very surprised at the reaction at church.

[Geoff Withnell]

Riverkilt,
Your discussion of "church row" reminds me of my experience in Cinncinati, OH. Our synagogue was next door to a rather fundamentalist Christian Church. They used our parking lot as overflow on Sunday, and we used their's as overflow on Saturday. We built a new larger sanctuary add on to our building, as the Jewish community in Cinti was growing. The day we dedicated the new sanctuary, the church's billboard said "We thank God for the dedication of the new Northern Hills Synagogue sanctuary." Their minister and the president of their congregation came over with a letter of congratulation and a large floral display for our lobby. The title of my message says it all.

Geoff Withnell

[Kilted Jeeper]

I cannot add much here that has already been said and said better than I could have so I will simply extend an invitation to all my XMARKS LDS friends to come visit if you ever come to Palmyra, NY as that is where my home is and I am only 6 miles up the road from the Hill Cumorah site.

[Wandering Bruce]

I've worn my kilt to church often with only positive comments, including pastoral comments to wear it more often. These services have been in less formal church surroundings than many (jeans and shorts common.) I DO understand the concern of some that it could be distracting. For that reason I have often NOT worn the kilt to some weddings where the emphasis should be on the couple and not the guests. Wisdom is valuable here.

[Semiomniscient]

This conversation has been very interesting. The bits about the kilt possibly being a distraction I think actually have some merit. Certainly, I do not think there is anything wrong with the kilt, or necessarily wearing it to worship. I however, choose not to wear the kilt to church--I have been specifically asked to for Kirkings of the Tartan (which I don't care for) but other than those rare occasions, I do not.
I'm Presbyterian, not LDS, so I don't know how worship is conducted in the latter. Looking different can be distracting, just as calling attention to yourself with actions can be. My church for instance is very reserved in our style of worship. I used to work at a charismatic pentecostal school where the worship was much more outwardly demonstrated (arms raised etc.) Transplant one congregant into the other church, and they might be a little distracting (at least at first) and perhaps not appreciated.
Same goes with a kilt, except that it isn't going to be an issue of mode of worship, just mode of dress. As some have said, their church appreciates it by and large. They are accustomed to it, but it might have been distracting for some members at first... but now that that's been dealt with or gotten over, it's all okay.
The initial reaction seems to have been bad here. Consider the most respectful manner in which to deal with it. Going behind your immediate authority's back without giving them a chance to change their mind is probably bad form and could cause issue. I'm not entirely sure how the LDS governing body works on the individual church level... so I'm not much help there.

[auld argonian]

I can accept that the kilt might be a distraction but how long until the novelty wears off and it becomes "just part of the scenery"? Not long...

People who continuously claim that it's a distraction seem to have their own pre-occupations with things...most people get over the novelty rather quickly.

Best

AA

[jeremy j starche]

I can accept that the kilt might be a distraction but how long until the novelty wears off and it becomes "just part of the scenery"? Not long...

People who continuously claim that it's a distraction seem to have their own pre-occupations with things...most people get over the novelty rather quickly.

Best

AA

That assumes that the congregation is static ... that you see the same people week after week with few (if any) new faces.

In a church that frequently (constantly?) has new visitors, there will always be people there to whom the kilt is a novelty. These visitors are the people who might benefit most from hearing the message and pondering upon it later.

[wildrover]

Come on, gentlemen...if you can't laugh at yourselves......well, if you can't, I'm going to hang my head in disappointment, and walk away in my plaid skirt, man-purse hanging off the front and fingernail tool stuffed down one sock, and go back to tending to my herd of sacred cows .

I'd like to hear how the OP resolves the situation. Many here have recommended turning the other cheek. My experience has been that turning the other cheek often only results in getting smacked on that cheek too, particularly when the problem is coming from someone in a position of authority with absolutely no incentive to change.

Another way to think of it...it is not possible to compromise with an absolute point of view. Those of you who have attempted debate with a member of a substantially different religion have undoubtedly realized this. Any attempt to compromise with an absolute point of view results in the compromising party sacrificing their beliefs to reach a position closer to the absolute...and the more they "compromise", the more their point of view is quite simply corrupted or ignored, and the result is they either accede or capitulate to the absolute. Think I'm wrong? Ok...there are probably shades of gray in this...but try debating with the next guy who knocks on your door...you know, the one in the white shirt, black slacks, black tie, talking about saving your immortal soul. Nice guys, usually...but they hold an absolute point of view, and unfortunately it isn't often worth the time to talk, for the same reason that I'm dubious that talking will solve the OP's dilemma.

If my religion examples aren't working for you, try talking to an ex...you know, the one you split with because you just couldn't ever compromise on anything.

Those of you who advocate talking to the guy...as the more aggressive of us have made our suggestions, I'm genuinely curious what you would say--or write, were it a letter--to the individual in question. It will undoubtedly help the OP, and it may very well help me when I'm in a similar situation someday.

-Sean

[Mike_Oettle]

Auld Argonian wrote: “I can accept that the kilt might be a distraction but how long until the novelty wears off and it becomes ‘just part of the scenery’? Not long . . .”

Pree-cisely!
Regards,
Mike

[Dixiecat]

Geoff, Ron, call me silly, but your two posts actually put a little tear in my eye. That is what true faith and religion should be about.

[The Guy in the Kilt at UC]

hmmm...

What is it about a 12 year old boy in a kilt that this bishop finds so distracting?