Mormon (or other religious) "Modesty"

[Scott C.]

I really don't think the LDS church believes or teaches that it's more important for women to cover up than it is for men. But regardless of how you feel about modesty, it's clear in today's LDS culture, girls are more likely than boys to push the envelope, when it comes to showing more skin. I believe this is the reason that the church probably addresses more talks on modest clothing to girls than to boys. But personal appearance in general is pushed with the guys as much as with the girls.

 

[Prestor John]

I have no idea what kind of immodesty you think the world is celebrating, but it in light of modesty's dependence on context and culture I have to wonder what you have in mind. Just what immodesty are you talking about? While sleeveless tops among Mormon girls is reportedly immodest, do you feel such dress among Catholics in Australia and Shintos in Japan is equally immodest? How about the topless Vanuatu women of the South Pacific?

Considering the definition of modesty:

"Modesty and demureness is a mode of dress and deportment which intends to avoid encouraging of sexual attraction in others. Standards of modesty are culturally and context dependent and vary widely. In this use, it may be considered inappropriate or immodest to reveal certain parts of the body. In some societies, modesty may involve women covering their bodies completely and not talking to men who are not immediate family members; in others, a fairly revealing but one-piece bathing costume is considered modest when other women wear bikinis. In some countries, exposure of the body in breach of community standards of modesty is also considered to be public indecency, and public nudity is generally illegal in most of the world and regarded as indecent exposure. However, nudity is at times tolerated in some societies; for example, during a world naked bike ride, while a lone man attempting to walk naked from south to north Britain was repeatedly imprisoned."
Source:Wikipedia
​

Do you feel that sleeveless tops on females encourage sexual attraction in others?



.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints claims to be God's Kingdom upon the Earth, therefore, standards of dress outlined by the leaders of the Church are recognized as God's universal standards of dress.

 

[RESOLUTION]

I also believe the Church cares more about how YW dress than what YM think.

It wasn't always like that. There's a picture of a BYU Homecoming Queen hanging in the halls of the university and she's wearing a sleeveless dress *gasp*!

Why do you think there's such an emphasis on modesty these days? My understanding is that sex and teenage pregnancy has actually been going down for some time in the US. Is there such a thing as too much modesty? Could the Church's emphasis actually create an unhealthy view of the female body?

Neither the male or female body is unhealthy. Before the fall both Adam and Eve wore no clothes and in innocence there was nothing wrong with this. As soon as they ate from the 'tree of knowledge' they wanted to cover their nakedness.
Is there really such a thing as modesty? In Christ our behaviour and the way we dress should ultimately reflect our respect for God and for fellow human beings. No woman wants a man who wants her simply for her body or the way she looks.
No man should want a woman just for her outward appearance but the beauty and truth within the womans spirit. In Christ our nature changes we once again reflect that which God made good.

Men and women should always dress appropriately. Not to offend or shock others but in a manner becoming the LORD who created us. Surely in this age the main concern should be focused on the truth of the Gospel and others knowing the Love of God. If we are examples to our children we are likely to see them dress properly and with self-respect for their body and the thought for others.

 

[Watchmen]

So happy this thread is finally getting some attention! I'll share some thoughts later!

 

[Watchmen]

I really don't think the LDS church believes or teaches that it's more important for women to cover up than it is for men. But regardless of how you feel about modesty, it's clear in today's LDS culture, girls are more likely than boys to push the envelope, when it comes to showing more skin. I believe this is the reason that the church probably addresses more talks on modest clothing to girls than to boys. But personal appearance in general is pushed with the guys as much as with the girls.

Your post suggests showing more skin is bad. Why is it bad?

When I lived in a rain forest climate, everyone covered up. Now I live in a desert and people wear less (show more skin) because it's hot. Why does it have to have anything to do with modesty?

 

[Scott C.]

Your post suggests showing more skin is bad. Why is it bad?

When I lived in a rain forest climate, everyone covered up. Now I live in a desert and people wear less (show more skin) because it's hot. Why does it have to have anything to do with modesty?

As I said earlier, I believe there are cultural and other factors (e.g., climate) that impact what's modest. If we say that the amount of skin showing or the tightness of clothing fit have nothing to do with modesty, then we have to conclude that it's perfectly modest to go to the mall naked. Call me old fashioned, but that is not modest.

 

[McBell]

"Does God care if humanity runs around naked in public?" The answer is yes. This is clear from the Bible.

You are going to have to clarify this.
Especially given the Garden of Eden story where Adam and Eve were naked until they ate from the Tree of Knowledge.

 

[Scott C.]

You are going to have to clarify this.
Especially given the Garden of Eden story where Adam and Eve were naked until they ate from the Tree of Knowledge.

I mean after they ate from the Tree of Life. That was the game changer. God clothed them thereafter. I believe God intended that we all be clothed from that time forth. I realize that raises questions as to how much clothing, when, and under what circumstances. There are people of faith who dress like Quakers and others who wear bikini's. While I'm tempted to get specific as to what I think is modest dress, I don't think that's the best way to go here. I have two main points. 1) Covering our body is part of modesty as requested by God, and 2) The specifics of what to wear and when is best left to the person of faith who wants to be modest.

 

[McBell]

I mean after they ate from the Tree of Life. That was the game changer. God clothed them thereafter. I believe God intended that we all be clothed from that time forth. I realize that raises questions as to how much clothing, when, and under what circumstances. There are people of faith who dress like Quakers and others who wear bikini's. While I'm tempted to get specific as to what I think is modest dress, I don't think that's the best way to go here. I have two main points. 1) Covering our body is part of modesty as requested by God, and 2) The specifics of what to wear and when is best left to the person of faith who wants to be modest.

Ah.
Ok.

Thank you for clarifying.

 

[Watchmen]

As I said earlier, I believe there are cultural and other factors (e.g., climate) that impact what's modest. If we say that the amount of skin showing or the tightness of clothing fit have nothing to do with modesty, then we have to conclude that it's perfectly modest to go to the mall naked. Call me old fashioned, but that is not modest.

Fallacy

 

[Scott C.]

Fallacy

Huh?

 

[McBell]

Fallacy

Error

 

[Watchmen]

Error

Mistake.