Do you think a person should be able to dress any way they want in Church?

Question

As someone who doesn't attend church on a regular basis like I use to (Perfer to have Church at home)

I found the way some people dressed in church appalling, Some girls with skirts up to thier hines, guys looking like total slobs hair unkept clothes that are wrinkled...Maybe it's old school, but I was raised to look respectable in church it was a day to honor God, and it does not take alot of money to look clean, dressed nicely and put a comb through your hair when you are in church...
Your thoughts?

Answer 1

I totally agree, I mean, how can you focus your attention on God when there is a half-naked girl next to you??? I know you should be able to let go of you 'animal self' but if they dressed better it would help us guys out a lot more.

I was surprised to see that in a Mosque (like Muslim church), women (even if they don't cover on a regular basis), show up fully clothed and even a headscarf... You can actually focus on what the Imam (preacher) is saying

Answer 2

No. We had a bible study just yesterday where the teacher talked about this saying, "make sure when you dress to church you are not sending an email of lust". I have to agree. We go to church to glorify God, isn't a night club. I see in my church they young girls wearing jeans and very tight clothes. Is just not acceptable.
I don't think is old school I think is more like a "respect" issue. We must respect church and God.
I have 2 sons and I make sure they wear nice shirts and dressy paints, comb their hair and be clean. And I am not rich, their clothes can be from Walmart or Kmart, that is not the point but that they look presentable to go to church.

Answer 3

I am looking for a church where it's OK to go dressed any way you like. At least business casual. I go to a church where half the people dress like they're at a wedding. I find it a complete PITA to have to get all dressed up to spend an hour or two at church. It has nothing at all to do with God, it's just about social pressure. God knows what's in my heart (and yours as well) -- clothes are not going to change what is or isn't there.

But -- I think the way you dress should not distract others -- no skimpy clothes, nothing smelly (and that includes expensive perfume as well as BO).

Answer 4

I've wondered about the same thing. The bible tells us to dress modestly all the time. I go to a church were the dress code is casual. I'm glad because I can wear jeans, but they are modest as is the rest of my outfit. In church or out. Some parents, whose kids (girls especially) dress more or less provocatively, say it's better to dress that way than not go to church at all. I tend to disagree. It sends the wrong message. My girls are fasionably dressed and 'cool', however some things are not allowed. It would be this way if we were christians or not. It is simply something I stand for.

Answer 5

If you attend church like anything else it must be appropriate.I too have seen too short dresses and dirty clothes.A guy doesn't have to be in a suit if he can't afford one but at least a pair of jeans that fit and cover the underwear.Ladies today can also wear some nice pantsuits or even long skirts at a decent length.Being a slob is never an excuse.

Answer 6

I think ideally yes, people should dress nicer for church than they do for going to the mall. However anything that makes it easier for young people to get into church is all good. God isn't looking at their outsides honey.

One of the best churches I went to I ended up sitting next to a guy from my art school who was dressed in a fashion I call 'goth lite' and he was there with his buddy in ripped jeans and a thundercats t-shirt. On my other side was a little old lady in her prim Sunday best. And the row in front of us was full of what can only be described as big, black, southern baptist ladies complete with fans, hats, and 'Amens!'

In short, it really doesn't matter how we dress.

Answer 7

The bible urges us to be modest in our dress and grooming. In a place of worship, we should really go above and beyond this counsel.

For example, suppose a guy is there trying to repent of his sins, as he has a problem with fornication and pornography. He sees a woman dress provocative showing a lot of leg and cleavage. He is there to have clean thoughts, but when he sees this women, his thoughts become un-pure. He slips back into his sinful ways and he doesn't come back to worship because he feels guilty about his feelings.

This could happen to anyone. We wouldn't want to be the cause of someone losing their faith because of the way we are dressed. Love should move us to think about other people and their weaknesses.

Its similar to a person recovering from drunkenness. We wouldn't have a bunch or alcohol around in his presence. We would put it away, so he doesn't fall into temptation.

Answer 8

I dont really care how a person is dressed. If they are there to learn, worship and fellowship, then I say good for them. There are some lines that shouldn't be crossed in regards to dress, but I feel that those lines should be the same as when you go out in public. After all, do you think God cares how we look on the outside, if our heart is there to worship him?

Answer 9

I don't think God cares what you wear to church. Dressing to the nines pleases no one but the person and is boastful to others. By all means, dress in a manner that is respectful, but if one wears jeans and a nice shirt, I think that's just fine. Butts showing is totally inappropriate in public to begin with, much less to a church.

Answer 10

OK, listen, first of all, you should be focused more on the message at church rather than how short Suzy-q's skirt is. Maybe then you would see that you are judging someone before getting to know them. God takes us in just as we are. God still loves that dirty bum on the street corner and wants him saved too, just like He wants the ritzy atheist saved. So get yourself to church, make friends with those people, and help them out.