I then began to study in greater depth the teachings that I had received and fully lived in relation to standards. Possibly some of the standards were taught to correct excesses of loose living or in reaction to extreme worldliness in the church, however in my opinion they have gone too far for too long and have become in themselves a measure of individual righteousness. Some standards on the surface appear to be watertight and are easy to compel a new believer to live with some over-zealous teaching, however when one goes somewhat deeper into the scripture then the basis of many of the standards are found wanting. Many are products of personal opinion mixed with some scriptural references. Principles of modesty, sobriety and moderation can be imparted without having a legalistic set of rules that serve only to fence and yoke a believer's life.
Principles are greater than rules.
Just in regard to the subject of hair, and I am not exaggerating, I studied for about one month nearly everyday on the understanding that uncut hair was the woman's covering in the sight of God. In my opinion, without denigrating any other with a different belief, I could not substantiate it from scripture that a woman was forbidden to cut her hair. I felt that this would be hypocritical at best on my part and would potentially cause schism in the church if I remained an active member of ministry but disagreed with the teaching. I think problems occur in a believer's life when they see things wrong or have a conviction that certain beliefs are taught wrongly and then try to lead their lives contrary to what their own heart and God is telling them. If I denied what God was trying to speak to me about, then the rifts and chasms that would have opened in my spiritual life would have become spiritually dangerous in me.