very surprised at the reaction at church.

[dutchy kilted]

How sad. I would think any religious leader would be happy to see a 12-year old boy wanting to go to Church, not matter what they are wearing.

I have only ever gotten compliments while wearing a kilt to my church (Unitarian Universalist) and have gotten compaints when I show up in pants.

I can only hope that the bishop would be willing to explain his stance so that he doesn't drive your son away from attending church.

[grizzbass]

thanks for all the replies. Just to fill in some of the details. He objects to the Kilt because he says it's like wearing an old base ball cap and dirty sweat shirt to sacrament. While he's not a bad man he isn't willing to listen. A bit of the god's representative has spoken. obey. His son rebelled and I think that has something to do with it. Cameron is the sweatest kid there is, intelligent, respectful and obediant but that doesn't seem to matter. His older brother (17) has had some problems with the bishop and alot of the congregation earlier. Not that he is rebellious. anything but rebellious. I have taught him to think for himself and do things because he believes it is right not because someone in authority tells him to. He is respectful but doesn't just doesn't say how high when told to jump.
That doesn't go over well and I think he wants to nip this in the bud before cameron is like his brother. He even took cameron in his office to give him a "blessing" so cameron could understand why wearing a kilt is bad. He did it without my permission or consulting me. I admit that angered me and we will discuss that.
At least my sons and I are haveing fun.

[xman]

He objects to the Kilt because he says it's like wearing an old base ball cap and dirty sweat shirt to sacrament.

CLEARLY ignorant of the matter. Perhaps there is a way to educate him although that might threaten his authority since he feels it necessary to dictate who can come and how dressed. He probably just watched Braveheart too many times.

[Downunder Kilt]

thanks for all the replies. Just to fill in some of the details. He objects to the Kilt because he says it's like wearing an old base ball cap and dirty sweat shirt to sacrament. While he's not a bad man he isn't willing to listen. A bit of the god's representative has spoken. obey. His son rebelled and I think that has something to do with it. Cameron is the sweatest kid there is, intelligent, respectful and obediant but that doesn't seem to matter. His older brother (17) has had some problems with the bishop and alot of the congregation earlier. Not that he is rebellious. anything but rebellious. I have taught him to think for himself and do things because he believes it is right not because someone in authority tells him to. He is respectful but doesn't just doesn't say how high when told to jump.
That doesn't go over well and I think he wants to nip this in the bud before cameron is like his brother. He even took cameron in his office to give him a "blessing" so cameron could understand why wearing a kilt is bad. He did it without my permission or consulting me. I admit that angered me and we will discuss that.
At least my sons and I are haveing fun.

A few words for your "Bishop" May God have mercy on his soul

[McClef]

It is certainly not an LDS doctrine. Some Bishops have their own prejudices in certain areas and "unrighteous dominion" can creep in.

When I was active my local Bishop asked me to take out my ear rings when attending Sacrament Meetings because they were "inappropriate."

Yet when I attended a Chapel near my parent's home, all the Deacons were wearing them with no objections from the Bishop there!

There are several active LDS kilt wearers on X Marks who experience no problems. If there are other wards close to you with more accepting Bishops then you could attend one of them, or even take up the issue with your Stake President.

[artificer]

He even took cameron in his office to give him a "blessing" so cameron could understand why wearing a kilt is bad. He did it without my permission or consulting me. I admit that angered me and we will discuss that.
.

THAT would anger me too... AND I'd show up to discuss it wearing a kilt!

[Big Eddie]

thanks for all the replies. Just to fill in some of the details. He objects to the Kilt because he says it's like wearing an old base ball cap and dirty sweat shirt to sacrament. While he's not a bad man he isn't willing to listen. A bit of the god's representative has spoken. obey. His son rebelled and I think that has something to do with it. Cameron is the sweatest kid there is, intelligent, respectful and obediant but that doesn't seem to matter. His older brother (17) has had some problems with the bishop and alot of the congregation earlier. Not that he is rebellious. anything but rebellious. I have taught him to think for himself and do things because he believes it is right not because someone in authority tells him to. He is respectful but doesn't just doesn't say how high when told to jump.
That doesn't go over well and I think he wants to nip this in the bud before cameron is like his brother. He even took cameron in his office to give him a "blessing" so cameron could understand why wearing a kilt is bad. He did it without my permission or consulting me. I admit that angered me and we will discuss that.
At least my sons and I are haveing fun.

I am also a member of the LDS church. I have just completed my first (poorly constructed) kilt. I wore it to my first Scottish Highland games and then to the following Singles activity on Monday. I received quite a few... unique looks and questions. Some knew I had been hand sewing this project for the last two months and were excited to see it complete. I've decided that I will not wear it to church, but I when I complete my "real" kilt (made with wool and not cotton) especially with my family tartan, i will wear this to church. Especially considering it will be more valuable than most suits I purchase.

I'm anticpating a unhappy reaction from my branch president, equivalent to a Bishop, but I'm not worried about it.

I know that in another ward that meets in our same building, there are several men who attend church kilted and any other priesthood meeting in the same dress.

[Nighthawk]

Oh gods... Rev. Travis is taking his pulpit...

OK, Grizz, first, you need to find a new church. What kind of stupid, closed minded a**hole forbids people from coming to church? How is that in any way Godly?

And second- what is this "it's too much of a distraction" crap? If you're so fixated on something like an article of clothing that for an entire hour you miss everything else that's going on, then you have bigger issues than just missing the message! You need to seek therapy! Other people childish OCD hangups are not my problem. If I had to worry about something offending, distracting or otherwise bothering people, I'd never leave the house! Someone somewhere is going to get offended by something I do. So why worry about it? I have every right to wear my kilt- I grew up with it, it was good enough for generations of my family to live and die in- why is it not good enough for you? What makes you so special that you can tell me how to dress?

By the way, I am an ordained Celtic pagan minister. I'd love to sit down for 10 minutes with your "pastor." Any clergyman who uses his authority to dominate others disgusts me... or did I make that clear enough...? We're here to guide; not run you around by your nose.

[Schiehallion]

As a former (endowed) LDS member I do have some thing to say...Tell the Bishop that if he looks to an old President of the Church David O. Mackay, that he was seen and photographed wearing his kilt. Did the first Presidency get it wrong ? Like Trefor says....go to a higher authority and see the Stake President.
At my old Ward I was recently encouraged to wear my kilt to church, all beit from many of the members and from a former Bishop!

[cessna152towser]

I always wear a kilt to Church.
Jesus never wore trousers.
The bishop who said your son and his cousin should not wear their kilts is the lowest form of hypocrite and is not a fit and proper person to lead a congregation.
I would complain about his conduct to the church authorities.
In the spirit of Christian forgiveness perhaps they might educate rather than excommunicate him.