Skip to main content

This has just been layed on my heart for sometime now...if God doesnt look or care about certain things then why do people in general feel as if they need to judge people and/or look down on people.

The reasoning behind me asking this is because I go to a baptist church here in Florence...when I go to church I always look nice; I always look presentable; I always carry myself well. However, I do not go to church every Sunday in a '3 piece suit'. Sometimes, yes, I wear my suits...sometimes I wear a dress or a skirt...and yes, sometimes I will wear blue jeans and a nice shirt. When I am in my suits, dresses, skirts...basically 'nice' clothes, then everyone is good and cheerful and pleasant to me. But when I have on my blue jeans, I get looks; I get comments made to me about how I am disrespecting Christ; ect.

I do not understand why people do this! As long as a person is in church and is worshiping then what does it matter?!?!? That is basically, I believe, why some people dont go to church...because they think that they dont have 'church clothes'. Its ridiculous! Knowing this has basically changed my thinking...I learned this in high school (which has been 10+ yrs ago)...so now, what I wear is what I wear...I dont care. I am not there for people in general, I am there to worship my Savior. (I have a toddler son and sometimes, yes, I put him in blue jeans too just because we can! Grant it, he always has a button up shirt on with his blue jeans and he is adorable!)

So...can anyone explain to me why this matters so much. Or comments are great too! Anything to help me understand why people judge...when Christ doesnt.
Original Post

Replies sorted oldest to newest

exactly. some of the most judgemental people i know are the ones just like you describe, which is odd i think.

I think they believe they're better than everyone else, and that everyone else should be just like them. people like that are definitely people i dont want to be around, which is part of the reason i don't go to church at the moment. if and when i decide to go back i will be going to my coworkers church. she says they dont care at all what you wear as long as its not offensive, they only care that your there, which is the way it should be.
Seriously though, you should not care about what people think or say about you. I dont. I am thinking...well, I sure am glad that I dont worry about people like you do. It doesnt matter!
However you should go to church in anything that you have...who cares! I can worship in a 3 piece suit with heels just like I can worship in blue jeans and a tshirt and tennis shoes!

I honestly dont think that when I die and go to heaven that God is going to look at me and say 'well you wore blue jeans to my house, go to hell.' Sorry...hes not!!!
Hi Shouting,

You are right. The Bible tells us to dress modestly; not in high fashion nor to please others. The one restriction I would put on church dress is modesty. Church is no place for short "flirty skirts" nor "pubic hair level" pants.

However, do not let the comments of a few -- sour you to the Christian fellowship of the many. Most Christians are not rigid in such things as dress.

I use to be negative about Christian Rap Music in churches -- until one Sunday in 2008 when my friend, Leon Patillo (once lead singer with the Carlos Santana Band, now a pastor) was speaking and singing at one of our Filipino-American churches in Southern California.

After Leon spoke and sang; he accompanied his son, Noel, who is a Christian Rap singer. Before that day, I would have said no to Christian Rap in church. But, that day, watching the young people, and many of we older folks, sitting on the edge of our seats; listening to what Noel was singing -- I changed my mind.

We go to church to worship God, to study the Word of God, and to fellowship with like minded Christian brothers and sisters. What we wear, within the range of modesty; what we sing, as long as it honors our Lord -- I am convinced is all right with Him.

God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,

Bill

Attachments

Images (1)
  • FRAN-Family_TEXT-1a
quote:
Originally posted by Bill Gray:
Hi Shouting,

You are right. The Bible tells us to dress modestly; not in high fashion nor to please others. The one restriction I would put on church dress is modesty. Church is no place for short "flirty skirts" nor "pubic hair level" pants.

After Leon spoke and sang; he accompanied his son, Noel, who is a Christian Rap singer. Before that day, I would have said no to Christian Rap in church. But, that day, watching the young people, and many of we older folks, sitting on the edge of our seats; listening to what Noel was singing -- I changed my mind.

God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,

Bill



Personally...if thats all the clothes you have or you own for some reason...then wear them! I will not judge you! Who cares!!!

And with the 'rap music'...worship is worship! My worship and your worship might be 2 different things but we are still worshiping. You might be a 'pew holder' =) which is perfectly fine and great...myself however...I am a full fledged arm raiser, I even jump if I get so excited...sometimes I just cannot contain myself and I just dont care.
quote:
Originally posted by IamShouting!:
quote:
Originally posted by Bill Gray:
Hi Shouting,

You are right. The Bible tells us to dress modestly; not in high fashion nor to please others. The one restriction I would put on church dress is modesty. Church is no place for short "flirty skirts" nor "pubic hair level" pants.

After Leon spoke and sang; he accompanied his son, Noel, who is a Christian Rap singer. Before that day, I would have said no to Christian Rap in church. But, that day, watching the young people, and many of we older folks, sitting on the edge of our seats; listening to what Noel was singing -- I changed my mind.

God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,

Bill

Personally...if that's all the clothes you have or you own for some reason...then wear them! I will not judge you! Who cares!!!

Hi Shouting,

I seriously doubt that anyone only has "flirty skirts" and "pubic hair level" jeans to wear to church. Most often, these are the stylish extras one buys. However, if that is the case -- I would suggest approaching the pastor or the pastor's wife in private and asking their help.

There is a practical reason why I say this kind of immodest clothing is not to be worn in church. Such clothing can be very distracting in church -- or anywhere else; but, especially in church.

As I have said before, we may be forgiven Christian believers -- but we still have that inherited sin nature. And, we still have Satan's helpers constantly trying to lure us into sinful temptations. No, Satan's demonic spirits cannot possess or enter a believer -- but, they can, and do, harass a believer. We do not need MORE temptations put in front of us.

I will give you a good example. About 18-20 years ago, a young Marine and his new bride from the Philippines came to our church. Both were Christian; both added greatly to our Christian fellowship. But, the bride, being a young, very pretty girl -- still was wearing short skirts, sometimes, very short skirts. She was not doing this to be provocative; it was just the clothing she owned. She was young and her clothing was young.

However, for we men, her short skirts were very distracting. I will admit that I did not like to sit behind them; for it was distracting. I was there to worship God -- not to be distracted by a pretty young lady in a very short skirt.

I am not sure what happened; but, I suspect that our pastor's wife discretely took her aside and talked with her. For, after a while, her wardrobe became more modest. Still attractive; but, more modest -- and definitely less distracting.

We go to church to worship God, to study His Word, and to fellowship with believers. We do not need anything to distract us from this. So, I would suggest modest clothing -- be they jeans, skirts, or suits.

God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,

Bill

Attachments

Images (1)
  • Friends_Piggy_Bear_TEXT-1
quote:
Originally posted by IamShouting!:
To Bill...must you always reply to anything I say with some story?

I am not an idiot...


no.. but HE is.. so he prolyl forgets what he's said

for my thoughts - where what you want.
god doesn't care what you wear. if the people in the building do, find a different building.
i don't even own a suit, and won't wear one to church if i did. funerals. .weddings maybe..
but church? we're there to praise and learn, not for a fashion show.
if the rest of the congregation has a problem with it, it's their problem. where what you like, worship how you like, and be happy. let them whine and moan and make themselves unhappy with their own disapproval. ignore them.
quote:
Originally posted by IamShouting!:
To Bill...must you always reply to anything I say with some story?

I am not an idiot...I understand things that you say to me without a 'cute' little story. Make your point; say your peace; be done!

Hi Shouting,

If I offended you, I apologize. I had no intention of doing that. Please forgive me.

Over the years, I have always found the best way to share a message is through narrative. Stories are most often better for sharing than just spouting facts. Narratives, personal stories, bring points to life -- for usually we can relate, feeling, "Yeah, I've been there, done that! Now, I understand."

And, when I write on the Religion Forum, or any other venue -- while I may be responding to one person -- I am also writing for the wider audience.

So, my response to you may often have points which are aimed at the wider group.

But, once again, if I offended you, I apologize.

God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,

Bill

Attachments

Images (1)
  • Spaghetti_Boy_1b_SORRY
I don't think God cares what clothes you wear to church, just glad you made it there. Smiler

I attend a small country church, and you will see people in dresses/dress pants or jeans, and a little bit of everything in between. Also, some churches have contemporary "come as you are" services for people who are more comfortable with that setting.

Please don't let the snide comments and looks turn you away from church. Next time someone makes a comment,you might try making a joke, like, "Can you tell me where to find that in the Bible?" and smiling. Of course, you really shouldn't have to say anything. Those people should not act that way towards you. After all, if they were to ask themselves "what would Jesus do", I think they'd realize he'd welcome anyone regardless of their clothing. He did visit & heal lepers, hang out with fishermen, tax collectors, and an adultress. Smiler JMHO

Add Reply

Post

Untitled Document
×
×
×
×
Link copied to your clipboard.
×