Sgian Dubhs in Church: Opinions, please

[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.

[neo71665]

I say don't wear it out of respect for the enviroment your in. Be it a tool or weapon most on duty cops down here will leave their gun in the car when going into a church. I don't see the lack of your knife taking away from the outfit as a total one bit.

[KiltedKnight]

During religious services in the field, in combat, soldiers generally have their firearms in hand or very close to their person. God does not concern Himself with what is on your person but in your heart. If a church would not allow me to wear a utility knife which is what the sgian dubh is then I would find another church.

Anything at hand is a possible weapon, a rolled up magazine, a glass bottle or a rock if that's what is in your mind to make it. The sgian dubh should not be an issue at all. If folks would stop worrying about it the sgian dubh would remain what it is, a tool, not a weapon. To demonstrate this consider a rifle that is made to look more military by changing it's looks. It still expells the same lead projectile that any common hunting rifle does but it's refered to in some walks as an "assault rifle" to make it seem more desireable to some. However, if that very same rifle is refered to as a "self protection rifle" it takes on a whole new aura. How could anyone say that they shouldn't have a "self protection rifle" in time of need? But to label it an "assault rifle" makes people nervous even though, as I stated, it fires the very same projectile that any other rifle uses.

We should not forget that the Bagpipes are a weapon of war, the only musical instrument ever considered such, should they be disallowed in church or any public function just because they were feared by an oppressive government at one time in history?


Chris.

[neo71665]

Armed soldiers in the field are a whole other ballgame as the rifle referances.

[Bob C]

Wear your sgian dubh. No one will give it a second thought.

[Captain]

I carry a knife on me at all times... it is a tool, and I use it constantly whether it be for cutting zip ties, stripping cables, or just digging the stuff out from under my fingernails... I carry it in church, the 6 days a week that I am there. Of course I'm usually working in some capacity while at church since I'm their content creator... however, I see nothing wrong with a sgian dubh... of course I live in Texas and if they were allowed to, I'm sure a good number of members (including myself) would carry actual weapons (handguns) on their person to church... As it is, I'm sure our parking lot is full of stowed Glocks and 1911's...

I say there is nothing wrong with carrying it as long as it is done responsibly and respectfully... Sure there are people who shouldn't carry knives or anything else remotely dangerous - but you're not one of them are you?

[Captain]

While I agree with mbhandy, and am myself in the same situation (work at a church and prohibited from kilt wearing at church)... Actually, since I sit behind a computer editing all day I think mines worse... I mean the public NEVER sees me, so there's no reason I can't wear whatever I want!

That said, you can't just up and turn your back on God's call in your life over an article of clothing... Is it wrong that an ethnic and historical garment is prohibited from being worn in a house of God... ABSO FREAKIN' LUTELY! But it is still an article of clothing... it's not like he's at theological odds with his church... Now... if they tried to discipline me because I wore it outside the church and tried to pull some kind of "you're sinning because you're cross dressing" BS then I would definitely be pulling up the stakes and getting the hell out of Dodge...

[mbhandy]

Be it a Knife or a Kilt does the pastor allow a Kilted wedding if so then that is total ground for Discrimination. My father was Pastor for the United Methodist Church in the Houston Conference and he use to do Weddings where many of the weddings were kilted. I guess It might be He was use to seeing his Grandfather Wallace wear his kilt that he was more tolerant about clothing except when I wore Beatle boots to Church?????
We were in Texas an lots of men wore Cowboy boots?????


MrBill

[michael steinrok]

Wearing the Sgian in church would largely depend on what was in your heart. Let's face it a sgian is not much of a weapon. On the other hand " In the land of the blind the one eyed man is king" God will know what is in your heart. Let that be your guide. It serves me well.

[gilmore]

This may be something that has been extensively discussed before, but I'm looking for some current perspectives.

What is the conventional wisdom regarding wearing sgian dubhs in church? I'm going semi-formal to an (Episcopalian) midnight mass tomorrow night: kilt, belt, argyll tweed jacket, tie, ghillie brogues, flashes; but I am ambivalent on whether to wear my sgian dubh. The ceremonial aspect appeals to me, but a sgian dubh is an actual, functional weapon to some extent, and the idea of wearing a weapon in church seems wrong somehow. If I knew someone was carrying a bowie knife, or a switchblade in church, it would bother me. I don't want anyone to make that judgement of me. On the other hand, there is the heritage argument, almost (though not quite, given the theological sanction), the way a Sikh might wear his kirpan to temple.

Where does everyone stand? Up or down on the sgian dubh in church?

Merry Christmas to all,

Cirthalion

There is a saying about situations like this that goes something like, "If you feel you have to ask, you probably shouldn't."