[1L]

I also don't like seeing people going to church in "casual dress." It's disrespectful as well.

Would you rather they not be there? There are plenty of people who don't go to church because they don't think they have nice enough clothes. I would rather they come.

[hot august night]

My family lives in a poor Southern farm town in the Bible belt, and I used to work in the convenience store down there during summers in college. As such, it was customary for droves of people to drop by after church for ice cream, milk, bread, etc. Even poor people in my town who paid with food stamps still had enough for one or two decent outfits to wear to church (you can buy a dress for $20 at the local K-Mart). We also have a poor black section of town, and you always see the ladies wearing dresses and hats when they go their local churches. You don't need designer duds to look respectful at Church; all you need to do is buy a cheap polyester suit and a $5 tie. It is not necessary to stock up on an entire wardrobe. Back in the Depression when people scratched and eked out a living, and were more religious and fearful of God, even the very poorest STILL made it a priority to look respectful for Church.