Not sure if this is true but I've heard of a religious group I think it's called the Pentecostal Church in Pennsylvania (?) where all ladies are required to have long hair, even some who've never cut it in their life !!  :o Makes you wonder if they insist that new ladies joining must never cut it again as well ?

So in turn I wondered whose had their hair long the longest ? And what's the longest and shortest it's ever been ?  :)

True.  Some of the Pentecostal sects believe it a sin for women to cut their hair.  This refers to the biblical passage of 1st Corinthians 11:15 (...But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering).  

It depends on what you consider "long," too. If a person typically wears their hair very short, then "long" for them would be anything beyond their usual length, I suppose.

For me, I don't think my hair finally felt legitimately "long" until it reached 2 feet in length. I've always had a "long-haired spirit" or been a "longhair at heart" or what have you. But I wouldn't have included myself among the ranks of true longhairs until just recently. It's only just started feeling "long" to me within the last few months.

Anyway, to answer your questions...as for who has had their hair long the longest, it most certainly would not be me. As I've said, I just got there, and that's only my interpretation of what "long" is.

The longest my hair has ever been was waist length, several years ago. And it only stayed that long for a few months before I cut it to...6" all over. That would be the shortest it's ever been.  

Wow, does this bring back memories! I would chance to say for most it has been an on again off again thing? Speaking, for myself at least it has been like that! My Mom cut my hair in a pixie when I was little, then I let it grow and at highschool graduation it was just a bit below my behind! Then I felt that I needed a more "mature" look and cut it! It was the worst thing I ever did! But, not anymore! I just measured and my  hair is now at 14" long! Maybe not as long as most but, a good dusting is all this hair is gonna ever see again! Love all of you and your support, naturegirl

I am Pentecostal.  Although I do not believe it is a sin to cut my hair according to the list of sins in Galations 5.  As for the church it is a doctrine(teaching) issue based on 1Cor. 11.  I have been growing my hair since 1996 when I came into the church.  It was as short as some mens (shaved back and sides, 2 1/2" on top).  It now measures 40" one length.  We have 2 ladies here with floor length hair, but most of them have reached terminal around thigh length.

Debr

I have been on these boards for over two years, and I still don't think my hair is really long. I just have made progress from "shortish" to "longish".  :D I started growing from bald in 2001, and the journey is still continuing.

In my country, I don't think that any Christian denomination takes seriously 1st Corinthians passage. I was raised in Pentecostal church, but there long hair on ladies was just admired. But, some had their hair long, some very short and no one thought that it would be a sin to cut.
When I started to grow my hair, I did it just because I thought vaguely that long hair would be nice and a bit "different". Since I decided that I am a pagan, long hair became also spiritually important for me. For me, my hair symbolizes timeless natural beauty and strength. I can't really explain it, but if I had a short, styled and dyed hair it just would not be the same!

My hair has been really long for about eight years now.......waistlength to buttlength is the longest so far.  I love it long!

The shortest I remember having my hair was when I was really little 3 or 4 years old - then it was about face-length.  It is now between backside and knees (hopefully I will actually reach kneelength, but I'm not sure if it will) and broke 48 inches last year.  I'm now 18.  I never heard about long hair being mentioned in the Bible before, but it's good to know!

There is an ongoing debate on other websites and in life about Pentecostals and long hair.  Most Pentecostals will not force their personal rules about hair and dress on others.  Of course they like to influence for modest dress and behavior.  Cutting hair is a conviction that God has pressed on the hearts of Pentecostal women.  There is no rule in our church that says to enter you must lay down your scissors and makeup at the door.  It is only a sin if God has truley convicted you and you believe that it is wrong.  I wouldn't call Pentecostals a sect.  Sect is not how we see ourselves.

Welcome Paulagail!  I don't think I've ever heard the Pentacostals referred to as a sect.  Around here we are pretty open and accepting.  Everyone has their own reason for growing their hair.  The important thing is that we be allowed to grow it as we choose and not be forced to grow or cut our hair against our wishes or beliefs.

Hi Paulagail and welcome  :)

As a guy I’ve always been very interested in the Pentecostal Church and their wonderful doctrines towards women’s long hair, as I don’t think it exists anywhere else outside of America ? And although I know very little at all about the Church I’d really love to learn more !  :)

I’ve often wondered that those women who passionately love long hair both for itself and for the whole experience etc., might perhaps see it all very differently to Pentecostal women who I’ve understood see long hair as more of a homage and recognition of God’s will, with little actual love of long hair itself ?

I’ve also felt, though this might not be for all the right reasons (lol !), that a lot of long haired loving ladies who are not particularly religious one way or the other yet who feel they’ve perhaps been brainwashed into thinking and feeling long hair is not suitable on older women, or have had to constantly put up with supposed friends suggesting they donate it to organisations such as Locks of Love, might feel they’d like the option if it were possible of joining the Pentecostal Church simply to feel less persecuted and protected from Society in general ? If only because Love is so central to all Church beliefs and messages and whose doors are always open to everyone regardless.

Perhaps there already is one ? If not, well I think it would be really nice if there was such a haven or Church for them such as the Pentecostal Church, as the Church in general has traditionally always been such a safe place of refuge from persecution for people of all beliefs and persuasions for centuries. At the very least it would always be based on heartfelt Love. Then those in society who constantly promote these absurd and highly subjective strictures upon such long haired loving ladies would be forced to instantly recognise them, leave them alone and above all show respect to them at last. Especially Locks of Love !  >:(

On the other hand would all of this be too much to ask and/ or too insincere ?

Thanks a lot anyway for letting me get up onto my little soap box !  :) Either way I’d also really love to hear and learn more about the Pentecostal Church’s social long hair side of things as well sometime. Your local summer fairs and outings and so on !!

Who knows ? One day this might even get to include genuine long hair loving guys as well ! Now that would be reeeally wonderful ! :)

Welcome Paulagail  :).  I am Pentecostal.  I have heard of the church being referred to as a cult.  I feel neither cultish or sectish.  I love God and serve Him only.  I do like having my hair long and wearing dresses too.  

I have learned a lot about caring for hair on this board and others like it.  I let my hair grow for soo long without paying attention to its needs.  Now, I am trying to correct some of the damage that was done.  NOT an easy task.  Slowly tho, I am getting there.  My hair is 41in long which just covers my bottom or reaches the tops of thighs whichever.  

Again welcome.
Debr