Do we express our beliefs through what we wear?

Question

Other than culturally identifiable religious symbols, such as bindis, khimār, crosses, yarmulke, pentagrams and the like.

What do people wear that publicly identifies (or hints at) their spiritual and/or religious beliefs.

For example, I am a man who has both ears pierced (and has for over 20 years). My reasons for wearing earrings is that I feel strongly that it is ridiculous to make assumptions about people based on appearances.

What do you wear that has significance to you, and how does it identify you to a larger community?

Answer 1

we dont express belief by wearing anything.it's the actions that count. we wear what we like to.that's all

Answer 2

I wear anything to make myself feeling comfort . My identity to the community is I am ready to mix with any. I am not against to any other people's wearing, I blend with anybody in ease for them as well as for myself.

Even when I am around "monks" I dress such they will be comfort , so am I among fanatic muslims ,and so on.
Say among artists too, I have no problem or among politicians ---> although dress does have no significant impact but attitude has; I feel I can easily blend ; and that is what I like abt myself, to think I am no body but everybody at the same time. I simply like to feel comfort anytime, anywhere I am.

Answer 3

I love getting dressed up and wearing suits; it is fashionable anonymity. I understand what you're saying about people's assumptions, however: so many people express themselves--not necessarily in a religious sense--through their apparel. Of course, when your clothing expresses your most personal self, some might argue that how you dress is an inherently spiritual act.

Answer 4

Actually not much. I wear a hammered sterling silver Navajo band that I bought at the first Native American pow-wow I went to but that's about it for what I wear 24/7.

That is flat and won't get knocked about doing my job. When I go out I put on my engagement ring & wedding band and that is also when I wear my emerald claddagh.

Answer 5

i don't think what i wear expresses my beliefs so much as it does my personality.

i have 17 piercings (only 14 of which are visible) and none of them are to make some sort of statement. i have them because i like them. i think body art is beautiful (and i have a bit of a needle fetish). the clothes i wear, i wear for the same reasons. i like them. it's that simple.

i do have 7 tattoos as well, some of which do directly express my spiritual beliefs, some which don't. but i didn't get them to make a statement of my beliefs to anyone--i got them because they symbolize something special to me. i couldn't care less what anyone else thinks.

i've been described too many time to count as a hippie. maybe i am. maybe what i wear reflects this. but i've never thought about it being a direct statement of my beliefs.
honestly, i think it's my actions that express that more than what i wear. some things i do seem foreign and strange to people but i do them for spiritual reasons.

yes, people stop and stare at me, but i've learned to deal with it. yes, people react strongly when learning about some of my activities, but i deal with it. i don't care what they think. i'm me and this is an expression of who i am. if you want to take that as a spiritual statement, i guess i could see that.

but honestly, if i could, i would walk around naked all the time. i think that would certainly express my beliefs in a very direct way :)

Answer 6

Some people do it to put themselves out there, while others just feel comfortable wearing what they do. In the end there will be people who will criticize that you are wearing whatever it is for show. It shouldn't matter anyways, as long as you like it.

Answer 7

After the fall of adam and eve, when GOD found them in the garden covering up with fig leaves, GOD made them clothes from the skins of animals. Since then clothes have become a part of us. In the desert the Hebrews apparently had their clothes as well as their bodies healed by GOD . ..

However scripture says: Luke 12:22  And he said to his disciples: Therefore I say to you, be not solicitous for your life, what you shall eat; nor for your body, what you shall put on.

We are not to be vain about our clothes . .. so long as we have clothes. We are also required by scripture to clothe the naked . ..

That being said when others look at us they see our clothes as a part of who we are. When a person sees a priest, or a monk, or a nun, they think of GOD . .. when a person sees a business suit they think of work and offices, and a respectable person . .. or so too for uniforms of the police, military, etc . .. Therefore i would have to say we do express our beliefs through our clothes . .. often ... especially if they are representative of some role we are fulfilling professionally . .. generic or casual clothes are less definitive. . . I typically just try to meet cultural norms of the us, being satisfied that i have clothes.

-LOVE your neighbor as yourself.
Amen.

Answer 8

I wear tattoos that represent periods of my life. Other than that, I dress not to impress. I am a pretty plain person.

Answer 9

It has great significance...and it is required by my Order. Black cassock, backwards stiff-linen collar; not exactly comfy...but, when people see me...they know what I am and what I am about.

People sometimes need a Priest...not a "jolly good fellow". There can be no doubt as to what or who I am.

Answer 10

hhmm I have kind of grown into my clothes ( spiritually speaking )
I have always been a hippy ... through my Christian , Atheists and Spiritualist years
I am now comfortable in both what I wear and what I believe

edit
my tattoos and piercings are relatively new though

Answer 11

<> you are the atheist! Why do no longer you be responsive to a thank you to precise atheism?!?! <> you're an atheist? follow opining on atheism. do no longer try explaining Faiths you do no longer belong to by fact which you haven't any longer any clue. Catholics do no longer placed on Rosaries. it is noted as the Holy Eucharist, no longer "that around biscuit noted as ostia". <> "although" is unquestionably suited by fact i've got not at all commonplace a Protestant to do ANY of those issues. <> you're an atheist yet won't be able to parent it out for your self?