We all know that there are things that are obviously indecent-adult clubs, adult stores, pornography on the internet, etc. But what about other things in life? The Bible can be interpreted more than one way: 1 Timothy 2: 9-10 can be interpreted as meaning not to wear excessive jewelry and expensive clothes during worship. 1 Corinthians 12:22-25 can be interpreted with context in mind (are swimsuits wrong? How about shorts and skirts? Spaghetti-strap shirts? Cheerleader uniforms?) Just what exactly makes a movie or video game or magazine indecent if it is not an "adult " movie, game, or magazine? The Bible does not give a Ten-Commandments type list as to what exactly is modest and what isn't. I believe that God gave us freedom to judge what is decent and what isn't (How high does a skirt have to be to be indecent? 2 inches above the knee? 3 inches? 4 inches?) as long as we don't go after the extreme. Are nude statues/paintings that are classical art, are they wrong in God's eyes?
2006-12-09 05:16:16 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I can't imagine why God would care or even be interested in clothing. The human body is not only beautiful but an extremely complex creation. In my view, decency is how we use our bodies, physical, emotional, mental and spiritual, to do our part in creating heaven on earth. If you want to do that wearing a cheer leader's uniform or taking a break to look at an adult magazine, does it matter? What matters is how we lift this world up and do our best to make it heavenly for all its inhabitants.
2006-12-09 05:34:44 · answer #1 · answered by CosmicKiss 6 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Very good question. And I don't think I can give you an exact answer, only guidelines.
God never gives detailed "Dos and Don'ts." He gives us overall rules to guide our lives. The "gray areas" of life may always be gray. And what's worse, some things may be OK for one person and not for another.
Here is the guideline:
"But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart." (Mt 5:28)
In other words, what is going on in your heart is what determines whether or not an issue is decent. If it incites illicit desire, it is indecent. Many commercials and TV shows are indecent.
This goes both ways -- for the viewer and the displayer. For the displayer, it might be worded like this: what is the reason for wearing or depicting such an item? Is it to incite illicit desire? Then it is indecent.
This brings us to the clothing and jewelry issue. Again, what is the reason behind wearing such an item? Is it to draw unwarranted attention to oneself. Excessive is the key in this, and humility the answer.
One of Jesus's main issues with the Jews of his time was with their making rules that supposedly answer every question of the application of the Law of God. They specified every nit-picky thing a person could do and not do and when. God gave no such commands.
God's Commands are from and toward love -- mercy, justice and faithfulness should guide our thoughts and actions. His Commandments give us the overall guidance; his statutes refine, somewhat, what those commands mean in broader application; and the judgments are examples of their application. But it is the spirit of God that judges all.
And how are these things different for different people? Look at 1 Corinthians 8:7-13. This describes a situation where someone may not have the same level of spiritual understanding as another. And again, love is the guiding principle. We need to be concerned for the spiritual welfare of others -- how does what we do affect others, in their heart.
"But beware lest somehow this liberty of yours become a stumbling block to those who are weak." (1 Corinthians 8:9)
All this does not mean that beauty should be hidden -- like with a burkah. It is not wrong to display and appreciate beauty, unless such display intended to incite wrong thoughts.
The conclusion: the heart, guided by God's spirit and laws, is what should govern our actions.
2006-12-09 14:06:16 · answer #2 · answered by BC 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In my humble opinion, I think it is mostly (but not completely) in the eye of the beholder as to what is immodest. It's good to not encourage lust. But there is a thin line between who is being indecent. If a woman is in casual clothes and it causes some men to think lustfully, then its the mans indecent mind that needs changing. If a woman is dressed high cut here, low cut there, then she is encouraging the lust. I think the Bible statement generally means "dont look like a hooker" and not as much a strict dress code. Lord knows there are people out there who will get turned on no matter what someone wears.
As for nudity, that again rests on the eyes of the beholder. I can look at nudes and not get turned on. Can everyone? Nothing in and of itself is sin, it's what people do with it that makes it a sin.
2006-12-09 13:27:09 · answer #3 · answered by impossble_dream 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
you've got a point with the jewelery comment, it is wrong for more reasons than a person can count. Nudity in it self is something left open for opinion in cultures. Lust etc. well that causes problems for everyone concerned because we are born with all the desires to reproduce. Frankly I think that in public what the Muslim women do id probably appropriate cuz we don't need to be creating lust, since we have plenty already still gotta say I like mini skirts which is another good reason not to have them parading around.
2006-12-09 13:26:02 · answer #4 · answered by icheeknows 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
1 Timothy is definitely using the word modest as in not extremely over pretentious. It is not used in the sense of modest as in covering. 1 Corinthians 12 is speaking of the body as in the body of Christ and is not a dress code.
2006-12-09 13:29:06 · answer #5 · answered by djmantx 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Bible provides us with basic guidelines, such as that Christians should be modest in dress. What is "modest" is left to the conscience of each person. As Christians are guided by love, we would consider what we wear carefully. For instance, it wouldn't be very loving to either your Christian brothers or sisters to wear something so short, or so low cut, or so tight that it causes the men of the congregation to think sexual thoughts of you. But ultimately these choices are left to our conscience, which has the power to either accuse or excuse you.
2006-12-09 13:28:13 · answer #6 · answered by Kelly L 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Don't read the Bible while wearing your Puritan glasses. Your interpretation is simply one point of view.
Adult stores in and of themselves are not evil. Couples can and do use them to enhance monogamous relationships.
Swimwear, or the lack thereof, is not evil. Likewise, no form of clothing is evil. God created the human form nude, and then he called his creation good.
Try to separate yourself from your 1600s Victorian era theology and read what it really says. "The man and his wife were naked, and they were not ashamed..."
2006-12-11 19:47:41 · answer #7 · answered by Dave 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The imperative is that people dress with modesty in their hearts. If you do that, you will not dress to incite lust. The question is not "Is my skirt too short?" The question is "Why am I wearing this short skirt?"
When in doubt, pray. God will let you know.
2006-12-09 13:30:07 · answer #8 · answered by cornbread 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Absolutely not. God gave us these beautiful, wonderful bodies. I am especially fond of the male form, myself!
2006-12-09 13:18:39 · answer #9 · answered by Gorgeoustxwoman2013 7 · 2⤊ 2⤋
the bible is full of fatal flaws in logic, consistency and self-contradiction. this is just another one that you've pointed out.
way to think! i like people here who think!!!
2006-12-09 13:19:09 · answer #10 · answered by Jeebus is my Rectum 3 · 0⤊ 4⤋