Why do brethren girls wear headscarves?

[littletent]

I sometimes see brethren families in the town or supermarket, distinguishable by their mode of dress. Often the girls are wearing full headscarves. I would be interested to find out what the 'rules' are around this. for example is it only certain sects? At certain times or places, how is breaching the 'rule' viewed? Where idi it come from? are there other dress codes? Excuse my ignorance of this subject but I have no experience of this other than brief observations.
Littletent

[taichiperson]

Just a quick question in return - are you in the USA?

[littletent]

No - Belfast. N. Ireland

[spudqueen]

There are lots of rules, the ones I knew about (because there were a family of Plymouth Brethren who lived across the road from my Mum) were to live in a detached house and to not eat in front of people who were not from their Church, but here are the rest
http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/christ ianity/subdivisions/exclusivebrethren_3.shtml

[dimligump]

I've been wondering the same thing!

At our local shopping centre (Bluewater) I often see ladies with head scarves. The younger girls seem to wear what I can only describe as a hair ribbon with a small triangle attached. Does this constitute a real headscarf? If size is not important, why wear one at all?

I've often wanted to ask, but didn't want to appear rude or insensitive.

[terambulan]

Got them near me. The headscarves are respect for God. They dont wear make-up, nail varnish (no skin adornment) no jewellery and dress soberly. They dont have TVs....read a lot and shop in charity shops. They live within their comunity and will buy all houses in a street to be together. They work for their church and trade thru postal adverts & internet. Closed Shop!

Oh, and dishonest.....I had motor damage with their 'vicar' who accepted liability then retracted....took him to court and won!

[taichiperson]

Sorry littletent - thought that was an American thing. Not come across them in my neck of the woods (north west England)....

[littletent]

thanks guys - spesh for that link! - excellent! :-)

[Whickerman]

Here's a bit more about them:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plymouth_Brethren

Note that Aleister Crowley was brought up in one of these communities - now THAT'S rebellion.

[spudqueen]

taichiperson - My Mum lived in Preston, Lancashire and as I mentioned in my earlier post the people across the road were Plymouth Brethren.
terambulan - funnily enough, whilst my Mums neighbours were Plymouth Brethren and lived by all these rules it didn't stop the Mother driving her car whilst having a baby in a sling round her front - nor did it stop the teenage boys letting off fireworks in their driveway at gone midnight. Presumably because they don't read newspapers, watch TV or listen to radio they are oblivious to the laws of this country. Doesn't explain the lack of common sense though.