Discussion on the FSM- keep it clean/respectful

A bearded, long haired man can still look presentable and respectable.  Heck...it was okay for Jesus!

Wait a minute.

Mano, wasn't it you who (quite a few pages ago) posted a link to an image of what Jesus would have looked like back in that day?  According to your research, he would have been dark complected with no beard and short hair.

I'm so confused.



(But I still have a good memory)

Mano, wasn't it you who (quite a few pages ago) posted a link to an image of what Jesus would have looked like back in that day?  According to your research, he would have been dark complected with no beard and short hair.

No, I posted THIS article, that shows a dark skinned man WITH a beard and shaggy hair (certainly not the brush cut our new friend is fond of).

I'm so confused.



(But I still have a good memory)

Apparently not as good as you think, old man!

When I go to church and see people in jeans and a t-shirt, it bothers me.  I know it shouldn't since I am not a man of faith, but I can't help it, its just the way I was raised.

I don't begrudge anyone the right to set rules for their own group to follow, but the whole cosmetic thing really bothers me.  It is simply a cultural norm in every case, just like the people who insist that the only songs you can sing in church were in the hymnal before 1900... despite the fact many of those songs were written to the tune of drinking songs so they could be easily remembered.  If I write new words to a secular tune now, I would be expelled from a great many churches.

If I wear a traditional Jewish outfit with traditional Jewish appearance I will be given a wide berth, even though we are simply living out what we believe is the fulfillment of Judaism in Christ. 

If I sing a song accompanied by an MP3 track I am a sinner to many, because only a piano or organ is proper in church... something invented 1000+ years after Jesus.  If I pull out a tambourine, forget it - I would be stoned by the conservative congregations, although David played one quite regularly.

Seventh Day Adventists teach that people who meet on Sunday are committing sin, because only the Sabbath is the day for worship.  Meanwhile, the Bible itself explains when Sunday became the day the church met, and the fact that "Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath".  Of course, while extolling the virtues of Sabbath meeting, the Adventists ignore the rest of the Law, picking and choosing what they want to enforce as "holy".

To me, Jesus' words about whitewashed tombs is most appropriate whenever people bring up "holy" dress and appearance.  Just like the KJV-only folks, they act like Jesus spoke in Thees and Thous even though the English language was not even conceived.  To place more importance on the exterior appearance than on the internal leanings of the soul is the height of ignorance to me.  I have been told stories by pastors of people asked to leave the premises because they looked ratty and unkempt, and maybe they smelled bad too; how many homeless or hungry people have been denied food, warmth, and care by people insistent on their own brand of "holiness"? 

How many churches insist that children be kept out of the worship service because they make too much noise, despite Jesus saying "Let the children alone, and do not hinder them from coming to Me; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." 

It boggles the mind how people are so easily distracted from what is important in life!  Nothing bothers me quite like other people's pet peeves...

Nothing bothers me quite like other people's pet peeves...

That's funny!



Well said, Brother LTS...can I get a Halleluja?

I didn't mean to imply that I would be offended by someone of little means coming to Church in poor clothing, if that's the way it came out.  What bothers me is when people of an affluent nature, who would go to work or out for dinner in fine clothing, show up for Church service in ripped jeans, a t-shirt and a NASCAR jacket.

Or parents who allow their children to wear whatever they like to the service.

Maybe I'm old fashioned, but I was always taught that you wear your "Sunday Best" to Church.  I wouldn't be critical of someone wearing their best clothes if those clothes weren't that great.



Anyways...maybe I'm being un-Christian here, but what the heck...its not the first time!!

I just jumped back to page 1 of this thread.

Can anyone believe that this discussion/argument has been going on for over 16 months?!?!?!?!

In that time, I think I've pissed off one person enough to leave the boards forever, too!  I won't count the handful that I've just driven from this particular thread.

To the rest of you...kudos for sticking with it!!

I didn't mean to imply that I would be offended by someone of little means coming to Church in poor clothing, if that's the way it came out.

No Mano, I really wasn't responding to your post as much as your post gave me an opportunity to rant a little about my own pet peeves.
Can anyone believe that this discussion/argument has been going on for over 16 months?!?!?!?!

Inasmuch as we all stated nobody would have their opinions changed based on our exchange of information and viewpoints, and as tiresome as it can become sometimes, I have appreciated the thread (not the thread title, though) and have gotten to know more about each person that has contributed.  So that's all good.

I rarely post in here but I do read it often. Well done ironman ... enjoyed it.

Absolutely iron...extremely well said!  I, for one, am VERY glad to have you participating here.

Inasmuch as we all stated nobody would have their opinions changed based on our exchange of information and viewpoints, and as tiresome as it can become sometimes, I have appreciated the thread (not the thread title, though) and have gotten to know more about each person that has contributed.  So that's all good.

Completely agree here as well.

This topic can get very trying and bitter, but I have been amazed at how calm this thread has remained...mostly.  We've all had our moments of anger and vitriol, I think (some more than others, right 2k? ) but the fact that we've all stayed light hearted and friendly throughout even though we are on very opposite sides of the argument has been very impressive.  I think that really speaks to the character of the people involved.  It takes alot of understanding, patience and heart to maintain these friendships over 16 months and 90+ pages of this discussion.

Again, I applaud everybody who has been an active participant for the majority of this discussion.