Modesty

[AureateDawn]

So I am wondering about modesty. Does monastic modesty of full coverage have to be followed? Or are shorts and short sleeves ok? Where is the line drawn? It cannot be the "norm", because that is constantly changing. Right now many women wear extremely short shorts and it is "normal", but not modest. So where is the line drawn in modesty?

Thanks.

 

[Matrona]

There are few people who would argue that we must all follow monastic standards of modesty, and I'd have to say that those who do are usually nuts. Monks and nuns aren't clothed in the monastic habit out of some pathological fear of someone lusting after the monastics' forearms or the backs of their necks. It's part of their "death to the world" and really isn't meant to set a standard of modesty that everyone else should ideally follow.

In my experience, Orthodox modesty is somewhat circumstantial. Generally, rules about what to wear in church differ from what's acceptable for wearing in the outside world. Right now I'm wearing a short-sleeve t-shirt that advertises a radio station, which I would not wear in church, but I'd be hard pressed to find an SF to say it was immodest and inappropriate to wear anywhere. In church, I cover my head and I wear a long skirt, not because I think it's whorish not to wear these things, but because it's my personal conviction that this is how I show respect for entering the house of God.

 

[Khaleas]

Just because it's 'normal' doesn't mean it's modest (or in any way appropriate for church).

 

[Zinnia]

I sure wouldn't want to show the world my knobby knees.

 

[-Kyriaki-]

It's hard to answer this question because as you said, views of modesty are constantly changing. And usually someone decides to come yell at us all about how we're repressing women (or being repressed) whenever we try to discuss it

My opinion has always been that if it's not necessary for it to be seen, it shouldn't be. Short sleeves are fine, simply having straps on a shirt and no sleeves at all isn't. The world doesn't need to see all of your legs, your stomach, whatever. But then I'm the weirdo that has a tendency (though not always followed) to wear full skirts everywhere she goes, and won't be caught dead in Church in pants, even if they're dressy ones, though that's my own personal hangover from my upbringing and I don't judge those who do.

I think most people come to some realisation once they start thinking in terms of others, not themselves, of what they should cover up and how they should dress, and that, in conversation with their spouse and i suppose their SF? is what they should follow. I find it hard to imagine that anyone thinking of others would assume that short, tight clothing was beneficial to those around them...


Anyway, this is a topic I have a tendency to rant on, so I'm going to shut up now. I'll be interested to see how this thread goes, they usually survive on topic longer here than in most other parts of CF!

 

[AureateDawn]

Interesting replies so far. Look forward to reading more Monday!