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Conference lgp30::christian-perspective

Title:Discussions from a Christian Perspective
Notice:Prostitutes and tax collectors welcome!
Moderator:CSC32::J_CHRISTIE
Created:Mon Sep 17 1990
Last Modified:Fri Jun 06 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:1362
Total number of notes:61362

509.0. "Keep the Clothes Simple" by JUPITR::HILDEBRANT (I'm the NRA) Fri Aug 21 1992 12:09

    Clothes.....
    
    In my previous religion, their were certain garmnets that different
    levels of the Church could wear. For example, the bishops had rings
    and special hats, while cardinals would wear more elaborate
    hats/clothes.
    
    I have always been bothered by the "fancy" clothes that some church
    members have. The teachings of Jesus seem to be in direct conflict
    with this elaborate show of "status".
    
    In the Congragational Church, the minister wears a simple gown
    during the service, and nothing special any other time.
    
    How do the noters view the different clothes? I think that
    elaborate clothes instill a sense of "pomp" to the person that
    is wrong.
    
    Marc H.
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509.1thoughts mostly...VIDSYS::PARENTthe fire in the ice, and meFri Aug 21 1992 13:5422
   Pomp has it's place for certain events.

   My religious start in the Roman Catholic church and in my experience
   they do have a thing for finery.  To this day I feel certain events
   deserve clothing appropriate to the celebration.  It's something that
   for me originated there with no negative values implied. I feel most
   of that comes from the historical beginnings of the RCC as a 
   constitutional monarchy and it's higer members part of the ruling body. 
   A lot of interesting traditions with strong foundations in history. 
   Because of this I feel many of the ordained members of the church
   appear to be out of reach (it may not be true) due to their high
   position and higherarchy.  Some of this is still reflected in civil
   athority(judges come to mind).


   My experience day to day with other religious people tends to point
   toward more functional cloths with a minimal something to indicate
   they are spiritual leaders/healers/guides.

   Peace,
   Allison
509.2WMOIS::REINKEthe fire and the rose are oneFri Aug 21 1992 16:4811
    The origins of the basic robes that priests/ministers wear is from
    1st century clothing. They have become more elaborate in many cases
    it is true, but the original intent was to keep to the basic dress
    of the time of Christ.
    
    another reason given for the special dress for clergy is to symbolise
    the difference between the man or woman as a person and the same
    individual when working as God's intermediary. For these two reasons
    I like and appreciate the specialness of clerical vestments.
    
    Bonnie
509.3No ProblemCSOA1::MRICHARDSONMark Richardson @CLOFri Aug 21 1992 20:0714
    Marc:
    
    One must be careful of the motivation for wearing the fineries.  If it
    is trully done in a spirit of praise and worship, and not puffing up
    the flesh it is fine.  The thing that gives me peace about it is that
    we will put on our fineries to visit the President or the queen.  If we
    have a key job interview, we will do our best to look our finest.  We
    should be willing to do our utmost to congregate to praise the Lord. 
    He doens't require it; He wants us just as we are, without one plea (as
    the song goes).  But there is certainly nothing wrong with someone
    wanting to honor the Lord and make a special occasion of doing so with
    pomp and circumstance.
    
    Mark R
509.4CSC32::J_CHRISTIEKeep on loving boldly!Fri Aug 21 1992 22:0321
At one time I, too, felt uncomfortable with the attire which set professional
clergy apart from everybody else.  And I think it was that quality which most
bothered me.  The robes and stoles, etc., seemed to say to me, "There is
something about me which requires me to separate myself from you.  And that
separation is symbolized by the garments I wear."

I now see it differently.  Perhaps I've just mellowed.  But I've come to
appreciate the sense of ceremony and high church ritual in the celebration
of worship.  I now see the ritual costumes as an integral part of that
experience.

I still like the incredibly subversive idea that the church is truly a gathering
of equals.  And I still appreciate times of worship when the pastor is dressed
in "street clothes."  My former pastor in the United Methodist church wore his
robe during worship about 50% of the time and a business suit the rest of the
time.  My present pastor always wears the robe during worship.

You might also want to browse through topic 297: "On Clerical Attire"

Peace,
Richard