Gender Non-Conformance and Religion

[Myopic Bookworm]

I've never seen open communion offered in a Roman Catholic Church (in the UK), and have been explicitly barred from receiving it at a friend's funeral. I've had it only a handful of times, at specifically ecumenical occasions. Anglo Catholic churches (High Episcopalian) may offer it more freely. Orthodox are allowed to be offered Catholic communion but their own church does not approve of their receiving it.

[JohnH]

Here in in the US, Episcopalians (Anglican) state that anyone who has been baptized is free to receive Communion.
Also, my dressing like a woman has caused no reaction other than some women complimenting my dresses.
Our choir is practicing Glinka's Cherubic Hymn. Naturally, I get to sing the second bass part that has a lot of D2 (one ledger line below the bass staff) notes. At rehearsal, I'm sitting there as the only person wearing a dress, along with my bust and long hair. The man who is singing the baritone part, the priest, is a quite masculine looking man.

John

[Barleymower]

I'm not religious but I know about Roman Catholic Holy Communion. I went to Catholic primary school and my three children also went to catholic primary. So I have been though first holy communion and a further three times with my children. Essentially you should not take communion unless you have been through the lessons which last around 12 weeks alongside regular church going. Then at the end of the learning period you take your first holy communion, a grand affair with party afterwards (there will be a lot of children going through at the same time).
Then you take communion with everyone else. Or you haven't had FHC then you can still go up for a blessing. There isn't a register so if you did take the bread its no big deal.
I have worn a skirt to church, also no problem. It was ignored.

[Coder]

I have been into catholic churches and their policy is open communion. They have announce before given communion that everyone can partake.
Some catholic churches have those attending do a ritual, bend a knee and draw a cross front of chest before seating, while others just walk in and sit. Different catholic churches have different policies.

The trouble is, it's complicated and it's not policy on a church-bases per-se but Canon Law that governs the entire Church:

https://www.ewtn.com/catholicism/answer ... nion-24784

So in general churches who offer "open communion" are acting incorrectly, and if there is some reason to offer it like that, it needs to be done on an individual basis with great care. Even within the church there are liberal/conservative factions, which is why you might see a difference in what churches might offer or how individuals present themselves when receiving the sacrament. How the sacrament is received is different and there are more acceptable options compared to who is allowed to receive it.

Near as I recall, however, there is no requirement on specifically how one is dressed, although I'm pretty sure there may be something about being "modestly dressed" and in the past women were required to wear head coverings.

[JohnH]

In my church (Episcopal) one is free to wear anything as long as it is modest and clean. I see both genders wearing jeans and sneakers. I rebel against such casual clothing, so I wear a man's coat and tie outfit (only 1 other man does) or I doll myself up with a dress, heels, hoop earrings, makeup, and painted nails. (few people do that).

John

[jamie001]

In my church (Episcopal) one is free to wear anything as long as it is modest and clean. I see both genders wearing jeans and sneakers. I rebel against such casual clothing, so I wear a man's coat and tie outfit (only 1 other man does) or I doll myself up with a dress, heels, hoop earrings, makeup, and painted nails. (few people do that).

John

I absolutely loathe neckties to this day. I was an aerospace engineer during the late 80's and was forced by management to wear a necktie everyday while women were allowed carte blanche. IMO, there is no reason for a man to be required to wear an item of fabric that points to his genitals. I can find my genitals without the assistance, thank you. I remember the last state of the union address with Joe Biden. Kamala Harris was wearing the same suit as Joe Biden sans the necktie. Can you imagine the hell that would have broke loose if Biden didn't wear the necktie?

Many employers still force men to wear neckties and that is the primary reason that I hate the damn things. I will wear a suit if necessary, but will no longer ever wear a necktie. Women eliminated pantyhose, Why can't men eliminate neckties that have been proven to spread germs and reduce 10 percent of the blood flow to the brain, while pointing to their genitals?

If neckties were not forced upon men, I would not wear them but would not have the incessant hate for them.

[Mouse]

I absolutely loathe neckties to this day. I was an aerospace engineer during the late 80's and was forced by management to wear a necktie everyday while women were allowed carte blanche.

The only thing about a tie that I liked, was the free reign I got to choose something colourful and rebellious.

With members who do not have an age registered, my brain fills in the number. "late 80's" puts you a similar age to me, when my brain had you much younger. Funny how the brain makes assumptions.

[GerdG]

I might have been one of the last men in DK to have worn a tie. I did it voluntarily, because I thought it looked the best with a suit or blazer. It is over 15 years ago by now.

A man with a tie is about as unusual as a man in a skirt.

[timemeddler]

I wore skirts occasionally at the church we used to go to. I had several positive comments and checked with a number of people that they were ok with it. Then 1 of the leaders took me aside and asked me to think about Deut 22:5 which I did and told him it was relevant. Then this was escalated to "a number of people have complained" although these were private complaints to the leaders - no-one said anything negative to my face. Fast-forward a while and my offer to serve as a trustee of the charity behind the church was declined as "a number of people" objected "because of my clothing choices". A little while later and one of the elders took me aside and basically lectured me on "sin". Subsequent meeting with the new leadership confirmed that my wife and I would not be considered for serving in any capacity and so we left. (My wife has problems with her mental health.)

funny how they ignore what the new testament say on how to deal with a brother who is sinning. go first to him in private and adress the issue, then if that fails bring two, and if all else fails, then go to the church leaders. It sound like they did exactly the opposite of what the bible says on the matter. I've ran into this before over monks robes.

[GerdG]

"Funny" church(es) you have "over there".

Matthew 7.3:

"Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?"

Fundamental Christians are as bad as fundamental Muslims or fundamental Jews - in my eyes.

[geron]

Why can't men eliminate neckties that have been proven to spread germs and reduce 10 percent of the blood flow to the brain, while pointing to their genitals?

Possibly you are overthinking this! Isn't the function of a necktie simply to cover up the wearer's shirt buttons?

[Jim]

No, a tie is the remnant of a convenient combined bib, napkin, and handkerchief.

[jamie001]

Why can't men eliminate neckties that have been proven to spread germs and reduce 10 percent of the blood flow to the brain, while pointing to their genitals?

Possibly you are overthinking this! Isn't the function of a necktie simply to cover up the wearer's shirt buttons?

I have always wondered why the buttons need to be covered?

[Mouse]

Why can't men eliminate neckties that have been proven to spread germs and reduce 10 percent of the blood flow to the brain, while pointing to their genitals?

Possibly you are overthinking this! Isn't the function of a necktie simply to cover up the wearer's shirt buttons?

I have always wondered why the buttons need to be covered?

Especially as the smartest tie, the Bow tie, doesn't cover any buttons...

[JohnH]

In my church (Episcopal) one is free to wear anything as long as it is modest and clean. I see both genders wearing jeans and sneakers. I rebel against such casual clothing, so I wear a man's coat and tie outfit (only 1 other man does) or I doll myself up with a dress, heels, hoop earrings, makeup, and painted nails. (few people do that).

John

I absolutely loathe neckties to this day. I was an aerospace engineer during the late 80's and was forced by management to wear a necktie everyday while women were allowed carte blanche. IMO, there is no reason for a man to be required to wear an item of fabric that points to his genitals. I can find my genitals without the assistance, thank you. I remember the last state of the union address with Joe Biden. Kamala Harris was wearing the same suit as Joe Biden sans the necktie. Can you imagine the hell that would have broke loose if Biden didn't wear the necktie?

Many employers still force men to wear neckties and that is the primary reason that I hate the damn things. I will wear a suit if necessary, but will no longer ever wear a necktie. Women eliminated pantyhose, Why can't men eliminate neckties that have been proven to spread germs and reduce 10 percent of the blood flow to the brain, while pointing to their genitals?

If neckties were not forced upon men, I would not wear them but would not have the incessant hate for them.

I guess under those circumstances I could claim I was a transgender woman with the name of Johanna to get away from having to wear a tie. I certainly have the appearance with my long hair and bust. However, I would have to work on my speaking voice.

John