Wearing churidar is good since it covers the whole body.But bearing in mind that we still have the link between the old generation and cultures.

I stongly recomend that the sisters to should wear sarees in the assly meetings

I know it is not practical to go for chatta/mundu. But it was just to defend our "churidar"

People who are insisting not to wear any Jewellery should also avoid such expensive and decorative dresses.

If I were a Woman, I would have dressed-up like my mother wearing Chatta-mundu & kavani, at least during my holidays!

We ladies know what is confortable for us, why are you men interfear in our matters!
May be you are protecting your wife's dress code. What dress your children are wearing or will wear? Will they stick on to Sarees?

Oh wait a minute, scripture doesn't give specifics, only guidelines. I'm sorry. I must have been reading my fleshly version of the scriptures.

Instead consider:

Titus 3:9
But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.

Are we (Brethren) not following some “Generally Accepted Principles” in every area of our church activities, which are not referred in the Bible? Who made such principles?

This is only a discussion, just to think and to improve. The sponsors of this site has provided such a good discussion board for the sisters of ‘brethren community’ (who are not allowed to speak/express their views anywhere) to put up their views and commends.

Pls quietly leave this sisters' forum if my assumption is wrong.

This forum is to discuss ideas from scripture, to reason together. What else do we have as a standard? Let us use this forum as it is intended, to discuss scripture.

In fact on the American Uplook magazine board, there is a similar discussion thread about what to wear to a Breaking of Bread meeting. (www.uplook.org)

In the future, please do not attack a post because it's written by a man, or by an anonymous poster. Instead refute it because it's unscriptural.

I just want to say this much. One should not be concerned much about "non-essentials". Sometimes it is very difficult for "staunch traditioners" to let go of some things that they have been used to as a tradition. There is fear of change. Sometimes there is fear that change will be forced upon them. There is so much moral degradation among believers (young and old - not being judgmental here) that the issue of wearing saree seems not even remotely relevant. Let us focus our energy on "essential" matters.

I personally think Saree is a more "sexy" dress than churidar. I believe its our reluctance to let go traditions thats the root of some questions discussed in the forum. And as I read from other posts, it seems to be a very disturbing thing for some people.

There are a lot of hurting/needy people (emotionally, financially, physically and even spiritually) out there. we should try to focus on ways to help them. Would we worry so much about saree/ornaments that we dont have eyes to see when young brethren girls marry unbelievers and vice-versa? And some of them are from "really" traditional brethren families as opposed to first generation families?

But its good to have discussion to say why we do things the way we do and not pass judgements, esp when there is absolutely no need for one. I wear both types of dresses cause - 1) I have them 2) I like them 3)They are very representative of my background and culture 4) I think I look good on them.

On a personal note, I think Churidhar is far more modest than sareees. However, sisters rooted in cultural upbringing will find it hard to avoid sarees. But for those outside, Churidhar seem to be more comfortable and modest.

Let us not be adamant in holding on to our views simply because its cultural but that rather, focus whether our appearance/clothing bring glory to God and whether it prevent others (especially men) from viewing in lust.

I have seen my mother in saree only (she is old enough not to have grown up during churidhar time) and my grand mothers in "chatta mundu" only. So there is no comparison in those cases. I dont want to get into any concourse of "sexy character" in general in this discussion topic, let alone in the context of my mother and grand mothers.

If a boy/man thinks lustfully about another girl/woman, does that mean that he has the same feeling towards his mother and sister?

You know how lame an argument that is.

The difference is in how one wears saree, no? Our mothers tried to stick on to the purpose of wearing a dress. But the current generation wears saree as a ‘show off’ dress, only on special occasions. That also the way the beauty queens wear it!

I have said all that I wanted to with regards to this topic and I am not going to respond again. I just wanted to say that its difficult to argue against sound reason.

Simi, no doubt my wife wears saree only and she never thought of changing to churidhar to feel her as young.
I still suggest that sisters over 30 and belongs to this generation should wear sarees only in our gatherings. (whether you agree or not). Now we are tuning our mind to the modern dresses by ignoring our parents choices/advises, similarly our children will also tune themselves towards west. we cannot stop them from doing such)

I think as compared to other believer communities worldwide,we Malayalees only are facing these type of problems and confusion regarding these issues as i guess we are trying to please God with our own self declared doctrines of ornaments, dress codes,marraige rules etc etc rather than practically implementing the teachings of our lord Jesus in our daily lives.

Now you are running with 'churidhar'. After few years with western. Then after... Where you intend to stop with your modernism?.

Do you have the same attitude towards your wife also? Then you should take care. One day she will beat you with the 'CHIRAVA'

If all the decisions are yours, why are you discussing with your wife? It is simple "Stree peedanam" !!

As a man myself, I don’t understand why some jump into this discussion and try to rule with an iron hand. It’s rather humorous to see how scripture is twisted to push one’s selfish claims.

Brethren, this is a discussion and not an assembly! This is the Sisters’ Forum and they are entitled to share their thoughts in this forum w/o being pestered. If brothers disagree, learn to agree to disagree in love and express your views positively rather than try to stomp out someone with wrong interpretation of Scriptures.

It’s not a man’s God-given gift to make his wife submit by any means. If so, God would have given a robotic wife. We, claiming to be godly men and knowing the scriptures, must learn to love our wives as Christ loved the Church. Once we strive to practice this truth, the question of submission would not even arise! "My way or the Highway" - mentality is often derived from insecurity!

Please refrain from unhealthy arguments but rather let us speak in love, encouraging one another.

I have noticed many times that people who wear churidar is just puting the 'chunni' around their neck, neglecting the very purpose of it. And if they wear a tight one, I will call it the real "sexy" dress!

There is a great genaration gap between your time and our time. Unlike your time, we ladies of this generation have to work in offices or hospitals to earn some good money, which in turn benifit the gospel work in India.

I notice many brothers are involved in this discussion. If the brothers paid more attention to evangelising and adding more souls to the kingdom of God - they would get special crowns in heaven. How is it that the brothers who are writing this are not wearing shirt, mundu and nariyadu ? Why the pant and suit? How do they have time to waste debating on sarees & salwar kameez and trying to bring in doctrines and spiritualising it ?

It is really a culture thing - In other cultures if women showed their midriff and backs etc. they would be looked down upon as immodest. We don't have to look far. Our sisters in Saudi have to wear "burqa" or they will be beaten by the mullahs !!!

Unless there are such discussions, who will realise these things?

If brothers are not allowed to pin point the weakness of our sister's dress, the public will do it.

For men, pant/shirt is a modest dress compared to mundu/shirt. We are not on the path to hail our traditions.

Ref your posting on 11/19/02 - I do respect my wife. She insists on wearing skirts and I don't object, but, at the same, she strongly disapproves my wearing dhoti and thorthu! What 'peedanam' is that? Purushapeedanam, or Mahapeedanam?!

May the Lord open our eyes to the scriptures which are able to build us up in Christ Jesus. No 'chirava' nor 'olakka' will do it.

Let us search the scriptures to see what it has to say about our dress:

1 Timothy 2:9
I also want women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or expensive clothes,

It is interesting to see here that no mention is given as to the origin of the clothes--whether from the west or from India. It is further interesting that there is no mention of "saree" in this verse or in the entire of scripture.

I submit to you brothers and sisters, that the only standard God has set out is the modesty of believers. No one can say with any authority (except he/she be legalistic and imposing non-scriptural rules) that a particular dress or style of dress is worldly, ungodly unless it is immodest. It doesn't matter if the dress is of the most latest fashion or if it is an Americanized style or western style. It doesn't matter if it is a selvar or saree. If it is not modest, then it doesn't belong.

Notice further, brothers and sisters that scripture makes direct reference to expensive clothes.

As to whether a saree is indecent or immodest because it shows the tummy, that is not a subject I will comment on. I don't think so. But if it causes someone to stumble in anyway, then the middle should be covered.

But if you really want to expose, you can even by wearing a salvar.

I was watching the discussion from outside. I thank God for the zeal of our sisters. Let me put down the points I have noticed from this discussion:

1.Ladies still fight each other for silly things. (even if they are believers, or they have good education)

2.Some men still wants an upper hand over their wives.

3.Some people are crazy in upholding traditions even if there are shortfalls.

4. No one likes to wear saree in the way it was originally worn, ie; covering full tummy and the neck (refer any photograph of Kamala Nehru)

5.No one likes to wear a chatta/mundu at least for a change (as someone suggested)

We all have common sense. We all know what is appropriate and what isn't depending on what the situation is. If we're not sure what is appropriate, err to the side of caution.

My opinion - This subject has helped not to arrive at any conclusion but just to fight each other (some tradition which is already built-in can never be changed !!!) So do not try to change anybody's opinion.

So dear Mariyamma - u started this topic right? Please do not open such a useless subject. Let us talk some thing better, some thing spiritual.

If you were a real Elder, you wouldn’t have called yourself an elder.
You are just jealous of the tremendous response received to this subject.

If such subjects are not opened for discussion, how will we know the ‘built-in’ characters of our sisters?

This is a ladies forum, and we have the right to discuss our problems here. Men have no right to suppress us in expressing our views.

The sisters who contributed their views and ideas are anyhow the wives of people like you!

U opened this useless and cheap subject because you do not want to discuss any thing important and meaningful. U claim that you have received tremendous response - Congrats. I feel pity on you. This shows the status of our christianity of this era. If you would have opened something valuable - there wont be much response.

Please use a unique name. 'Varghese' is already being used. Thanks.

Sisters - churidar or saree or chatta-mundu - whatever it is, you have bravely maintained this aspect (dress) of our culture in the face of the blatant hypocrisy of the men - when's the last time you saw a man wearing a mundu to Church in the Gulf or in North America - even in Kerala it's not always the case. I salute you all sisters!

As for the grumpy old men, I encourage you to read Matthew 7:3-5 before contributing to this discussion further!

God Bless!

Do you see the application with that verse, in your personal life. Obiedence to gods word is important.

i am very new here. but wanna to say that sarry or churudhar or jeens or chatta mundu watever u wear u should keep u r self and just learn that what is the purpus of dress. enthu thanne uduthalalum athu udukkendathu pole alla enkil gunam thadhayva.kanunnavarku sukhikkan( cheruppakkaraya anungalku prathyekichum).pinne if u r saying about old stage befor chatta munde there was some thing else like maru marakkathe dress cheyyan nirbandham undayirunna kalam.angottum pokumo iny ellaroode. about churidhar there a kind od short up ,if u lift u r hands to stant in a bus u know what is happening ,pinne sarry athinte madakkukal onninu meethe onnayi adukky beaty akkaunnathinu pakaram idendathupole ittal nallathu thanne. But..................... ? then blouse athinte pinnampuram cinima poster ottikkan vitham thurannittullathe ,alla enkil mun vasham vetti irakkiyathu. athonnum pennungalku kolla. but nammude vishwasikalaya sahodharimar cheythal athu shariyano. pinne jeens nte top button idan polum pattathavidham tyte ayathu. ithokke are kanikkan ?>mattullavare atract cheyyikkan alle? ethudressum nallathu thanne upayokikanda pole upayokichal. jeens anenkil polum athu adhikan tyte akathirikkunnathanu nallathu. ok by  

Sarees and churidar are ok to wear.

my my you guys are breaking your head over these petite issues. Remember people, you don’t need any one to tell you what to wear and what not to wear. if you are matured enough you would know wats appropriate to wear when you go to church. And I believe we go to church to worship "THE MAN" and not to check out who is wearing wat. Ladies wear saree coz its culture. Guess what culture is more important than Jesus. That’s not my point jus have your priorities set and all this will fall into place. Jus have a Good time in Church talk to people have a good fellowship. That’s all. if you guys go with this kind of mind set on what people are wearing, like Saree, V-cut shirt or skirts, gold, hair style. bhla bhla, bhla. you guys are very confused as to where you want to be, whether it’s a church or a fashion show. I’m out people. Have a great day.