Posted on 05/25/2010 4:49:27 AM PDT by markomalley
About 6 or 7 years ago, I attended a church Easter service where a teenager (seated next to his mother) was wearing a black tee-shirt with a picture of a skull with a large snake entwined around and through it. I think it said something like “Mega Death” -— name of a band, I guess. Words just failed me. As my mother would have said, “I don’t blame the kid, I blame his mother.”
Unbelievable.
About appropriate church attire, God accepts just as we are, but we regard an activity as more important if we take care and consideration as to how we dress and present ourselves. If we dress casually, we tend to view worship casually. If we dress as if we are giving homage to the Ruler, than we tend to view worship as a priviledge.
I think that is an appropriate view. In Protestant churches, the question of whether women should wear hats is a big deal in a lot of congregations, as in the age of women’s lib, this has fallen out of favor with a lot of women.
I think the danger in these types of discussions is that too much emphasis is placed on tradition at the expense of the Word. This is something about which Christ warned.
Freep-mail me to get on or off my pro-life and Catholic List:
Please ping me to note-worthy Pro-Life or Catholic threads, or other threads of general interest.
My 16-year-old sometimes tries to get out the door in his rock-band t-shirts. I don’t allow it.
I am of two minds about this. As for the kid wearing the skull shirt, yes, it seems inappropriate, but on the other hand at least he is THERE, in church. I think you should dress respectfully and modestly. What I would wear or let my kids wear to Saturday evening Mass would not be the same thing I would wear/have them wear on Sunday AM. I am also opposed to mandating women to wear a dress or skirt. One can look perfectly elegant and dressed up in pants, and I do not see the need for it to be skirt. One can exalt form over substance with regard to dress for church, and IMO that is wrong.
my biggest pet peeve are brides in strapless gowns in church.
No need to show your cleavage in church.
Indeed, the hat or no hat discussion can get very big. Paul was a bit ambiguous when he stated just ten verses after the admonition not to pray with our heads uncovered, that our hair is given to us for a covering. So, does having locks, or long locks constitute an appropriate covering? I say yes, but my mennonite friends say no.
When we all get to heaven, these issues will be moot.
One can exalt form over substance with regard to dress for church,
I don't think there is any disagreement between the three of us. My prayer is that I will exalt the Lord and if I see someone dressed inappropriately (as defined by me), my prayer is that I will gain God's viewpoint and not be judgmental. I find I am often confessing a judgmental and, alas, a condemning attitude. Please be patient with me. God isn't through with me yet.
FWIW, I know this is a "catholic" thread. However, I am a protestant. This topic is often discussed in "our" churches, too.
Now, off to the office where coats and ties are still required (except between Memorial Day and Labor Day so long as the guys have no meetings), where the women are in jackets and skirts and where there are no casual Fridays. At some level, this still exists.
This is not a "caucus" thread. Whoever wishes to comment is more than welcome to do so.
no prob! my brother converted to Baptist and i know they dress up more than the catholics, but have complained that standards are slipping there too. my problem is indecent, immodest clothing, more so than stuff that is too casual, not dressed up enough. women should not make it hard for men to concentrate on God in church by dressing provocatively.
mark
While the manner of dress may have an impact, I would rather see more in attendance and living their life in Christ.
Shouldn’t we be more concerned about following the commandments and loving God and our neighbor?
Lead by example. God is our Judge. We need to love and help our neighbor as difficult as that may be.
Right on.
Just try visiting churches, synagogues or mosques in the Holy Land amd not exalting both form and substance
They won’t let men in without long slacks, women with arms and heads covered
I believe they remember the days when people dressed in such a way as to show modesty and respect for the Almighty before entering His sanctuaries. Even Moses had to take off his shoes to approach the burning Bush. It was not a suggestion.
If we get to heaven
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.