No barefoot in church

[TMo]

Well it finally happened:

I had one of those confrontations I always read about. Though I don't go barefoot in church on Sundays, I did while teaching vacation bible school. The congregation leader was yelling at my mother in law. I interceded and learned it was because I had been barefoot in church. He went on to tell me how disrespectful I was (lol he got crazy eyed and stuck his finger in my face the whole thing was nuts). I stated God told Mose to take his shoes off he was on holy ground and he informed me that was a bunch of crap.

I think I am just looking for some resources to support my desire to be barefoot in church. Not sure it will help but it would be nice. I am sure this has been covered before. Most folks at this church support me even though I think they think I'm eccentric.

 

[Barefoot TJ]

That's crazy. And here this person is supposed to be a Christian?! I'd ask him, "What would Jesus do if he were in your shoes?"

 

[NickW]

That's crazy. And here this person is supposed to be a Christian?! I'd ask him, "What would Jesus do if he were in your shoes?"

TJ, the guy would more than likely say he'd put on shoes... That's kind of the attitude I saw growing up a lot that I never understood much. Jesus had dinner with prostitutes and the poor and he didn't care about that kind of stuff, yet shoes are needed for worship? Come on now let's use some common sense here...

 

[Hobbit]

I think I am just looking for some resources to support my desire to be barefoot in church.

If I remember correctly, there is no such commandment as "thou shalt not be barefoot in church". (But I could be wrong - definitely must read that passage again )

If it was important for the Almighty that you wear shoes in or out of church, He would have made you born with them.

For what it's worth - there are even monastic orders with a barefoot rule, the so called Barefoot or Discalced Carmelites: these even have produced a couple of saints, such as St. Theresa d'Avila and St. Thérèse de Lisieux - so barefoot in church simply can't be disrespectful. At least in a catholic church. (Don't know if that's your case though)

 

[Spinningwoman]

I believe the Franciscans and Poor Clares are also either sandalled or barefooted, but that probably doesn't help if the person in question is a Protestant of some kind. FWIW, I'm a minister, and you'd be welcome in my church<g>. You are quite right about Moses and he can look it up if he likes in Exodus 3v5 5 Then God said, "Come no closer! Remove the sandals from your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground."

I don't get the extreme American reactions to bare feet so don't really know what to suggest. Here in the UK you might be seen as a bit weird, or too casual for work or formal occasions, but it wouldn't be the 'moral' issue it seems to be over there. I can only suggest that you remain very polite with this person and possibly write to the person in charge to point out that it is a celebrated part of the Great American Pioneer Tradition or something, possibly calling Little House on the Prairie and The Waltons to witness<g>.

 

[Spinningwoman]

Also, Jesus talks a lot about washing feet on entry to a house - washing his disciples feet at the last supper and telling one of his wealthy detractors off for not even offering him water to wash his feet - a custom that would only have been necessary given that he arrived either sandalled or unshod.

 

[TMo]

Lol it's a southern Methodist church. I am sure it's just the one guy and he is known for being controlling and difficult, but I surely meant no disrespect and did it during the week when I was working with kids. I could not believe the venom this guy was spewing, but you would have though I had come to church nude.

I don't think Jesus would have shunned me for being shoeless but the Pharisees would have had a fit with anything outside of established protocol.

 

[TMo]

When Jesus said suffer the little children to come unto me, I wonder if they had shoes on?

 

[Longboard]

I stated God told Mose to take his shoes off he was on holy ground and he informed me that was a bunch of crap.

So..................he thinks the Old Testament is a bunch of crap?

 

[DNEchris]

So..................he thinks the Old Testament is a bunch of crap?

I wonder if he thinks at all!

 

[rickwhitelaw]

My church is alone in the wilderness or on a mountain top where it is perfectly fine to be barefoot.

I was just thinking about this the other day. I sure hope nobody gets married or dies, cause' I'm not wearing dress shoes and lately it's hard to get me to wear a shirt or pants.

But seriously, it is those few judgmental people that ruin organized religion for me. Don't let one person ruin it for you.

 

[Barefoot TJ]

Well it finally happened:

I had one of those confrontations I always read about. Though I don't go barefoot in church on Sundays, I did while teaching vacation bible school. The congregation leader was yelling at my mother in law. I interceded and learned it was because I had been barefoot in church. He went on to tell me how disrespectful I was (lol he got crazy eyed and stuck his finger in my face the whole thing was nuts). I stated God told Mose to take his shoes off he was on holy ground and he informed me that was a bunch of crap.

I think I am just looking for some resources to support my desire to be barefoot in church. Not sure it will help but it would be nice. I am sure this has been covered before. Most folks at this church support me even though I think they think I'm eccentric.

Please tell me he didn't yell at you and your mother-in-law in front of the children...

 

[TMo]

In front of everyone but the kids, thankfully. In his defense he is 84. As mean and crazy as he was acting I also think he may suffer from post stroke meanness. Don't know that lol just guessin

 

[rickwhitelaw]

So he is just a jerk, regardless of religion and his definition of respectful, and age is no defense. It's going to be temping for you not to egg him on and go to the regular Sunday meetings barefoot.

 

[Spinningwoman]

I think you should ask the minister to introduce a Maundy Thursday footwashing service!

 

[BarefootKent]

Wow, myself and my daughter attend church every week barefoot and have for quite some time. We've had nothing but positive inquires and reactions.

 

[Barefoot TJ]

How's this going for you, TMo?

 

[khyricat]

I am in shock, my shul accept barefoot without question and on Rosh Hashona and Yom Kippur 70% of the congregation is barefoot- shoes are left outside if we so choose and most of us choose. I am not the only one to go barefoot the rest of the year, though I am the only one to leave the building that way (and arrive that way), but they are used to me and no one says a word.

 

[Longboard]

All I ever see on Yom Kippur are canvas and rubber, plenty of Crocks, flips, and name brand athletic boat anchors. That includes the ultra orthodox as well as reform and conservative synagogues I've visited.
I'll have to check yours out next year!

 

[khyricat]

we're reconstructionist and use the UU church for the high holidays, no tickets required, donations requested.. so space is never a concern- much more than our regular location.. and a good # of our members do the dress in white though they don't wear a traditional kittel on YK...