Immodest and/or Suggestive Men's Clothing & Styles?

[Ken]

I think if Jesus came to some of our churches wearing what was most common for the poorer class of people in His time here, a tunic that goes just below knee height, He might be turned away at the door showing so much leg. And in sandals even.

I doubt it. When was the last time you’ve heard of someone being turned away at the church door because of his clothes? I’ve never heard of, nor seen it happen.

Yes, but there is a big difference between turning someone away at the door of a church service on a Sunday morning, and welcoming them fully into the fellowship.

I expect that many, if not most congregations would subtly or not so subtly judge visitors who greatly strayed from the norms of that particular church, whether in terms of dress or otherwise. Are they going to get the same invitations to dinner and social events and be as equally welcomed into the fold? I have my doubts. Mennos are very good about being passive aggressive about their disapproval.

[Josh]

It sure is something how Ken judges and condemns basically the entire Mennonite world.

[Ken]

It sure is something how Ken judges and condemns basically the entire Mennonite world.

I do no such thing. Need I remind you that YOU are the one who just informed us on another thread that it is frowned upon for Holdeman women to wear store-bought clothing.

Which is it Josh? Is your church wide-open to people to dress however they wish? Or am I exactly correct that while you may not turn someone away from the church door on Sunday morning due to what you consider inappropriate dress, you will emphasize compliance with your dress codes should they wish to become more involved in the church and/or join as members.

[Josh]

It sure is something how Ken judges and condemns basically the entire Mennonite world.

I do no such thing. Need I remind you that YOU are the one who just informed us on another thread that it is frowned upon for Holdeman women to wear store-bought clothing.

Which is it Josh? Is your church wide-open to people to dress however they wish? Or am I exactly correct that while you may not turn someone away from the church door on Sunday morning due to what you consider inappropriate dress, you will emphasize compliance with your dress codes should they wish to become more involved in the church and/or join as members.

Becoming a member is an entire lifestyle.

If what is central to your lifestyle is wearing whatever clothing is currently for sale at your nearest Wal-Mart, joining a plain church isn’t a good fit for you.

You seem to think a church wide rule of life (for clothing) is a bad thing. The real question is why you think it’s good for Wal-Mart to dictate what people wear, but bad for a local congregation to do so just to its own members.

[Ken]

It sure is something how Ken judges and condemns basically the entire Mennonite world.

I do no such thing. Need I remind you that YOU are the one who just informed us on another thread that it is frowned upon for Holdeman women to wear store-bought clothing.

Which is it Josh? Is your church wide-open to people to dress however they wish? Or am I exactly correct that while you may not turn someone away from the church door on Sunday morning due to what you consider inappropriate dress, you will emphasize compliance with your dress codes should they wish to become more involved in the church and/or join as members.

Becoming a member is an entire lifestyle.

If what is central to your lifestyle is wearing whatever clothing is currently for sale at your nearest Wal-Mart, joining a plain church isn’t a good fit for you.

You seem to think a church wide rule of life (for clothing) is a bad thing. The real question is why you think it’s good for Wal-Mart to dictate what people wear, but bad for a local congregation to do so just to its own members.

I really don't care what any church or religion decides to wear or not wear. Whether it be homemade dresses, coverings, single suspenders, hijabs, burkas, Wal-Mart clothing, thrift-store clothing, or designer clothing. People and groups are free to wear whatever they want. Churches are free to impose whatever dress codes they want. The diversity makes the world a more interesting place. Although I do think wasting too much money on clothes is an unnecessary and wasteful extravagance.

I only raise objections or questions if a particular group insists that their specific dress code or style makes them closer to God or more moral and holy. Or that my own daughters need to dress in a certain way (beyond just ordinary modesty and propriety). Because I think dress is a rather trivial and distracting sideshow to the larger issues of faith and morality. And none of us except for Muslims in the middle east are dressing in a style that is remotely similar to what Jesus and Paul and other biblical authors had in mind anyway. And I seriously doubt whether the early churches of Paul's time mandated lockstep adherence to specific uniforms the way that some plain churches do.

That said, as a teacher I would actually support simple modern mandatory school uniforms in public schools. It eliminates a lot of hassle and is actually a cheaper option for a lot of poor families. But that ship has probably sailed.

[Josh]

Okay. We don’t have a dress code for non members, although once someone did show up to a church service (in California), inform the congregation he planned to undress himself, and asked everyone to follow him and do the same. As far as I know he didn’t get any followers.

For people who are members, there are expectations of behaviour that go far beyond clothes. If a simple matter like clothes is a problem for a prospective member, the other issues will be far greater.

Not everyone has to be a member of my church. I feel it is something you should do if you feel a calling from the Lord to do so.

[steve-in-kville]

Okay. We don’t have a dress code for non members, although once someone did show up to a church service (in California), inform the congregation he planned to undress himself, and asked everyone to follow him and do the same. As far as I know he didn’t get any followers.

Ambitious fellow, I'll give him that

[Grace]

I really don't care what any church or religion decides to wear or not wear. Whether it be homemade dresses, coverings, single suspenders, hijabs, burkas, Wal-Mart clothing, thrift-store clothing, or designer clothing. People and groups are free to wear whatever they want. Churches are free to impose whatever dress codes they want. The diversity makes the world a more interesting place. Although I do think wasting too much money on clothes is an unnecessary and wasteful extravagance.

Hmmm...I wonder what your response would be to a lady I know who is very conservative, wears a cape dress and doesn't sew her own dresses, (not that, that matters). Each year she gives her seamstress 9 or 10 pieces of fabric for new Sunday dresses. I can't even imagine going through that many dresses in a year. My point is that even if people dress more conservative, they can still be extravagant.

Then there are the women who wear cape dresses, which is a symbol of "plainness", yet those "plain" dresses are all dolled up with frills and the print is so bright, the flowers so big, they look like an oversized walking flower pot.

But each to their own. If that floats their boat, so be it.

[steve-in-kville]

.... with frills and the print is so bright, the flowers so big, they look like an oversized walking flower pot.

Quote worthy right there.

[ABC 123]

Maybe I am old and tired, but it is really hard to work myself up to clothing styles as much.

I heard a story the other day about a young Mennonite guy who was driving down the road after dark. He met a young lady cycling toward him. Knowing he had just passed a guy he didn't necessarily trust, he turned around and passed by that way again to make sure she got through without being harassed.

I have no idea what the Mennonite guy was wearing, but his actions were gold.