What is happening to America (Rant)

[-=Squid=-]

Our society is swirling the bowl headed for the sea.

You are correct.

[Miscue]

WTF???

I am not talking about religion, but respect.

Out of respect people wore their best to church. Out of respect, people behaved. Our society is swirling the bowl headed for the sea.

Ah... I see.

There is no penalty - people behaving well is dependent upon their ability and choice to do so. With that in mind, it's a free-for-all.

This sort of thing is not going away - that's why I try to associate with good people and keep them close. I can't change the outside, but I have control over who my friends are.

[Enos Shenk]

Im lost as to your reasoning. If god is so forgiving, do you think he really cares if someone wears street clothes into church? In the grand scheme of things, does it really matter?

If the pastor was such a prude to think that everyone had to come in a tuxedo, wouldnt he kick out all the people with jeans and t-shirts? If he doesnt, i guess that says something right there.

[Crime Dog]

If I remember correctly, the Bible says that God created man and woman - naked. He did not care that they were naked, or they would have been created with clothes. I don't remember God saying in the Bible that you have to wear clothes. When the forbidden fruit was eaten that is when they were embarrassed about it.

So I find it entirely appropriate to go to church in the nude. Clothes didn't happen until after Satan tempted Adam and Eve. Clothing is the result of the devil and not God. And besides, God can see through your clothes anyway.

Thou shalt not run around buck naked!

I'm just going to assume you were saying that tongue in cheek, and weren't being serious...but for those that maybe don't know their Bible that well, and believe what you said about clothing being the result of the devil, I'll just point one thing out:

While you're correct that "shame" came at their nakedness after they sinned, it was actually God himself that provided them clothing. So, clothes aren't inherently bad, especially since God invented them.

Anyway, in response to the topic at hand:

Where in the Bible does it say to "wear your Sunday best" in order to worship? I quote from 1 Samuel 16:7: "Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." If people were half as concerned about what they looked like on the INSIDE to God, rather than what they looked like on the OUTSIDE to man when in church, I think Christianity would be a lot more healthy today than it currently is.

That being said, I have absolutely no problem whatsoever if a bum comes in off the street wearing dirty, stained jeans and flannel, and even smelling of urine, if he's truly coming to worship the LORD. Who am I to say that his clothing "isn't appropriate"? As Scripture says, man looks at the outward appearance, but God looks at the heart.

Now, to qualify the above: Is modesty appropriate in church? Yes...therefore don't misinterpret me and think I'm taking an "anything goes" attitude when it comes to dress in church. However, modest, casual clothing should not be an issue for Believers to be debating. Rather, they should be striving to grow closer to God on the INSIDE, and be a better reflection of Him, and His Word.

[RPK]

Church has changed ALOT since I was a little girl in the childrens classes. The clothing thing isn't a huge deal to me - just as long as you are appropriate (I dont think belly shirts are appropriate for girls, and neither are booty shorts/mini skirts).

What really gets to me is the TALKING DURING SERVICE! I love my church family and I dont think I would be the person I am today if they weren't in my life, but come on! Don't talk when the Pastor is teaching/preaching!

Then there are the teen girls who write notes to each other back and forth - or they all get up to "go to the bathroom" at the same time.... Just frustrating to me - especially since when I was their age (which really wasn't that long ago) we all (all the teen girls that were there when I was a teen) didn't talk unless it was before or after service!

And the video games... I know a few guys that play video games during service... at least used to before I said something to them! Now they sleep during service... unless I see them sleeping when I walk by - then they get pinched! :)

MyLisa

[Miscue]

I'm just going to assume you were saying that tongue in cheek, and weren't being serious...but for those that maybe don't know their Bible that well, and believe what you said about clothing being the result of the devil, I'll just point one thing out:

While you're correct that "shame" came at their nakedness after they sinned, it was actually God himself that provided them clothing. So, clothes aren't inherently bad, especially since God invented them.

Anyway, in response to the topic at hand:

Where in the Bible does it say to "wear your Sunday best" in order to worship? I quote from 1 Samuel 16:7: "Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." If people were half as concerned about what they looked like on the INSIDE to God, rather than what they looked like on the OUTSIDE to man when in church, I think Christianity would be a lot more healthy today than it currently is.

That being said, I have absolutely no problem whatsoever if a bum comes in off the street wearing dirty, stained jeans and flannel, and even smelling of urine, if he's truly coming to worship the LORD. Who am I to say that his clothing "isn't appropriate"? As Scripture says, man looks at the outward appearance, but God looks at the heart.

Now, to qualify the above: Is modesty appropriate in church? Yes...therefore don't misinterpret me and think I'm taking an "anything goes" attitude when it comes to dress in church. However, modest, casual clothing should not be an issue for Believers to be debating. Rather, they should be striving to grow closer to God on the INSIDE, and be a better reflection of Him, and His Word.

Yes, I was tongue-in-cheek.

Technically, God invented everything - including clothes - since he is the Creator after all. I saw Joan of Arcadia a couple nights ago, and God lifted a book from the bookstore. "Technically, I own it," I think he said. Quite hilarious... if he robbed a bank, technically he is not really robbing anything because he owns it.

[1stdeadeye]

Im lost as to your reasoning. If god is so forgiving, do you think he really cares if someone wears street clothes into church? In the grand scheme of things, does it really matter?

It's not about God. It is about RESPECT! IT IS ABOUT APPROPRIATE DRESS AND BEHAVIOR AT THE APPROPRIATE TIME!

[Crime Dog]

It's not about God. It is about RESPECT! IT IS ABOUT APPROPRIATE DRESS AND BEHAVIOR AT THE APPROPRIATE TIME!

Who defines appropriate?

[MiniMag84]

Do christians believe that god is responsible for our thoughts and ideas? 1)If not, wouldn't all inventions past the death of jesus technically belong to humans and not god? 2)If he was responsible for our thoughts and ideas what would we say about murder, did god place the idea in someone's head? If you say it's free will aren't you supporting claim 1?

[1stdeadeye]

Who defines appropriate?

Society!

How did you dress when you out to Church as a child?

[-=Squid=-]

Society!

How did you dress when you out to Church as a child?

I didn't go to church as a child, and still don't. Guess what, it doesn't matter. It doesn't affect you in the slighest. If I went to church wearing a Team Satan shirt, what the hell does it matter to you?

Why do people get offended, by ANYTHING? It just seems retarded. Why in the hell should ANYTHING somebody else does or say bother or offend you?

[MiniMag84]

I didn't go to church as a child, and still don't. Guess what, it doesn't matter. It doesn't affect you in the slighest. If I went to church wearing a Team Satan shirt, what the hell does it matter to you?

Why do people get offended, by ANYTHING? It just seems retarded. Why in the hell should ANYTHING somebody else does or say bother or offend you?

right on.

[maxama10]

You people should just have some respect for other people and for god. I do and I hardly ever go to church and im not very religious bit when i do go i dont act like and jerk im not loud and disruptive and i dont wear trash, id wear some thing like a polo and some slacks nothing great but ya know its decent ,so how hard is that? C'mon! also if youre not gonna behave dont bother going

[1stdeadeye]

I didn't go to church as a child, and still don't. Guess what, it doesn't matter. It doesn't affect you in the slighest. If I went to church wearing a Team Satan shirt, what the hell does it matter to you?

Why do people get offended, by ANYTHING? It just seems retarded. Why in the hell should ANYTHING somebody else does or say bother or offend you?

It's a matter of respect. You just seem to be to close minded to understand that. When you spit or disrespect something I value, I am offended.

[wimag]

did you talk to the priest about this matter. posting here about it will not lead you to the direction you wish to achieve.