hey, anticipated Mass on a Sat at 5pm or a late mass at 5 pm on a Sunday, we Papists will wear jeans in a heart beat. doesn't make it right : )
You know, it used to be that liberals were the ones who dressed like slobs. Unfortunately, it seems like conservatives are getting the disease these days.
"It is NEVER appropriate to wear jeans to a church service."
IMO, God doesn't care what you're wearing. The purpose of going to church is to worship God, so why would someone care what everyone else is "wearing". Judge not.
When I was a teenageer, I was a Southern Baptist (in the midwest). It was common for people to go to church wearing nice sweaters, tops etc. with jeans. When I became convicted that I needed to dress better, I was asked by many people, "Why are you so dressed up?" I was stunned.
Now, I attend a congregation that appreciates the fact they should conduct themselves before G-d at least as well as they would before the Pres. of the USA or HRH Queen Elizabeth.
I only wear jeans to church when I am volunteering in Children's church or the nursery because it gets very messy!
Well, I wouldn't in my wildest dreams but I am so out of the loop that my opinion is irrelevant.
I'll tell you what though. Not matter what anyone says, we get people into our church who you wouldn't normally get into a church. Hell, they got me in.....
As one of my favorite Freepers and someone who seems to know about fashion, I have a question for you: what is appropriate attire for a Gen Xer attending a performance by a symphony orchestra, which I am doing tomorrow night? Just curious.
Ladies, what say y'all?
We in this family wear dresses or skirts to church.
"Is it not the rich who are exploiting you?" Wow, that'll put a dent in most of your conservative philosophy, huh?
"A fellowship meeting, yes. A Wednesday-night potluck dinner, sure."
Oh, so there are times that are more sacred to God than other times? Are fellowship meetings and potluck dinners pretty much a safe bet because the name of God doesn't come up anyway unless Sister Bertha-Better-Than-You burns her hand on the darn potluck?
1 Cor 10:31
31 So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.
(from New International Version) - Emphasis mine
God wants all of us, every thought, word, moment and deed. Our entire lives are to be an act of worship. Worship is not only singing hymns, lifting hands or listening to the preacher (in fact, a lot of the time, it is the antithesis of worship and much of it is self-centered rather than God-centered). Worship is who we are and how we live our lives and how every breath we take should be done with our eyes on eternity; an undying, unyielding sense of self-sacrifice in living dangerously and radically for God because He deserves no less than our total obedience.
"When you are worshiping, or allegedly doing so, NO FREAKIN' WAY."
I think "allegedly doing so" would probably be the rule here for the type of worship you are describing, although you probably didn't intend to mean it that way or are unaware of it..
Rom 12:1-2
12:1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God-this is your spiritual act of worship. 2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is-his good, pleasing and perfect will.
(from New International Version)
Notice he did not say, "be transformed by the renewing of your clothes or hairstyle or appearance." The only rule God puts on clothing is modesty. I've seen wealthy women walking out of wealthy churches wearing expensive clothing but reveal more than their spiritual side to say the least.
Please don't take my post as a personal attack upon you. In fact, I hope my post is more of an encouragement and challenge to both you and myself (except for that whole 'biting sarcasm' thing). I actually appreciate having the chance to interact with you on this because it allows me to see my own sins (not shortcomings, that's just a pretty way of glossing over our own personal transgressions) and how far I truly am from "pure, undefiled worship". (James 1:27)
Oh, and just as an aside, here's another shot across the heavenly bow that could have import for modern-day conservatism, specifically the conservatism that demands that corporations and employers be allowed to take advantage of cheap-immigrant labor, the kind of work "that Americans won't do".
James 5:1-5
5:1 Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming upon you. 2 Your wealth has rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes. 3 Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. You have hoarded wealth in the last days. 4 Look! The wages you failed to pay the workmen who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty. 5 You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter.
(from New International Version)
Ladies, what say y'all?
Who cares?
1 Cor 14:33-35
As in all the congregations of the saints, 34 women should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak, but must be in submission, as the Law says. 35 If they want to inquire about something, they should ask their own husbands at home; for it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in the church.
(from New International Version)
1 Tim 2:11-12
11 A woman should learn in quietness and full submission. 12 I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man; she must be silent.
(from New International Version)
Okay, okay, I was only kidding about the last point. There were certainly cultural considerations and peculiar problems to those churches and this was not necessarily a universal rule to all of the church for all ages (although some extreme literalists would fight with me over that).
But I couldn't resist. :-)
Show me where in the Bible it says that.