Q: Do you think that culture plays a role in what people wear and do? Should it? why or why not?
Marvin, 22, Ivory Coast: We shouldn’t and can’t ignore pop culture, politics, or secular fiction. It’s something that we have to face. Through our daily activities, we can show a positive lifestyle to people around us. You have to show that your life can make a positive difference in their lives. Always put God in the picture and He will do the rest.
Siphosenkosi, 22, South Africa: We are the light of the world people should learn from us through our good ways be it socially, politically or in anyway thus to say yes, they should engage but what matters is how they engage and for what reason they engage.
MARCELO LIMA, 27, ALAGOAS/MACEIO/BRAZIL: It is important for us as Adventists to say that the principles of the Bible regarding modesty are beyond the culture of this world. Although there are not any patterns of dresses authorized by God in Scriptures, we should consider the Christian’s role when the modesty is concerned. Apostle Peter said, “But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.” (KJV - I Peter 3:4). We are representatives, ambassadors for Christ in this world. We do not belong to this world. We are citizens of the kingdom of heaven, and we are to draw attention to our Savior Jesus Christ through our dresses, our speech, our food, and so forth. A naked body does not attract attention to our Redeemer. The Bible says, “Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world” (Titus 2:12 - KJV). The word “lusts” is very significant in this context. It means “passion”, and it is related to sexual practices. All we do should exalt the will of God for our lives. Think about it: what is the reason we stay at the side of Christ, live His life or catch the attention of the people around us to our worldly living? John Baptist, for instance, wore simple, modest clothing. Is this not a good pattern for Christian to follow? Remember: we are a frame of a picture. Christ is the picture.
Renaldo, 22, Brooklyn NY: Culture does and should play a role in one's mode of dress; however, there is a responsibility we have as Christians to dress appropriately and modestly. A young lady should not ware any piece of garment that is tasteless, unattractive, short, tight, and revealing; at the same token us young men must learn to keep our shirts on, especially those of us who work-out. Just a how a sister may "help" us to sin by their dressing, we also may "help" them sin by our lack of clothing....
Spink, 26, Honiara, Solomon Islands: I do agree that culture plays a lot of roles on young peoples dressing and what they do. But it shouldn't be a total influence on our lives. Let alone, that God should be our focus to what we wear and do.
Sinazo, 19, Port Elizabeth, South Africa: I think sometimes culture does play a role in what people wear and do and I don't have a problem with it, as long as it doesn't contradict with the Bible because as soon it contradicts with the Bible then something is wrong and in that case we should do as the Bible says, but if it is in harmony with the Bible then I personally am fine with it.
Teka-Ann, 24, California, USA: On the broad scale culture certainly and naturally plays a role in how we dress and what we do. Should it? There is no way to avoid it. Why? Because that is the essence of culture; diversity. I wouldn’t imagine a native Indian growing up and dressing like the Japanese nor would I imagine a native Jamaican growing up and eating with chopsticks instead of knives and forks. Culture, in the larger scheme of things, to a great extent defines what we wear and what we do. Does it play a role in what we wear or do in regards to our spiritual lives? Hmmmmmmm... To an extent, but much less than it affects our routines. What plays a greater role in how we dress or what we do as it relates to our spiritual lives is how we are grown or cultured in our homes, the values we are taught, and the exposure we are given. Then as we get older it becomes our own choices and the roads we decide to take.
Anonymous, 16, United States: I read the previous comments posted for this questions and one thing the answers have in common is that they all focus on visitors and non-members of the Adventist church. Don't get me wrong they are all great answers but none of them really focus on what we, as Adventists, not the visitors, should be wearing. The most common answer was that we should accept people as they are and not judge them based on their attire. That's true. At the same time as Adventist we need to be introducing people to the Christian way of dressing. In our times it's hard to do because we ourselves are not following the Christian Dress code so how are we going witness to someone else about it.
Sure culture plays a role in what people wear and do, that doesn't mean that we can use as an excuse to do whatever we want under the cover of "its part of my culture". People change/ignore certain aspect of their culture when they move to a new country or for a job; how much more should we be willing to change OUR culture and adapt God's culture. But anyway at the end it’s all about personal choice and how strong of a conscience you have.
Martin, 27, Netherlands: I believe very strongly that culture plays a role in what people wear and do. What people wear and do makes them unique before God. Of course what you do has to be in line with what the Bible tells you, you should do, but the guidelines are very broad. Also in Biblical times (which cover about 2000 years!) we see that what people wore and did changed. Paul said: "To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews."(1 Cor. 9:20a) For me this means that for Paul culture also played a role and that every culture has its own values. The main question to ask is not what should I wear and do, but how do I manage to keep up my relation to God?
Don, 24, Florida, United States: Cultures do have a role in what we wear, but simplicity and modesty of dress is universal.
Ezner, 20, Kenya: Yes it does. No it shouldn't, because the world is evolving and the changes are happening and we just have to accept the changes or else changes might change us if we do not allow them, so the culture should play a role so as to help us know what to put on and what not to put on,
Jelor, 22, Zamboanga City, Philippines: Culture is one of the identities of a person. It plays an important role to the life of a person. Whether the person has a dress or none as long as he is a human being, whatever tribe or culture he belongs he owes love and respect because he is created and loved by GOD.... Sometimes, we judge our fellow through their physical appearance, or the way they dress which is not supposed to be. We sometimes became like the Priest and Pharisees during the time of Jesus Christ.
But, God did the opposite. He views us not through our physical or the way we dress, but through our hearts and way of obeying His commandments....
Letang, 17, Gaborone, Botswana: I definitely think that culture does play a very important role in what most people do and wear today. However I think as Adventists our different cultures should not play a very major role in what we do, we should be more concerned on what God wants us to do and do His will. This is because some of our cultures may bind us to do things that God wouldn’t see as right.
Emmanuel, 21, Nigeria: No, I don’t think that culture plays a role, because that is culture and culture has been ordained by God who created all things. People should know God, should dress responsible because their body is the temple of God.
Jonathan, 17, Germany: I also would say the culture is a part of our Identity and it's so that you cannot say: ''It's not a part of me''. So we all shall live with our culture, but when we are Christians, especially Seventh-Day-Adventists, we should tolerate people with other parentages and opinions. And this was already mentioned and I would say the same that everyone is unique. But it's the Principle from the Bible: ''Unity in diversity''. And that's a great thing we are all one in our belief in God!!!
LaFranche, 16, Texas United States: Yes, I do think that culture plays in a role in what people do and say. It shouldn't but it does. For example, I know a girl who had dancing at her birthday party just because it was apart of her culture. She was an Adventist, too. I was sad when I heard that. People actually tried to justify that by saying that it was apart of her culture. These dance are provocative and I think that God isn't please to see His people do things that are of the world especially when they are suppose to put off the old man when they get baptized and enter into His church. I don't think God winks on that type of behavior.
Also, I know that Catholic rituals and traditions are apart of most Spanish cultures. Many people who are Spanish do not forsake those evil and idolatrous traditions because they say that they are apart their culture.
So, basically, I think it is pretty obvious what I believe I was taught by God. If God is willing to accept any person despite their past, religion, race, and nationality, why shouldn't we fully accept Him despite our past, religion, race and nationality? Just ask yourself, would God participate in these traditions if He was of my race, background, or nationality despite His religion?
Joe, 27, Kafue, Zambia: Yeah I reckon it does. We ought to understand that God created us uniquely. There is unity in our diversity. Culture is an identity. But we as Seventh-day Adventists have to be careful when it comes to visitors in our church. We have to accept each one as they are. This includes the way the dress, talk etc. Once the good news hits them, they will adopt the new Christian Seventh-day Adventist culture.
Beki, 27, Malaysia: Well, the way I have been brought up is that once you become a Christian, culture does not have a say in what you are because Christianity itself is a culture. . It is a way of life that we are called too. Like the Bible says, it is not possible to serve two masters. Either you will hate one and love the other, so when it comes to mixing Christianity and culture, personally, I would discourage it. This then brings me to the point of dress, I would say think of it this way: If you bumped into Jesus the way you are dressed would you be comfortable? And also, does the way I dress cause others to sin? If you can answer these two questions and remain with clear conscience then its okay.
Tabitha, 15, North Dakota, United States: I see things like jewelry and drastic makeup creeping into our church. When I was in St. Louis for the General Conference Session I would see people in town and wonder if they were Seventh-day Adventists and if id’ notice things like earrings, tattoos, etc, that would tell me no. But I have seen this stuff creeping in and have seen people I respect very much and admire for their firey attitude for Jesus with this stuff on their bodies. It scares and hurts me to see our church values and principles sliding like this, what can we do!
Chimuka, 22, Zambia, Africa: I am so glad you have brought this topic. There is a lot of debate in our Youth clubs at church on this. One thing human beings should know is that serving God and living according to his will should be a pleasure and not a burden. God is a God of standard; He is the same yesterday, today and forever. When Jesus left then came the comforter who works and lives in us when we choose a new life in Christ we ought to behave differently, and maybe dress differently. In Africa, or should I get closer, in Zambia most Adventist churches do not accept ladies in trousers, make-up and men in dreadlocks. If one with such was to walk in church what would drive them out is the look they would receive...Culture does play a role but let us remember just to what extent culture has accepted sin...and church members this is not the time to criticize each other on what visitors or even members are wearing...we have a great task ahead of us...remember youths our motto is 'Go on God's errands'...in summary I would advise my fellow youths that when you seek a new life in Christ, He alone will direct your paths, even as you are living in a world of sin and culture...there is a small still voice ready to correct you on what to accept and what not to.
Jamie, 14, Texas United States: Yes I do know that culture plays a major role in what people wear and do. Yes I think it should because it’s your culture and it represents what you, and what and what you are about.
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