Posted on 03/09/2005 9:47:25 AM PST by qam1
"...The more they tend toward the social, the more they're concerned with appearances."
I agree. And the more they are concerned with appearances, the more distanced they become from the true purpose of a church.
I know. My daughter used to buy suits and they were beautiful and cost too I thought.
For some of the women who spend, say $1,500 on a pair of shoes -- $1,500 isn't that much. They're rich. Some women who spend the same amount save up to buy the same shoes because the shoes convey something they aspire to...for a complete explanation of this go to Thorstein Veblen, Theory of the Leisure Class.
It seems people are more concerned about what they are doing AFTER church when choosing their clothes as opposed to church attendance itself. Why is it that people think it is okay to dress up for work, the country club or golf course, etc. but when meeting God can only scrounge up a pair of jeans? It's lazy. Out of 168 hours in a week you can't give one hour of not being comfortable for the Lord?
For the Catholics out there, have you forgotten why you go to Mass? Cathechism states (1382):
The Mass is at the same time, and inseparably , the sacrificial memorial in which the sacrifice of the cross is perpetuated and the sacred banquet of communion with the Lord's body and blood. But the celebration of the Eucharistic sacrifice is wholly directed towaerd the intimate union oc the faithful with Christ through communion. To receive communion is to receive Christ himself who offered himself for us.
You really want to do this in jeans? The Catechism recognizes the need for outward signs of our inward understanding of just what is happening at Mass.
(CCC #1387):Bodily demeanor (gestures, clothing) ought to convey the respect, solemnity, and joy of this moment when Christ becomes our guest.
How do you expect children to learn how magnificent this is? They don't understand that the little wafer is Jesus. However, my kids know that Mass is an important, special event because they dress up for it. They, and I, do not wear our "dressy casual" jeans to church...EVER. My husband and I are the primary educators of our kids' in matters of the faith. We set an appropriate example for them.
We dress up out of respect and honor. We don't do it because the Church has written some sort of dress code that we have to follow. We don't do it so we can look down our noses at people not wearing clothes like us. It's just common sense. And to think that we, who take the time to make ourselves presentable for certain occasions yet feel irritation at those who don't are rude or ignorant, or un-christian like, is also rude and ignorant. Show a little respect.
Btw, I wear jeans almost on a daily basis. I love them. I'm not comfortable in anything else but jeans. Okay, that and a white shirt. You can never have too many white shirts! Didn't want any of you to think I was running around topless. Sorry! :-) I do realize that even though I may not want to be judged by what I have on, there is such a thing called "first impressions". It's life. Usually, people see you before they have the chance to talk to you.
And for those that can not afford anything other than jeans, how un-Christian are we that we can't help that person. A pair of khakis at the Salvation Army would cost about $5. Maybe one of these non-judgemental people might care to buy the man a pair of slacks. We're not talking a $500 suit. Modesty and moderation are also important.
Show God the respect he deserves. Not because he cares whether or not you are wearing jeans but because He deserves our best.
...when it's a stop-over for Jupiter Island?
(do I win anything if I'm right?)
When I want to send a message...
You admit you intentionally dress to send a message, then deny it.
hmmmmmmmmmmmm, interesting...very interesting.
And like the idiotic hippies,who claimed that they dressed differently than the norm,to get away from "CONFORMITY",there was NEVER anyone as conformist as the hippies and there is now nothing "different",now,about piercings and tattoos.
I don't know how the term "progressive" is being used. Is it being used as "better" or as "just the next thing."
I don't know when you went to college, but when I attended I and my roommates starched and ironed our jeans, too, and we certainly were not backwards and repressed by dress-forcing parents. (I rarely touch the iron these days...)
I love jeans. I live in jeans. Long jeans in the winter, denim shorts during warm weather. Long jean skirts, short jean skirts, denim jumpers.
I know how to dress for the occasion, though, and speak only of my day to day attire, not events.
I would say it's the opposite. The more casual, the more social.
My chinese food has arrived. I have to go.
Goodbye all.
Ladies, what say y'all?
We in this family wear dresses or skirts to church.
I'm back to reply to the Peter Sellers thing -- I like "trick staging" of classics. It freshens them up. I even liked the new Romeo & Juliet done in MTV style and the new Richard III. It's a weakness maybe and a vice, I can't help it.
I want to see Othello done in LA rap music culture.
Okay. All I have to say.
I get the last word....ha!
I don't know when you went to college, but when I attended I and my roommates starched and ironed our jeans, too, and we certainly were not backwards and repressed by dress-forcing parents. (I rarely touch the iron these days...)
Let me put it this way, I'm Gen-X. Gen-X is NOT known for starched blue jeans. HAHAHA!
You might have won something,if you were correct,but since your geography is so wrong, you "win" bupkiss.
Maybe it's a matter of perspective then. I've been to some large churches in the city where everyone was expected to dress nice. For the last few years I've been going to a small one room country church with a regular congregation of about 25-30. The dress is more varied, and there are a couple of sun-baked old farmers who regularly show up in jeans and chambry shirts. On the whole I find it a much more spiritual experience.
Enjoy your din-din. :-)
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