– “People who conform to others’ expectations are sheeple.” This is the one you’re targeting with a super-orthodox display. It has irony going for it.

– “People should wear clothes to church that suggest reverence and respect.” A fine selection of Elvis costumes and attractive swimwear should violate this one nicely.

– “People should wear clothes to church.” A tricky target, to be sure, but uncovering cultural assumptions has always taken courage.

There are thousands more on myriad topics such as shrunken heads, corporate logo tattoos, odors of all kinds, body parts involved in greetings, speaking Esperanto in talks, and expected skin texture. In short, to stand out among the ostracized, just be a raging weirdo.

I wear a suit, white shirt and tie nearly every week to church, because I was asked directly to do so when I was called to my current calling. However, I regularly wear slacks and a polo shirt (or a colored shirt and tie) to baptisms and weekday meetings and other meetings that weren’t included in what was asked of me personally.

I don’t wear a white shirt to church for several reasons. First, I don’t like to talk in sacrament meeting all that much or go to extra meetings. Wearing a non-white shirt is like kryptonite out here in the bubble to both callings and speaking assignments. Second, I give absolutely no credence to the modern day traditions of the elders and actually treat them with the spite and contempt they deserve.

There’s a difference between gospel doctrine and mormon culture. The first is important, the second can be more of a burden than it is worth. While social networks are important, they shouldn’t be so important that you have to give up who you are to be part of the herd.

Not being accepted into the herd because you don’t dress/act the way the herd thinks you should… Where have I heard that before?… Something about people going up to a pedestal or a pulpit to thank God for being one of His chosen people… Sad that this still exists today…

1) I like being a Mormon because I like attention. When you’re in the Bible Belt and you’re Mormon, you get lots of attention.
2) I like being a liberal Mormon because I like attention. When you’re in the Mormon Church and you’re liberal, you get lots of attention.
3) There’s no smooth or cool way to look at your watch in a social setting without people thinking you’re bored or you want to leave. Maybe I just want to know what time it is, people! Is that too much to ask? Can’t a guy have fun and still want to know what time it is?

I couldn’t pass something that good up.

So, I guess the question is…since we will face peer pressure from all directions (after all, we’ve got temptations, right?) should be be expected to deal and resist with peer pressure from our fellow brothers and sisters? I mean, it seems like one thing to say you’re standing up to the peer pressure of sin…but going against the grain of those in church? It’s an interesting dichotomy.

That being said, it’s not true that everything done as a norm in church is gospel truth. So, maybe fighting the cultural aspect (that’s against blue shirts, beards, etc.) is worth it.

I do agree that if we try to stand out from the herd we will get flak and if we really want to avoid that then there is the option of leaving. Peer pressure and herd acceptance is an incredible force in our decision making. I just wonder if we really want people to leave if they like grooming themselves according to our national norm.