Thread: Christians Wearing Clothes in Modesty vs Practicality
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Christians Wearing Clothes in Modesty vs Practicality
Posted : 27 Sep, 2014 08:32 AM
This was an interesting topic in the Young Adults Forum, yet it became a circular argument since nobody seems to have the perfect definition on what "modesty" is.
Some of the members have used the cultural relevance argument--where women do not have to dress covered up with veils and clothing covering the ankles in today's society. Others felt that christian women should be able to wear mini skirts and sexier clothing to be fashionable (and can still be modest).
Can you imagine how this argument can go on and on?
Here are some questions regarding practicality:
1.To help prevent "lust of the eyes", should a church enforce a dress code on how women (or men) should dress in the praise & worship team or while attending a church service?
2.With the moral decline in society and the rise of sexual assaults (on both men and women), is it really practical for christian women and men to wear revealing clothes?
3.Can you imagine how many men (and some women) have lustful thoughts while seeing a sexy woman in the pulpit or in the praise team's stage? (you cannot easily read a man's or woman's minds or get them to admit this, so how should your church deal with this issue?)
4.Should only women who have real fighting/selfdefense skills (or a concealed weapon) be allowed to wear sexy clothing? (Many men have pondered this thought.)
5.Should capital punishment immediately be given to sex offenders to scare people in society? Should the male sex offenders be castrated?
6.Sexy type clothing is now being marketed to pre-teens (and even younger girls). Should christians protest these companies?
7.Neo-conservatism is becoming trendy again. Longer shorts and "mom pants" (for women) are in the mainstream fashion again. Should christians and churches become more influential in the fashion industry?
8.(Finally, the dating question) Are there men here who would actually prefer dating a christian woman who is "covered up" from neck to the ankles? What do the women here think about this?
Christians Wearing Clothes in Modesty vs Practicality
Posted : 6 Dec, 2014 06:42 PM
"...since nobody seems to have the perfect definition on what 'modesty' is."
The Greek word, "kosmos," that's translated as "modest" means orderly, virtuous, decent. I'm thinking "skanky" doesn't really fit with the definition "decent and virtuous" - even people in the world know better than this.
To answer the above questions:
1.To help prevent "lust of the eyes", should a church enforce a dress code on how women (or men) should dress?
A: I don't think "lust of the eyes" should come into the argument. At all. That just starts a back and forth "blame game." (Women are responsible for men's lust, etc. Not a godly stance.) Just stick with the "decent and virtuous" argument and you'll have enough to go on. Three inches of cleavage isn't considered "decent and virtuous," not even by the world. Sheesh. Can't we just employ common sense once in a while?
In other words, women shouldn't dress like they took a wrong turn and ended up in church instead of a bar.
2.With the moral decline in society and the rise of sexual assaults (on both men and women), is it really practical for christian women and men to wear revealing clothes?
A: I don't think it's ever "practical" to wear next to nothing, in most situations (other than the privacy of the bedroom of married people, where it has, shall we say, many practical purposes. :) I really can't think of any situations where public nudity or partial nudity is "practical." Maybe if you're incarcerated and making a jail break and wearing clothes won't allow you to slip thru the escape hatch? I don't know. :P
3.Can you imagine how many men (and some women) have lustful thoughts while seeing a sexy woman in the pulpit or in the praise team's stage?
A: Yes, I can imagine. Do I want to imagine? No. Do I realize it happens? Yes, I'm not that naive. But the fact is, most churches are "performance" oriented, and it's going to be the "beautiful" people they choose to be up on stage "performing." I've noticed this. Every time.
4.Should only women who have real fighting/selfdefense skills (or a concealed weapon) be allowed to wear sexy clothing?
A: Ha ha. I'm sorry... that's just... other than wanting to bust out , I'm speechless.
5.Should capital punishment immediately be given to sex offenders to scare people in society? Should the male sex offenders be castrated?
A: I have a friend who lived in Singapore. Whatever else, you can say about Singapore, he said it's very safe there for women as rapists get the death penalty. I technically think that's a good idea, and in particular I think it NEEDS to be implemented against child molesters, because the number of them running around is scary - but like every other idea, there are gray areas and it's not a straight up and down black and white issue. But capital punishment shouldn't be given to scare people - it should be given to PREVENT the evildoers from harming others. Because they can always get out of prison, or rape other prisoners, you know.
6.Sexy type clothing is now being marketed to pre-teens (and even younger girls). Should christians protest these companies?
A: The best protest is non-compliance. Don't by the clothes. Repeat: Don't buy the clothes. Even if your daughter is begging you to let her dress sexy, don't buy those clothes for her. Simple enough, right?
7.Neo-conservatism is becoming trendy again. Longer shorts and "mom pants" (for women) are in the mainstream fashion again. Should christians and churches become more influential in the fashion industry?
A: I would define "neo-conservatism" as something entirely different (I'm pretty sure we're not talking about war here.) But, I digress. Should Christians become more influential in the fashion industry? The old puritan vs. separatist argument again, eh? No, I don't think Christians should attempt being influential in the fashion world. In my opinion, at its core it is vanity (at best) and evil (at worst.) I see such an argument as the same as Christians who want to go to Hollywood to try to become movie stars. There are a lot of great, wholesome movies being produced, independent of the mainstream market - why not join efforts and talent there? Same with fashion - there are a lot of small businesses springing up that offer stylish but decent clothing. I doubt, however that their influence, if any, is going to be felt by the mainstream fashion market.
8.(Finally, the dating question) Are there men here who would actually prefer dating a christian woman who is "covered up" from neck to the ankles? What do the women here think about this?
A: That, unless I was called to live in a Muslim country, I see no practical purpose for this.
Christians Wearing Clothes in Modesty vs Practicality
Posted : 10 Dec, 2014 07:50 AM
>>8.(Finally, the dating question) Are there men here who would actually prefer dating a christian woman who is "covered up" from neck to the ankles? What do the women here think about this?
I'm not sure how "covered up" you mean. Would I prefer dating a woman who dressed like a Mennonite or like she just stepped out of the Little House set? Yes, actually, I would.
Christians Wearing Clothes in Modesty vs Practicality
Posted : 1 Oct, 2017 03:14 PM
In describing the mode of dress appropriate for women in church, the apostle Paul exhorts them to dress �modestly� with �decency and propriety� then goes on to contrast immodest dress with the good deeds which are appropriate for those who profess to be true worshipers of God (1 Timothy 2:9�10). While the Bible only specifically addresses the need for women to dress modestly, the same teaching would apply to men in principle. Both men and women should bring glory to God in their manner of dress.
Modesty in the way we dress is not just for church; it is to be the standard for all Christians at all times. The key to understanding what constitutes modesty in dress is to examine the attitudes and intents of the heart. Those whose hearts are inclined toward God will make every effort to dress modestly, decently, and appropriately. Those whose hearts are inclined toward self will dress in a manner designed to draw attention to themselves with little or no regard for the consequences to themselves or others.
A godly woman endeavors to do everything with a �God-ward� perspective. She knows that God wants His people to be concerned for His glory and the spiritual state of their brothers and sisters in Christ. If a woman professes to be a Christian yet she dresses in a way that will unduly draw attention to her body, she is a poor witness of the One who bought her soul by dying for her on the cross. She is forgetting that her body has been redeemed by Christ and is now the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19�20). She is telling the world that she determines her own worth on a purely physical basis and that her attractiveness depends on how much of her body she reveals to them. Further, by dressing in an immodest fashion, displaying her body for men to lust after, she causes her brothers in Christ to sin, something condemned by God (Matthew 5:27�29). Proverbs 7:10 mentions a woman �dressed like a prostitute and with crafty intent��here, the woman�s heart condition is displayed by her manner of dress.
The Scripture says that we are to dress modestly, but what exactly does that mean in modern society? Does a woman have to be covered from head to toe? There are cults and religions in the world that demand this of women. But is that the biblical meaning of modesty? Again, we have to go back to the matter of the attitudes of the heart. If a woman�s heart is inclined toward godliness, she will wear clothing that is neither provocative nor revealing in public, clothing that does not reflect negatively upon her personal testimony as a child of God. Everyone else in her circle may be dressing immodestly, but she resists the temptation to go along with the crowd. She avoids clothing designed to draw attention to her body and cause men to lust, for she is wise enough to know that type of attention only cheapens her. The idea of causing men to sin against God because of her dress is abhorrent to her because she seeks to love and honor God and wants others to do the same.
Modesty in dress reveals a modesty and godliness of the heart, attitudes that should be the desire of all women (and men) who live to please and honor God.
, I'm speechless.