Collective Worship

Title:Judging by appearance

Theme: Prejudice

School: Secondary

Term: All terms

Summary

People who dress the same as others should not be judged sorely by appearance.

Teachers’ Notes

Directions:

The pictures should be shown in PowerPoint as the story is told. The ( ) shows when the slide should be changed. To attract pupils’ attention, we recommend the first slide is already on display as they enter.

The Main Text

(Picture 1)

When we have a no uniform day in school, it’s amazing how many of you turn up in an alternative uniform – whether it’s your Wales rugby tops, goth outfits, or hoodies and trainers. Even when they’re given a choice not to wear a uniform, many people choose to wear an informal uniform, which shows what kind of music they like, where they’re from, what they think is fashionable and who their friends are. It helps people express their identity.

(Picture 2)

Other people wear uniforms because they have to, or to make sure other people know their identity:

police

school pupils

clergy

sports teams

nurses

postmen

The idea is that we can see at a glance who people are and sometimes, with school pupils for example, make them feel that they are all equal.

(Picture 3)

Many events also have a formal or informal dress code – for example weddings and parties, or workplaces where you know you shouldn’t wear jeans or shorts. And we’ve all worn traditional Welsh costumes on St David’s Day and have felt proud of our culture and heritage.

Other people wear clothing which is traditional to where they live, particularly on special occasions - for example Scottish men (and even some Welsh men) wearing kilts to weddings.

(Picture 4)

Many people dress in a certain way because of their religious beliefs. They may wear easily identifiable clothes, such as the long clothes and hats of ultra orthodox Jews, or a priest’s ‘dog-collar’, or a cross on a chain around the neck. Some people will dress modestly for religious reasons, for example covering hair or limbs, and wearing (or not wearing) certain items of jewellery.

(Picture 5)

The Amish people are a very strict Christian group found mainly in Pennsylvania in the USA. They wear very plain clothes for a very specific reason. A spokesman for them once explained:

‘These distinctive clothes encourage humility and separation from the world. Their clothing is not a costume; it is an expression of their faith.’

Clothing can change the way people look – and change our view of them.

While many people wear clothes so others can tell they are part of a group, or to ‘fit in’, it can lead us to judge people by the way they look.

(Picture 6)

For example, when we hear the word ‘hoodie’ it immediately leads us to think about teenage yobs hanging around on street corners drinking, being abusive and generally causing trouble. However, a hoodie is just an item of clothing we all use to keep warm.

How would you react if you saw an old man walking down the street wearing one?

(Picture 7)

We have all heard the term ‘skinhead’ and we think of bald, loutish football hooligans who go around looking for trouble. However, monks also choose to shave their hair.

Would you look at a monk and think ‘skinhead’? I suspect not!

(Picture 8)

Jesus said, “Do not judge, lest you be judged, because as you judge, then so shall you be judged yourselves”.

We should all try not to make assumptions based on people’s appearance. Although we may look or dress the same as others with a bad reputation, we are all individuals and deserve to be treated as such.

Let us pray: Almighty God, you taught us not to judge others; teach us to respect the differences we see in our society, and to be open to learn from others who may not think or dress as we do. AMEN.