Should Beards Be Mandatory

[YMNolan]

[quote name='Norseman82' timestamp='1290037839' post='2187715']
What are we, the Catholic version of the Taliban?
[/quote]

WE WERE HERE FIRST, ergo WE HATH THE GIFT OF BEARD FIRST!

I say if you can, grow 'em!

[Maximilianus]

[quote name='kenrockthefirst' timestamp='1290179915' post='2188029']
Whatever the Taliban do, e.g. grow beards, force other people to grow beards, count me out of. In fact, count me in for that clean-shaven, straight sword wielding crusader look. Seriously.
[/quote]

Dude, beards were Catholic way before the Taliban came around...During their existance the Templar order wore beards...don't let the Taliban monopolize beards!

[Micah]

[quote name='holly.o' timestamp='1290188206' post='2188050']
That's awesome when beards sprout guinea pigs. This is something all men should strive for.
[/quote]


[img]http://www.phatmass.com/phorum/public/style_emoticons/default/lol4.gif[/img] almost spat hot chocolate all over my computer

Edited November 19, 2010 by Micah

[IgnatiusofLoyola]

[quote name='Crispy' timestamp='1290010735' post='2187633']
Um, what challenge? Catholics are the clear dominant force in the interstellar empire.


(P.S. I could take this opportunity to make fun of our space ship-looking churches, but I won't...wait oops.)
[img]http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ap-hMHXgd9Y/TNsVhIhytVI/AAAAAAAAAmA/-LKvL0JCNC8/s640/IMG_5209.JPG[/img]
[/quote]

Off-topic--I have no idea what church this is (although apparently, based on your comment in your post, it is Catholic). There are some other less than wonderful Catholic churchs in the U.S., particularly the modern ones. For example, the Catholic cathedral in San Francisco looks to me like a kitchen disposal upside down. That is not a statement to criticize Catholic architecture in general, because, although there are some very ugly (or more commonly, boring) Catholic churches, Catholics, to their credit, have many (some would say "most," and I would probably agree) of the most incredibly beautiful churches in the world. As for non-Catholics, every denomination has some incredibly ugly churches, as well as some gorgeous churches.

Sad and unfair as it is, being Catholic does not automatically confer on a person good taste in archetecture. And, good taste in architecture is not confined to Catholics. For example, one of the most beautiful buildings of worship I have ever seen (but, still not in the same league as St. Peter's Basilica, for example) is the only Baha'i temple in the U.S., which happens to be in the town I live in. I know little to nothing about the Baha'i religion, except that it originated in Iran, and the Baha'i religion, and its believers, have undergone a lot of persecution in Iran, and in other countries. But, whatever their beliefs, they have good taste in architecture.

The picture below is of the Baha'i temple in my town. The picture does not do it justice, because although the temple is made of concrete, the concrete work is incredibly intricate and gorgeous. It is very unique (to me, at least)--I've never seen anything like it. The Baha'i temples in several other countries are equally gorgeous, and also very unique. (FYI--The water in the upper left of the picture is Lake Michigan. The temple is right on the lakeshore.)

[url="http://rds.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0WTefe1DudMUBUA_H6jzbkF/SIG=12b9gdrhi/EXP=1290297397/**http%3a//photography-plus.com/website/prodimages/1603.jpg"][img]http://photography-plus.com/website/prodimages/1603.jpg[/img][/url]


Back on topic: In my opinion, virtually every man looks better with a beard. If I walk into a room of men, the one(s) I notice first are those with beards.

However, I can't pretend this is a religious preference. Although some Orthodox priests have very impressive beards, I prefer a much shorter, well-trimmed beard. Most men are clean shaven, and most men I have dated have been clean shaven. So, being clean shaven is not a "deal-breaker." But, if God decided to give me the husband of my dreams, although there are many qualities that are FAR more important than a beard, if my "dream husband" had a beard, it would be the icing on the cake, and truly make him perfect.

I realize that many women feel differently, and don't like beards on men, and that's fine. And, many guys feel they can't grow an attractive beard. I've also found out that, for some reason, beards on guys tend to turn gray MUCH earlier than the hair on a guy's hair turns gray. So, some guys that have beards when the were younger, shave them off because they think that having some gray hair in their beard makes them look old. (I don't think it does, but then, I'm a fan of beards.)

So, count me in on making beards mandatory for men. (For women, not so much.)

Edited November 20, 2010 by IgnatiusofLoyola

[Micah]

I think Bahai temples are beautifullllllllllllllllllllllllllll... And they're usually surrounded by amazing gardens and streams and stuff. I stay as far away as possible from Bahai though.. we have a history.. And I agree, the San Fran Cathedral is definitely not to my architectural tastes.

As far as beards are concerned, I was really referring to clergy, not men in general, but I guess your mandatoriness extends to clergy too.