Clan 'God'

**Riverkilt** · 6th April 05, 11:26 AM

Imagine most anyone could be ordained a minister in the Universal Life Church (many options on Google) for free, then feel more comfortable wearing the clergy tartan...

Ron

**Galant** · 6th April 05, 12:58 PM

Though I think anyone who wanted to feel comfortable wearing one would want to be one, not pretend to be one. Especially with regard to God's servants.

I think I'd be comfortable wearing it, though I'm not ordained. More to do with a life of service to God, than party affiliation, for me at least. Though I fully respect 'clergy' and those who have done the same with a denomination.

**Mike1** · 6th April 05, 01:17 PM

Originally Posted by Galant

And so, if I may ask, what would be the specific requirements for wearing one?

Best guess.?

Specific requirements? Having hips to hold the kilt up off the floor?

All kidding aside, people spend far too much time worrying about things like "requirements". If you like a particular tartan and would enjoy wearing a kilt fashioned from that tartan, then GO FOR IT!

That being said, I will admit that I would not wear another family's tartan. I am "entitled"

to wear tartans of four familes - Lamont, MacDougall, Buchanan and MacDuff - and of those, I only wear one. I also wear the Clergy tartan. I do admire several other tartans, but having no association with those families, I do not wish to wear their tartan.

For me, it is more about identifying who I am, than who I am not. My personal restriction. If a gent wants to wear the Lamont tartan and does so honorably, good on him. I would be extremely frustrated if that same individual wore the tartan dishonorably, however.

If I wear a Notre Dame sweatshirt, what is your first reaction, upon seeing me wearing it? That I am somehow associated in some way with Notre Dame, right? (I'm not, BTW) It's the same with tartan. If I met you on the street and you were wearing Clergy tartan, I would initially think that you were clergy. Tartan is very representational and as I said elsewhere, if you choose to wear it, then be a good representative.

Don't allow yourself to be caught up in "rules" that don't exist.

**Hamish** · 6th April 05, 02:37 PM

Originally Posted by Riverkilt

Thanks Jewddha,

Kind of the opposite of the old English wankers telling us Scots we can't wear our tartans and kilts....now we're running around telling others they should get a tartan and wear kilts....

Ron

Ron, as one who is 75% English I take exception to your use of THAT word! It was coined, either in this forum or in another, very recently and resulted, quite rightly, in a number of complaints.

Whatever your opinion of the English might be, I respectfully suggest that there are plenty of other, less offensive, words you might have chosen to use.

**Thistle Stop** · 6th April 05, 03:45 PM

Originally Posted by g koch

I smell a ZION District tartan a'coming.
A Calvary Commemorative.

In Dress, Mourning, Hunting (and Fishing for souls).

Brilliant!

**Thistle Stop** · 6th April 05, 03:53 PM

Originally Posted by Mike1

Originally Posted by Galant

Until Matt mentioned it, I had know idea that there exists a 'Clergy' tartan. "Cool!" I thought. "Clan God!"

For those of us that can (and do) wear the Clergy tartan, we see it as a representation of our own calling. It's nothing to do with "Clan God" (dearie, dearie me, I do hope this won't become a new catch phrase

), but rather it identifies our service FOR God. I hope that difference is clear.

Yours aye,
Mike

I agree that not everyone is a professional member of the clergy, but anyone can have a ministry, and I know Galant does in fact have a ministry and is very sincere in his faith. I don't think wearing the Clergy tartan is quite the same as putting a 'Clergy' plaquard in one's car window in order to park in a no-parking zone at a hospital... and I know you weren't saying anything like that. Perhaps wearing the Clergy tartan could lead to some awkward explanations to the cognoscenti. On the other hand, it could lead to some great opportunities to witness to others about one's personal faith, which all Christians are called to do. I'm not sure where I come down on this issue. I see merit in both points of view.

**Thistle Stop** · 6th April 05, 03:59 PM

Originally Posted by Scotus

While it is true that most people would assume you were a member of the clergy, I believe members of the Clark family in Scotland also wear this tartan. District tartans are always great alternatives.

There are several 'Clergy' tartans and also a few Clark tartans, and it's true that one of them is identified as both.

**Thistle Stop** · 6th April 05, 04:09 PM

Originally Posted by Galant

A question then, what exactly does 'clergy' refer to? A particular denomination - C of E, C of S?

Or is just a reference to those in the full time service of God no matter denomination?

'Clergy' means that one has been ordained (or the equivalent) as a professional minister (priest, rabbi, etc.) of one's religious faith. Full-time has nothing to do with it, neither does one's denomination -- it doesn't refer only to Christian ministers, either.

I guess the question of ordination should be the dividing line between who should or should not wear the clergy tartan. It is a symbol of that commitment. So, now that I've thought it over, I think it should be reserved for those who have taken that step.

**Thistle Stop** · 6th April 05, 04:20 PM

You guys, with all your stimulating topics of discussion and interesting opinions, are making me late for our Tartan Day Dinner! I'm supposed to be drying my hair and getting dressed! I keep rationalising reading the forum by telling myself my hair is drying naturally!