Sgian Dubhs in Church: Opinions, please

[GatorUK]

Wearing Highland dress, wearing the sgian in the hose is a sign you are there peacefully. If the sgian is not seen in your hose top one would have to wonder where it is secreted on your person. Up the sleeve? In the jacket? By wearing it in your hose you are saying you trust and respect the company you are with. So, as a sign of peace and friendship you should definitly wear it and explain thus to any who would question it. Preferably over a nice single malt.

[TheSp8]

I wore mine to church last sunday and will wear it this evening to Christmas Eve services. Nobody seemed to notice and my father, who is still not sure about his son and grandson wearing kilts, thought the whole look was pretty nice. Of course, most folks know I always have a knife and would think it odd that I didn't have one. Oh yeah, it is a Southern Baptist church.

YMOS,
Tony

[beloitpiper]

This is just my opinion, but since you asked...

If you are "In Costume" then it seems to me that the knife, the flashes, and the Prince Charley jacket are all part of your schtick. But if you are wearing the kilt because you like it as a comfortable garment, then none of that stuff matters.

Cheers,
Rick

To me, wearing the sgian dubh, flashes, and jacket are not "in costume". That is like saying a business suit is a costume. I do wear my kilt casually (boots, rugby shirt, etc.) but when I wear all my accessories and formalities, I still consider it acceptable clothing.

Again, I am pro-sgian in any establishment that will allow it.

[Andrew Breecher]

I don't view a sgian dubh as a weapon. It's a knife, certainly, but small enough that it's a tool. I would never draw it in anger. Of course others may not view it in the same way. I don't see how it would be a problem to wear it in a church.

Andrew.

[Uncle Ricky]

To me, wearing the sgian dubh, flashes, and jacket are not "in costume". That is like saying a business suit is a costume. I do wear my kilt casually (boots, rugby shirt, etc.) but when I wear all my accessories and formalities, I still consider it acceptable clothing.

Again, I am pro-sgian in any establishment that will allow it.

To quote Alice Cooper (I think)
"Don't kid yourself - we're ALL wearing costumes"
To quote Crocodile Dundee - "You call that a knife!"

Cheers,
Rick

[mbhandy]

Last years Burns Dinner was in the Presbyterian chruch in Salt Lake City and most Kilted wore their sgian and some even wore their Dirks. One must eat. I did not wear my dirk but I did wear the sgian.

MrBill

[McMurdo]

To me there is something to be said about tradition and history, and I for one do not believe that highland dress is a costume, it is a formal outfit, regardless of whatever Alice Cooper has to say about it.

That said...

Cirthalion asked whether or not he should wear the sgian dubh to church. If it is for your Christmas sermon, or another Christmas function, than I say go ahead. It is part of your heritage and it is traditionally worn as part of highland dress. If you have any doubts bring it up with the pastor and see what his take on the matter is.

If you dont want to wear a knife to church than I would say get a dummy sgian dubh, but it is an integral part of the outfit, so wear something.

[Wompet]

My two cents:
Everywhere my father goes, he has in his pocket change and a knife. Going to work - change and a multiblade knife. Going out with friends - change and a better looking knife. Going to the gas station to fill up the car and get fuel for the mower or snowblower - change and a knife. Going to church - change. No knife. Everywhere else he has that tool with him (and make no mistake - for him this is a tool, no more or less), but he has never taken that tool into a church.
I follow his example. The sgian is a tool, one that has taken on historical and cultural significance, but a tool nonetheless. And it's a tool I will in all probability never have use for in a church.

[Irish in Tacoma]

Years ago, I read in Soldier of Fortune magazine that the difference between a hunting knife and a combat knife is what you stick it into. Whether you consider the sgian dubh a weapon or a tool is based on what you intend to do with it (the TSA might disagree with me). I carry a pocket knife with me everywhere, except those places I am prohibited from doing so. However, since it is visible, I'd check with the pastor if you have a concern.

[John Fiske]

You are blessed. I am the director of music in my church (Southern Baptist) and have been prohibited from wearing my kilt in church. However, I carry my pocket knife EVERYWHERE, including church. I live in the Blue Ridge Mountains. It's just part of our culture here.