Perhaps if we shorten the burqa a tad…

I was checking out Reason’s Blog and found a post about a Christian survey on modesty. Reason naturally described it in witty manner, but their site is loading too slowly for me to link right now. I offer you two question/answer pieces from the survey and ask for your comments.

Bikini swimsuits are immodest.

2.7% Strongly Disagree/ 6.1% Disagree/ 6.8% Neutral/ 25% Agree/ 59.3% Strongly Agree

Some comments explaining the Christian position are:

Age 23 If you don’t understand this, you need to start at square one. The more skin that is revealed, the more of a stumbling block. You can’t reveal more skin than with a bikini. If you understood the purpose of publications like the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, or the objectification of swimsuit and lingerie models, you wouldn’t want to wear a bikini — unless you actually want men to sin as they look at you.

Age 18 There is no other reason to wear a bikini than to show off a girl’s body, which is pretty much a definition of immodesty.

Age 19 I know they’re popular, but they’re really, really not helpful. You wouldn’t go to the park dressed in something that revealing, and as far as limiting the possibility for temptation goes, I could scarcely design a more unhelpful garment from the guy’s point of view.

Age 18 Of course they are modest! After all, bikinis are nothing more than colorful underwear (less, actually, but that is besides the point) and we all know that underwear is perfectly acceptable and modest to wear in public. What guy could possibly be stumbled by seeing a girl only wearing underwear? Only some home-schooled, stuck-up, legalistic prude could object to that.

Age 15 They’re no better than underwear and are extremely distracting. The biggest stumbling blocks there are!

There is even an “open question” area and one of the questions is:

If you could say one thing to your sisters in Christ about modesty, what would it be?

Are you ready for the wholesome answers? Here are the top 5:

Age 18 First, don’t be legalistic about clothing. Don’t say that gauchos are always modest or that PJs should never be worn in public. Modesty isn’t a list of dos and don’ts but a matter of the heart. Be sure you are in the right place with God and that you aren’t trying to make guys stumble and you’ll be fine 99% of the time. Secondly, PLEASE, talk with your parents, especially your fathers, about modest dress. Seek advice from older women in your church, your mother, older sisters who can guide you, or experienced friends. If the two conflict, if the survey disagrees with your father, have NO QUALMS about kicking the survey out entirely and following your parents wishes. Don’t let this survey force you into an outward looking person who doesn’t see the real value of internal modesty. Use it for its purpose (to aid in assessing current fashion and as a tool for parents) and no more.

Age 24 Sisters in Christ, you really have no concept of the struggles that guys face on a daily basis. Please, please, please take a higher standard in the ways you dress. True, we men are responsible for our thoughts and actions before the Lord, but it is such a blessing when we know that we can spend time with our sisters in Christ, enjoying their fellowship without having to constantly be on guard against ungodly thoughts brought about by the inappropriate ways they sometimes dress. In 1 Corinthians 12 the apostle Paul presents believers as the members of one body - we have to work together. Every Christian has a special role to play in the body of Christ. That goal is to bring glory to the Savior through an obedient, unified body of believers - please don’t hurt that unity by dressing in ways that may tempt your brothers in Christ to stumble.

Age 23 There is one that is more in love with you than any man can ever be. You are incredibly valuable to Him, and you never need question His commitment to Him. He thinks you’re beautiful in the morning without your makeup, and He’ll think you’re just as beautiful when you’re 80. He is Christ. In you should treat Him with the loyalty and respect of a Husband. There is no need to attract a man to you - Christ will lead the right man to you. And when someone that loves you as much as Christ arranges a marriage, you may rest assured it will be far better than anything you could have done. You are His - be content there.

Age 20 If I could only persuade you of one thing, it would be that God’s ways are best. Our heavenly Father has our welfare in mind, and His commandments are not burdensome. Obedience is rarely easy (we men have our own battles to fight), but it is always blessed. I am convinced that a young woman who submits her heart to God in this area will experience blessing as a result. After reading this survey, some may decide to pursue modesty quite grudgingly, in order to avoid causing their brothers to stumble, but viewing it as a great personal sacrifice nonetheless. I can only hope that this is not how it is perceived by most of you. I hope you understand the value and significance of true modesty. And I hope you will not trade that blessing for a mess of pottage.

Age 18 Sisters in Christ, we men in society have miserably failed at appreciating true womanhood. On behalf of every man out there who has painted a distorted picture in your life of what a real woman is, especially along the lines of modesty, I apologize deeply. There are many Godly men out there, as I’m sure this survey will prove, that are dying to give you their utmost respect when you choose to follow God’s leading in this area of modesty in your life. We back you up all the way and want to do anything we can to help you. And we ask that you do all you can to help us as we struggle through this world of sin together.

I am floored. I never realized that allowing my daughters to wear age/activity appropriate swimwear and clothing may present a “stumbling block” for so many young Christian men. Whatever happened to personal responsibility and self control?

~ by Miche on March 26, 2007.