• Welcome to Religious Forums, a friendly forum to discuss all religions in a friendly surrounding.

    Your voice is missing! You will need to register to get access to the following site features:
    • Reply to discussions and create your own threads.
    • Our modern chat room. No add-ons or extensions required, just login and start chatting!
    • Access to private conversations with other members.

    We hope to see you as a part of our community soon!

Worshiping God in Short Skirts

Acim

Revelation all the time
Anyone care to explain why dressing a particular way in church is so important?

I think of it as less important than other places that have a dress code? Do you think it can be explained for those other places? Not the code itself, but why it is important? Do you also think it ought to be something they (have to) defend on open forum?
 

lewisnotmiller

Grand Hat
Staff member
Premium Member
I think of it as less important than other places that have a dress code? Do you think it can be explained for those other places? Not the code itself, but why it is important? Do you also think it ought to be something they (have to) defend on open forum?

It's interesting...comparing a house of worship to a Frech restaurant.
If they want to stop people from entering a house of worship based on arbitrary dress rules they've made up, I guess it's between them and God.

Not like the homeless, or prostitutes or normal folk who haven't attended that type of church and arent aware of the blue jeans rule have any place listening to the word of God, right?

For me personally, I think a cultural expectation of decent dress makes sense, and a list of hard and fast rules is a nonsense, but fair to say it's highly unlikely these decisions will impact on me anyway.

As to whether they need to defend their decision on an open forum...well, no. But that is the case with almost every discussion held on an open forum.
 

Acim

Revelation all the time
It's interesting...comparing a house of worship to a Frech restaurant.
If they want to stop people from entering a house of worship based on arbitrary dress rules they've made up, I guess it's between them and God.

I see nothing to indicate they would stop a person from entering, given what is conveyed in OP. Which is why I said it is less important than other places, like your example of a French restaurant.

Not like the homeless, or prostitutes or normal folk who haven't attended that type of church and arent aware of the blue jeans rule have any place listening to the word of God, right?

Is that even an actual question?

For me personally, I think a cultural expectation of decent dress makes sense, and a list of hard and fast rules is a nonsense, but fair to say it's highly unlikely these decisions will impact on me anyway.

Yet, if going with how I interpret OP, I'd press you on how it "makes sense" to have an expectation of decent dress for anywhere. I'm sure you can think of some examples that would have me not having much rebuttal, but pretty sure I can think of a whole lot of other places where it would come down to "rules are rules, they don't need to make sense to you." Which is why I phrased my first post in this thread the way I did.

As to whether they need to defend their decision on an open forum...well, no. But that is the case with almost every discussion held on an open forum.

Perhaps, but if asking questions of believers or those lacking a belief, we get to speak or debate with them who now hold that position. With this thread's inquiry, we can speculate, but even the OP question isn't found directly in the images presented, such that they could reasonably reply with, "not very important at all, just a suggestion."
 

lewisnotmiller

Grand Hat
Staff member
Premium Member
I see nothing to indicate they would stop a person from entering, given what is conveyed in OP. Which is why I said it is less important than other places, like your example of a French restaurant.

Maybe...it's speculative. Such rules were written and communicated by the church and say something about the mindset, if nothing else. A French restaurant demanding black tie is more likely to be expensive.

Is that even an actual question?

Sure. But it was a rhetorical one.

Yet, if going with how I interpret OP, I'd press you on how it "makes sense" to have an expectation of decent dress for anywhere. I'm sure you can think of some examples that would have me not having much rebuttal, but pretty sure I can think of a whole lot of other places where it would come down to "rules are rules, they don't need to make sense to you." Which is why I phrased my first post in this thread the way I did.

I tend to see culture as a more effective driver of dress than rules. Rules are generally arbitrary and are either not fully enforced or are rigidly adhered to and betray their own arbitrariness.

Perhaps, but if asking questions of believers or those lacking a belief, we get to speak or debate with them who now hold that position. With this thread's inquiry, we can speculate, but even the OP question isn't found directly in the images presented, such that they could reasonably reply with, "not very important at all, just a suggestion."

The concept, if not the specifics, can still be explored.
 

Acim

Revelation all the time
Why is it so important to God? They have answered why it is so important to THEM.

OP said: Anyone care to explain why dressing a particular way in church is so important?

So, not sure where the God thing is coming up in the inquiry. Then again, not sure how "so important" was made part of that inquiry.
 

Brickjectivity

Veteran Member
Staff member
Premium Member
Anyone care to explain why dressing a particular way in church is so important?
It is an artifact from a time when being a Christian meant constant work work work. Everyday was about one thing. These days where being a Christian is about living a normal life people have various ideas about why modesty is important. I think that originally it is about staying focused.
In essence then, you say it's reasonable that a church insist on certain dress codes, but why is the way one dresses so important? So important as to generate codes and guidelines?

What kind of compelling "values" would dictate that a skirt that comes just above the knee is unacceptable while one that breaks at the knee is just fine? What kind of compelling "values" would dictate that slacks made of blue linen are okay while slacks made out of blue denim (jeans) are not? Why must a dress have shoulder straps at least two inches wide? Why are such things important in attending church? (These three dictates were found online.)



.

.
This is a good example. I have heard some very unusual interpretations such as only allowing blue makeup (don't remember where I heard this but it was not a joke).

This question I pose would be interesting as a separate thread, and that is what about a religious service held in a nudist colony?

About 40 years ago on t.v., I listened to a Christian pastor, who was in the buff (top half only), being interviewed as the spiritual head of a nudist colony, and it was his belief that, not only was this spiritually acceptable, it actually was less of a distraction because of two factors: 1.most people who are nude are not that sexy to begin with, and 2.what is fully exposed tends to be less erotic than certain body parts that are fully or partially hid.

What's your thoughts on this? [btw, I've never been to a nudist colony, largely because I really don't like to hear people screaming]
Of course he has a point in that most Christians today have a lot of down time. What's the point in being all persnickety about dress codes? Why super-focus upon external appearance?

I think it should not be a rule. The reason is that if the group really and truly have God's right words to teach them then everyone should have a fair opportunity to hear what God wants people to hear. That means a dress code isn't right as it will definitely discourage many people from never entering that building for the hearing of God's words. On the other hand, I think proper attire for any serious meeting should be modest. I think modesty in dress should be a personal affair between the person and his God and NOT a definite rule.
Someone in his work clothes who has the opportunity to stop in and hear God's word should feel free to do so. But out of respect for RULES his conscience will not allow it.
Totally grasp what you are saying.
 

Acim

Revelation all the time
Sorry, I'm failing to see what you're asking me.

Sorry, wasn't asking you something, was stating OP's inquiry, and using question mark for the question that was asked. So not an actual question from me to you, nor even a rhetorical one.
 

lewisnotmiller

Grand Hat
Staff member
Premium Member
Sorry, wasn't asking you something, was stating OP's inquiry, and using question mark for the question that was asked. So not an actual question from me to you, nor even a rhetorical one.

Right...now I see what you mean.
Without me trying to be a smartarse, quote marks would have made it easier for me to see you were copying someone elses question. Sorry, it's the old school teacher in me.

If you believe the topic was covered adequately on page 1, then fair enough. You're obviously entitled to that opinion.
 

Acim

Revelation all the time
If you believe the topic was covered adequately on page 1, then fair enough. You're obviously entitled to that opinion.

I'm also of the opinion that the OP inquiry and subsequent questions like it in this thread are one of those logical fallacy thingies. Didn't really think about this until it was asked a second time "why so important?"

(you like how I did the quotes there?)
 

savagewind

Veteran Member
Premium Member
OP said: Anyone care to explain why dressing a particular way in church is so important?

So, not sure where the God thing is coming up in the inquiry. Then again, not sure how "so important" was made part of that inquiry.
Let's hope their church is really about God and that they are not pretending so to get tax free space.
 

Glaurung

Denizen of Niflheim
In essence then, you say it's reasonable that a church insist on certain dress codes, but why is the way one dresses so important? So important as to generate codes and guidelines?
Not too long ago it was unthinkable for a man to be in public without a hat. The loss of this expectation may seem trivial, but now I often see men walk around in public in what is barely more than their underwear. What am I saying here? I'm saying that neglect of the little things results in an inevitable slide in the big things. Yesterday we lost the hat, and now men are walking around wearing food stained singlets. What you may see as "liberating" I see as an ever faster slide to the lowest common denominator. If there be but one place left in our culture that isn't completely absorbed by the cultural decline, it ought to be the Chruch.

What kind of compelling "values" would dictate that a skirt that comes just above the knee is unacceptable while one that breaks at the knee is just fine? What kind of compelling "values" would dictate that slacks made of blue linen are okay while slacks made out of blue denim (jeans) are not? Why must a dress have shoulder straps at least two inches wide? Why are such things important in attending church? (These three dictates were found online.)
I can't possibly answer that because I can't possibly know the values of each and every hypothetical community that may have such standards. In my opinion, I'd be thrilled if women dressed (for anything) more often like the example in the first photo. I see nothing objectionable and it would be a massive improvement over what passes these days. (Short-shorts and a tank-top). But in any case it isn't much to ask that when you attend a place that is sacred to a community, you respect them. You take off your shoes at a Hindu temple, you cover your head in a synagogue, and when you enter a church you dress to the standards of that church community. You don't have to like it, and you don't have to be there.

I for one would be happy if people put just a little bit more effort to present themselves in a way that tells me that they a modicum have self-respect.


American, but it applies just as much to Australia which has suffered the same cultural decline.
 
Last edited:

Kelly of the Phoenix

Well-Known Member
So, although you have an idea of what "proper attire" is, you're okay with people deciding for themselves what is proper and what is not, and dress accordingly. :thumbsup: And as a reminder, we're not only talking about modesty.
My opinion: invite everyone, let God strike down the unwelcome. :)

What you may see as "liberating" I see as an ever faster slide to the lowest common denominator.
Had A&E not eaten some magic fruit (or humans not left the tropics), we'd all still be going around nude, though. Nakedness was never the issue.
 

savagewind

Veteran Member
Premium Member
My opinion: invite everyone, let God strike down the unwelcome. :)
Let them who enter learn to fear the Lord (Revelation 14:7) and then dress accordingly. Those who do not learn to fear God should be welcome to leave those who do alone. Rules are not about fearing God. This is imho; Proverbs 3:5


Had A&E not eaten some magic fruit (or humans not left the tropics), we'd all still be going around nude, though. Nakedness was never the issue.
True. I have watched Naked and Afraid for the first time and I can see that nakedness is natural, although it does sometimes stimulate an opinion of the people's shapes. The editor does blur the few parts like they do and so it would be hard to tell if seeing those might cause sin in me. To look at naked men and women, but not at their reproduction parts, is like looking at art I think.

I am pretty sure that looking at the rest of them also would not stimulate a bad feeling in me. I think those parts are not as attractive as the parts that are shown.
 

Glaurung

Denizen of Niflheim
Had A&E not eaten some magic fruit (or humans not left the tropics), we'd all still be going around nude, though. Nakedness was never the issue.
It's not about nudity. And when it comes to nudity I'm actually far more relaxed about it than you may think. I have no problem with public nudity in appropriate situations such as beaches and pools because I think the body is nothing to be ashamed about. However, we nonetheless did eat the fruit and thus there are standards of modesty which must be met when nudity isn't appropriate. The Chruch is not the beach and thus you have to do better than a tank-top and pants that barely covers the buttocks. You have to do better than slobwear, because despite what some may tell you, image is important. It's self-respect. It's fixing the broken windows.

If you read my post, you'll see that what I complain about is something far wider than simply scanty fashion, it's about the complete decline in self-respect concerning how people present themselves and what that says about us. That we're a culture where the lazy, dumb and crude dominates the public sphere. It's not hard or expensive to dress with decency.
 
Last edited:
Top