Display and Adornment
The basic philosophy of Christian
standards as understood by Seventh-day Adventists is set forth on pages 149 to
151 of the Church Manual
(1995 edition):
Dress
As Seventh-day Adventists we have been called out from the world. We are
reformers. True religion which enters into every phase of life must have a
molding influence on all our activities. Our habits of life must stem from
principle and not from the example of the world about us. Customs and fashions
may change with the years, but principles of right conduct are always the same.
Dress is an important factor in Christian character. Early in our history
instruction was given as to the way Christians should dress, the purpose of
which was "to protect the people of God from the corrupting influence of
the world, as well as to promote physical and moral health. . . ."-Testimonies, vol. 4, p.
634. Truly a comprehensive purpose! There is no virtue in dressing differently
from those about us just to be different, but where the principles of
refinement or morality are involved the conscientious Christian will be true to
his or her convictions rather than follow the prevailing customs.
Christians should avoid gaudy
display and "profuse ornamentation." Clothing should be, when
possible, "of good quality, of becoming colors, and suited for service. It
should be chosen for durability rather than display." Our attire should be
characterized by "modesty," "beauty," "grace,"
and "appropriateness of natural simplicity."-Messages to Young People,
pp. 351, 352. That it may not be conspicuous, it should follow the conservative
and most sensible styles of the time.
The adoption of fads and extreme
fashions in men's or women's dress indicates a lack of attention to serious
matters. Regardless of how sensibly people generally may dress, there are
always extremes in style that transgress the laws of modesty, and thus have a
direct bearing on the prevalence of immoral conditions. Many who blindly follow
the styles are at least partly unconscious of these effects, but the results
are no less disastrous. The people of God should always be found among the
conservatives in dress, and will not let "the dress question fill the
mind."-Evangelism,
p. 273. They will not be the first to adopt the new styles of dress or the last
to lay the old aside.
"To dress plainly, abstaining
from display of jewelry and ornaments of every kind, is in keeping with our
faith."-Testimonies,
vol. 3, p. 366. It is clearly taught in the Scriptures that the wearing of
jewelry is contrary to the will of God. ". . . not with broided hair, or
gold, or pearls, or costly array" is the admonition of the apostle Paul (1
Tim. 2:9). The wearing of ornaments of jewelry is a bid for attention which is
not in keeping with Christian self-forgetfulness.
In some countries the custom of
wearing the wedding ring is considered imperative, having become, in the minds
of the people, a criterion of virtue, and hence it is not regarded as an
ornament. Under such circumstances we have no disposition to condemn the
practice.
Let us remember that it is not the
"outward adorning" which expresses true Christian character, but
"the hidden man of the heart . . . a meek and quiet spirit, which is in
the sight of God of great price" (1 Peter 3:3, 4). Cleanliness and
Christlike deportment should be observed in the care and grooming of the
individual who is seeking at all times to please and rightly represent Christ
our Lord.
Christian parents should bring to
bear the weight of their example, instruction, and authority to lead their sons
and daughters to attire themselves modestly, and thus win the respect and
confidence of those who know them. Let our people consider themselves well
dressed only when the demands of modesty are met in the wearing of tasteful,
conservative clothing.
Simplicity
Simplicity has been a fundamental feature of the
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