What is your faiths view on modesty/chastity?

[Bishka]

What is your faiths view on modesty/chastity? Do they go hand and hand in your faith? Why is it or isn't it important to you?

 

[eudaimonia]

What is your faiths view on modesty/chastity?

I think chastity and modesty are based on a distrust of human nature -- a view that human beings have "fallen" and can't get up, and need to be protected like sheep in a herd. Eudaimonism doesn't hold this view of human nature. We see people as being capable of growing in rationality, wisdom, independence, and character, and shouldn't shy away from life just because one might make mistakes. One shouldn't act stupidly or foolishly, but one should heroically engage life and seek those positive values to be gained there.

My view is that chastity and modesty may have a limited, contextual usefulness, but Eudaimonism is not opposed to showing others that one is a sexual being. Sexuality is a part of our nature, and we should seek an integrated nature -- to be whole persons, owning every part of ourselves (not necessary with full approval but at least with full acceptance and awareness), instead of disowning parts of them that seem inconvenient. So often modesty and chastity seem like a full retreat from life, or a shameful covering-up, and a declaration of defeat.

The opposite extreme to modesty, also to be avoided, is to treat oneself (or others) as nothing more than sexual beings. This is the very same problem in a different guise -- it is disowning other parts of our nature. Sexuality is something that should be integrated in with the whole person. Both men and women should be recognized as having lives and happiness of their own to achieve, and the expression of an integrated sexuality could perhaps be called "romance", or a mature sexuality infused with meaning based on the context of one's life.

So, generally speaking, we favor romance and contextually appropriate self-expression, including expression of one's sexuality. Wear a bikini to the beach, an elegant and sexy black dress to a romantic dinner at a restaurant, and "modest" no-nonsense business clothes to work, all as seems appropriate to you.


eudaimonia,

Mark

 

[Valjean]

I'm not into faith, but, personlly, I feel modesty and chastity are bunk. The former a social relic, the latter superannuated.

 

[Bishka]

*Bump*

 

[Engyo]

For Buddhists, both are a matter of personal/cultural preference.

 

[michel]

What is your faiths view on modesty/chastity? Do they go hand and hand in your faith? Why is it or isn't it important to you?

To be perfectly honest, they weren't important to me when I was young.........but that's because I didn't know better.

 

[Rough_ER]

I'm not into faith, but, personlly, I feel modesty and chastity are bunk. The former a social relic, the latter superannuated.

Here here. Frubals.

 

[ayani]

to me, they are important.

my faith asks that i regard all peoples as my brothers and sisters, that i respond to all in a mindful and righteous way. this includes being respectful and modest, for myself and for them, to respect my relationships with them and to avoid letting my emotions place one person before another.

yaaa, it's tough sometimes. but it's a good way to go for me, and i try to follow these ideals as best i can out of respect for my faith and for others.

 

[lunamoth]

I have no religious views at all regarding modesty or chastity. However, my personal view is that these are very relative terms and are better replaced by self-respect and personal responsibility.

 

[charles brough]

How strange it is that the apparently only now resident atheist is the only proponent here of bodily modesty? Is it because I am to old to show my body around in order to exite the women? Is it because I am no longer aroused by what little I see of such modesty on TV? Perhaps it is because there are other things in life other than a constant sexual stimulation which perhaps is so constant in modern men they are unaware that it is really not norma.

After all, this is supposed to be civilization which we have built. It was buit largely from mind over brawn. It is a man;s worth to society that matters, not the visible length of his tool or the muscles in his back that really matters. So, I think of our society and mankind and I think it is his mind, rather than his naked body which has enabled all of this. To keep it all and, especially, to improve it, we need to focus on it---not on the body and its functions.

All that said and done, even that, however, can be carried to far---and is, in Islam. Can't there be a happy medium? A city or world with all the women hidden becomes a drab, colorless and barren landscape. Nothing is more refreshing and softening to the male mood than a little show of clear, fresh skin of the young and beautiful. But it need not be so much flesh! In fact, the less shown, the more impressive it is.

I have to say, also, that at the time I am writing this, it is 17 degree F. outside and I am sitting right next to the heater. I cannot imagine not wearing clothesI In fact, I even wear them to bed at night when I get into my RV bunk. At freezing, my bunk thermometer shuts down and it has several times.

charles (one or two more post and I can include my link!!!!!) It is now taking hights at a rate of 430 a day!

 

[love]

As a male, speaking of female modesty, which is usually what the fuss is about. Men control your lust. I live on a beach where thousands of students come for spring break, and covering up is not normal. But believe me some of these women need to cover up. Have they looked in the mirror lately. But really a womens most important beauty comes from within and womens bodys should not be looked at in lust. I guess if you are exposed to this frequently its not a big deal. A truly virtuous woman's beauty will shine through any covering and men must respect her.

 

[Sola*5]

In biblical Christianity Lasciviousness is a sin i.e promoting lust in others, it is selfish for a woman to dress in a way that might exite lust in others as that may lead one who is weak or struggling in this area into sin. The same goes for men too but it seems that men are more lead astray by visual imagery these day.

 

[eudaimonia]

In biblical Christianity Lasciviousness is a sin i.e promoting lust in others, it is selfish for a woman to dress in a way that might exite lust in others as that may lead one who is weak or struggling in this area into sin. The same goes for men too but it seems that men are more lead astray by visual imagery these day.

This is precisely what I was talking about in my previous post about modesty arising from a view of human beings as fallen.


eudaimonia,

Mark

 

[Valjean]

It occurrs to me that In western countries men are expected to exercise self-control and behave themselves regardless of how a woman dresses. In the Middle-East, though, women are expected to take great pains to avoid stimulating men and, apparently, men are not considered capable of self-control.

 

[BFD_Zayl]

well, from my view chastity can be seen as either a vow to concentrate on study, to remain pure, to avoid deception, or as an excuse for not being abloe to get some poontang.

 

[love]

I cannot imagine a society where women are segragated from men. It seems to me that this is because of the weakness of men not women. A seductress can tempt, with her eyes, a weak man with lust in his heart. Does this mean that all women should be locked away and hidden because a few men can't control their lust? I grew up as the only male in my household with my mother and two younger sisters. I would fight with every ounce of my being any man who dishonored them. This almost never happened because the men respected the women. We swam together, played together, studied together. About the only seperation was in physical sports where the men were obviously bigger and stronger. Women have so much to offer to the world and should be equally educated and given ever opportunity as men. Society has changed alot since my school days, and it makes me sick to my stomach if I see a group of heathen males standing around whistling or making remarks to women walking by, not because of the way she is dressed, but just because she is a woman. Mothers teach your sons to respect women and your daughters will be okay. Women respect yourself.

 

[Djamila]

LOL Do I have to answer?

 

[love]

LOL Do I have to answer?

Not if you don't want to, but I would be interested.

 

[michel]

It occurrs to me that In western countries men are expected to exercise self-control and behave themselves regardless of how a woman dresses. In the Middle-East, though, women are expected to take great pains to avoid stimulating men and, apparently, men are not considered capable of self-control.

I must admit that is a thought thathas occurred to me many times; there must be some "Middle ground" somewhere i.e one that allows women to be a little more "at ease" than the middle Eastern ones, but a little less "flaunting" than our Western ways.

When you think that we are -admitedly advanced - animals; I often think the restraint that is expected of we men - in view of how scantily clad some women are - shows remarkable self control - except for those who don't go in for "self control"...

 

[arthra]

Modesty and chastity are important virtues in the Baha'i Faith...

"Apart from these provisions Bahá’u’lláh exhorts His followers to consort, with amity and concord and without discrimination, with the adherents of all religions; warns them to guard against fanaticism, sedition, pride, dispute and contention; inculcates upon them immaculate cleanliness, strict truthfulness, spotless chastity, trustworthiness, hospitality, fidelity, courtesy, forbearance, justice and fairness..."

- Shoghi Effendi