well-groomed Christians??

[Tenshi no Ai]

Ok, so I was looking up some info on this one Bible college. Statement of Faith looks pretty good with what I (and well, any Christian) believes in and all without any funky ideas or anything... I just say that because there's tons of denominational ones around and just personally would be a little... different being in an enviornment that has different theology and stuff, BUT that's aside the point and I won't get into that^^ This one's quite non-denominational, but used to be a Pentacostal church in the past.

ANYWAYS... what I was really trying to get it was that although everything looked pretty good, there was one little different thing about it that I haven't really heard of... I know of other Bible colleges that are sooo laid-back, that they only care about funky hair colours and too many piercings and stuff. But as shown is an exerpt from their manual:

1 Corinthians 6:20 -
For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's

An onjective of attire and grooming standards is to present a non-distractive atmosphere conductive to study and worship. Women
must exemplify modesty, femininity, and good taste in their attire. Dressed, skirts, slacks or jeans are acceptable if in good taste.
Students must be well groomed; clothes should be neat and clean. For men. semi-dress shirts and semi-dress slacks or jeans are
acceptable. Dress and accessories that represent unbiblical lifestyles in our culture are not acceptable. All decisions concerning
boldily adornment must be made within the context of the question "How will they glorify God?"

Maybe I'm reading it wrong or too into it or something, but it almsot sounds like personal appearance is really important and all. I know, even at my church, some adults and the older members don't like what some of the youth have worn (like, very laid-back stuff like sweatpants etc), but not really sure about the importance of it in Bible college... maybe it's because if people look too eccentric, not to try and really show off or anything, but it might take the conentration away... or something? Or maybe they think if you dress sloppy and stuff that you're a lazy Christian? I really don't know^^ What I DO know is that it's a little different and all, but I have seen pics from the school of people wearing casual things, like hoodies and zip ups (which is nice cause I don't have too many dressy things^^)

I dunno^^ Just wanted to know others' opinions on this. Maybe some have had a similar dress code in your Bible colleges?

[Stephen]

The local Bible College is pretty strict on dress. I do agree though that you should look good. While some will say looks don't matter...I do think appearence is important.

[Silent Hunter]

I agree that a lot of adults who are christians tend to find great importance in how we look. I don't agree with all that. there could be smaller things to make a big deal out of though so, it's not all bad.

[Mangafanatic]

As a student at a Christian college, let me let you in on a secret: Your years of "I controll my destiny, image, ect, ect" are over. XD

The truth is, college is job training. At your job, you can't just show up in whatever you want. College is intended to equip you for your later calling in life, and part of that will be learning to play by rules. I'm in a business program where the exact length of my skirts is dictated. Yeah, I hem-and-haw about it, but the truth is-- some bosses are lame and they'll do that to me. I need to be ready for that.

And yes, part of it is because the college wants to promote modesty. You have to have rules. Better to err on the side of caution. (And, while I probably shouldn't tell you this, I'm going to-- a lot of Christian school have rules on paper that are much more stringent than the rules on campus. My school is like that. However, I came prepared to follow the rules because I wanted to go the school that much. You have to be ready for it. )

[Raiden no Kishi]

I'm at somewhat of a middle ground, personally. While I don't think appearances SHOULD matter, I'm intellectually honest enough to realize that humans, being largely reliant on visual data, are naturally inclined to place a large amount of weight on appearances. I tend to be somewhat lacksadaisical [and I'll bet you I spelled that incorrectly] about dress [as in, I try not to judge people based on their dress, and am pretty lax on what I think is OK to wear . . . although modesty is quite important to me], although I'm rather critical of my own appearance. However, I believe it is a good idea to dress according to general ideas of what is appropriate for a situation [to avoid pointless conflict], but express yourself freely at the same time.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that I can see both sides of the issue and their cases, and I think that a compromise is the way to go. Someday, when the Lord returns to set everything right, we will be made completely perfect, and there will be no reason to even give it a second thought. Until then, we should take humans' tendency to rely on appearances into account.

.rai//

[Radical Dreamer]

I think there's a time and place for both sides. I don't think you should even possibly be considered a "lesser Christian" for not dressing up, but I do think that there are definitely times when looking your best is the better way to go. I guess the best advice here is to obey your authorities. XD If they want you to dress up so you can look nice, then do so. If they're saying that you're not as "good" of a Christian if you don't dress up, then I disagree a whole lot. XD Anyways, my two cents. XD

[Yeshua-Knight]

i point out that part towards the end of the quote where it states "within the context of the question "How will they glorify God?" " in reality this should be the motivating factor not only behind jewelry and such, but the entire wardrobe, the thought shouldn't be "am i dressing according to dress code" but rather "am i going to reflect Christ towards others with the way i dress"

so now the question is asked "what dress reflects Christ?"

any takers?

from what i've seen of this world dress is something that while it shouldn't be taken so seriously, it is, so i can understand why a school would make such a statement, although i'd have to argue on the point of t-shirts, i happen to own many a christian t-shirt in my wardrobe

[dyzzispell]

The truth is, college is job training. At your job, you can't just show up in whatever you want. College is intended to equip you for your later calling in life, and part of that will be learning to play by rules. I'm in a business program where the exact length of my skirts is dictated. Yeah, I hem-and-haw about it, but the truth is-- some bosses are lame and they'll do that to me. I need to be ready for that.

Wow, if you get a job with someone who ends up dictating the exact length of your skirt, you may want to look elsewhere for a job. XD I was in the workforce for 11 years, and I never ran into that as a problem. I'd think character would be more important than your skirt being a half-inch too long or short...
I think that dressing neatly is important (don't wear something ratty with holes in it) and modesty is EXTREMELY important. I don't think Christians, especially in an environment where concentration is key, should be dressing to draw attention to themselves in the wrong way (ie, lustful). I know I sound like an old lady in saying so, but I really think we, especially as women, realize what we do to men when we wear tight pants, short skirts, and skimpy tops. If they so much as THINK a lustful thought (which in itself is a sin), we are partially responsible for it, as the way we dressed encouraged it. Now if we women would do what we can to avoid causing them to think such thoughts, then we are no longer responsible. We have done our part.
Anyway, I went to a Christian college for a year (Nyack College to be exact), and I hated it. But it wasn't their rules I hated (but then, I don't think they were all that strict - that played a role in my decision of which school to attend). I was seriously disappointed in the way the fellow students treated each other when it came to differences in beliefs (small ones, not major doctrine). I was sort of a casualty of it myself, as I was finally being treated the same horrible way I'd been treating others before I went there - very "holier than thou"-ish. A big problem with pride.
And I agree with Yeshua-Knight. XD

[Mr. SmartyPants]

That text looks like it came from Bob Jone's website.

[ChristianKitsune]

I apologize if my post is long.. (I am a bit long winded)

I agree with a few who have said that it helps from distracting from learning and stuff.

I have been to a few Christian Camps. (and you know Christian Camps are in the summer usually) and the rules at this camp concerning dress have changed just about every year!

First we were allowed to wear tank tops and spaghetti straps...but because a few people wore them the wrong way..(too much skin) they had to take them away, and now we have to wear sleeve shirts.

A long time ago, students who went swimming didn't have to wear dark t-shirts to swim, but beacause one person decided to wear a lighter colored swimming suit with a not so modest attire, they had to take that away and say "only dark t-shirts"

yeah..you get the idea...

So I guess I sorta agree with this. However, I am not a dress person, so I would be the one in the hoodies and jeans.

My church is really laid back...Sometimes the youth will come in their pajamas to church, and not many make a fuss... If our hearts are in the right place I am not sure if it really matters..(except for the lustful area..^^;)

[Mr. Rogers]

"12 "Everything is permissible for me"--but not everything is beneficial. "Everything is permissible for me"--but I will not be mastered by anything. 13 "Food for the stomach and the stomach for food"--but God will destroy them both. The body is not meant for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. 14 By his power God raised the Lord from the dead, and he will raise us also. 15 Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ himself? Shall I then take the members of Christ and unite them with a prostitute? Never! 16 Do you not know that he who unites himself with a prostitute is one with her in body? For it is said, "The two will become one flesh." 17 But he who unites himself with the Lord is one with him in spirit. 18 Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body. 19 Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body."


Notice the context of this verse. Paul is talking about sexual sin, not what kind of clothes you wear and how your hair is cut.

[Cognitive Gear]

Dress and accessories that represent unbiblical lifestyles in our culture are not acceptable.

I wonder what exactly they mean by "unbiblical lifestyles". As far as I know, there's no way to dress in such a manner as to reflect an 'unbiblical lifestyle" other that what is covered by showing a good amount of modesty.

I would recommend visiting the campus on a school day. This will give you an idea of what is acceptable to wear on campus; just in case your definition of what glorifies the Lord is different from theirs. I know I occasionally need to tone down the black in order to prevent myself from being a distraction to others in a church that I may be visiting.

[Tenshi no Ai]

[/i]Notice the context of this verse. Paul is talking about sexual sin, not what kind of clothes you wear and how your hair is cut.
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Yeah, one of my first thoughts was that it didn't really... seem to fit in with that :/ But, then again people DO wear some pretty bad stuff that could weaken guys and stuff :/ At first I was a little worried like "Oh no, if this scripture was used in a bit of a werid way, what would it be like taking a class of hermenuics?? (sp?)" Like I said, everythign else seems to match up, cept this is just the one little thing that I'm not TOO TOO concerned about...

I wonder what exactly they mean by "unbiblical lifestyles". As far as I know, there's no way to dress in such a manner as to reflect an 'unbiblical lifestyle" other that what is covered by showing a good amount of modesty.

I'd say... probably wearing clothes with offensive written and stuff on it. It's what I thought about it. Some tshirts these days are really bad... not even directly, but just hinting at different things indirectly. Guy tshirts, mainly :/ But girls can be just as bad. Or maybe even tshirts of say some metal rock shirts, where they are known for giving people bad messages and stuff. Probably things like that.

[Ingemar]

I've always taken that to mean:

Females: Don't dress like a prostitute
Males: Don't look like Tarzan

[mitsuki lover]

Most Christian colleges and Bible Schools will have some sort of policy when it comes to how students should dress and behave.It's not to keep the students indiviuality down but rather to remind them that they are both ambassadors of Christ and of the school.
If you find the dress code overly strict then look for another school that has laxer standards is all I can tell you.
Also you might find that the normal week day dress code might be more relaxed on Saturdays and evenings,that is when people aren't in class.
In any case Christians shouldn't be looking like slobs to begin with.

[Nate]

Males: Don't look like Tarzan

Well, Johnny Weissmuller is out of luck, then.

[Debitt]

I've always taken that to mean:

Females: Don't dress like a prostitute
Males: Don't look like Tarzan

I think Ingy hit the nail on the head. Really, I don't think this is saying that we should dress up and always look stunning, but should look like we take care of the bodies that God has given us by keeping clean. =/ I mean, it's hard to take a person who doesn't even grasp the notion of general hygeine seriously, as I've discovered attending a secular college.

[Stephen]

Well, Johnny Weissmuller is out of luck, then.

So is Andrew WK.



PARTY PARTY PARTY

[Denimcat]

As long as you're being modest, I don't think it matters to God what you wear.

[uc pseudonym]

Heh. Those will happen, at more conservative universities. At the Christian college I currently attend I haven't found that to be the case, though. The only rule I can think of is that shirts with messages deemed offensive or inappropriate are not allowed. As such, there are those who wear shorts that beg the definition... if they don't actually cover any of your leg are they really pants?

I wonder what exactly they mean by "unbiblical lifestyles". As far as I know, there's no way to dress in such a manner as to reflect an 'unbiblical lifestyle" other that what is covered by showing a good amount of modesty.

My initial reaction was that this was a crossdressing reference, though the messages thing seems likely as well.

[CobaltAngel]

Well, like Osaka was saying, I think that dressing FANCY should be more a concern about representing your company/college well, rather than representing God well. Modesty is more what God is thinking about. Personally, I don't think your walk with Christ should depend on whether or not you wear jeans and a t-shirt.

Females: Don't dress like a prostitute
Males: Don't look like Tarzan

XD Exactly.

[CreatureArt]

I'm a bit in two minds about clothing. On one hand, as far as possible I try not to judge people by their clothing. On the other, why do we choose to wear what we do?

Personally I place a lot of importance into people's motivations for doing something. If you wear something you know is a bad witness for Christ - that doesn't seem good. If you wear something because its your style and doesn't present issues - great.

But if we're not sure about whether something is Godly or not its probably better not to do it at all.

Getting a bit back on topic... if dressing smartly is about representing an institution and actually written in the rules... then I guess the students just have to do it or lobby a complaint.

I'm in uniform at the moment for my summer job (hoo-ray..... I thought that was over once I left high school... (-_-") ).... ah well.

[Cap'n Nick]

I think the most important thing to be learned from this is that non-denominational does not mean there are no rules. There are advantages in remaining aloof from national religious bodies, but universal acceptance is by no means guaranteed.

As for the dress code, I think it's a little stringent, but if it's the only thing keeping you out of that school then by all means sign up. It's just clothes, after all. If a personality doesn't show through a uniform, I would wonder if it existed in the first place.

[Ratrace]

As such, there are those who wear shorts that beg the definition... if they don't actually cover any of your leg are they really pants?

British definition?

I know how clothes can stop you glorifing God, but how do they help you? Unless they have "This Armani suit was a gift from God" stitched on the back. The dress code isnt really important unless theres a strict punishment on not keeping it. As it is Ive seen worse. If you wanted to go enough to get that this far you should go.

[Nate]

I agree that in the grand scheme of things, God really doesn't care what we wear, as long as we're devoted to Him.

I agree that when you get a job in the real world, they'll say "You have to wear dress pants and a tie every day," so this is very good practice for being in the real world and having to deal with a stringent dress code.

I think this is the real question, though. Let's say you were going to meet with the Pope, or the President of the US. Would you go meet them in beat up old jeans, a faded t-shirt, and ratty looking sneakers? A lot of people wouldn't. So if we would dress up to meet with mere humans, why are we so hesitant to dress up when we go to be with the Lord?

[TurkishMonky]

my school has a moderate dress code (basically collared shirt or jacket/sweatshirt and no jeans for guys, and nicer, modest clothing for girls Monday through Thursday during the day) and I don't really mind that much. Everyone on campus looks nice, and it is far more lenient then the business I interned for last summer. It really is useful for getting in the habit of dressing up for work, IMO.

My previous (public) college had girls dressed up like sluts and guys wearing ratty t-shirts and old jeans, and it didn't really make for an attractive environment. While there are times I'd rather wear a t-shirt, I would take the semi-dressy over the junky almost all the time.

[Angel37]

I know this may be kinda redundant but as a Bible College Student, here is my take.
1. Colleges are a professional atmosphere, therefore they require professional dress.
2. Looking decent is also important to the Christian lifestyle ESPECIALLY for fenales! We don't want to cause our brother's in Christ to think of us in unclean ways just because of what we're wearing ESPECIALLY in a place like a Bible college! My college pretty much follows what that college does and it works well! It takes the focus off of individual dress and attire and helps us keep our minds on Christ.

[Joshua Christopher]

I think the only real course of action I can take is to stop wearing clothes entirely.

[SP1]

I find it amazing that several female responses to this focus on women's attire being conservative to as not to tempt men.

Hmm, as a guy who attended strict private middle school with a similar dress code I say "it doesn't help much." A red-blooded male can be tempted by a girl wearing a burlap sack. Clothing is just an eye-catcher or enhancement. If we're going to lust, we're going to lust regardless, but thank you for considering our fate, nonertheless.

Make you college choice based on the people there, curriculum, quality of instruction, reputation and cost/location. What you have to wear while you're there is a very minor issue. If you have to dress in a blue jumpsuit to go there, then get a closet full of blue jumpsuits. Oh, wait, that was what I wore for 7 years in the military. Now I'm an engineer, so I wear jeans, sneakers, and the occassional T-shirt (with writing) to work.

[EireWolf]

I find it amazing that several female responses to this focus on women's attire being conservative to as not to tempt men.

Hmm, as a guy who attended strict private middle school with a similar dress code I say "it doesn't help much." A red-blooded male can be tempted by a girl wearing a burlap sack. Clothing is just an eye-catcher or enhancement. If we're going to lust, we're going to lust regardless, but thank you for considering our fate, nonertheless.

That may be so, but some girls dress provocatively with the intent to tempt guys. I think those who are saying girls should dress conservatively are probably addressing that especially.

I went to a Christian college that did NOT have a dress code, and that issue surfaced fairly often. Guys may be tempted to lust no matter what, but we women certainly shouldn't encourage it by dressing provocatively.