Brethrenism

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New Branch Brethren in Kalistan:
Plain Dress Movement gets "back to the Roots"
Vrassa City, Vrassa
October 28, 4091

As the Society of Brethren begins to contemplate turning 200, an interesting movement is springing forth from some meetings in Kalistan. There is a distinct move toward a rejection of much of the trappings of the modern world, to include modern style and fashion, in favor of older simplistic ways. The movement is called "Plain Dress" and it has attracted a number of subscribers in the last couple decades.

[size=x-slall]Two Brethren subscribers of the Plain Dress Movement, following Vrassa City Monthly Meeting[/size]

To some extent, Plain Dress has long been a part of various Brethrenist Communities in Kalistan. Many of the customs were adopted from Old Branch Brethrenism, which has, for the most part disappeared throughout Terra. "It is not so much about the clothing specifically," Said Society member Thomas Goerig, from Vrassa City. "Instead, it is the message we are sending with the way we dress, and our habits in eating, and the ways we live, which says 'I can't focus on materialism and the Light at the same time. One or the other has to give way, and as a member of the Brethren, I should focus on the Light. Materials tend to distract me." Brother Goerig is one who dresses "plainly" as he and others in the Movement describe it, wearing mostly black and white colors, often a coat, trousers and a hat. Women in the Plain Dress Movement tend to wear colorful dresses, but often they will avoid floral or other prints, and will wear cotton, rather than some of the more easily available fabric types. All cover their heads except when inside the home or the Meeting House, and most tend to live in more rustic homes than their more modern co-religionists. "The simplicity, "said Brother Goerig, "is in line with our testimony. If we live a simple life, it is our hope that we are able to live in accord with our other testimonies as well. We won't waste resources, we won't be obsessed with our things, and so forth. The clothes are therefore just an outward symbol of an inward commitment we have already made."

Many other Brethrenists are not so sure. "I don't mean to put down the ideas of the Plain Dress folks, " Brethren Society member Joanne Quisly said. "Their heart seems to be in the right place, they aren't hurting anyone, and they seem to be following a leading. But their reason for dressing like the guy on the Oatmeal box is because they wish to avoid ostentation and do not wish to draw attention to their clothing. But when they walk into a Meeting in Plain Dress, you bet, everyone looks at them. Everyone is distracted. I saw some kids staring as the Brethren as if they arrived by spacecraft. It is the exact opposite of what they are trying to accomplish. If they want to be humble, it would be smarter, I think to go with a less outdated set of clothing. But whatever. No skin off my teeth, anyway."

Whether the Plain Dress Movement will grow is anyone's guess. Today, less than 1% of Brethren in Kalistan identify with the Movement, but that number is up significantly in the last 5 years. The main concentration of Plain Dress Brethren are in rural parts of Kalistan's western mountains; they are virtually absent on Ananto. We should note: At least one town in Vrassa District and two in Neveras have gone completely Plain Dress. No dress codes have been issued in these three towns, but Brethren on Local Councils and Assemblies in these three villages have generally adopted Plain Dress, as have nearly all Brethren in these cities.