Immodesty

[katautumn]

This is inspired by a thread I saw on another forum about unnatural haircolors (pink, green, blue, etc).The general consensus (among this particular group of people) was that unnatural haircolors were, indeed, very sinful because it creates a distraction and makes someone look rebellious and wordly; however, there was one response that was a bit odd. The poster said that unnatural hair colors were "immodest" When questioned about what he meant by "immodest" he stated that we are to show outward countenance and the spirit of the Lord which is only evident in the face and when someone does something odd to their hair, it draws attention away from their face. He even went so far as to say that highlights are a little bit immodest, but that totally unnatural haircolors (such as pink or blonde with bright colored highlights) are "completely immoral".

Going by the logic that any outer adornment that takes attention away from the face is sinful and immodest, would the following be immodest:

1. Braces to correct crooked teeth?
2. A neon colored cast after breaking a bone?
3. A modest, full-length dress with a large floral print?
4. A sparkly hair clip?
5. A really trendy hairstyle?
6. Unique looking shoes?

 

[Niels]

Sounds like legalism (to the point of making stuff up) to me.

What's ironic is that the very same people would judge Jesus for how he looked.

 

[ebia]

Sounds like "anything not to my taste is sinful" to me.

 

[Saeph]

I find it very ridiculous that one judges haircolours...Sorry...

And the "argument" that it takes attention away from one's face doesn't really count. There are, like KatAutumn said, lots of things which do exactly that, but the user who posted, can't tell me that he judges them, too.

Who the hell would call bracelets (f.e) immoral/immodest?!

Sounds like "anything not to my taste is sinful" to me.

Yeah, seems to me like that, too.

 

[TheMissus]

I've had ultra-religious strangers scold my husband for having a ponytail. When it's down, his hair goes a little past his shoulders, and it's gorgeous. It's also his perogative to grow his hair any way he wants. It's HIS hair.

I had blue highlights for awhile when I was in high school. I also had Lucille Ball-orange for awhile, and burgundy before that. Call it a phase. But to call it immoral-- well, that's just silly. It's hair. If you don't like it, don't look at me.

Why is drawing attention to the face considered a good thing? By that logic, is heavy makeup encouraged because it draws attention to the face?

 

[red77]

This is inspired by a thread I saw on another forum about unnatural haircolors (pink, green, blue, etc).The general consensus (among this particular group of people) was that unnatural haircolors were, indeed, very sinful because it creates a distraction and makes someone look rebellious and wordly; however, there was one response that was a bit odd. The poster said that unnatural hair colors were "immodest" When questioned about what he meant by "immodest" he stated that we are to show outward countenance and the spirit of the Lord which is only evident in the face and when someone does something odd to their hair, it draws attention away from their face. He even went so far as to say that highlights are a little bit immodest, but that totally unnatural haircolors (such as pink or blonde with bright colored highlights) are "completely immoral".

Going by the logic that any outer adornment that takes attention away from the face is sinful and immodest, would the following be immodest:

1. Braces to correct crooked teeth?
2. A neon colored cast after breaking a bone?
3. A modest, full-length dress with a large floral print?
4. A sparkly hair clip?
5. A really trendy hairstyle?
6. Unique looking shoes?

I'd wager the exact same people who somehow find sin and immorality in the colour of a persons hair would also think having a sense of humour or just having fun would also be inherently sinful.............

 

[Battie]

I'm actually very surprised that unnatrual hair colors were considered immoral. It's just self-expression for some people, and I notice it especially in those with an artistic streak.

I was going to get blue highlights myself last time I cut my hair until I saw the ridiculous price. That, to me, is what makes something like that wrong. There are much better things I could be putting my time and resources into than my appearance. Instead, I like to find things that are cheap and a little different and mix and match so that I can express myself without making to big a dent in my wallet. I'm a quiet person, and I know that at times my appearance says more about my personality than my words.

Likewise, I don't think any of the things you mentioned are immoral unless the person who enjoys them spends too much or concentrates to much on it. There's nothing wrong with wanting to have fun with your appearance or to feel pretty. Just don't let it have too high a priority.

Yes, our bodies are temples, but who doesn't love a temple with stained-glass windows?

 

[Argent]

I'm extremely conservative, as most of you know, or at least I hope most of you've come to that conclusion, but this is just legalistic nonsense. What non-christians do doesn't matter. Everything they do is done in a state of sin. For believers, this is just an attempt to put us back under the jewish Law. Chrisitans were never under the Law, and we aren't under it now. Christians can color their hair any way they want. I never liked blue hair, though. I really like pink hair, but I don't like blue hair.

 

[Caylin]

I'm extremely conservative, as most of you know, or at least I hope most of you've come to that conclusion, but this is just legalistic nonsense. What non-christians do doesn't matter. Everything they do is done in a state of sin. For believers, this is just an attempt to put us back under the jewish Law. Chrisitans were never under the Law, and we aren't under it now. Christians can color their hair any way they want. I never liked blue hair, though. I really like pink hair, but I don't like blue hair.

And if its too conservative for even argent, then you know something is up.

 

[theeyesoftammyfaye]

What non-christians do doesn't matter. Everything they do is done in a state of sin.

 

[wanderingone]

People have a weird way of turning personal conviction into commandments.

I'm sure there are times when certain personal style decisions are inappropriate or even immodest depending on the situation (where immodesty is calling attention to oneself to the harm of whatever is trying to be accomplished) But in general I'm pretty sure spending time worrying about the lady with bright blue hair is far more troublesome than the blue hair itself.

Certainly if one feels convicted to follow some rule of no adornments, no make up etc.. they should follow that conviction, they should not assume each person they bump into through out the day is governed by those same convictions. As a parent I'll take "rebellion" in the form of purple hair over drug use and sexual acting out any day. As an adult I am far too lazy to color my hair at all, so in fact my lack of interesting hair color may be a sign of a character flaw rather than an indication I have followed a higher spiritual path.

 

[rhyddid_rose]

Hail and Greetings

Immodest? Surely you jest! Purple hair ROCKS!

Dare to be different! Stand out from the crowd!

Purple is my favourite colour and it looks good.

Hail Heimdall

Babochka

 

[Eve_Sundancer]

I feel there's nothing immodest about choosing to stand out a little bit, or attach a favorite color to yourself semi-permanently. I went through a period of several years where I tried nearly every color under the sun (except for purple, unfortunately!). But then I realized what work it was and that since I was using cheap dyes (I was a poor high schooler with no job at the time) my hair was getting icky. So I went back to my natural color which I now prefer over anything I dyed my hair to. Simply because it's hard to make dyed hair look natural-ish with cheap dye (with each hair looking slightly different instead of looking like you got painted one solid color). Plus my hair's brown but has all these funky red undertones and that's probably fairly difficult to replicate unless you know a good professional. Being unique and proud of it is in no way immoral or immodest.

 

[Argent]

And if its too conservative for even argent, then you know something is up.

Dang right!

 

[Argent]

Hail and Greetings

Immodest? Surely you jest! Purple hair ROCKS!

Dare to be different! Stand out from the crowd!

Purple is my favourite colour and it looks good.

Hail Heimdall

Babochka

I like purple hair too; pink and purple. Green I've always been indifferent to. I don't like blue hair, though. When I was in college a friend dyed his hair like the Swedish flag. I thought that was kinda a cool, not too much blue.

 

[MoonlessNight]

I think that there are situations in which hair dying can be an expression of a vice-filled person (probably pride) and that then it might be sinful. I also thing that that situation is far within the exception, rather than the rule. And I also think that such a person could find many other ways to act out on an obsessive self-image, most of which would not be considered problematic from the standpoint of a conservative image. So certainly there is nothing inherently wrong with hair dying.

 

[DailyBlessings]

Well, I think that flashy and expensive clothes were probably what Paul meant by immodest dress, in his writings.

 

[justanobserver]

I had a long reply to this OP about views of immodest, immoral, "worldy" based on what was known as the "holiness standard" of a very fundelmental pentecostal holiness oneness organization I use to belong to long ago but got to thinking - it is a lot deeper than what the OP is asking about. So decided not to post it.

but it is very very scary what preachers convince their flock to do, say, be, hair color, etc..... trust me. I still have a very extreme deep bitter resentment to all things christians after all these years. I got some real neat horror stories would love to share someday. And it goes way beyond hair color.

 

[rowena]

Hail and Greetings

Immodest? Surely you jest! Purple hair ROCKS!

Dare to be different! Stand out from the crowd!

Purple is my favourite colour and it looks good.

Hail Heimdall

Babochka

I totally agree! I dye my hair purple anytime I can get away with it just because I love the way it looks. If its immoral to do so, then call me immoral and hand me my hair colouring!