Advocacies for Deaf and hearing loss.

Why many deaf people do not want to be a member of AG Bell's organization?

Hearing loss experiences differ individually. There are those who have been born with hearing loss (like me). There are those who lost their hearing later in life. To many, hearing loss is more of a social and professional disability rather than a physical disability. Many keep forgetting that the majority of the deaf community is often late-deafened, and especially with the baby boomers now entering the old age, we are seeing declining hearing and it is unlikely we’d see them rushing to learn another language like ASL.

Last month, Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (AG Bell) denounced repeated demonstrations against the association and its members by several groups claiming that AG Bell discriminates against individuals who are deaf who use sign language, specifically American Sign Language (ASL). One group for an example is “Audism Free America”. I found that there are some hard-core deaf idealists out there. Organizations like this are wasting time and money on divisive activities rather than looking for ways to give all people with hearing loss the ability to achieve their dreams, whatever they may be. Idealism basically means holding on to a set of beliefs which are a rigid system of the way life is "supposed to be" or "should be". Idealism belief system basically means you have adopted about how things "should be done" which often gets challenged by the way things are in reality. Many idealists find it difficult to fully accept anyone the way they really are and chronically attempt to control them so that they can become the way they "should ideally be" which often leads to become fatalistic, hostile, pessimistic, and negativistic attitudes. I truly believe that "over-idealism" is a control issue and that it is at the root of our need to over-control situations, people, places, or things in order to ensure that they come into compliance with our ideal image of the way reality is supposed to be.

Historically, there is a large degree of mistrust between the Deaf community and the AGBell because their philosophies are different. Depending on each individual, some may continue to use ASL after.CI surgery along with other forms of communication within their society. They can enjoy both deaf culture and hearing. There are those who will continue to be against AGBell unless they are willing to change. It is up to each individual (or parents) that a deaf person should learn to interact with other people in the most effective way. It’s up to the parents to help encourage a deaf child to interact with society as well as possible. All parents have the RIGHT to make decisions about cochlear implants and communication methodology for their own children.

I can understand as parents, they find it very tough for parents to find the "right" path for their deaf and hearing-impaired children when their parents are not getting ALL of the information about deafness. AG Bell should be sharing all aspects of what can help parents of deaf children regardless how we think should be the right way. Deaf and Hearing loss advocacies are to be very diverse who are very open minded and willing to learn everything unconditionally whether they "communicate orally, with signs, cue, and/or combined methods". What can parents of deaf children can do for their kids? They can make sure that their children can communicate effectively so they can have a "normal" relationship. I have learned that many children with hearing problems will face both experiential and language deficiencies. My speech is so good that no one will ever know that I am deaf but if they listened to my grammar and/or my speech, they will figure me out.

From birth up to until I was about 4 years old, my family didn't know I was deaf until I had a hearing test in a famous hospital in Boston. I could hear loud noises but I could not communicate or even talk normally. As soon as they found out that I have a major hearing loss, my grandparents got me a new hearing-aid and I actually remembered the first day I actually HEARD anything including my mother's voice and of course a TRUCK outside the hearing-aid store. My first hearing-aid was a Zenith.

Then before attending deaf school, I was in speech therapy and then soon, I was able to talk basic words but not really having a conversation. Soon, I started attending the Boston School for the Deaf for 7 years which was an oralist deaf school (now closed). I was not to learn or use sign language until I was about 19 years old. I really wished I learned better english grammar, even through sign language because I wanted to communicate effectively. Today, even though I can hear and can communicate effectively. My grammar will always be off and words I say will always be off the mark.

In "person", I am mildly reserved and low-key person because I am usually afraid of saying something wrong grammar or speech. I am not big on small talk. I usually prefer in-dept discussion about important issues rather than small talk. Along with my deafness, I had to struggle with the conditions that affect the development of my communication skills within personality and intelligence. Today's experts say that "Age of onset plays a crucial role in the development of language". It took me YEARS to overcome my lack of understanding in english grammar as well as sign language.

Speaking of Ignorance, Deaf & Blind Schools in Ohio

Last year, State of Ohio was discussing merging their two campuses. Alumni are fighting a plan to create a single campus for the state schools for the deaf and the blind, saying mingling their student bodies will create safety and social problems. Even when their educational programs would remain separate?

Currently, there are about 12 schools in the United States teach blind students and deaf students on the same campus and so far their have been no major problems. They are not without problems but problems that leads to learning and getting rid of ignorance.

Is fear of merging due to ignorance? Will this compromise deaf students' self-esteem and conviction that deafness is not a handicap?

There's a deaf culture in a way that there's not a blind culture?

Students who may be ignorant could lead to teasing and bullying if the Ohio State School for the Blind and Ohio School for the Deaf share facilities such as a gym and cafeteria?

What happened to living in the "society" along with "other cultures"? There's should be an education of how to live with "other" cultures in the society including people with disabilities. National Technical Institute of the Deaf (NTID) is one example of being part of the hearing culture as one of 8 colleges of Rochester Institute of Technology. Many students, both hearing and deaf faced one of their major issues was diversity and culture on campus. In 1968, the National Technical Institute for the Deaf was established and joined educational forces as one of the colleges of RIT. NTID supports 1,200 students who are deaf or hard-of-hearing. The Two Worlds Together documentary brings to light the cross-cultural barriers that occur when deaf and hearing students co-exist on one campus. Discussions with both deaf and hearing first-year students after the film will focus on your reactions and thoughts about your role in this unique setting. Strategies and resources for bridging communication gaps will also be shared.

In the past few years, the phrase "disabled people" have been changed "people with disabilities". A disability is a body function is impaired compare to the usual normal healthy abilities of a body and within a body, including physical impairment, sensory impairment, cognitive impairment, intellectual impairment mental illness, and various types of chronic disease (like mulitiple scleorsis).

Its a tough and confusing world out there but once you take the time to understand the basic concept of cultural's point of view of the word "disability", you will know (hopefully) know what they are talking about.

Alumni of RIT/NTID:Removal of AG Bell Plaque

Its funny, I used lived in Bell Hall Dormitory which is next to Lyndon Baines Johnson building when I attended RIT/NTID.

I graduated from RIT/NTID (Rochester Institute of Technology)back in 1981. Lately, there have been many conversations and actions about removing AGBell plague and renaming a dormitory. Before Superbowl game, Pepsi chose to air a 60-second commercial with no audio of a couple of guys looking for “Bob’s House”. The two Deaf men driving a car through a suburban neighborhood, looking for their friend’s house. Most of you know the commercial. Anyway, before the commercial came on the air, the Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (AG Bell) President Karen Youdelman sent a letter to a Senior Vice President of PepsiCo Communications regarding her views of the Deaf community. Many NTID Alumni and student were outraged at the response from AG Bell.

Since then, because of AG Bell’s views, many members of the Deaf/HoH communities no longer wish to honor. Its not about against oralism but rather against the promotion of cultural prejudice of the Deaf community.

I have found out as of this morning, the plaque of AGBell have been removed and now considering renaming the dormitory.

Members of Cultures such as Deaf clubs.....

Hi,

After posting yesterday about American Sign Language(ASL)Only, I have had many thoughts and more thoughts after reading the comments from ASL Only post.

One comment from Shel90 who said:

I agree...my question is why do AGBAD and other oral-only organizations insist on English-only. It seems like these organizations and people who support them have that "only-me" attitudes.

I understand the value of mastering English. However, ASL should be valued just as well since it fully accessible to deaf people unlike spoken English.

Another comment from DBC, who said:

There is no such thing as "ASL Only Deaf"

All Deaf people know English and those that also know ASL are bilingual.

John Egbert

Both of their statements are true but there are those who don't think about them because they are so busy promoting their "cause".

Let's look at AG Bell and their supporters, I have a big issue with them because they have a cause that is very anti-ASL Deaf culture. Of course, there are those Deaf who are very anti-AG Bell. Between the two groups, there is no common ground unless someone comes up with a plan that we all can agree on.

I have been members of cultural clubs in the past and would still be members of them. I was a member of several Deaf clubs, in fact, I was an officer of one Deaf Club for number of years. Also, I was a trustee and accountant for a Deaf church for number of years as well. I have been involved in several cultural-related organizations and groups such as Scottish which I am about 99.99% Scottish. Cultural related organzations are wonderful and we should have them because they give us a sense of belonging.

While at the same time, we live in a multi-cultural society and in reality, we are to live with others in this country which therefore we are to have various forms of communication techniques in order to be part of the multi-cultural society. When I was watching Sweet Nothing in My Ear, I saw "Old Deaf culture and New Deaf culture" and noticing that the Deaf Culture is changing that older-timers and traditional cultural followers were having a hard time with the change.

With AG Bell's situation, it appears many of their wordings that are anti-ASL which mean anti-cultural language. I am having issues with experts like AG Bell telling parents what to do because it is very tough for parents to find the "right" path for our deaf and hearing-impaired children when their parents are not getting ALL of the information about deafness. AG Bell should be SHARING ALL aspects of what can HELP our children regardless how we think should be the right way.

The Deaf and hearing-impaired children are the ones who are living their lives and that they will grow old with their own bodies. We adults are NOT living in their lives or grow old in their bodies.

What adults should be doing is helping deaf and hearing-impaired children living their lives at their own free-will and have them enjoy life without us placing our own agendas what would be "best for them". We cannot place restrictions on them because we "think" or the "experts think" what is best for the children.

We want the BEST for them by allowing them to be part of the decision process so they can reveal who they are and how they can actually enjoy life independently however they can cope with their own bodies. Therefore, with that thinking, we have to be careful because deaf/hearing-impaired children may particularly be vulnerable to suffering at the hands of their parents who are willful in their own ignorance by listening to so called "experts" relating to agendas.

We are to place AG Bell on notice and have them change their agendas. The structures of the organization itself should be modified, including strategic plans, agendas, policies and procedures. AG Bell work with all cultures in order to have all the information for parents of deaf/hearing-impaired children.

Of course, lobbying is one of the biggest issues with AG Bell because they need money and they get their donated money from professionals such as Cochlear surgeons and similar professions. If AG Bell lose money from those individuals, Cochlear surgeons and supporters will move to another organization or create their own. We will STILL have problems with those people regardless.

What we need to do is to EDUCATE AG Bell members about deafness and that we accept Cochlear implants with conditions. Then we explain those conditions as an awareness for parents to know why we have those conditions.

The more the parents know, the BETTER decisions will be made for their children. That's what is important.

ASL-only issue

American Sign Language(ASL)is a language used by the Deaf culture and there are so many people using ASL today that ASL is probably the fourth most commonly used language in the United States. Within the Deaf community, there have been talk about having "ASL-only" community (online or in person). "ASL-only" cannot be done in the United States because the United State's primary language is English.

We can't have this "ASL only" because we can't say "whites only" in the United States. America is a multi-culture society and we have the honor to live in a multi-culture society. There is no "me-only" society. Today the United States of America is a diverse and multi-cultural country as result of mass scale immigration from so many countries throughout America's over 200 years history.

The first immigrations were the Pilgrims who brought the British culture, due to colonial ties with the British that spread the English language, legal system and other cultural inheritances. Which is why we have English as our primary language. Later, worthy influences came from other parts of Europe, especially countries from which large numbers immigrated such as Scotland, Ireland, Germany, Poland, and Italy. Again, later over the years, other immigrants moved in.

We have to remember the first pre-America culture was the Indians, the Native Americans. They had their own language.

Cultures are important but no cultures are more important than any other cultures. All cultures are equal. There is NO 'me' only society therefore there is no "ASL-Only" Deaf society. There are many hearing-impaired and deaf individuals do not always use ASL because in order to live in the United States and make money, we are to speak other languages like English.

There were once a group called "English-only movement" but it was not successful. We cannot control other people's language and they have the freedom to speak their own language in this country. In 1803, as a result of the Louisiana Purchase, the United States acquired French-speaking populations in Louisiana. Also, after the Mexican-American War, the United States acquired about 75,000 Spanish speakers in addition to several indigenous language-speaking populations. During World War I, there was a widespread campaign against the use of the German language in the U.S.

Linguist Geoffrey Pullum, in an essay entitled "Here come the linguistic fascists" charges English First with "hatred and suspicion of aliens and immigrants" and points out that English is far from under threat in the United States, saying "making English the official language of the United States of America is about as urgently called for as making hotdogs the official food at baseball games." Since the very first immigrants were from England, all the official documents in the U.S. are written in English, the United States federal government does not explicitly specify an official language. However, English is an official language in many States around America

Accepting the changing of the Deaf Culture like any other Cultures

After watching the movie last weekend, there were many conversations about it and the Deaf culture itself. I am thinking: How do we deal with opinionated individuals who are not willing to be open-minded about their Deaf culture's traditions, belief systems, and behaviors that will change no matter what?

I love cultures and I admire people who support their cultures. However, sometimes people will take their culture into a powerful disruption of unity, ego and self-image. Today, we all have to face the realistic expectations of what we can cherish actually cherish Deaf culture. We all must pursue cross-cultural knowledge and there will be obstacles in which we can overcome. We all are a social species that we grew into and like to remains connected to those we know (culture), those who have taught us what we are familiar with. In reality, change can affect a person’s sense of identity. Most cultures are basically conservative in that they tend to resist change that all cultures have been inherently predisposed to change, resisting change and that culture loss is an inevitable result of old cultural patterns being replaced by new ones. Older generations are often reticent to replace their comfortable, long familiar cultural patterns that their habitual behavior provides emotional security in a threatening world of change.

The Deaf culture is not immune to change. Change will happen regardless they acknowledge or not.

Old Deaf culture and New Deaf culture

Last night, my wife and I were watching the movie called Hallmark’s Sweet Nothing in My Ear, I realized something and told my wife that I am seeing the "Old Deaf culture and New Deaf culture" in this movie. I believe this movie is accurate in many ways. I was watching carefully of one character who played the deaf grandfather in the movie and he has portrayed many of the "old" Deaf culture individuals' attitude while today's Deaf culture is little different. The deaf grandma who was probably the most wise character in the movie did every well explaining pros and cons of Deaf culture. The "old" Deaf culture didn't have to deal with today's technology while today's Deaf culture is dealing with it. Oh yes, there was one character in the movie who played the hard-of-hearing psychologist who both signs and speaks which is very much how I am in real life except that I am a professional accountant.

The key phrase in the whole movie comes down to is this: "to help him (Adam) have a better life". Of course, everyone was doing this for Adam from each of the characters' own perspectives. Yesterday, I posted about Nebraska's billboard promoting an Omaha school for the hearing impaired is drawing fire from the Deaf culture who lives in the area. Some deaf people saying they’re insulted by the sign’s message which means the Deaf culture is still struggling for self-recognition. The billboard was aiming at kids who are hearing-impaired (or deaf) more than parents.

I have no problem with the billboard that was sending a message to hearing-impaired/deaf kids because they all have that 'right' to do whatever they want with their own body. No one else should tell them what to do. That's the MAIN issue about parents placing kids to have cochlear plant by giving them a choice.

This movie have portrayed very well because at the end, we noticed the 'father' have confessed that like many others are 'selfish' to do what they want for the child. Both deaf and hearing. Not just hearing. I am having the same issues with deaf as well for not allowing one person who has the right to do whatever he/she want with their body. They were making decisions based on what is best for themselves but not for Adam. Its not about hearing culture or Deaf culture but rather a freedom to choose. We are free, but our freedom does not mean we can know for SURE what is right and what is wrong. Until we know we can maintain our integrity only by admitting our own ignorance, we can be truly humbled by the fact that ONE individual has the right more than anyone else whether to obtain a cochlear implant or not.

Today, I am having issues with experts like AG Bell telling parents what to do. Its very tough for parents to find the "right" path for our disabled children when they are not getting ALL of the information about deafness.

We have to remember that the "parents" have the greater burden of making decisions for the family. Not the grandparents, friends or even Deaf or hearing cultures. We also have to remember that being "parents of children with disabilities" are NOT easy and we work much harder than parents of "normal" kids. They are facing a much greater trial more than anything other than facing a child who is dying or have died.

With technologies available today, many people with disabilities will NOT reject the "cure" of medical intervention if they will help make their lives easier and live in a society so that they can have a decent life. The Deaf culture will reject the cochlear implants but accept any other technologies that will help them. We should be looking at ALL aspects of what can HELP our children regardless how we think should be the right way. They are the ones who are living their lives and we are NOT living their lives. We are helping them living their lives and we want to enjoy life without us placing our own agendas what would be "best for them". We want the BEST for them to bring them out as who they are and how they can actually enjoy life independently however they can cope with. We cannot place restrictions on them because we "think" or the "experts think" what is best for the children. Parents are likely to have a very good gage of their child's functional limitations and what the child is like as a person however, without proper education in understanding "fully" of the disability, parents of disabled children will not necessarily have the best interests of the child at heart any more than the average parent. Therefore, with that thinking, disabled children are particularly vulnerable to suffering at the hands of their parents who are willful in their own ignorance on agendas.

My deafness which I was born with, is not an illness nor a disability but rather I can't hear. Looking back. I was very healthy and was able to do anything that a "normal able" people could do but hear. I am hard of hearing (completely deaf when not wearing hearing-aids) so I was able to hear almost "normal" and I am thankful for today's technologies.

I was able to do many things ever better than "able" people until later in life that is, when I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis on April 22, 2002 (which is 6 years ago tomorrow). Living with Multiple Sclerosis, I am prone to live with chronic pain. The main thing I need to remember is that "my will" has the power to control my thoughts. I am more into in thoughts than I am into feelings but I have both which helps me make decisions based on logical analysis and reasoning rather than feelings. I am doing what is BEST for me because this is my life.

Its not about us or them. This is about "what's best for ME" so we need to put ourselves in a child's shoes to figure out what is BEST for the child regardless how I think or feel.

Blogger's commentary regarding upcoming movie

Michael Russnow, a blogger where you will find his blog in the "The Hufftington Post" website. Recently, he posted his blog about Political Correctness on TV Sometimes Goes Too Far: Is it Really Better to Be Deaf?

At the end of his blog, you will find some interesting comments.

Jim

Joining AG Bell to change their Agendas

To change Alexander Graham Bell Association of the Deaf's agendas, we must get involved as stakeholders. In reality, change should not be done for the sake of change but rather a strategy to accomplish some overall goal. To begin with, there are strong resistances to change and we will need to educate those who are resisting change to understand why we need to change. Because organization-wide change often goes against the very values held strongly by members that go against how they believe things should be done.

Alexander Graham Bell Association of the Deaf should have a NEW President and Board of Directors who will instigates some changes by being visionary, persuasive and consistent. In order for new officials to sustain change, the structures of the organization itself should be modified, including strategic plans, agendas, policies and procedures. Often Board of Directors are members of the organization. Each member get have single membership vote.

We can change AG Bell by joining and making some waves.

Current AG Bell Board of Directors
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OFFICERS
President - Karen Youdelman, Ed.D. (OH)
President-Elect & Treasurer - John R. "Jay" Wyant (OH)
Vice President - Steven R. Rech, J.D. (TX)
Vice President - Robert Palter, M.B.A. (Canada)
Secretary - Marcy Kelly (MD)
Executive Director/CEO - Alexander T. Graham (VA)
Immediate Past President - Inez K. Janger (NY)

MEMBERS
Christine Anthony, M.B.A. (IL)
Stephen Epstein, M.D. (MD)
Carol Flexer, Ph.D., CCC-A, Cert. AVT®
Lilian Flores-Beltran, Ph.D. Cert., AVT® (MEXICO)
Janet S. Kahn, M.S., CCC-A, Cert. AVT® (FL)
Irene W. Leigh, Ph.D. (MD)
Ken H. Levinson (CA)
Michael A. Novak, M.D. (IL)
Dan Salvucci, M.Ed., Ed.M., CCC-A (PA)
J. Paul Sommer, M.B.A. (MA)
John F. Stanton, J.D. (DC)
Peter Steyger, Ph.D. (OR)
Joanne Travers (MA)
Kathleen S. Treni (NJ)
Source

Accepting Cultural Changes

In the old days, most cultures were strong on ethocentrism but today, many cultures still are strong but have learned to be humbled in order to live in a society that have many cultures. Ethnocentrism is the belief that one's own culture is superior to that of other cultures. Various cultures will always be running against the prevailing movement of society with individualistic values. We just can't have that and we have to remember that cultural experiences evolve over decades that over the years, the number of culturally Deaf people will get smaller worldwide while at the same time, the usage of ASL may become more acceptable and growing. Rather than have the culture be in isolation, Deaf culture will expand to everyone who accept the culture. There will be fewer repressions because the society are not ignorant of the Deaf culture and there will be more successes for Deaf individuals who are emerging into their careers. Every human generation potentially can discover new things and invent better technologies. The new cultural skills and knowledge are added onto what was learned in previous generations.

In this world, I have seen many cultures change over the years and the Deaf culture will not be immune to change. We have had and will still have hard-of-hearing people wearing hearing aids. Recently, over the years, we have hard-of-hearing people wearing cochlear implants who are still legally deaf. There will be more and more of us who will use speech and sign.

Culture is a shared set of beliefs, practices, attitudes and behaviors that are passed down from one generation to the next. Culture changes over time. It is constantly responding and adapting to society and the world around it. We will no longer consider certain groups be "outcasts" because we will be modifying our cultures in order to live together. Different cultural groups think, feel, and act differently. Culture is learned wherever we live, we learn culture and accept it as his or her own. The way that we interact and do things in our everyday lives seems "natural" to us. We are unaware of our culture because we are so close to it and know it so well.

It is very clear that we are to make an effort to understand one another and respect our differences. Culture basically means "a way of life" to me, in another word, "different". Due to life's circumstances, we are living certain ways of life according to our way of living.

Change is part of life and cultural changes will change whether you like it or not. I am accepting the changes and moving on.

Diversity and Accepting one another

Like many other cultures in this world, Deaf culture shares a common sense of pride in their Culture and language (i.e. ASL). There are different levels of self-pride of the Deaf culture and there is nothing wrong with pride unless it interferes diversity and unity of other cultures in this world. Unity of cultures results from a group of people coming together to form a community around shared experience, common interests and respecting each other. Like any other cultures in this world, Deaf culture is an identity just as much as Scottish culture which also an identity.

The problem with using pride in the wrong way leads to prejudices and discrimination. Militant "Deaf Pride" activism is one of them and I see these activists as an arrogant minority trying to impose its will on everyone else. Whether the culture will accept hard of hearing individuals or whether hard of hearing accept the Deaf culture. This is about feelings, attitudes, perspectives, and personal lives of each individual deaf/hard of hearing persons. In terms of advocacy, we need to look at various agendas that should be discerned carefully to make sure we don't sound like a militant. We can over-come our flaws by remembering that our own pride is at the bottom of all great mistakes because pride is a fundamental flaw of our nature.

What we all need is diversity and unity with proper pride with our cultures. We all are living in the same country and we are actually living in a society that we all have to live together.

Deaf and Hard of Hearing in Amish Culture

Orthodox Amish culture do not allow hearing aids since they are considered "technology" and technology isn't permitted in Amish culture. Non-orthodox Amish and Mennonite people have cross-overed to the other side to live among the people who use technology. People often confuse the Amish and Mennonites that they think there's no difference between the two. Even though, their beliefs are very similar however the way that they express them, how they are in lifestyle and culture are different. Majority of the Mennonites dress like the rest of us, drive cars and have electricity in their homes along with ranges, washers and dryers and other appliances. On the other hand, the Amish are very strict about their clothing and don't drive cars or have electricity in their homes.

I wear hearing-aids and living in a technology world. If I was an Amish, I probably would not know what its like to be around with other deaf people in this world who are outside the Amish culture. What would it be like for deaf Amish individuals to live in an isolated like that? I have never met a deaf Amish person however, I came close to some. I believe that there are only three deaf Mennonite churches in the United States which are located in Lancaster, Penn, in New York and in Orville, Ohio, which is near Canton. Many years ago, I was a guest speaker at Orville's church where I have met several nice Mennoite families and church members. I was pleased to be a guest speaker there. It was quite an experience. Mennoite churches are like most Christian churches and they are basically Anabaptist believers which believe in peace and often called peace makers. They believe in non-resistance. I have been involved in a Anabaptist denomination for almost 20 years and I found Anabaptist do believe much of the Reformed Theologies except what separates their doctrines (i.e. Baptism, etc). Culture-wise, depending on Amish tribe and families. Some are really strict and some are not. Nation from the greek word "Ethnos". Strongs defines Ethnos as a multitude (whether of men or of beasts) associated or living together as a company, troop, swarm. A multitude of individuals of the same nature or genus the human family a tribe, nation, people group (Culture). One thing I have learned when I was in the Anabaptist denomination, preferences aren't necessarily a doctrine issue, but can become serious when people in the church can't get along with each other because of their preferences. There are many Christian cultures because there are Christians who will follow their conscience, feelings, beliefs and personal worship preferences. In important example is that Orthodox churches including Anabaptist denominations encourage their women do cover their heads when they enter into church.