Christian perspective on the use of cosmetics: the case of Njoro Sub-County, Nakuru County, Kenya

Abstract

The use of cosmetic products for beautification has a long history dating back to ancient civilizations. In Christianity, there is a debate about whether using cosmetics aligns with Christian faith and practice. This study set to assess the Christian views regarding the use of cosmetics for beautification in Njoro sub-County in Nakuru County. The study specifically determined the Christian understanding of the biblical teachings concerning the use of cosmetic products, it also examined the traditions of various Christian denominations on the use of cosmetic products and lastly it established the controversy regarding the use of cosmetics by Christians in Njoro sub-County, Nakuru County. It examined the conservative, moderate and liberal Christian views on the use of cosmetic in Njoro sub-County. The target population comprised of Christians from various denominations in the sub-County. Njoro sub-County was picked because of its diversity in terms of the Christian faith comprising the main stream churches, African independent churches, and new religious movements. The study was informed by the Conservative Theory of religion by Paul O’Callaghan and the Liberalism Theory of religion as explained by George Sinclair and Guas Gerald. The study adopted the Cross-sectional Qualitative research design. The research participants included the clergy and members from various churches. A sample of 150 respondents were purposively selected to represent views of the above study population. In-depth oral interviews, Focused Group Discussions (FGDs) and observation methods were used to collect data. The raw data was cleaned by leaving out information irrelevant to the study. Codes were developed by systematically making line-by-line analysis then highlighting key aspects related to study objectives. The analysis of data was from a comparative approach. The responses were grouped into dominant themes where the perspectives of the conservative, moderate and liberal Christians regarding the use of cosmetics were compared. The findings of this research indicated various standpoint towards the use of cosmetics with some Christians denouncing while others supporting its use and others strive to find a balance between the use and non-use of cosmetics. These differing views were facilitated by different biblical interpretations, church doctrines, cultural norms and historical practices related to cosmetic use. These diverse perspectives further highlight the challenges Christians face in reconciling personal expression with faith-based values, underscoring the importance of open discussions within congregations. This study will add to the knowledge regarding the use of cosmetics within Christian denominations and how to deal with issues that may arise regarding its use rises with its usage.