Is it wrong to wear pants as a BAPTIST CHRISTIAN?
By gellimac
@gellimac (98)
Philippines
November 30, 2012 1:00pm CST
I am a baptist christian and I find it hard to obey the rule: wear skirt. because I'm not used to it and I kinda look uncool and oldy. LOL But as a Christian, my Christian life is a priority than fashion or looks. so, Whatcha think? is it wrong to wear skirts?
THANKS. xx
12 responses
@belindayhughes (1096)
• United States
1 Dec 12
I was raised Southern Baptist, but am now spiritual, non-religious. My female Southern Baptist relatives and I wore pants many times and were never condemned for it. Wear the pants, if that's what you're comfortable in. In my humble opinion, your spirituality and clothing are ultimately your business, no one else's. Best wishes! :-)
@urbandekay (18278)
•
1 Dec 12
Hi, I am trying to find out what is different about Southern Baptists from Baptists as we are here in UK. Our Churches are run by the members, who choose and dismiss their minister.
all the best, urban
@urbandekay (18278)
•
1 Dec 12
So then is the rule on wearing a skirt, to which the poster of his discussion refers, one of her particular Church or of the Southern Baptist Convention?
I take it then Southern Baptists still baptise by full immersion?
all the best, urban
@belindayhughes (1096)
• United States
1 Dec 12
Southern Baptists are an American denomination created by the Civil War of the 19th Century, which divided our nation in numerous ways. When the North and South split, apparently the Baptist church did as well. At least that's what I learned in Sociology at uni. Southern Baptists choose their ministers at the church level, and are also governed by the decisions of the Southern Baptist Convention. The only time I saw judgment of a Southern Baptist's clothing was when, as a teen, I went on a mission trip to an island in the Gulf of Mexico with my church's youth department. Upon arrival, the girls changed into modest but comfortable sundresses and the boys into fresh shorts and tshirts, all in sandals and lined up for inspection by our minister prior to greeting the local inhabitants door to door. The minister took one look at us and replaced our family Bibles with pocket New Testaments. That was his only criticism.
On an unrelated side note, Amish, Mennonites and Brethren are called Anabaptists, meaning they are similar to the Baptist religion, namely the Primitive Baptists, which are a more modest group in dress and other respects. Best wishes! :-)
@peavey (16936)
• United States
30 Nov 12
This is a good example of a church trying to be God. Following their rules won't make you more or less of a Christian.
Not wearing pants is a part of the old traditional teachings that many churches used to hold to. Times have changed, though, and wearing pants is no longer wearing "men's clothing" which is where the teaching began. Now, if you were wearing a man's suit and tried to pass yourself off as one, that would be wrong in God's eyes, but this is different.
When I was a child (long ago), our church taught that way about not wearing pants. I listened carefully and when my Grandmother - of all people, she was a devout Christian - suggested that I put on my brother's jeans to work in the garden, I was aghast. I remember crying about it. I had a child's understanding and she had an adult understanding and there is the difference.
@maclanis (2406)
• Belgium
3 Dec 12
I have no idea what baptist christians can and cannot wear, but personally I think it's kind of ridiculous to be obligated to wear a skirt. I say wear what you want to wear! I mean I can understand not being allowed to wear like super short miniskirts because of your religion, but pants? There's nothing wrong with pants. :)
@kourdapya (923)
• Philippines
8 Feb 13
Hello, I'm a Christian too. For me there's nothing wrong if you don't want to wear skirt, for as long as you wear clothes that are decent during your church's services. Sometimes, I don't wear skirt when attending services, I just make sure that I wear pants that are more casual, not something like faded jeans, like black pants, and I match it with a decent top, no short sleeves or body hugging clothes, or too tight shirts. If you have a dress code I think you should ask your pastor, or those people who have been attending your church for a long time. I think there's nothing wrong with that.
@akosibinot (79)
• Philippines
30 Nov 12
Honestly, this what makes religion a basis of division. I'm a christian, by the way, but my looks and appearance somehow don't speak of it. Not because I mean it, it's just that God doesn't look us through our physical appearance rather through our hearts. However, if your appearance or, shall I say, individuality results into sinning of someone, we got to think about it. But then again, we can't tell why other denominations prefer to let their church people wear those kind of things. I guess, what's important is what your heart speaks not what your clothes expresses.
@gellimac (98)
• Philippines
30 Nov 12
Thank you for your response. Yeah, I agree with you. Sometimes I can't find the right reasons why I need to wear skirts all the time. I see them swim in pools wearing skirts (long ones though) and play games like volleyball wearing skirts. So yeah, I can't find the logic behind it. It's like they're being trapped into some tradition/rule when they can actually wear comfortable or appropriate outfit for certain events. It's not like their gonna wear short shorts or skinfit clothes, just APPROPRIATE clothes. :)
@urbandekay (18278)
•
1 Dec 12
Well, I am also a Baptist, where is it written you must wear a skirt? Many women at Church do not wear skirts
all the best, urban
@rog0322 (2828)
• Cagayan De Oro, Philippines
1 Dec 12
Hi,
The Roman Catholic Church has also caught up with the dress code. Women are also required to wear skirts, the long one, still some go for Levi's design. I do like women on skirts, they look so feminine but when it comes to worship, for me at least, it is up to one's style.
@habibti320 (925)
• United States
30 Nov 12
What's the reasoning behind it?
In "Biblical times", neither men nor women wore pants because it wasn't part of their culture or historical period. Does that mean that their culture and historic period is somehow sacred?
@olivz2012 (50)
• Philippines
1 Dec 12
I don't think there's something wrong with wearing pants even during ritual ceremony or whatever religious activity in any religion. I just don't see the point of prohibiting it to members. Yes, I adhere to the idea that God doesn't look at whatever you wear because what He probe is the heart. Thus, I would say wear a good heart and you will shine whatever you wear. Follow your fashion, then. Good luck!
@ZoeJoy (1392)
• United States
1 Dec 12
If a certain group of Christians feels it is important to dress a certain in order to better reflect their faith, then that is their religious freedom. But, you are also free to choose if this is really your calling and pathway to Christ.
I support religious freedom, even if I don't agree with that religion. Perhaps, God is calling a group of people to be more attentive in certain areas of their lives. Who am I to say otherwise? I knew one Pastor who felt called to wash the feet of all his congregation - every Sunday. Don't think that God is calling every Pastor to do this task but perhaps, there was a special reason for this Pastor to wash the feet of his congregation.
So, if you find ourselves belonging to a certain church which practices certain ways, and you don't agree with some of them, then I suggest to pray and seek God's wisdom. Perhaps, you need to either understand the internal reason for this particular practice, or find a church that best expresses your inner desire to follow Christ.
@ZoeJoy (1392)
• United States
1 Dec 12
If you choose to follow Christ by belonging to a particular church that has a dress code, then you need to obey the dress code. Jesus cares about our sincere hearts. Don't think He ever mentions about a dress code. I do think that Jesus cares about our salvation and our souls, so I do think that our clothes and outer appearance need to reflect our faith.
Perhaps you need to research if being a Baptist Christian is your true calling.
