Timmy, I was being light hearted. I knew you would enjoy the jest. You have a very good sense of humor, and I enjoy your posts.
I didn't mean everyone has standards if you do, and I forgot the part about expecting others to keep them was in the OP. I don't expect everyone to hold the same standards either-I respect others' stances on these issues, or try to. But then again, when I walk outside I do expect others to be dressed-and have done a double take with some in and out of church who are dressed extremely differently than what I am used to, because I'm not used to it.
Most pastors who are 'against the internet' allow its use 'at work', or at the library, just not in the home.
Which says, to me, that they don't trust their church to have enough of God in their hearts to do right.
I've had the internet for 15 years, in my home, and NOT ONCE in 15 years have I used the internet to sin. Why? Because I desire to please God.
Quiet Place you hit the nail on the head; pastors don't trust their church...
And I feel that the reason they don't trust their church is because they don't trust the Holy Spirit working in their church to give them the character to live right when no one is watching.
It boils down to a trust issue. If I don't trust you to do what is right on your own then I am going to set down the rules for you to follow. That won't make you right but it will show all my friends that I have my saints under control.
I haven't read all the pages, but I find it so discouraging when our Christian walk is defined by the term "standards".
I think the distinction needs to made clear that folks who do not believe that following what a few fellas have determined what is "holy unto the Lord" equates to having NO standards.
This is the problem, if I open my arms as wide as I can and stand as tall as I can stand, then the box built around me is 6'2" x 6'2". The Apostolic dress code is telling me I have identity, I can work out my own salvation, and He that the son has set free is free indeed...ONLY that all this must occurr within the box. Be all you can be, but stay in the box because we cannot trust you outside of it, no matter how much we preach, how many revivals, crusades, rallys, special services, evangelists, healing and holy ghost seminars, camp meetings, men's retreats, ladies retreats, youth camps, ministers meetings, becauses of the timeses, times of refreshingeses, general conferences, youth congresses...have I left anything out?
I am just tired of the Apostolic institution being worshiped more than the Lord Jesus...very tired in fact.