Opinion: If Your Shoe Fits, Wear it.

Oh, No, Ghastly, It's an ANKLE!!!!!!!!

Recently, an allegation has come forth concerning Dave Pack's Restored Church of God concerning dress attire. The allegation is that non-laced dress shoes are banned to be worn from services (such as penny-loafers). Apparently, in previous decades in Church of God general history, non-laced shoes such as penny loafers were considered indications that a person was living an alternative lifestyle considered sinful in Armstrongism.

This, of course, even absurd as it is, is just one of many aberrations of edicts that come from leadership of the Armstrong Movements concerning dress. Everything from skirt length, to sport jackets, to the color of one's dress shirt has been carefully monitored in most Church of God groups for decades. Ministers of all ranks - and deacons - would look a member up and down, looking for any sign of rebellion against an edict from "the Government of God". Any disloyalty would immediately be reported to the Pastor of the congregation - and such edict would, if necessary, be reported up the chain as far as it needed to go until disciplinary action came down from on high.

Approved Shoe.

It appears, however, that the level of control over dress - especially in the RCG - has reached appalling levels of autocracy. One has stated on a well-known forum that to walk into their headquarters is like taking a step into a GQ. The source claims that one of the highest orders of this particular group is on appearance - taken extremely seriously by the leader, followed precisely by the yes-men.

It becomes apparent that any and all aspects of individuality continues to be assaulted within the walls of many of the Churches of God. Expression of personal choice, and personal flavor is stomped down quick and hard - with a side of flaming condemnation to burn out any shreds of dignity. All must conform to the Approved Standard to be accepted within the clique. It certainly does seem that, at least within the Churches of God, resistance is futile.

Who is a person in the ACOG's? How can one know who a person really is? If everyone is dressed exactly the same, talks the same, walks the same, acts the same - how can you know an apple from an orange? The truth is, you can't. Because in the ACOG's, the message of conformity to the standards of it's leader - the definition of a personality cult - ranks high and above the growth of a person as a cherished and unique individual. The concept of military apparel has been changed from green camouflage and army boots to black blazers and laced dress shoes. And it's a shame against the simplest human rights a person can have - the freedom of dress that most people who have moved beyond the orders of their mom and dad in childhood freely enjoy.

Would THIS fly at Sabbath Services?

It can be understood if someone is practicing truly abhorred practices in the Church, and action needed to be taken, such as if a man and a woman were making out in the middle of a sermon. When members are micro-managed to insane levels - such as if this report about laced vs. non-laced shoes is true - then it has gone beyond the acceptable and clearly into the irrational.

Church of God members are people - just like everyone else. And all people deserve the most fundamental right a person should be given - respect. Respect to know that they can be an individual in how they dress. Whether it's wing-tip shoes, penny-loafers, or even dress boots - these are the reflections of personality that make a person who they are.

Of course, it would be claimed by any group that they have choices - they can follow the rule of law, or they can choose to disregard it and stop attending. It would be claimed that just like any "business", there is a dress code, and it is their choice if they follow it, or if they do not follow it. That if they choose not to follow it, they can simply choose to leave.

If the psychological conditioning wasn't piled on high and deep of the "consequences" of such a choice - namely, leaving God's Place, and Protection, and sacrificing one's crown and salvation - such a choice would be easy. But the psychological torture of such a choice is often so paralyzing that they seem trapped, under a powerful delusion of deception that such things are true - which they are not (if a prophecy fails, you can be certain nothing they say is truth.)

Okay, Okay. I'll wear the RIGHT shoe. NOW can I get in??? ;)

My opinion on the whole thing? I can't tell you with absolute certainty if this shoe fiasco is true or if it is not true. But what I can tell you is this. No person should allow themselves to be treated like a 5 year old child who is not able to dress themselves appropriately. Adults - which is who these people are - full grown, educated adults - should be given the freedom of respect and choice to at least be able to dress themselves the way they feel comfortable. If the shoe fits, you should wear it.

Perhaps even yet some of these fine people who have been smooth talked into appalling and horrid deception of asinine levels will come out of the coma of the cult, and take back their lives, knowing that God is not basing your salvation on the difference between penny-loafers and wing-tip shoes. Because it definitely has ZERO impact on your sole. I mean, soul.