h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

A322327 writes: "For centuries the rule in established Christian churches was that men were not to wear hats in church. Women, however, had to keep their heads covered, presumably as a sign of their subservience. Nowadays this complete two-part rule is enforced in very few churches,"

I am rather sceptical of this assertion - I imagine it is a particularly American phenomenon. Here in Europe we continue to consider the removing by men of their hats on reaching the threshold of some building as an important aspect of our inherited absurdity. I for one bewail the recently imported habit of male indoor hat-wearing - in church or elsewhere!

I've found that where I live the hat-removing rule has not been eliminated for men, rather extended to women. It is considered rude, at least, for anyone to wear a hat in church.

(Waaah, the Guide engines never told me you commented on my article. )

My earlier statement about church rules about hats still holds. The rule was stated in the first book of Corinthians, chapter 11, verses 1-16. But as you say, people today consider that rule absurd. There are very few churches today which enforce that rule requiring *both* that men *remove* hats and that women *put them on*. I know of some American churches which enforce it, but I would be surprised to learn of any in Europe.