Why do We have to Wear Clothes?

[JamesR]

Serious question--from a purely religious standpoint, why do we have to wear clothing? If humans prior to the fall of Adam were naked and it was good, and clothing and shame came after the Fall, why do we still have to wear them? If Christ redeemed us as the "New Adam" then doesn't it follow that the same and guilt from the first Adam has been canceled out and we could go back to being nude? I mean, sure, there are times when--given the weather and obeying civil law--we'd have to wear clothes. But what about in Church? If the Liturgy transcends reality as we know it and is where Heaven and Earth meet--in the presence of God under the new Covenant, why do we still have to wear clothing--which only signifies the shame from the first Adam? Christ is risen and is the new Adam, there's no need for clothing anymore if we've been redeemed.

[genesisone]

Interestingly, I recently watched a TV documentary about the Doukhobors in British Colombia in the 1950s and 60s. They believed that we should be free and open before God. That was one of the points that led to serious clashes (that according to the documentary were poorly handled by the RCMP and other authorities).

We've been redeemed, OK - but have we achieved theosis in its fullness?

[Orthodox11]

1. Weather. Christ did not stop us dying of cold or getting sunburn.

2. We are still subject to the passions and have to struggle against them. The world in which we live is still a fallen one.

[katherineofdixie]

1. Weather. Christ did not stop us dying of cold or getting sunburn.

2. We are still subject to the passions and have to struggle against them. The world in which we live is still a fallen one.

And

3. For esthetic reasons.

[LBK]

1. Weather. Christ did not stop us dying of cold or getting sunburn.

2. We are still subject to the passions and have to struggle against them. The world in which we live is still a fallen one.

And

3. For esthetic reasons.

THIS!! The sight of me in the altogether is Not A Good Thing.    

[valgeronk]

Being the practical person that I am - not wearing clothes in Estonia autumn, winter, spring and most of the summer will result in either death or severe hypothermia. 

[Michał Kalina]

Best thread's title in a while.

[biro]

Anybody else notice James has a one-track mind?

[Arachne]

Serious question--from a purely religious standpoint, why do we have to wear clothing?

Exposing one's own shortcomings is never a smart idea.

http://haldolongwidget.wordpress.com/2009/08/22/public-nudity/

[LBK]

Serious question--from a purely religious standpoint, why do we have to wear clothing?

Exposing one's own shortcomings is never a smart idea.

http://haldolongwidget.wordpress.com/2009/08/22/public-nudity/

Thanks for posting this spectacular and welcome dose of grumpiness, Arachne. 

[orthros]

Best thread's title in a while.

"Why Are Roman Catholics Always Trying to Jack Our Swag?" is still the frontrunner.  I laugh every time I think about it.

[Papist]

If we did not wear clothes, would you really want to sit in the same chair in which some one else just sat?

Side note: At the beginning of every school year, when discussing the dress code with my students, I always make the following announcement:

"To all of the gentle men who like to "sag" their pants, and to all of the ladies who like to wear short shorts, I would like to remind you that the chairs in this classroom are never washed. Consider that before selecting your outfit every morning."

[podkarpatska]

If we did not wear clothes, would you really want to sit in the same chair in which some one else just sat?

Side note: At the beginning of every school year, when discussing the dress code with my students, I always make the following announcement:

"To all of the gentle men who like to "sag" their pants, and to all of the ladies who like to wear short shorts, I would like to remind you that the chairs in this classroom are never washed. Consider that before selecting your outfit every morning."

Wasn't that point made in a Seinfeld episode?

[Shanghaiski]

Serious question--from a purely religious standpoint, why do we have to wear clothing? If humans prior to the fall of Adam were naked and it was good, and clothing and shame came after the Fall, why do we still have to wear them? If Christ redeemed us as the "New Adam" then doesn't it follow that the same and guilt from the first Adam has been canceled out and we could go back to being nude? I mean, sure, there are times when--given the weather and obeying civil law--we'd have to wear clothes. But what about in Church? If the Liturgy transcends reality as we know it and is where Heaven and Earth meet--in the presence of God under the new Covenant, why do we still have to wear clothing--which only signifies the shame from the first Adam? Christ is risen and is the new Adam, there's no need for clothing anymore if we've been redeemed.

For the same reason we don't eat meat sacrificed to idols--for the same of our brethren.

[Shanghaiski]

St. Gabriel of Mtskheta said the followers of Antichrist will walk around naked.

[JamesR]

If we did not wear clothes, would you really want to sit in the same chair in which some one else just sat?

Guess again, Papist! We Orthodox stand in Church! Check and mate 

[Achronos]

"To all of the gentle men who like to "sag" their pants, and to all of the ladies who like to wear short shorts, I would like to remind you that the chairs in this classroom are never washed. Consider that before selecting your outfit every morning."

LMBO!

[LBK]

If we did not wear clothes, would you really want to sit in the same chair in which some one else just sat?

Side note: At the beginning of every school year, when discussing the dress code with my students, I always make the following announcement:

"To all of the gentle men who like to "sag" their pants, and to all of the ladies who like to wear short shorts, I would like to remind you that the chairs in this classroom are never washed. Consider that before selecting your outfit every morning."

I imagine the girls would have enough "ewwwww" factor to heed this advice. The lads, I'm not so sure about. 

[Achronos]

From middle school to high school the outfits on the girls were more revealing every year. There used to be one area in the school where a certain ethnic group hung out and you could have sworn you were at a prostitute's street corner.

The principal at the time didn't care too much and allowed us to wear hats in school.

Oh and sagging was allowed.

[username!]

You go naked in 20F weather and tell me how long you can stand it.  I can't stand it most of the time when I'm dressed like a marshmallow.

[LBK]

You go naked in 20F weather and tell me how long you can stand it.  I can't stand it most of the time when I'm dressed like a marshmallow.

Indeed. You go naked in 105F weather and see how long you'll last. 

[Maria]

You go naked in 20F weather and tell me how long you can stand it.  I can't stand it most of the time when I'm dressed like a marshmallow.

Indeed. You go naked in 105F weather and see how long you'll last. 

Indeed, studies done in the military show that fully clothed soldiers could handle the heat better than men who went around bare-backed while wearing shorts.

[Shanghaiski]

If we did not wear clothes, would you really want to sit in the same chair in which some one else just sat?

Side note: At the beginning of every school year, when discussing the dress code with my students, I always make the following announcement:

"To all of the gentle men who like to "sag" their pants, and to all of the ladies who like to wear short shorts, I would like to remind you that the chairs in this classroom are never washed. Consider that before selecting your outfit every morning."

I imagine the girls would have enough "ewwwww" factor to heed this advice. The lads, I'm not so sure about. 

For them, then, there is caning.

[choy]

Serious question--from a purely religious standpoint, why do we have to wear clothing? If humans prior to the fall of Adam were naked and it was good, and clothing and shame came after the Fall, why do we still have to wear them? If Christ redeemed us as the "New Adam" then doesn't it follow that the same and guilt from the first Adam has been canceled out and we could go back to being nude? I mean, sure, there are times when--given the weather and obeying civil law--we'd have to wear clothes. But what about in Church? If the Liturgy transcends reality as we know it and is where Heaven and Earth meet--in the presence of God under the new Covenant, why do we still have to wear clothing--which only signifies the shame from the first Adam? Christ is risen and is the new Adam, there's no need for clothing anymore if we've been redeemed.

Come to Canada and you'll know why.  There is still a week of winter left

[LBK]

You go naked in 20F weather and tell me how long you can stand it.  I can't stand it most of the time when I'm dressed like a marshmallow.

Indeed. You go naked in 105F weather and see how long you'll last. 

Indeed, studies done in the military show that fully clothed soldiers could handle the heat better than men who went around bare-backed while wearing shorts.

Anyone who lives in places where it gets seriously hot can tell you the same thing. If heatstroke doesn't get you, sunburn will. To the point of blisters and burns of all three degrees. One's delicate bits would be particularly vulnerable.

And then there's the long term risk of skin cancer. Not all of them are deadly, but why tempt fate?

[Maria]

If we did not wear clothes, would you really want to sit in the same chair in which some one else just sat?

Side note: At the beginning of every school year, when discussing the dress code with my students, I always make the following announcement:

"To all of the gentle men who like to "sag" their pants, and to all of the ladies who like to wear short shorts, I would like to remind you that the chairs in this classroom are never washed. Consider that before selecting your outfit every morning."

I imagine the girls would have enough "ewwwww" factor to heed this advice. The lads, I'm not so sure about. 

For them, then, there is caning.

caning?

[choy]

If we did not wear clothes, would you really want to sit in the same chair in which some one else just sat?

Guess again, Papist! We Orthodox stand in Church! Check and mate 

Okay then, try prostrating behind someone.

[Gamliel]

If we did not wear clothes, it would put a lot more factory workers out of work and depress the economy even more.  Keep wearing clothes.  

[LBK]

If we did not wear clothes, would you really want to sit in the same chair in which some one else just sat?

Side note: At the beginning of every school year, when discussing the dress code with my students, I always make the following announcement:

"To all of the gentle men who like to "sag" their pants, and to all of the ladies who like to wear short shorts, I would like to remind you that the chairs in this classroom are never washed. Consider that before selecting your outfit every morning."

I imagine the girls would have enough "ewwwww" factor to heed this advice. The lads, I'm not so sure about. 

For them, then, there is caning.

Caning in schools was abolished in my neck of the woods about 40 years ago, so there goes that option.  

God only knows how I've managed to restrain myself over the years from sneaking up behind a lad with saggy pants, and yanking them down to the ankles.  

[Asteriktos]

If we did not have clothes, the existence of James would necessitate their creation.

[Maria]

If we did not wear clothes, would you really want to sit in the same chair in which some one else just sat?

Guess again, Papist! We Orthodox stand in Church! Check and mate 

Okay then, try prostrating behind someone.

Perish the thought and scent.

[Maria]

If we did not wear clothes, would you really want to sit in the same chair in which some one else just sat?

Side note: At the beginning of every school year, when discussing the dress code with my students, I always make the following announcement:

"To all of the gentle men who like to "sag" their pants, and to all of the ladies who like to wear short shorts, I would like to remind you that the chairs in this classroom are never washed. Consider that before selecting your outfit every morning."

I imagine the girls would have enough "ewwwww" factor to heed this advice. The lads, I'm not so sure about.  

For them, then, there is caning.

Caning in schools was abolished in my neck of the woods about 40 years ago, so there goes that option.  

God only knows how I've managed to restrain myself over the years from sneaking up behind a lad with saggy pants, and yanking them down to the ankles.  

So, caning as in paddling or belting? Yes, those forms of corporeal punishment are rarely seen today.

Yanking pants .... logismoi confession time?

[LBK]

If we did not have clothes, the existence of James would necessitate their creation.

Oooo, you horrible, horrible, man, you.

[LBK]

If we did not wear clothes, would you really want to sit in the same chair in which some one else just sat?

Side note: At the beginning of every school year, when discussing the dress code with my students, I always make the following announcement:

"To all of the gentle men who like to "sag" their pants, and to all of the ladies who like to wear short shorts, I would like to remind you that the chairs in this classroom are never washed. Consider that before selecting your outfit every morning."

I imagine the girls would have enough "ewwwww" factor to heed this advice. The lads, I'm not so sure about.  

For them, then, there is caning.

Caning in schools was abolished in my neck of the woods about 40 years ago, so there goes that option.  

God only knows how I've managed to restrain myself over the years from sneaking up behind a lad with saggy pants, and yanking them down to the ankles.  

logismoi confession time?

No, just proving that grumpy old farts like me are capable of reining in their impulses. Though, in such cases, I often wish I hadn't.  

[Nephi]

If we did not wear clothes, would you really want to sit in the same chair in which some one else just sat?

Guess again, Papist! We Orthodox stand in Church! Check and mate 

Okay then, try prostrating behind someone.

 

[Maria]

If we did not have clothes, the existence of James would necessitate their creation.

Oooo, you horrible, horrible, man, you.

No, the presence of us older sagging adults would necessitate clothes.
Gravity pulls everything down. Longer earlobes, longer noses, ... you get the point.

[Cyrillic]

According to St. Augustine's de haeresibus there were schismatic heretics in the early Church who went to church naked.

[Papist]

If we did not wear clothes, would you really want to sit in the same chair in which some one else just sat?

Guess again, Papist! We Orthodox stand in Church! Check and mate 

So you are saying you want to walk around naked at church?

[yeshuaisiam]

Still trying to find where Christ made us the "New Adam", but he did redeem our sins.
 
But we keep sinning.  We know of sin, and innocence lost.

I think a good question is, with our sins redeemed, why do we keep sinning?
If everybody went without clothes would people be sinning in lust, judgment, etc.?

Anyway, just my thoughts.

[Arachne]

Come to Canada and you'll know why.  There is still a week of winter left

Which doesn't say much, as the four seasons in Canada are really called Almost Winter, Winter, Still Winter and Construction.

[LBK]

According to St. Augustine's de haeresibus there were schismatic heretics in the early Church who went to church naked.

Bet that sect didn't last long, the yiayia (I don't know what it is in Arabic or Latin) squad would've soon sorted them out. (Babushki were still several centuries away)

[Kerdy]

For starters, most people don't want to see you naked.

[Orthodox11]

So you are saying you want to walk around naked at church?

The only thing I want to see swinging in church is the censer.

[Orthodox11]

Bet that sect didn't last long, the yiayia (I don't know what it is in Arabic or Latin) squad would've soon sorted them out. (Babushki were still several centuries away)

The Berber is apparently 'henna'.

[Schultz]

If we did not have clothes, the existence of James would necessitate their creation.

Asteriktos wins this thread.

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