Quote:
Originally Posted by Ms. LPW
I agree with your statements.
Since no one on here seems to know the pastor who was interviewed personally, none of us can judge what he did and didn't say and what he did and didn't mean. We all know how media reports things...
We don't know what was said and left out of the interview. Maybe nothing was... maybe he just did a poor job of explaining it.
I can speak from my own experience as well...I know that my lifestyle has been a conversation starter many many times over the years... it hasn't once caused anyone to not want to know more about what I believe... quite the contrary.
And it hasn't stopped the people we've brought to church, or taught home bible studies to, from coming to the Lord either.
Our neighbour lady has been coming for three months... she doesn't own a skirt... no one is forcing her to do anything, and she's still coming.
The greatest criticisms I've had in my lifetime over my outward dress has not come from the "unchurched" or even the other churches in Christiandom but it has come from those who once adhered to the same "standards" of dress and who now scorn them as though I were in bondage.
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I agree that for the most part standards are a conversation starter. It can open up great doors and can also close them at the same time. I have seen it. Though it is not the case all the time it does happen more than what one might think.
I think the reason there is criticism from those that do not follow standards/dresscode is because the people feel that they were taken advantage of by the men and women that led them. Also, people that have chose not to follow the dress code also catch criticism from those that still follow them. "You left the truth, " stuff like that. I am one that used to adhere to the dresscode but do not now. I do think that there are yokes that are placed on saints that are unneeded. But the real truth is someone has to accept that lifestyle or they are virtually preached at on Sundays (at most churches). I do not scorn anyone that believes they are essential to salvation, though I do not agree with them at all.
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