MennoNet.com

I'm keeping this simple. One- being not judgmental at all, Five- being you consider yourself Supreme Manager of the Universe and your opinion rules over everyone else. I realize we are more passionate about certain subjects over others, so average it out, okay?

Vote and comment as needed, please keep politics in the appropriate sub-forum (unless I bring it up, then its okay )

steve-in-kville wrote: ↑Fri Nov 04, 2022 6:27 am

Not sure that admiring someone else's shoes is always appropriate either. Several years ago, a young woman in our church wore some very strappy, unusual sandals. She was in hubby's line of vision sitting at the end of a bench in the aisle across from us. I was intent on listening to the sermon, when he leaned over and whispered, " What for shoes are those ???" I will admit, I judged that young woman, for not knowing that strappy beach sandals are not appropriate for church.

Grace wrote: ↑Fri Nov 04, 2022 8:04 am

steve-in-kville wrote: ↑Fri Nov 04, 2022 6:27 am

Not sure that admiring someone else's shoes is always appropriate either. Several years ago, a young woman in our church wore some very strappy, unusual sandals. She was in hubby's line of vision sitting at the end of a bench in the aisle across from us. I was intent on listening to the sermon, when he leaned over and whispered, " What for shoes are those ???" I will admit, I judged that young woman, for not knowing that strappy beach sandals are not appropriate for church.

You must not go to a typical modern Beachy church, then.

Josh wrote: ↑Fri Nov 04, 2022 8:06 am

Grace wrote: ↑Fri Nov 04, 2022 8:04 am

steve-in-kville wrote: ↑Fri Nov 04, 2022 6:27 am

Not sure that admiring someone else's shoes is always appropriate either. Several years ago, a young woman in our church wore some very strappy, unusual sandals. She was in hubby's line of vision sitting at the end of a bench in the aisle across from us. I was intent on listening to the sermon, when he leaned over and whispered, " What for shoes are those ???" I will admit, I judged that young woman, for not knowing that strappy beach sandals are not appropriate for church.

You must not go to a typical modern Beachy church, then.

Interesting comment. Wondering what footwear the typical modern Beachy church women wear?

Grace wrote: ↑Fri Nov 04, 2022 8:12 amInteresting comment. Wondering what footwear the typical modern Beachy church women wear?

Based on my admittedly unscientific sample of visitors at my church and me being a visitor to their churches and both them and myself being visitors to a non-Beachy church, flip flops of all varieties are in vogue. Personally it doesn't bother me too much - after all, that was the kind of church I first went to the first few years after I became a Christian, and I certainly like wearing flip flops myself. (I was delighted at my job one day to see the CTO sporting Havaianas in the office and made a mental note to pick up a pair.) My wife and her associates, however, esteem such type of flip flops for church about as highly as you do.

It would seem that at some point the idea one should wear all black shoes to church became part of the Mennonite tradition. Rather interestingly, the Amish tradition seems to have a significant tradition of "no footwear at all". And some Russian Mennonites in Mexico and other places believe a preacher should wear boots up to his knee to church, based on (I believe) a rather interesting translation Luther made about one's feet being shod with the gospel of peace.

I often have to remind myself that many people are fighting a battle I know nothing about, and to be kind and not place judgement. Its human nature to put everyone in a box or category, so to speak. Hence why we may play the "mennonite game" with the intent of figuring out where to place that individual in our personal social structure.

steve-in-kville wrote: ↑Fri Nov 04, 2022 8:24 am I often have to remind myself that many people are fighting a battle I know nothing about, and to be kind and not place judgement. Its human nature to put everyone in a box or category, so to speak. Hence why we may play the "mennonite game" with the intent of figuring out where to place that individual in our personal social structure.

You are right about many people fighting battles we know nothing about. I probably was playing the Mennonite game with the young lady, and should not have. That young lady now is married and a wonderful Christian mother of five children.

No one is really against being judged, and judging. They are really only against negative judgement. They all like when people judge them to be wonderful, which is in itself a judgement.

RZehr wrote: ↑Sat Nov 05, 2022 1:22 pm No one is really against being judged, and judging. They are really only against negative judgement. They all like when people judge them to be wonderful, which is in itself a judgement.

I think we use the same word to mean quite different things.

Sitting in judgement on other people is the problem. And it's an extremely popular pastime. It's the one the Bible warns against. The other senses of the word "judge" are not prohibited in the Bible - some of them are actively encouraged.