Not sure if this topic has ever been explored, but it seems to me that so called worshipers of mainstream religion would be more tolerant of people who decide to go barefoot. I was reading Exodus 3:5 where GOD instructs Moses to remove his shoes as the place where he was standing was holy ground. Also Joshua was told the same thing at Joshua 5:15 This thought was repeated in Acts7:33. In my mind this would indicate that footwear was considered flawed to some degree. Ironically you rarely see folks in houses of worship barefoot with the exception of Muslim. Hmm perhaps I can recall these passages when snotty folks look dow n on me for my bare feet I'll have to also tell them 'Judge not lest Ye be judged' :crowngrin:
One of the pastors associated with my church growing up was a barefooter. It was a Lutheran church that was pretty liberal and had lots of gay members. Members of our church received her with kindness and varying levels of curiosity; but some were definitely freaked out by it.
in catholic countries the practice of making vows, meant to be a price offered to obtain a grace, was popular until near times. an aunt of mine offered to go barefoot to a far sanctuary and change her name , asking help for her father who was in risk of life. she eventually obtained that grace and left for her bf pilgrimage. that was a common custom back then.
there is another thread on this, prolly deeply burried in the forum. If I recall, we came up that mainstream "christian" religions here in the US would look down on one going barefoot in "their" church because you are "supposed" to wear your finest, even though Jesus was a simple, humble man.
1 After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come. 2 Therefore said he unto them, the harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest. 3 Go your ways: behold, I send you forth as lambs among wolves. 4 Carry neither purse, nor scrip, nor shoes: and salute no man by the way. 5 And into whatsoever house ye enter, first say, Peace be to this house. (Luke 10, Jesus sending out the 72 disciples) …. 35 And he said unto them, When I sent you without purse, and scrip, and shoes, lacked ye any thing? And they said, Nothing. (Luke 22, Jesus talking with the disciples after the Last Supper) *lol* sometimes it’s good to have spend some time on a christian boarding school ;-)
