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To: LUV W; All

IIRC, Southern Baptist congregations are famous for dressing for service, with ladies in dresses and hats and gents in suits or, at least, jackets.

It is certainly possible to go overboard with dress, showing the sin of pride, but I don’t feel that that is the issue here.

What I am hearing is a call for modesty, for humility, and reverence, as a show of respect for the God who created us, and the Lord jesus, who died to redeem us.

Modesty - clothes should not distract, or draw attention, or inspire untoward thoughts; behavior is quiet so as not to disturb others’ thoughts, meditation, and prayers.

Humility - All are equal in the eyes of the Lord; clothes are not to be flashy or make us stand out. It is our respect for Him, and our knowledge of our own fallen natures, that inspire us to attend. Our clothes are to cover our nakedness as we seek redemption together.

Reverence - We are in a house of worship, where our families become one Family. It is not about us, but about Him, and immodest clothing tickles the vanity and pride of the wearer, and inspires sin in the heart of others (Anger? Lust? Envy?)

While it is laudable that people attend service rather than not attend, we, as a family, as a community, as a congregation, and as a nation would perhaps find true happiness in the self-discipline required to dress appropriately for services.

Football jerseys, flip-flops, tee shirts, and halter tops reflect adolescent cravings (IMHO). We do our children no service by lowering ourselves to their level; far more children are harmed by the soft bigotry of low expectations than by upholding high standards.

I have found the Tridentine Mass late in life, and it is an epiphany. Contemplation of the Divine is encouraged; People dress modestly, children are quiet (or gently disciplined), and the distractions of the modern world are largely left outside the Church door.

Ann Barnhardt has some great riffs on feel-good megachurches

http://barnhardt.biz/index.cfm

YMMV


130 posted on 07/24/2012 4:02:14 PM PDT by bt_dooftlook (Democrats - the party of Amnesty, Abortion, and Adolescence)
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To: bt_dooftlook

We don’t all “dress up” to worship, but we also don’t dress inappropriately in shorts, crop-tops or low-cut tops. Common sense SHOULD tell a person what would be disrespectful to the Lord. just as you said.


132 posted on 07/24/2012 4:23:21 PM PDT by luvie (Never forget...WE have THEM surrounded! ~ Rush Limbaugh)
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