Why are all bikinis often considered immodest by Christians?

[KitKatMatt]

I'm usually fully clothed when I swim (t-shirt and shorts), but I'd like to try a bikini one day just 'cause.

I mostly fear the ridicule from family because of my weight, though.

 

[CabVet]

What exactly does that mean? Elaborate.

Exactly what Hetta said here:

It means Sam that when you see a girl in a bikini you can chose whether to fill your head with thoughts of lust and imagine everything you could be doing with her, or you could think 'oh there's a girl in a bikini' and move on. It's up to you. Only you can choose.

 

[OfArtemis]

I do agree with what some of you have said, that it is the guys fault when he lusts. Guys can lust after a girl even if she is very modestly dressed. A guy can lust because of a smile. However, the bible does say to love our neighbor and also to try to keep our brothers from stumbling, so if a bikini is making it very hard for him not to sin, the loving thing would be to not wear it.

But, are bikinis that cover the bust pretty modest would most of you say? Not is it okay, but modest? It's only a stomach, everyone has one, and guys display their full top and very few give a second thought.

EDIT: Oh, and thank you all for your replies, I love hearing people's opinions and reasoning, and it's wonderful how many different worldviews are here! It's very interesting hearing from both Christians and Atheists I'm still just trying to figure out if the stomach is a huge stumbling block and really any worse than a swim suit that is just as tight... Just I find bikinis that cover up the whole bust area and that makes me really happy because I'm not comfortable with that showing, but with every other one I've found that fits is also a tad bit low there :/ So, what's worse, a tid bit of cleavage or a stomach...

 

[KitKatMatt]

If a bikini is making it hard for someone to resist, they need to talk about this problem with a medical professional.

Like, seriously. A bikini shouldn't cause someone to lose control of themselves. They may have an underlying medical condition.

 

[Verv]

Bikinis tend to be immodest in Christian contexts solely because of the European cultures that they have had which traditionally frown on it, and Christianity is an expression fo that traditional culture.

South Korea is one of the most atheist states in the world and Bikinis are frowned on and rarely ever seen at the beach.

 

[OfArtemis]

South Korea is one of the most atheist states in the world and Bikinis are frowned on and rarely ever seen at the beach.

Wow, really? That's really interesting. Usually people are very modest because of the culture of their religion. I suppose this is just because of the culture. Just like how some cultures (someone I know visited one) where women just don't wear shirts. It's not immodest at all, just women don't and not a second thought is given. In those cultures (that culture) there isn't anything private about breasts, it gives children milk and that's it.

 

[Verv]

Wow, really? That's really interesting. Usually people are very modest because of the culture of their religion. I suppose this is just because of the culture. Just like how some cultures (someone I know visited one) where women just don't wear shirts. It's not immodest at all, just women don't and not a second thought is given. In those cultures (that culture) there isn't anything private about breasts, it gives children milk and that's it.

That's exactly right.

I think the standard of nudity / clothing is determined by the culture. Often times the culture is highly influenced by the religion, but remember, religions are highly influenced by cultures, as well, and that there are elements within European Christianity that even contain pagan symbolism. Each year atheists remind us that the Christmas tree, the Easter egg, etc. are symbols that predate Christendom.

I say, of course! This is merely European culture influencing Christianity. Just as such, Christianity forbade human sacrifices in Norway & Sweden, and totally influenced the course of Norwegian & Swedish culture as well.
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if it is comfortable for you, wear a bikini and do not regret this. But it is also good to be sensitive that it might be viewed sexually to some degree by others. I feel, though, that you have a right to a bikini as a Christian woman, and perhaps this is even a comfortable part of your worldview, and the culture you identify most with.

Just... we cannot change the fact that some of us are conservative. & so maybe be understandign of the conservative people in your society. That is fine, too, to be considerate of them, but if you truly feel called to put on a bikini, it is your right ,and it does not make anyone a worst Christian by any means.

 

[Sammy-San]

It means Sam that when you see a girl in a bikini you can chose whether to fill your head with thoughts of lust and imagine everything you could be doing with her, or you could think 'oh there's a girl in a bikini' and move on. It's up to you. Only you can choose.

Matthew 18:7 says its a sin to do something that leads somebody else to sin. Here's the verse. "Woe to the world for temptations to sin! For it is necessary that temptations come, but woe to the one by whom the temptation comes!"

I would argue that a woman wearing a bikini is tempting men to lust-therefore, it is a sin.

 

[CabVet]

Matthew 18:7 says its a sin to do something that leads somebody else to sin. Here's the verse. "Woe to the world for temptations to sin! For it is necessary that temptations come, but woe to the one by whom the temptation comes!"

I would argue that a woman wearing a bikini is tempting men to lust-therefore, it is a sin.

And I would argue that it's not your problem, that's between the woman and God. Now every woman has to think not only about their own sins but also about what everybody else will think when they look at her? You seem to be too worried about temptation, remember that this is also in the Bible:

1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.

 

[OfArtemis]

Matthew 18:7 says its a sin to do something that leads somebody else to sin. Here's the verse. "Woe to the world for temptations to sin! For it is necessary that temptations come, but woe to the one by whom the temptation comes!"

I would argue that a woman wearing a bikini is tempting men to lust-therefore, it is a sin.

I get your point, but where is the line drawn? When a women smiles and just looks darn attractive, is that a sin, because since she is so beautiful she led him to lust? And by wearing a bikini that covers the top fully and the bottom, *is* that a big temptation? Kinda my main question :/ Sure, those itsy bitsy bikinis are kinda, well, very hard to resist lust, but if it has good coverage and the only thing showing, is it modest?

 

[Joykins]

Yes, but Christians shouldnt base their modesty standards solely on the culture, especially if that culture has double standards. There are some very basic standards of human decency.

Yes, but just because those traditional cultures do it, it doesnt make it right. A lot of cultures are uncivilized. Here's another example. If a Christian grew up in a Muslim country, would it be a sin for them to not wear a head covering? Despite their cultural standards, I would argue that it isnt a sin.

It's all about violating what people are used to seeing in the situation, to get attention of one kind or another.

I don't know that it would ever be a sin to wear a head covering ??? Weird in some situations, at most.

 

[Joykins]

So, you don't follow Biblical instructions?

I don't braid my hair much, or wear pearls or expensive clothing. Does that count?

 

[Joykins]

I get your point, but where is the line drawn? When a women smiles and just looks darn attractive, is that a sin, because since she is so beautiful she led him to lust? And by wearing a bikini that covers the top fully and the bottom, *is* that a big temptation? Kinda my main question :/ Sure, those itsy bitsy bikinis are kinda, well, very hard to resist lust, but if it has good coverage and the only thing showing, is it modest?

It's going to vary a lot, how people perceive others and lust after them. I don't think it's anything the person wearing the clothes needs to worry about as long as they are well within social norms (as opposed to pushing the boundaries).

If the primary concern is *modesty within the conservative Christian subculture* then the social standard is a 1-piece bathing suit or a tankini with good coverage, and you already know this.

 

[Sammy-San]

I get your point, but where is the line drawn? When a women smiles and just looks darn attractive, is that a sin, because since she is so beautiful she led him to lust? And by wearing a bikini that covers the top fully and the bottom, *is* that a big temptation? Kinda my main question :/ Sure, those itsy bitsy bikinis are kinda, well, very hard to resist lust, but if it has good coverage and the only thing showing, is it modest?

Bikinis, by definition, dont cover the top fully. Also, they expose the upper leg, which the bible says is immodest. God's Definition Of “Nakedness”

The Bible tells us in Isaiah 47:2-3 that NAKEDNESS means a woman exposing her legs and thighs...

Isaiah 47:1-3, “Come down, and sit in the dust, O virgin daughter of Babylon, sit on the ground: there is no throne, O daughter of the Chaldeans: for thou shalt no more be called tender and delicate. Take the millstones, and grind meal: uncover thy locks, make bare the leg, uncover the thigh, pass over the rivers. Thy nakedness shall be uncovered, yea, thy shame shall be seen: I will take vengeance, and I will not meet thee as a man.”

 

[Gadarene]

Further to that, if he does go with the first option, that's his fault, not hers.

Not that the former is really a problem either.

 

[Hetta]

Matthew 18:7 says its a sin to do something that leads somebody else to sin. Here's the verse. "Woe to the world for temptations to sin! For it is necessary that temptations come, but woe to the one by whom the temptation comes!"

I would argue that a woman wearing a bikini is tempting men to lust-therefore, it is a sin.

The temptation is in your head, not in her body.

No woman is going to wear a burqa just so you don't get tempted. Try not looking. Or look, accept that it's attractive and move on. Your response is your responsibility.

 

[Hetta]

Bikinis, by definition, dont cover the top fully. Also, they expose the upper leg, which the bible says is immodest. God's Definition Of “Nakedness”

Oh you're going to link lectures by repressed fundamentalists. I don't subscribe to those crazy men who see temptation in bare ankles. Really. Try thinking for yourself rather than reading that garbage.

 

[technofox]

Oh you're going to link lectures by repressed fundamentalists. I don't subscribe to those crazy men who see temptation in bare ankles. Really. Try thinking for yourself rather than reading that garbage.

I agree with your statement

Personally I have no problem with bikinis or thongs.

Guys are going to checkout pretty women no matter what they are wearing for the most part. I am sure there are a bunch of Muslim men right now making cat calls and whistles to a woman dressed in a burka, let's face it, anything can be sexualized.

On side note, I think women should be able to go topless, if us guys can do it so should they. We just need to stop specializing every part of the female body. The only thing that should be sexual is the genitals themselves.

 

[South Bound]

I don't braid my hair much, or wear pearls or expensive clothing. Does that count?

Those things are cultural. The instruction to dress modestly and to not cause a weaker brother to stumble are not.

 

[OfArtemis]

Bikinis, by definition, dont cover the top fully. Also, they expose the upper leg, which the bible says is immodest. God's Definition Of “Nakedness”

Okay, well maybe the definition says it doesn't cover the bust area, but there are still yet bikinis that do. And the upper leg... Well most Christians don't have a problem with that. And I read the verse, but not the whole article, but we do need to remember that cultures change and are different. And when guys take of their shirt, they are half naked. And I know we need to base our lives on the Bible, but we also need to take into account that when cultures change, showing knee won't cause hardly anyone to stumble, yet in another culture it might make many struggle. And in the culture I am, if knee is causing you to stumble, no, it's not making you sin, you just need to control yourself because that's not scandalous in this culture by any means. And with thighs at the beach, it's very similar, very few women have anything more than typical swim bottoms, it's the cultural norm where I am, so if that's causing someone to stumble, it's their own doing. Just like no one gives a second thought to guys not wearing shirts at the beach, few give a second thought to girls wearing normal swimsuit bottoms at the beach.