Why have we Christian women disposed of the virtues, particularly the virtue of Modesty?

Question

Christian women, followers of Christ used to dress in a modest and feminine manner. We dressed as we believed. We also acted as we believe. Modesty is not just dress but ones personhood and behavior as well. Do you see many Christian women living modest lives? I do not. I see some but not the majority. What are your opinions?I'm not stating that this should be law but that you would think one would choose it.

Basically what happened to "Christian Ladies?"

The Catholic tradition has given us a valuable definition of modesty, which is the virtue that regulates one’s actions and exterior customs concerning sexual matters. It controls one’s behavior so as to avoid unlawful sexual arousal in oneself or others.

Modesty is one of the Twelve Fruits of the Holy Spirit, which are perfections that the Holy Spirit forms in us as “the first fruits of eternal glory”: charity, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, generosity, gentleness, faithfulness, modesty, self-control, chastity.

To dress modestly is to avoid deliberately causing sexual excitement in oneself or one’s neighbor. One who dresses modestly shuns clothes that are known or reasonably expected to effect sexual arousal in oneself or others. Modesty is dress pertains to both genders.

This is the Catholic version but you will find the Protestant one is not much different.

We each will come to our own understanding of modesty. I wear dresses and skirts only and they reach below my knees, I do not wear anything that is more than 4 inches below my collarbone. I am not stating that we all should dress this way but definitely not worldly. I do also wear a headcovering but that too is my own personal choice and not a requirement. I have only done this for the last 4 months although I have always strove for modesty.

Dear Pinkmollusk that is indeed what I would call modest but would you?

Answer 1

" To dress modestly is to avoid deliberately causing sexual excitement in oneself or one’s neighbor. "

Unfortunately that is true...and has been true since the beginning of time...it's unfortunate that it's us women that have to cover up and not the men...they can walk around topless and in their underwear and none of us women would blink an eye...but hey, we're the ones who have to cover up....pity I say!

Answer 2

Sadly, I think that most young Christian women do not have role models that exhibit true modesty; and further, modesty is hardly mentioned by our ministers any more since it is a touchy subject to some. We are scared to teach on any subject that might appear "legalistic" even if it is taught in the Bible. We do not want to impose any restrictions on our fellow members so we just don't mention anything but love, harmony, and peace. Sadly, many girls probably do not even realize that such a thing as modesty is a virtue which should be practiced in our dress as well as in our behavior.

Answer 3

in order for me to answer that question, you need to define modesty...

so you basically define modesty as avoiding anything that may cause you or someone else to become sexually aroused...
ok, i will now attempt to answer your question.

becoming sexually aroused is not something people fear anymore. they know that because you're feeling frisky doesn't mean you're a she-devil or that you will jump the first guy that walks by. in fact, it can be fun, and it is perfectly harmless. people have also come to understand a new concept called responsibility. they have learned that they are not responsible for the thoughts of others, and that they should not waste their time trying to guess what others will find attractive. because no matter what you wear, someone somewhere out there will think you look sexy in it, even if you look like an old hag wearing a burka. some guys go for that look.
provided you maintain some standard of decency and keep the obvious parts covered, who cares? i mostly dress in pants and prefer ankle length skirts when i wear them at all, but this is because i like the way i look in them, not because i worry that some guy will find me hot in a miniskirt. most women chose their apparel in the same way.

Answer 4

As society continues to condone and even encourage sexuality, the pressure to conform becomes greater, especially for women. While not all Christian women have lost the virtue of modesty, it is becoming increasing scarce nowadays. Nowadays, girls are conditioned to use their sexuality as a means to an end - to get the guy, to get what they want, etc. Since it is more the norm than the exception, modest women succumb to peer pressure in order to 'fit' in and not feel left out, however, the transition is gradual and most women do not do it consciously to flaunt their bodies and lead men to sin, but to address the need to 'belong' to the 'popular' or 'accepted' majority.

Answer 5

Despite all the VT BS that has gone around R&S, I'm a pretty modest person in real life in most situations. I don't think it's necessarily a virtue, although we could use a little more of it in our society. Some people put way too much emphasis on it, some people don't focus on it enough.

Answer 6

Basically, God sent the Christians a way of life to preserve their modesty and retain their faith in Jesus Christ. That way of life is called Islam. The God will not promote more than one way of life. Especially a way of life that does not contain the true fundamental truths about the nature of God (i.e. Trinity). God is One. Islam is the only religion in the world today that teaches us to believe and how to believe and obey God. Women will find all the respect and modesty they desire by first coming to the right belief that God is one. Then turn to the One God and ask to show you the way of life God desires for you. I believe that way of life is Islam, because there peace, modesty and respect are yours for the taking.

God bless you.

Answer 7

They are still out there, but they are over 60 years of age now. I suppose we like comfort better than covering our bodies with stiff fabrics that button up to the neck and chinch in the waist, and are irritating to try to walk in the high heels and hose with garter belts, and pocket books that match the shoes and the hats with the little veils and big hats with huge flowers on them.
It is just not necsessary to follow Christ and dress in sackcloth and rub ashes into your skin with the wool coats and pinching shoes.
Jesus wore a single flowing dress and rope sandals. with woven grass soles. He is God and if He was worried about the stuff like what we are wearing to church, He would not have told mary to not worry about cooking dinner so much and come join the other mary who was sitting at His feet listening to His teachings. He told her basically to stop sweating the little things into big things. He did not need a 10 course meal to eat, bread and cheese would do and the important things are not what we put on our bodies to wear and how we look. It is what we are inside we should concern ourselves with. That is the place where we dress our soul to go see God when we are issued our invitation to dinner in His house.

Answer 8

A lot of them are like this because of being desperate, weak-minded, light-minded, ignorant, low or no self-esteem or feelings of self-worth, etc. And it's not just Christian women, it's any woman. And another reason is cuz they want to "fit in" with the rest of the world. You see how modest people are ridiculed? Well, Christian women got sick of it.
Any modest woman I see I respect a GREAT deal, and so do my brothers, dad, uncles, husband, and any other DECENT man I know.

Answer 9

Yeah, well I don't know. Sometimes I'll wear more racy clothes when I'm at home with my husband, but otherwise, I dress modest. Most of the time my wardrobe is a t-shirt and jeans!

Answer 10

your own modesty will be a good answer to your question. how do dress now? are you modest? if yes then we need a person like you. we are run out of real models to immolate so be one. thank you