WHY THE BEARD?

[Paidion]

WHY THE BEARD?

I taught elementary school in a Christian community from 1962 to 1965. All of the married men in the community had beards. I asked why, and one said in all seriousness, “I have a beard because it grew on my face.” Others explained to me that “God planted it”, and so he must have a purpose for it. Some suggested that it might be a special distinguishing mark of the human male, just as some species of male birds which have crests whereas the females don't. “If we succeeded in taming these birds,” one man asked, “would we improve the male's appearance if we cut off his crest? Or would he simply look ridiculous and unnatural?” Others made similar remarks concerning particular species of deer among whom only the males have antlers. But the main thrust of their position was, “Do you think you can improve on God's design for you by cutting off your beard?” It made sense to me, and I began letting my beard grow. I recalled some tricks which some women use to alter their natural appearance, such as shaving off their eye brows and then painting fake ones back on. I wondered why they despised the natural eye brows which God had given them.

So I let my beard grow in an era in which it was unpopular to do so.

Once when I was walking down the streets of Winnipeg, one man greeted me with, “Hi Castro!”

On another occasion as a man was walking by on the sidewalk, he asked, “Why the beard?” as he was passing by. I responded with, “Why do you shave yours off?” — to which he answered, “So that I can wash my face.”

That was a cute answer, but it didn't make sense. This same man had hair on his head. Was he unable to wash his scalp because of it?

What is your opinion of the beard? Does it serve any purpose? Or did God make a mistake? Is it a useless appendage as evolutionists used to say was the case with the appendix and the tonsils? Do you remember the days, or have you heard your parents speak of the days when doctors routinely removed the appendix and the tonsils from children whether it was necessary or not? — until it was discovered that they have useful functions after all.

[Singalphile]

That's funny.

Keeps face warm, I guess. Some people think it looks attractive, I guess.

I wouldn't know. I can't grow anything like a beard, at least within a couple weeks or so without shaving. I'm half American Indian, and neither my brother nor father (the Indian) can seem to grow a beard either.

[Perry]

I shave...
When I grow a beard it's itchy, uncomfortable, hot, and I never notice it when food is stuck in it, which is really gross. Also my wife hates it.

I don't think God made a mistake... That's just silly. If He made a mistake it was when he ordained that I would go bald. Did God make a mistake when He gave us b.o.? Do you wear deodorant?

Also, the comparison to the bird seems a bit of a stretch to me... Do you really think humans should take their grooming cues from the animal kingdom? Monkies like to fling poo.

[Bud]

Thanks for the question Paidion, I think the beard is there for natural reasons ie. warmth, protection from sun and gender identification. Also, I think the lack of a beard for women is for increased attractiveness possibly. Some might say, why then the lack of full beards for some peoples? To which I would reply: micro-evolution.
Nowadays, with modern conveniences, and with ethnic sensibilities thrown in, the need for a beard, or the desire for one, has left the deployment of a beard quite jumbled. As it should be, allowing for the individuals choice, since we are absent any commands in the Church Age.

God bless you all,

[jeremiah]

i like what bud said about the deployment of a beard being left jumbled today, then pointing to personal choice. btw, when you said deployment, do you mean growing one?

i'm not sure my beard helps much when it's cold, except maybe from the initial chill of the wind on my face in winter. but it certainly doesn't keep me from shivering if i'm not dressed warmly.
where i live, summers are brutal, 95 to 100+ with the same percent humidity. my experience from working outside, these conditions are equally uncomfortable for my face whether or not i have a beard. when a beard gets really long, just like long head hair, it's easy enough to tie it up and keep the neck cool.(in a manner that just makes it look shorter, not a ponytail for the chin )

yeah perry, i think your last reason was the best. if my wife hated my beard, i would probably shave aswell. but luckily for me, i had it when we met. she's tried to get me to shave a couple times, but only because she's never seen my face with out facial hair. also was the last line of your reply a joke or were you serious?

grace and peace to you all...

[Bud]

Yes Jeremiah, I did mean the growing of a beard when I chose the word "deployment". I almost used the word "employ" (I often choose words that will shorten the sentence). (Not sure that worked this time).
I too also think the wife's preference would be the best reason to have a beard or not (absent living in Antarctica or something. Seems like "everyone" grows a beard there).

[TK]

Beards are okay but mustaches are "English," according to the Amish.

It's nice that a beard is an option if youi need it, or want it-- at least for some of us.

I try to keep my wife guessing.

TK

[steve]

Beards are okay but mustaches are "English," according to the Amish.

I can't grow a beard, just a mustache. Since my teen years, I've always wanted a beard. I would have a long, white one right now, if God had gifted me differently.

When I was a child, facial hair was kind of unusual, except on certain old men and historical characters (like Teddy Roosevelt and Mark Twain). It seems to me the Beatles popularized facial hair among the youth in their "Sgt. Pepper" era. Prior to that, sometime in my prepubescent years, I had a distant cousin—probably in his late teens—whom I met one time and he had a mustache. I was not accustomed to seeing them on younger men—and was not even sure whether most men could grow them! I thought it looked cool. After that, while still a child, I actually prayed that God would let me have a mustache when I reached maturity. I forgot to include the beard in my request.

Once I actually was able to grow a mustache, it was 30 years before I shaved it. When I did, I had forgotten how my face looked without it, and soon grew it back. I was fortunate when goatees came into style, because I can grow a few scraggly hairs on my chin.

[jeremiah]

bud, i figured that was what you meant, i think it worked well.

... I've always wanted a beard. I would have a long, white one right now, if God had gifted me differently...

i'm not quite sure why, but this gave me a good laugh. thanks.

grace and peace...

[Perry]

also was the last line of your reply a joke or were you serious?

Mostly joke... The point being that you could defend some really unsavory behavior by appeals to the animal kingdom. And btw, I agree with all the comments about these grooming decisions being a matter of individual preference.