BK Arena has introduced new guidelines on dress and conduct for people attending concerts and other events at the venue.
The rules require intimate parts of the body to be adequately covered and prohibit clothing considered offensive, intimidating or inappropriate. The arena has also warned against violence, harassment and disrespect for other people’s personal space.
While these are rules for a public venue, they raise an important question for Christians who attend secular concerts: Should Christian standards of modesty and conduct change simply because the event is not taking place in a church?
A Christian attending a secular concert is still a Christian. The fact that the music is not Gospel does not mean Christian values should be left at the entrance. The Bible encourages believers to do everything for the glory of God and to conduct themselves with modesty and self-control.
This does not mean Christians cannot attend concerts, enjoy music or have fun. But they should also be willing to examine the environment they are entering, the clothes they choose to wear and the behavior they participate in.
The question should not only be, “Will BK Arena allow me to wear this?” but also, “Does this reflect who I am as a follower of Christ?”
The same applies to behavior. If BK Arena has to remind people not to fight, harass or intimidate others, Christians should already understand these principles from their faith. Christian freedom is not a license to abandon self-control or disregard the dignity of others.
At the same time, the conversation should not become an excuse for Christians to judge everyone based on clothing. Christianity is not simply about how many inches of fabric someone wears.
It is about the heart, character and witness of a person. Modesty should come with love, humility and respect rather than condemnation.
With another major concert approaching at BK Arena, this is a timely reminder for Christians. They do not necessarily have to avoid every secular event, but they should know their boundaries and remain conscious of the values they represent.
A venue can create a dress code for its guests, but Christians should carry a higher standard within themselves. The real question is not simply what BK Arena will allow, but what a follower of Christ is willing to represent.
