America is Undressing

[Otto the Potto]

Why is America undressing? What ever happened to propriety and modesty?

If Christians argue that its my liberty (ie, under Grace, not the Law) to wear what I want - despite how revealing - then why bother with clothing at all?

The American church is afflicted with immodestly.

 

[Desinov]

then why bother with clothing at all

Exactly! I just wish my girlfriend would get that.

 

[Kasey]

Why is America undressing? What ever happened to propriety and modesty?

If Christians argue that its my liberty to wear what I want - despite how revealing - then why bother with clothing at all?

America's churches are afflicted with immodestly.

There is a difference between wearing what you want and actually being a bit modest about it. People who want to wear want they want and its nothing short of a skimpy whorish outfit only give the impression that that is how they wish to live their life.

And guess what, when people see them dressed like that, thats exactly what they think, ultimately that is unless something occurs to change their mind.

 

[Buzz Dixon]

It's coming back. All the major outlets noticed a shift this fall towards somewhat more conservative dress. Like the song in OKLAHOMA, "They've gone about as far as they can go..."

 

[Gwynne]

It's coming back. All the major outlets noticed a shift this fall towards somewhat more conservative dress. Like the song in OKLAHOMA, "They've gone about as far as they can go..."

A lot of that is being attributed to the whole Super Bowl Halftime thing.... People realized just how shocking the U.S. has become.

 

[Hydra009]

Why is America undressing? What ever happened to propriety and modesty?

America's churches are afflicted with immodestly.

I'd like you to explain how you made the jump from argument #1 to argument #2.

 

[TrueQ]

Q: Why bother even wearing anything?

A: Because it's totally cold and foggy out.
A: Because I want everyone to know how much I love Metallica.
A: Because if the chicks see this I won't have a chance!
A: Because I need a couple of extra pockets today.
A: Because the doctor said keep this cut clean and covered.
A: Because clothes are kind of cool sometimes.

It's not like there are no good reasons to wear clothes, even the nudists get that there are.

 

[Desinov]

Because if the chicks see this I won't have a chance!

Yea, but your honesty makes up for it.

 

[feral]

Why is America undressing? What ever happened to propriety and modesty?

To some people, the values of the culture are no longer compatible with modesty. We as a culture value sex and body obsession and consider displaying the body to mean power, value and worth. A lot of people do not buy into it though, and I do not think churches are strongly affected. A lot of people wearing skimpy stuff are teens who are experimenting with fashion and values and trying to determine who they are - most adults do not go out in halter tops and microminis.

 

[Fuzzy]

Reasons I wear clothes:

Anything at my job that can cut 1/8" thick steel will mess me up
Sunburns suck
Grassburrs suck
Mesquite thorns really suck
Acetone is not skin friendly
Scalding hot bacon grease is uncomfortable
Photo film developer stains for a long time
Metal punch presses shoot little bits of metal all over the place at high speed
Cats have sharp claws

 

[InnerPhyre]

I expect to see immodesty when I"m on campus. But what really bothers me is when I see it in church. I saw a girl going up to communion not too long ago with a t shirt that said "world's sexiest" on the back. People are losing their common sense....or perhaps we never had it to begin with.

 

[Buzz Dixon]

I'd like you to explain how you made the jump from argument #1 to argument #2.

Well, one of our associate pastors mentioned it could be rather distracting in the summer time when some of the ladies are...shall we say, more relaxed in their attire.

I'm in Southern California, so that gives you an idea of our cultural standards.

 

[Buzz Dixon]

I expect to see immodesty when I"m on campus. But what really bothers me is when I see it in church. I saw a girl going up to communion not too long ago with a t shirt that said "world's sexiest" on the back. People are losing their common sense....or perhaps we never had it to begin with.

Not to play "Can you top that" but I once saw a kid come to church in a Black Sabbath T-shirt.

 

[USincognito]

Are low rise jeans and a baby tee really all that much more immodest than a micro-miniskirt and tube halter top that was de regiur in 1973?

 

[waterbear]

Why is America undressing? What ever happened to propriety and modesty?

If Christians argue that its my liberty to wear what I want - despite how revealing - then why bother with clothing at all?

America's churches are afflicted with immodestly.

The why is relatively easy to answer - sex-centric culture. People flaunt themselves to get the attention of members of the opposite sex who are interested in sex rather than a meaningful relationship (pop culture). Christians typically cannot seem to isolate themselves from pop culture, so they are immodest with the idea that being so will attract a mate (or keep one in tow). Also, many church-going "Christans" still ascribe to the pop-culture view on dating relationships - it's all about sex.

I'd also blame the common acceptance and commonality of fornication - that nudity shouldn't be a private/intimate between spouses. Exposure of the self to someone who will not be the spouse sets precedence and internal acceptance of exposure to anyone.

 

[Eudaimonist]

Why is America undressing? What ever happened to propriety and modesty?

In one tribe in Africa, propriety and modesty for men means wearing nothing other than a covering for the penis. Without that they would feel naked, but with it they feel completely "clothed".

I think you are asking whatever happened to older standards of modesty. But why should a full length skirt be better than a knee length skirt?

Or to put this another way, the ultimate in modesty would be, for example, those Islamic clothes for women that cover their entire bodies, including their faces. Should we have that? If not, why not?

 

[USincognito]

In one tribe in Africa, propriety and modesty for men means wearing nothing other than a covering for the penis. Without that they would feel naked, but with it they feel completely "clothed".

I'm sure this is true for some African tribes, but the people you're specifically referring to are in New Guinea IIRC.

And you just reminded me of an old anecdote I read in Readers Digest years ago. Two female roomates, one Muslim. The non-Muslim's boyfriend is visiting and the Muslim girl comes walking out of the bathroom naked but carrying a small towel. How does she cover heself and hide her shame? She puts the towel over her head so they boyfriend can't see her fact.

Don't remember/know if it was supposed to be a true story, but it is thought provoking as well as humorous.

 

[meebs]

You say america but it is happening in my, and other countries too. But humans have been immodest, well, for a long time. It isnt just a new thing! It is even mentioned in the bible about clothes and the way people behaved in the bible.

My own philosphy is that my body is for my own eyes and my boyfreinds only. I dont want to attract unwanted attention.

 

[The Bellman]

There is nothing "evil", "sinful" or "wrong" about the human body. The idea that there is is one that has been spread by religion. Wearing comparitively little covering is no more "immodest" than not covering up your head/face (which is, in some cultures, deemed 'immodest'). Bottom line - society is changing. They have a habit of doing that. Deal.

 

[transientlife]

Very true Bellman. I believe I read somewhere that the Gnostics are responsible for those attitudes that have permeated into general Christian culture.

And coming from a Christian perspective: if our bodies are temples to God, and "made in his image" so to speak...then how can/could they be, or why would it be considered "evil" etc. ?