Why is it Disrespectful to Wear a Hat Inside a Church?

It is considered disrespectful when men wear hats inside the church because the removal of hats in the church is a sign of respect to God. But, it is not disrespectful for a woman to wear a hat in the church because the Bible states that women should not pray with their heads uncovered.

As a man, have you ever asked yourself why is it disrespectful to wear a hat inside a church? Haven’t you wondered why men don’t wear hats to church?

When we go before God, we try to look our best. In a church building, you’ll see different Sunday wears. The church has been referred to as the people and not the building over time. This is because the Greek word for church means the assembly of God’s saints.

In the past, when hats were integral parts of outfits, people wear hats all the time. There are different types of hats and their functions.

Hats were used as a form of protection for the face. There are fancy and beautiful hats worn to compliment the outfits. Women wear hats to church because it complements their dressing. Also, the women were never to uncover their heads in the church because it’s a sign of submission to God and to their husbands.

The culture did not allow men to wear hats indoors – church included. They hold their hats in their hands. When they are done and they are outside the church, they will put on their hats.

Moreover, hats in western culture can be used to depict your social status. As a man, removing your hat is a sign of respect and total submission. You are being humble before God, forgetting about your social status. Although hats are not in vogue again, many African American women still wear hats to church.

However, although hats complement your outfit, men are not allowed to wear theirs indoors – church included. It is considered rude. So the question is, why is it disrespectful to wear a hat inside a church?

Why is it Disrespectful to Wear a Hat Inside a Church?

It is not disrespectful for a woman to wear a hat in the church as it is considered a sign of respect to God and man, but it’s disrespectful for a man to wear a hat in the church.

Many Christian denominations even believe that a woman should have her head covered whenever she prays. Some even believe that woman should always cover her head – even when she’s not praying. The AnaBaptist women practice this. Catholic church allows women to wear a hat in church.

For men, it is really disrespectful to wear a hat in the church. A man is meant to remove his hat in the presence of God and the presence of a lady. If you don’t remove your hat in the church, it means you have disrespected God and the women around you.

However, it is not disrespectful for a woman to wear a hat in the church because the Bible states that women should not pray with their heads uncovered. If they do, it shows that they are not submitted to God and to their husbands.

Why is it Disrespectful to Wear a Hat in the Church?

It is disrespectful to wear a hat in the church if you are a man because the Bible says in 1 Corinthians 11:3-16 that a man ought not to cover his head in the church. And when you disobey God’s law, you disrespect His authority.

According to the Bible, it is shameful to wear a hat in the church if you are a man. Women are allowed to wear hats in church. Although the Bible says not to wear, many Bible scholars have tried to interpret this to mean that wearing a cap in the church is acceptable.

Since their doctrines allow you to dress the way you want, many men are wearing hats especially baseball hats. They attend service and are not questioned because some churches allow it.

However, culture does not allow the wearing of hats indoors. But with modernization, many people don’t know it’s disrespectful. They wear their hats indoors.

Who Were Wearing Hats in the Bible?

In the Bible, men and women have always covered their heads in Israel. It is more of cloth around the head than a pointed hat. Though in history, the Jews began to wear hats. The hats were to distinguish them from others. They are to wear the hats in prayer, when eating, in the synagogue, and almost every time. The hats are of different shapes.

Also, in Israel, men and women covered their heads during mourning. It was a sign of humility before God. The women wore veils as head coverings. The only people recorded in the Bible to wear hats were Daniel’s friends – Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Daniel 3:21 says;

‘Then these men were bound in their coats, their hosen, and their hats, and their other garments, and were cast into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.‘

The event happened in Babylon. The children of Israel were captives in Babylon at that time. Daniel and his friends were promoted by King Nebuchadnezzar. Because they were captives, they have been taught the culture of Babylon including their dressing.

If they would be wearing hats, then it would be the norm for people in Babylon to wear hats. Since Daniel was greater in rank than his friends, who knows if he also wore hats?

Worship Leaders Wearing Hats

Although culturally, men should not cover their heads indoors, worship leaders are doing this often. Some pastors also wear baseball caps in church programs. Some do this because of the youths in their congregation. They feel youths would be attracted to them and they want to win the souls of these youths. Cardinals of the Roman Catholic Church also wear caps during their Liturgical celebrations.

Male worship leaders worship wearing hats once it complements their outfits. Well, it’s acceptable in this century but there are still people that feel uncomfortable.

Although we can dress any way we want, we should also care for other believers especially those that are just growing.

Worship leaders are role models so they should be careful of the things that can make people speak bad against Christianity.

Can I Wear my Hat During Prayer?

Wearing a hat during prayer or not wearing won’t make God answer your prayers fast. What will make God answer you are the state of your heart. So it’s dependent on you. If your church allows you to put on a baseball hat in church, then you can wear it during prayer. But for scripture’s sake, remove your hat to respect God.

As a woman, you can use your hat during prayer if you believe in it or if your church doctrines permit it. But if your doctrines allow you to pray without a hat, then you are free. Whatever you do, remember those that are weak in faith. The main reason why you shouldn’t wear a hat during prayer if you are a man is because of these people.

Are We Allowed to Wear Hats in Church Buildings or Compound?

In western culture, a man can only wear his hat outside. Some also say that while walking in front of a church, you should remove your hat which means you can’t have your hat on in the church compound. Not everyone believes that.

In Nigeria for example, men remove their caps in church but put it back on outside the building – they walk around the church compound with their caps on. Many male youths now come to church with their caps and nobody is going to question them.

Rules are changing. Not many people like the legalistic life. They feel it’s legalistic when they are asked to remove their hats or not. Do whatever your church allows. If you are not comfortable with what your church allows, then don’t do it for conscience’s sake. You are to please and live for God alone.

Conclusion

The whole truth is that we are living for Christ. Rules guiding our ways of living sometimes might just be religious acts that don’t transform the soul. At the same time, they are rules to stop us from a life of frivolity.

Submit and respect God in your heart and with your actions. We are to live our lives in ways that unbelievers won’t have anything bad to say about us. Any bad thing they say will be out of envy. We are to live our lives in obedience to the leading of the spirit.

So, why don’t you allow the Holy Ghost to lead us in the way to live and even in the way to dress up for church?