What is the modern argument against obligatory head coverings?

What is the modern argument against obligatory head coverings?

1 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.

Paul says that the long hair of women acts as a covering. "for a covering" can be translated "in place of a covering" or "instead of a covering".

The actual prohibition is rather narrow. Only women who have short hair while they prayeth or prophesieth are required to have a "covering".

Most churches do not have anyone, male or female, who prayeth or prophesieth so the issue becomes moot.

Ok so if I understand the passage correctly then the covering is a symbol of submission to my "head", being my father or God if my father is dead, if I'm single and my husband if I'm married.

Now I come from a community where only married women are expected to have a head covering and if one's unmarried daughter wears one outside of church it brings shame to the family because it symbolizes that she's been sexually active, and no longer a virgin.

And it used to be a way of shaming single women who were sexually active outside of marriage. So I'm curious if it now brings shame instead of honour to ones head is it now still required?

1 Corinthians 11 was basically church protocol in terms of gender-specific outfit (vv. 2-16) and conduction of the Lord's supper (vv. 17-34). These are steeped in the cultural practices of Corinth. Women were to wear head coverings because a regular female citizen of Corinth did so. Not wearing a head covering meant you were a prostitute. Men weren't to wear head coverings or grow their hair as long as women's because they were men. Men didn't do that. HOWEVER, Paul was merely appealing to Corinthian culture because that was how they distinguished men from women then.

If you were to assimilate that to today's culture it would basically be this: As a man you are created a man. As a woman you are created a woman. Glorify God accordingly to the specific and unique gender He has given/assigned to you.

Since the question does not specify a denomination, I am assuming that any denomination is OK. I thus am basing my answers with one of the clearest doctrinal statements I could find. However, it is pretty representative of most arguments that argue against obligatory head coverings, coming from a variety of theologies.

Here is a statement by the Reformed Presbytery In North America, which I believe is considered pretty conservative on most issues. The argument is that the context of 1 Corinthians shows it is an example of Paul's larger argument of being culturally sensitive, not an instruction for all people in all cultures. In the later part of chapter 10, Paul discusses meat offered to false idols. He says that it would be unlawful for a Christian to eat such meat in the context, because that would constitute worshiping the idol.

10:21 You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You cannot partake of the table of the Lord and the table of demons. (NRSV)

Immediately after that statement, however, he says

23 “All things are lawful,” but not all things are beneficial.

(The quotes are added by NRSV because it is seen as something Corinithians were saying to justify their behavior. Paul responds not be denying the statement, but by saying there are other considerations in play than just lawfulness.) Paul goes on to make it clear that it is not the act of offering it to the idol that makes the meat unlawful, but the cultural context. He goes on to say

27 If an unbeliever invites you to a meal and you are disposed to go, eat whatever is set before you without raising any question on the ground of conscience. 28 But if someone says to you, “This has been offered in sacrifice,” then do not eat it, out of consideration for the one who informed you, and for the sake of conscience— 29 I mean the other’s conscience, not your own. For why should my liberty be subject to the judgment of someone else’s conscience?

Thus he is saying 27) don't cause offense by asking if the meat had been offered to an idol, but also 28-29) if you know it is, don't eat it and appear a hypocrite, because (implied) this may inhibit the unbeliever from being Christian.

Next comes the head covering passage at the start of chapter 11 and then instructions about receiving the Lord's Supper. He says that some member have been causing offense by making their higher social status known during the meal. He advises these members to "eat at home" so as to not cause offense by displaying their cultural status. Or as the linked document says:

similar to Paul's concern for godly order, decorum, and the eschewing of offense in 1 Corinthians 10 (in regard to meat offered to idols), Paul instructs the Corinthians how they should order the circumstances that surround the celebration of the Lord's Supper. He teaches them that it is offensive and divisive to fail to wait for one another, and that if the reason one cannot wait is hunger, then it would be expedient to eat something at home before coming. Although, we may never see this particular offense arise in our circumstances, nevertheless the principle of unoffensive behavior in a public setting is applicable to many circumstances.

The argument continues that the next several chapters cover similar themes - the orderly use of spiritual gifts and how to conduct church service in an orderly fashion - which can be understood as respecting cultural norms. Thus

In keeping with this context, we believe that Paul in 1 Corinthians 11:2-16 was continuing in the same general line of argument. He addresses the headcovering practice which was culturally acceptable to the Corinthians, and seeks to teach them that they are not to be offensive, divisive or contentious by altering the customs of the land, when they come to worship. He is laying down the same principle as that taught both before and after the headcovering passage. In effect he is saying, do not alter the established order of this circumstance when you see that it will be offensive and destructive to the unity of the church.

Since it is no longer a cultural norm to where head coverings for women, the advice no longer applies.

To cross-reference, here is another argument by a believer coming from a completely different background. He adds some points (such as the setting of Paul's instruction likely not being a church service) and explains the cultural background, but the basic argument is the same - the context of the passage shows it is not a specific instruction, but rather part of a general argument to respect cultural sensitivities. I imagine this would be the route taken by most who would not adhere to a "headcoverings are required" doctrine. This reasoning wouldn't apply to (most) other passages, because there is no surrounding context saying "X is lawful, but should be avoided anyway" in other NT writings.