Wearing shorts is bad?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Rocks_91
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
R

Rocks_91

Guest
Some time ago, I went to church wearing decent, knee-length shorts but a priest caught me and told me I wasn’t allowed to wear shorts at church since it’s a “holy place.”

Naturally, I was disappointed since I hate wearing long pants or jeans. Even at home I wear only shorts. And I live in India, so wearing long pants can be very uncomfortable in the hot weather.

The ironic thing is - does he know what Jesus was wearing at the crucifixion? If he’s not offended by that, why is he offended at my shorts?

Are shorts really that bad? :confused:
 
What Jesus wore or more to the point what He didn’t wear was part of the punishment by humiliation.

If you would wear shorts to meet the most important person you can think of, than I guess it wouldn’t be that bad.

I want to wear the best I have to meet the most important person I will ever meet, Jesus in the Mass.
 
There are some denominations that have dress codes. Wearing shorts in some Protestant denominations is considered a no no. As it is, the Catholic church calls us to dress modestely which is a basic feature of most churches I have attended as well.

Shorts are ok provided they aren’t so tight so the parishers can tell what type of underwear the person is wearing. My general rule of thumb is: look around the church see what others are wearing and try to wear something that fits within their style of dress. For example if all of the women are wearing skirts of a certain style, the person should also.

Since you live in india why don’t you try wearing capris? They aren’t shorts nor are they pants. If you are a woman, why don’t you wear a skirt that goes below the knee that way you’ll be cool. If you have a concern about it, make an appointment with that priest and ask him about it.
 
SecretGarden said:
There are some denominations that have dress codes. Wearing shorts in some Protestant denominations is considered a no no. As it is, the Catholic church calls us to dress modestely which is a basic feature of most churches I have attended as well.

Shorts are ok provided they aren’t so tight so the parishers can tell what type of underwear the person is wearing. My general rule of thumb is: look around the church see what others are wearing and try to wear something that fits within their style of dress. For example if all of the women are wearing skirts of a certain style, the person should also.

Since you live in india why don’t you try wearing capris? They aren’t shorts nor are they pants. If you are a woman, why don’t you wear a skirt that goes below the knee that way you’ll be cool. If you have a concern about it, make an appointment with that priest and ask him about it.
Click to expand...
Well, the shorts I wear are very loose. I’m a man, so personally I don’t see what’s wrong with shorts. Women, of course, need to have a greater degree of modesty, since they have figures. They should either wear ankle-length skirts or loose-fitting pants. But, being a man, I should be allowed to wear shorts. Frustrating. 🙂
 
The pastor of the parish is the chief spiritual leader of the parish family. Try to accept the message he is giving your parish – “let’s demonstrate our reverence toward our Lord by dressing for Him.” Don’t get hung up on the details.
 
It really is about respect and recerence. Some people will tell you that this is a trivial issue and that Jesus wants you as you are. Sure, Jesus wants you in church but being dressed properly is one of the signs that you respect that holy place and are willing to make a little bit of an effort. Just because we are used to something doesn’t mean we should not try and improve and aim for a higher level. This goes for clothes as well. Unfortunately, we live in an age where there is less and less understanding of what it means to behave and dress in appropriate way. For example, people wear flip flops to all sorts of occasionas, including to church, and see nothing wrong with that.
I applaud your priest for speaking up about this issue. More should do the same.
 
DaddyGirl said:
but I bet if you were a girl wearing a skirt of the exact same length, there would be no problem. So how does that make sense?
Click to expand...
That’s a good point.
Contra_Mundum said:
For example, people wear flip flops to all sorts of occasionas, including to church, and see nothing wrong with that.
Click to expand...
Are you saying that shorts are more casual than flip-flops? My children wore flip-flops to Mass once, were scolded, and never did it again.

To the OP: I’m interested to hear more replies here. I do agree that shorts can be distracting, as I was recently out of town at a Mass with a young woman with very short shorts two rows in front of me. But I know that’s not what you’re talking about, nor the other posters who are supporting you. (Luckily at home I sit at the piano so don’t have to sit behind anybody. 😉 )

Alan
 
quote=Rocks_91;8239410
The ironic thing is - does he know what Jesus was wearing at the crucifixion? If he’s not offended by that, why is he offended at my shorts?

Are shorts really that bad? :confused:
Click to expand...
not bad, but not accepted at that parish, so you comply in obedience, the mother of all virtue

Jesus was stripped to shame him and punish him because it was degradation for a Jewish man to be seen that way, not by his choice.

is your church air-conditioned? down here in 100+ heat some of the smaller churches have no A/C and the ladies still come in dresses and the gentlemen in business suits. The wealthier the parish, in my observation here and in my travels, the more casual the dress.

does your employer encourage shorts in a position where you meet customers?

there are still some standards in society and church should be where we dress in the best we have to honor the King.

there is also an element of respect for the priest and for the other people around you, which I see is sadly lacking in the attitude of some posters.
 
I see your point. Yes, you are right. I shouldn’t be obstinate and should obey the priest. 🙂 Besides, I’ve always believed that women should dress modestly and women should be wearing ankle-length skirts. It’s a bit hypocritical of me not to think that us men shouldn’t be dressing modestly as well. I suppose shorts can be a little immodest. I’ll wear full-length pants to church from now on. 🙂
 
When I went to church today, I saw a lot of people wearing shorts. They were looks and went to or below the knee. Some guys were wearing a polo shirt and formalish shorts. The place has no air conditioning and I was wearing a pair of pants and a polo shirt. It is kind of uncomfortable praying and having sweat drip down your back and down your crack. I guess you have to do what you gotta do for Jesus.
 
Well, best I can explain it is saying that it’s like meeting a king. You wouldn’t want to wear shorts when you meet a king would you?
 
You go to Mass in your finest (not saying God wants you to be ridiculously dressed up). Would you go in shorts to meet the POTUS? OK, bad example:D

Would you go in shorts to meet the pro-life POTUS? The bishop? The Cardinal? The Pope? Above all, our Lord? We meer Jesus Himself at every Mass.
 
I live in Florida where it’s very hot and humid for half the year. I have worn shorts to weekday Mass at times due to the weather but they are very nice, pressed, dress shorts, knee length, with a tucked in collared shirt and belt. On Sunday’s, though, no matter how hot and humid, I will always wear slacks (never jeans!), tucked in collared shirt and belt. Footwear is never flipflops, or sandals as I’m not following the Discalced Carmelite tradition. My feeling is if God gave me the means to afford nice clothing, I will dress nicely for Him during Mass. FWIW, I’m in my 40’s and grew up when most of us went to Mass in jeans, tshirts and tennis shoes.
 
Rocks_91 said:
Well, the shorts I wear are very loose. I’m a man, so personally I don’t see what’s wrong with shorts. But, being a man, I should be allowed to wear shorts. Frustrating. 🙂
Click to expand...
Of course you are allowed to wear shorts. No one is stopping you from wearing shorts. However, the pastor is also “allowed” to set a dress code for church attire. As long as you want to go to church, you need to be respectful of the pastor and the parish’s requirements. It sounds like you are more attached to your shorts than your faith. 😦
 
But the LORD said to Samuel,“Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart.”

1 Samuel 16:7
 
I wear shorts all the time ~ but knew better to wear khaki pants + boots to church.
 
I would rather see people wearing shorts that reached the knees that are either khaki style material or a dressy type material that are loose fitting with a nice shirt & dress sandals compared to the athletic styles or even the shorter shorts to Mass during the summer months. I prefer in hotter weather to wear skirts or dresses that go to my knees or below with short sleeves (or a wrap over a dress that is sleeveless.
 
If you ever travel to the Holy Land, they will not let you into many of the churches at the holy sites with shorts on. It is about respecting the customs of the church you go to.
 
Rocks_91 said:
Some time ago, I went to church wearing decent, knee-length shorts but a priest caught me and told me I wasn’t allowed to wear shorts at church since it’s a “holy place.”

Naturally, I was disappointed since I hate wearing long pants or jeans. Even at home I wear only shorts. And I live in India, so wearing long pants can be very uncomfortable in the hot weather.

The ironic thing is - does he know what Jesus was wearing at the crucifixion? If he’s not offended by that, why is he offended at my shorts?

Are shorts really that bad? :confused:
Click to expand...
I, personally, do not feel comfortable in Church if my knees or shoulders are showing. Shorts are a big no-no in my book. So are jeans, short skirts or anything sleeveless.

I am going before our Lord and receiving Him in Holy Communion. I wouldn’t dress in shorts for a job interview, or someone’s wedding or any other formal banquet - and the Eucharist is so much more important than any of those.

I think your priest is correct and I commend him for his courage to speak up! You should dress like it’s the most important day of your life. If shorts are too hot, just offer up your sufferings and unite them with Christ’s sufferings. Like I tell my daughter, “It’s only for an hour - you’ll live”.

I wish your priest was at our parish. Everone complains about how the congregation dresses, but no one says anything!
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top