Dress code in temples and religious places

Hello there Professor! how have you been?! =) hope everything is great with you. Well I am no longer a Catholic, but have converted to Born Again Christian (or Protestant) as some would even say. Back when I was still a catholic most churches would not even allow women to wear short skirts, or shorts, and slippers inside. men are not supposed to wear slippers and shorts that looked like boxers, and sando or tank top shirts. although there is only one church i have seen that explicitly say that wearing inappropriate dress would not be allowed entry to the church, others only do have "silent" imposition of these, it is really dependent on the person's judgement to know what he / she should or should not wear to church. As for our church, i have not seen any woman wear such as well and our pastors have included this in the preach or talks that we all follow a dress code that is appropriate to the place of worship. There is this church in the Philippines called Iglesia ni Kristo ( i have a friend who's a member) and women are obliged to wear a "dress" (not too short, of course) when attending a service. Since they are women, they should be in dress and not in pants when attending a church service / worship.

I am Catholic, and although I rarely attend Mass, when I do go to Church, there are people dressed in every which way possible. I live in a huge city - big urban area - and went to Mass on Ash Wednesday - a holy day for Catholics. It was the noon service. There were people on their lunch break wearing nice suits and/or skirts/pants, etc. Then, because this Church also serves Hopkins students - college students dressed in jeans and such. And yes, a few women with cleavage showing. Also, one or two street people dressed in old old pants and tops. I like it like this. The Church is open and inviting to all who wish to attend. If I were denied entry on the basis of what I wore, I probably wouldn't go. Not everyone has the money to buy "dress" clothes for the occasion. On the other hand, if I were visiting another country, and wanted to see a Holy place, I would honor those dress codes because I would be a guest, a visitor, and if I choose to want too see those places I would be choosing to follow the rules that go along with it. Just as one would not wear a string bikini to a formal ball - if I were to visit the Vatican in Rome I would dress better than I do for church services here at home. If head coverings are required, it is good if places can provide those for people who aren't aware of it - just as many formal restaurants have jackets and ties handy for men who come without them. Although a church is holy, a holy site or place is different from a church. The word church itself means an assembly of people - not the building per se.

Hello Professor, About the dress codes, I am sure those temples have their reasons for the dress code rule. I doesnt and shouldnt matter when you are going to the place of god. Just like one would feel that what is the harm in allowing jeans and shirt, we can also say why not just comply to the dress code. And I dont blame them. If you allow jeans today, tomorrow girls may wear minis and micro minis and come to the temple and maybe wear minimal clothes. Are we going to be able to except that. This is finally a place of worship and not a fashion show. Secondly about some place, there being a ban for certain religions, it is not just in India in temples. Mecca does not allow non Muslims to enter Haj or the Holy site even in the other months. This I know for a fact. So it depends on the religion what they feel and want in their place of worship.

We don't have a dress code that I know of. I know once you have been in our church for sometime they expect you to dress like the Bible says but other then that there is none.

Well I don't go to church regularly but most churches I went to were Baptist and didn't really have a set dress code as some wore just jeans and a nice shirt. I've even been to the Catholic church here and seen people wearing the same. Once for a baptism, I seen a girl in a really tight dress and high heels which I thought was really inappropriate as I've seen girls dress the same for going out on a Friday or Saturday night. I do think churches and anyone religious places have every right to put some type of dress code, even schools do. I do think women should definately dress modest and it can be possible with jeans too. Usually I wear a darker color jean that is more dressy if I don't wear a dress or skirt. It's just a preference for me but I see others in faded jeans but nobody said anything as they were just happy to have another person in the church. Some churches I've been to the preachers said they didn't mind as long as too much skin wasn't showing because they understood some may not be able to afford dressy clothes.

I don't think there's specific dress code in church, but there's a bible passage like this : "Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight. For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to make themselves beautiful. (NIV, 1 Peter 3:2-5)" So it's more important to enter church with the mind to worship God and not with expensive clothes.

I am not a church goer, but I use a dress code the times I go to one, even as a tourist. Once, several decades ago, we were in Europe hiking and passed by a lovely church. We wanted to go in, but the priests would not let me as I was in shorts. I found that absolutly reasonable and told by husband to go in and I`d wait outside.

As a Catholic, here in the Philippines it is not 100% strict in terms of attire but it only happens just now about the rules of what attire that people should avoid to wear but it still depends on the Church itself. We are just usually wearing the T-shirt, pants, sometimes we are allowed to wear slippers and whenever they see us wearing it then they are not strict on that. There are other people who are even wearing shorts and sleeveless then sometimes it is already citru. But at times I've encountered some staff on church who has towel or handkerchief holding then cover up the cleavage of the woman who are lining up for the communion.

Greetings Professor, I hope you are well. I think that would be a good idea that you have pointed out. If they insist on a certain dress code, they should provide the necessary outer garments, to be returned upon leaving. I believe the clean clothing helps only to elevate us. I think there's a saying that cleanliness is next to Godliness. The churches here have discussed having a dress code in the past, but dropped the idea on the grounds that certain people would be discriminated against & donations would fall. They also could not agree on what an appropriate dress code should be nor who should decide what is acceptable & what is not.

Hi Prof ! Oh good to know that there is this temple who don't allow allow non hindus to enter. I thought all temples welcomes everyone but no , one temple doesn't , that is their right have to respect. In our church here everyone is welcome ! Speaking of dress code , our country gives full freedom to anything that we wished to wear. It is up to you anyways if you will wear an immodest dress all eyes will be staring at you ! You will be embarrassed then though you won't hear any comment . Usually liberated people when they go to our church they also wear a decent , modest dresses.