I remember reading a long time ago that the practice of "bindi" (dying the skin with henna paste) is a form of worship to a Hindu god. I'm trying to convey that to someone who is caught up in the "fashion" and popularity of the practice. Do you know where I could find the religious explanation to show her, as she would like me to "back up" my instruction? -- Dave Little
Yes, the bindi dot is apparently becoming a real fashion statement. In time, I can imagine this practice might become "de-spiritualized," and cease to cause offense to believers or confusion to non-believers. Yet its roots are certainly religious, and many strict Christians forbid wearing the bindi. Removal of the bindi is associated with conversion to Christianity.
It is nearly unthinkable that disciples of Christ would go about sporting the pentagram, or the ankh, or verses from the Qu'ran. The bindi dot seems to fall into the same category. Its strong idolatrous connections are well known.
The bindi, worn by young Hindu girls and women on their forehead, derives from bindu, Sanskrit for dot or point. It is usually a red dot made from finely powdered mercuric sulphide. It is also considered a sacred symbol of Uma or Parvati, signifying female energy and believed to protect women and their husbands.
While I doubt that wearing the dot is necessarily an act of worship, it is strongly linked with the Hindu religion. Again, this may slowly change; in a generation or two, in the West at any rate, the bindi may be nothing more than a centralized "beauty mark." But for the present, its connection with Hinduism, its equivalence with the "third eye" ("thought eye"), and its strong association with idolatry, all combine to suggest we avoid the bindi dot.
Of course, each sister must make her own decision about this; yet the principles of Romans 14 certainly apply: even if there were no harm in the bindi, if it caused others to stumble, that should be enough to lead us to gladly give it up.
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