Sightings "in the wild"

[skirtilator]

Well I usually do wear a kilt to choir practice and other "informal" times at church, but I asked a friend of mine who is a member there about wearing a kilt to church -kinda sounding him out about it you know- and he said "I can guarantee you some there won't care and I can guarantee you some will" and so I just decided I wouldn't make waves. I guess I can wear pants for two or three hours a week though I'd rather not, lol

If it is not "appropriate" to wear a kilt all the time, it is not appropriate to wear it at all.

[Caultron]

If it is not "appropriate" to wear a kilt all the time, it is not appropriate to wear it at all.

Oh, I don't know about that. Substitute any other pice of clothing and see if it still makes sense.

Here are some suggestions: speedos, overcoats, tuxedos, ball gowns, butcher's aprons, motorcycle helmets, choir gowns, ...

[couyalair]

I disagree, Caultron; all the things you mentioned are worn for a specific purpose or activity.

I'd say a kilt can be better compared with trousers, shirt, shoes ... just something to wear in everyday life.

My kilts/skirts are just that; day-to-day garments to cover my nakedness and not catch cold.

Martin

[BobM]

Well I usually do wear a kilt to choir practice and other "informal" times at church, but I asked a friend of mine who is a member there about wearing a kilt to church -kinda sounding him out about it you know- and he said "I can guarantee you some there won't care and I can guarantee you some will" and so I just decided I wouldn't make waves. I guess I can wear pants for two or three hours a week though I'd rather not, lol

If it is not "appropriate" to wear a kilt all the time, it is not appropriate to wear it at all.

The general idea is to avoid anything, even something you have every right to do, if it might be a distraction from the worship of God, which is the whole point of "church". Those interested can see 1 Corinthians 8 for more information. I am mostly Scottish, my wife is 100% Scottish, and our church is Presbyterian which came out of Scotland. However, not all who come are thoroughly knowledgeable regarding the kilt. Because of that, and because we are far more interested in visitors hearing the Gospel without avoidable distraction, I don't usually wear my kilt to church either. It is a matter of priorities.

[Big and Bashful]

I remember some gents would wear kilts in the church I used to attend when a schoolkid. The kilts certainly were no distraction, it is just a different form of clothing. However, apart from funerals and playing guitar in my sister's church at Christmas, it is many years since I attended church. My Mother wanted me to attend but once I flew the nest I decided going to church to listen to someone talking about something I didn't believe in was wrong, dishonest I suppose.
Incidentally, the church I am thinking of wasn't in Scotland, however it was Church of Scotland, then I think it got 're-branded' as a United Reformed church. I am still not quite sure what that actually means

[Sinned]

MOH in some of her moments suggests me wearing a skirt to church. Now I have known some of the church members for most of my life and I know that I would be accepted there so attired. BUT. And it's a big BUT. BbM said that it might be a distraction from the worship of God and that's precisely why I wouldn't wear a skirt to church. If it's a barrier to someone else attending or it takes someone's attention away from the primary purpose of showing worship and devotion to our God then I feel that I have failed. Our church leaders have said that in some parts of the world men do attend church in skirts because that is their national dress but if it distracts then it is wrong. Just my opinion.

[skirtingtoday]

...Those interested can see 1 Corinthians 8 for more information....

Not sure I follow what sacrifical food has to do with distractions in church worship....

But them I don't go to church anyway... unless it is for a wedding, christening or funeral.

[RichardA]

I wear my kilt to church most Sundays, to start with I was a “novelty act” and everybody wanted to know all about it and my background, now it draws no attention at all, but I would not go in a skirt, I would like too, but I'm afraid of the reactions I may get as I'm well up in the church and respected, but saying that recently I have thought of going to another church out of my area just to find out what would happen and to see if the anybody would comment.

[Caultron]

I've had the same thought, testing reactions at a church where nobody knows me.

[Sinned]

As I said before with church it's not approval that's the issue it's what the effect would be on distracting from the purpose of worship. The members may approve but if it distracts them from focussing on the worship of God then it's wrong. I've said my piece.

[JRMILLER]

Here's my 2 cents...

I have been attending a UCC church for about 1-1/2 years. Each Sunday's program says "all are welcome, black, white, Hispanic, gay, transgender, etc.". So I thought that perhaps they wouldn't mind a guy in a kilt and / or skirt. A lot of people asked me about it as they got to know me, but so far as I know, I am on good standing in the church. I am also very active in the music program, that's my way of giving back.

Now, as to the matter of don't bother me, I am "worshiping", my feeling is that one of the primary missions of the church is to teach people to be civil to each other, to treat your neighbor as yourself, etc. I feel that I am providing the congregation with an opportunity to put their words and worshiping into action. I walk among them, I know some don't like it and I am certain they are distracted. It becomes an opportunity for them to grow past their prejudices. So, in a sense, I am helping them experience the tolerance they are taught and claim to have.

[Mugs-n-such]

If it is not "appropriate" to wear a kilt all the time, it is not appropriate to wear it at all.

Oh, I don't know about that. Substitute any other pice of clothing and see if it still makes sense.

Here are some suggestions: speedos, overcoats, tuxedos, ball gowns, butcher's aprons, motorcycle helmets, choir gowns, ...

Good point. And it isn't going to kill me to wear pants for three or four hours a week. I suppose I better, I might forget how to wear them, lol.

[Mugs-n-such]

Well I usually do wear a kilt to choir practice and other "informal" times at church, but I asked a friend of mine who is a member there about wearing a kilt to church -kinda sounding him out about it you know- and he said "I can guarantee you some there won't care and I can guarantee you some will" and so I just decided I wouldn't make waves. I guess I can wear pants for two or three hours a week though I'd rather not, lol

If it is not "appropriate" to wear a kilt all the time, it is not appropriate to wear it at all.

The general idea is to avoid anything, even something you have every right to do, if it might be a distraction from the worship of God, which is the whole point of "church". Those interested can see 1 Corinthians 8 for more information. I am mostly Scottish, my wife is 100% Scottish, and our church is Presbyterian which came out of Scotland. However, not all who come are thoroughly knowledgeable regarding the kilt. Because of that, and because we are far more interested in visitors hearing the Gospel without avoidable distraction, I don't usually wear my kilt to church either. It is a matter of priorities.

The church I go to is Presbyterian also. The funny thing is, we have had bagpipe players in the service before, who wore kilts, but that is kind of a special event, imo. If I were to play the bagpipes (which I don't know how unfortunately but I do play flute) in the service, I'd probably wear a kilt too, if a white shirt and tie would go with that. And black shoes.

[skirtyscot]

How much of a distraction can one man in a skirt be? You go in, everyone says, "Gosh how unusual, weird, disrespectful, satanic, etc. You cause quite a stir. You sit down and only the people right next to you can see your skirt. Is anyone so bothered by it that they can't concentrate on the sermon?

[Mugs-n-such]

That also is a good point, imo, Skirtyscot. I think if someone were too distracted by a man in a skirt, I'd think the fault might lie with him, the one being distracted I mean. I don't know how others would react, but I'd be thinking "good for him, he has the gumption to be different".