The way Christians/believers present themselves?

Question

First off, I was raised in a Baptist church - one in which women were required to wear long dresses, no make up, no hair dye, no tight fitting clothes, never cutting their hair, etc. I remember being "forced" to go door to door to invite people to come to church. As I've gotten older I've started to think more on this topic - wouldn't people be more receptive to Christians knocking on their door looking more like them and in a way relatable rather than like someone from the 19th century? I understand modesty, but isn't there a way to do it that's inviting to people rather than scaring them away?

Ok, I've got your ideas about the solicitation, I completely agree - nobody wants that! It was kind-of more of an example, I guess I should have clarified... But in general, why is it they feel they should present themselves that way, when it is their outward appearance that will give off the first impression? Most of the time looking like that, people feel less comfortable...

And another thing, I'm no longer part of that church, any educated person would shut the door on that crap. So knock off the harsh comments. Please and thank you!

Answer 1

I certainly see where you're coming from, both in the sense that you should be able to dress and present yourself however you feel comfortable as it would likely be more comfortable for other people to speak with you, and that appearances that may be perceived as unwelcoming can be very deceiving.

If you were able to decide for yourself how to manage your outward appearance not only would you be more likely to relate to a wider range of people and make them more open to talking with you, but you would feel more comfortable in your own skin, and thus more able to present yourself better through your personality (which is always more important than the way you look).

A friend of mine's dad was the manager of his own store in a major nation-wide chain across the US. He employed several teenagers/young adults with visible piercings, tattoos, and wildly colored and styled hair. Eventually, corporate policy caught up to him and he was ordered to fire them as they "did not look professional." After the loss of those employees, while they were far from the majority of his workforce, his business plummeted. They were the friendliest, most efficient, and most valuable workers he had, and many of his customers stopped coming once they realized their favorite team member wasn't working there anymore. I have a dream - that men and women will be able to freely express themselves through preferences of appearance and style without worry of discrimination or unequal treatment on the street as well as in the workplace.

Sorry, rant over. :)

Answer 2

Oy. SOME atheists go around mocking and behaving like morally superior jerks. But so do some Christians. Probably for the same reasons. And how exactly do atheists need Christians? I don't need Christians. I mean, they're nice to have around when I'm bored and want to waste time on R&S, but they aren't necessary. Also I don't think the "faith" of science and religion are comparable at all. Will some people who hear scientic explanations blindly accept them? Of course. But anyone could be shown why the reasoning behind it is correct. Take gravity, for example. A person could blindly accept that two object fall at the same rate, but they can also drop two objects and observe what happens. Usually when you're being taught this in a science class the teacher will give some demonstration. That's because (most) scientists don't what you to blindly accept - they have proof and want to show it. This is objective evidence - it can be reproduced and the same results will be given. Religion or faith does not have objective evidence; it has subjective evidence. Okay, you have proof of God because you feel him in your life, your prayers have been answered, but things have happened to you. But that's all a matter of interpretation. Okay, you got that job you prayed to get - how could you prove to someone else that you only got it because of God? Even if you got a bunch of other Christians togther and they had all gotten the jobs they prayed to get, at some point in their life, how can you prove *that* proves the existence of God? You can't it's not valid proof. My point is that people don't have to blindly accept scientific ideas. They DO have to "blindly" accept spiritual ones. And I don't mean that you can't have your own subjective proof that your deity exists - why would you believe in him if you didn't? But you can't hold it up before the world as some sort evidence. Besides, I think that taking God's existence on faith is a big part of Christianity. It's hard. If every one knew for certain that God existed, belief in Jesus would have no meaning.

Answer 3

I am one of Jehovah's Witnesses and preaching from house to house and door to door is what the bulk of our Ministry is about.

We are very conscious about what we wear. The women and girls wear dresses or skirts, men and boys wear suits or slacks and ties. The clothes are simple and modest.
When I'm at home I tend to wear a bandana over my hair because my hair gets on my nerves. I wore it out in the Ministry, but friends suggested I not wear it because many people associate them with hippies or informal activities like gardening. They didn't want my appearance to stumble any I would meet. So, unless it's windy outside, I don't wear one.

We definitely try to have a friendly manner that welcomes people and any question they may have. So it's also been suggested that we not take big briefcases to peoples door because they may automatically think we're a salesman.

So while we don't dress like people from the 19th century we do dress formally to show dignity for our activity and the Kingdom message.

Answer 4

I totally agree with you about that. I think that jeans and a t-shirt or hoodie or whatever can be just as modest as a floor-length dress. No where does the bible tell us what style of clothes to wear, only that we should practice modesty. I already am a Christian, but if I wasn't, I can't imagine I would want to convert if I thought I would have to wear an enormous skirt and sun bonnet (or whatever else people think they have to wear.) God is interested in changing people's hearts, not their outfits.

Answer 5

First off, I'll say that I'm Christian too.

But the problem with most Christians is that they feel the need to bother everyone and preach all the time, and while the Bible encourages spreading the word of God, the way it is done today with door to door knocking and annoying pamphlets is not very helpful. Seriously, think about it. Let's say I'm some atheist person or a person of a different faith, and you showed up at my door. I don't care what you're wearing, cause I'm also not gonna care about what you have to say. I am set in my beliefs and you lecturing me about my damned soul and unforgiven sins or what not is going to amuse me more than move me to convert. I used to struggle with the concept of evangelizing, since I was brought up with the notion that every single person who doesn't believe in Jesus and isn't a Christian is going to hell. But as I got older, I've thought about it more, and evangelizing doesn't make sense. It isn't practical, and it isn't effective. And as far as needing to "save" people from their corrupt religion or lack thereof, I've decided on this: John 3:16 says that God loved the world enough that he gave his son for us, that whoever believes in him will not perish, but have everlasting life. I find Jesus through reading the scriptures and in other ways. Someone else who is not Christian may find Jesus in his family or friends, or in art or creation, since God is present in all things. Basically, there isn't a need to "save" all people since people find Jesus in different ways than you and in different things, but neither way should be considered the "most correct" or the "only way." I think a really good way to understand this would be to read the Catholic doctrine "Nostra Aetate." It discusses the church's view on other religions, evangelizing, and pathways to heaven. I understand you're not catholic; neither am I, however there is a lot to be learned from other Christian denominations as well as other religions' scriptures.

So, basically, it doesn't matter if you try and modernize your dress to appeal to people these days. It is a valiant attempt on your part to try and be more accessible to today's culture, but let's just be honest here - no one is really gonna care or listen. You can spread God’s love and inspiration through your actions and morals and how you live your daily life. Trust me, kindness has more of an effect on people than handing out booklets. I think the best step for you would be to try and think outside your church's views on evangelizing and consider whether or not it is really the right thing to do.

Answer 6

Why go knocking on their doors? A lot of people don't like unexpected company, especially strangers.

Answer 7

Try leaving us alone. If I feel a need for church, I can find one.

I don't knock on YOUR door, inviting you to humanist community activities.

Answer 8

The Baptist "MissinTerpreted" those Scriptures.

About the clothes and stuff.

Just be Modest.

Answer 9

It is never a good idea to go knocking on strangers' doors.

Solicitation usually is not welcomed. Would you like me to knock on your door and convince you to turn atheist?

Do not do to others what you do not want done to you. (Confucius, 500 BC).

Answer 10

i hate when people knock on my door. unless someone i know is coming random people i strip naked and act like im on drugs if some random person comes to my door. if its a little kid i dont answer it. i dont want a problem with kids i love them.