When you think of a Christian woman, what do you see? If your answer is modest dress and skirts or dresses, then you're not alone. But if your answer is jeans and t-shirts, you may be surprised to find out that there are still many churches with strict rules against women wearing pants!
Pentecostal churches believe that God intended for only men to wear pants because the scripture Deuteronomy 22:5 says,
"The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman's garment: for all that do so are abomination unto the LORD thy God."
Although pants were not invented until centuries after the bible was written, many Pentecostals believe this passage literally applies to all women regardless of culture or time period.
The Apostolic Church also believes that any woman who wears pants or trousers violates Biblical principles. They also feel it's ungodly for women to wear anything resembling men's clothing, such as dress pants, ties, and suit coats.
But many women refuse to follow these rules and have found freedom in serving God while wearing pants.
Apostolic Pentecostal and Outward Holiness
The Apostolic Pentecostal movement began in the early 1900s and believed in a dress code based on their interpretation of the scriptures. The movement stressed strict holiness and modesty in regards to clothing and lifestyle. They require women to wear skirts and dresses at all times and for men to maintain a specific style which includes: collared shirts, ties, dress pants, and suits.
Wearing Pants Could Lead to Sin
The belief that women wearing pants can lead to sin is strongly rooted in modesty and purity standards. Pants are seen as a form of indecent exposure, causing men to stumble. The concern is that pants will outline a woman's natural figure, putting men at risk of sinning through lust.
With men's souls in mind, many organizations take strict approaches to rules regarding pants. Women who do not adhere to the pants prohibition in some Apostolic Pentecostal churches risk undergoing church discipline. Discipline can range from something simple like having a conversation with ministry leaders or being assigned a mentor. Then discipline can go on the extreme end like repenting or apologizing to the church or being suspended from serving in ministry. In any case, organizations see discipline as an appropriate step when church rules are broken.
How Prohibiting Pants Hurts Women and Girls
Those in support of pribiting women from wearing pants may have difficulty seeing how the ban hurts women more than helps. When women cannot wear pants at certain jobs, interviews, or around friends and family outside their church community, they can feel uncomfortable. Living under strict clothing rules can make it hard for a woman to connect with others outside of the church.
Rules against pants can be especially hard for girls going through puberty since social acceptance is vital around that age. Furthermore, not allowing girls to explore career and lifestyle options, strictly for modesty reasons, is impractical and unfair. It deprives women of stepping out of their comfort zone and being creative because they must keep their brother from stumbling.
Free Women's Bodies
Christians who believe women cannot wear pants inside or outside of the church are ignoring scripture about how Jesus did not conform to traditional beliefs. Jesus constantly argued with Jewish leaders so that justice would prevail over tradition, and he died for it. Yet, humans still manage to create and impose traditions on others in the church.
It is essential for women to have the liberty of choice regarding clothing, their bodies, and any matter that does not hurt others. If people are forced into specific attire, it is a violation of human rights. It is also hypocritical for people who believe in following the bible to ignore the pain their traditions cause others.
Let Women Decide What To Wear
It does not make sense to burden women with rules based on solely on their gender. Women should not be afraid of wanting to wear pants instead of just dresses and skirts.
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