their belief in him. It is odd.
A great question, Eric. And one that only you can see clearly.
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