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figmentPez -> RE: Youth Leader (12/19/2007 5:13:51 PM)
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quote:
ORIGINAL: DougHorton
The application is that you are applying your cultural biases to judge somebody and falsely claiming a basis in scripture, when really your are applying culture standards.
Reread my posts. I haven't applied any standards beyond the general concept of modesty. I have not defined what is modest and what is not, I have merely tried to get everyone involved in this thread to agree that modesty is something that Christians are called to. Since you're obviously not reading my posts, I'm not sure why I should bother posting.
quote:
The point of my argument is that cultural influences are being used to interpret scripture. I am not saying it is right or wrong either way, but that we should recognize our cultural biases and not judge others who are trying to do the Lord’s work.
It's a cultural bias to say that Christians should dress modestly?
quote:
ORIGINAL: McFatty
Why are we so eager to associate skin with sexuality? I don't consider a two piece bathing suit on a woman anything sexual at all.
Well, in North American culture, the main reason for showing skin is to advertise one's self as sexually attractive. That may not be true everywhere, but it is generally true in colder climates. However, regardless of where you live, there are certain bathing suits that are sold specifically to be sexually revealling. There are companies who specialize in such small string bikinis that some don't even cover the entire genital area, made from fabric that is specifically meant to turn translucent when wet. Such outfits are sold specifically with the intent to send a sexual message when worn. It cannot be argued otherwise. There are such outfits in many cultures. In some areas, padded skirts are worn to accentuate the hips and proclaim that a woman is sexually mature and draw attention to her fertility. In other areas, colored bracelets are worn to advertise what sexual activities the wearer participates in. In past cultures, prostitutes shaved their heads to show of their cleanliness. There have always been forms of dress that are specifically meant to draw unrighteous attention to the wearer. Which is why:
quote:
If the church is full of people who realize they are free to wear what they will, then she may.
This is not true. Christians are NOT free to wear whatever we will. The women in Timothy's church weren't allowed to wear whatever they wanted. No Christian is allowed to wear whatever they want. We must dress modestly. Yes, that means we aren't to show off our wealth, but we're also not supposed to show in any number of other ways. We aren't supposed to wear dress that would advertise that we support or engage in sin. We aren't supposed to dress, or act with intention, to draw attention to our beauty, our sexuality, our good works or other things. Someone who wears a shirt that says "I spent 100 hours helping the homeless" is being immodest. Someone who (literally) wears a shirt that says "Buy me a drink and I'll have sex with you" is immodest, even if the shirt is a joke. There are many forms of immodesty, and the Church is called to dress modestly.
quote:
ORIGINAL: DougHorton
Let's go back to the original OP:
quote:
So would you have an issue if your childs youth leader were to wear a halter top or mini skirt?
In the USA, in today's youth culture, in my church, and assuming that a woman is allowed to be a leader, the plain and simple answer is:
No, I have no issue with it.
Is there any outfit, dress or behavior that you would have issue with?
I already asked this question, but recieved no answer: (from post #95)
"Now, having led youth activies myself, I know that being a youth leader can be a pretty physically demanding job. Keeping up with the youth often involves sitting in a circle of chairs (with no table to hide legs), sitting on the floor, running, jumping and other activities. If a skirt were short enough that it would be impossible to do these activities without repeatedly revealing underwear to those around, would you consider that skirt to be immodest?"
Let me remind you that in North American culture, and probably many other places in the world, an adult woman knowingly flashing her panties is considered to be sexually provocative.
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