Something I found rather strange was brought to my attention today. Folks of the Mormon religion wear a special kind of underwear.
Garments are a symbolic gesture of the promises that Mormons have made to God. The garment is always worn under other clothing, next to the skin. In fact, for most people who wear it, the garment takes the place of regular underwear. Mormons begin wearing it during their first visit to the temple, wherein they receive individual instruction on how the garment should be worn and cared for, and furthermore, they undergo a sacred ceremony called the temple endowment. Solely during this ritual, additional special clothing is put on; by contrast, the garment or special underwear is worn at all times, both day and night, from then on. It serves as a constant reminder of the covenants made during the temple endowment.
I grew up in a Baptist / Pentecostal family, so I have seen my share of things that I now consider to be somewhat strange, but I’m pretty sure that my parents wore regular underwear. I wonder what they would do if they took a vacation to somewhere like the Outer Banks? Would they wear their regular Mormon clothes, or would they dress appropriately for the beach? Does their religion even allow them to take a vacation like that?
Funny thing, religion. So many different beliefs and views, and the cause of so many conflicts. Something that is supposed to teach us to be nice often does just the opposite.
I still attend my parents church occasionally just to see if anything has changed over the years. The names and faces have changed, but the primary teaching is still the same: Pay your tithes, dislike gay people, and don’t masturbate still seems to be the big three.