Modern Day Modesty?

Question

I brought up this question a few monthes ago, but I want to see what people are still saying about modesty.

I don't wnat to limit this question to any particular race or religion, I wan tto see what anyone and everyone thinks from Athiests to Muslims, to Mormons, non-Denominational, to Catholics. What is your view on modesty?

I've grown up being taught to respect my body. Respect, in this case, being defined as wearing clothing that covers the middrift, where the pants aren't overly tight or overly baggy, and shirts covering the shoulders, for both genders. This isn't limitted to females. All people are included.

I don't mean exactly covering your ankels and faces at all times, but I myself, where knee leangth shorts. my swim suits are one piece. What do you all think about how to resect your body.

I also believe in one set of piercing, on the earlobes only. I disagree with tatoos also.

Give me your views and understandings on this matter.

Actually this summer I was able to go be on a wagon train like the early pioneers of america and wear an ankel leangth skirt and long sleaved shirt in 100degree weather and it is not as bad as everyone makes it out to be, just to let ya know. That means no air conditioning or fans too. :)...lol

oh just to get it across..lol...I do respect everyone's choices and oppinions in this matter, it's your body choose what you want, it's not my decision, the guidlines I stated are just my own personal guidlines. :)

and when I say respect I forgot to include eating right, exersizing right, ect., but I think just about everyone agrees we need to be healthy...lol

Answer 1

I'm LdS. For us, dressing modestly includes wearing clothing which covers our temple garments. IOW, shoulders down to the knees are normally covered (exceptions are made for certain activities like sports). However, modesty is more than just that.

To be modest means not to draw undo attention to yourself. I consider screaming hair colors / styles to be immodest. Too many piercings, "painted on" clothes, excessive make-up. Some tattoos.

Answer 2

Firstly, credentials - I'm not a Christian, but an atheist. Secondly, congratulations for having the courage to live your life the way you want to live it. In the modern world of labels and the demonising of the different, it takes genuine strength to stick to an unpopular principle. In essence, I am not a crusader after modesty - I believe people should be allowed to dress in any way that makes them feel comfortable and empowered. However, there is a genuine issue here; in the late 20th and early 21st centuries, we are espousing a societal aesthetic that is potentially unhealthy - women are told that the only "true" beauty is an ultra-skinny body, married to a concept of "if you've got it, flaunt it". This is potentially a cause of significant body-hatred among women, and particularly young women, as the phenomenon has accelerated rapidly in the last twenty years. Similarly, the "flaunt it" concept is becoming entrenched in society, which can lead women to wear clothing that neither makes them comfortable nor empowers them in their self-image, and that's not good. What's more, there is a growing sense of speed about society, which is pushing the boundaries of childhood (and with it, the "acceptability" of modesty) back earlier and earlier. I saw a ten year old on a London street a couple of days ago in a designer label crop-top, just as an example. Young girls are being encouraged by fashion and popular culture to ape grown women at an earlier and earlier age, often before they have a full understanding of what the aping means, and certainly before they're ready for the consequences. By actively encouraging the diminishing of the line between young girls and women, I believe we encourage both the young girls themselves and the society they live in to view them as sexual beings, long before many of them are ready to be any such thing, and that many young women (and indeed men) begin this journey sooner than they are ready for because "it's what everyone does". While I'm no puritan, I do believe this is an unfair societal pressure to put upon young people, which perhaps, if they were encouraged to be children for longer than they currently are (in both behaviour patterns and fashions), they would not have to deal with until they were more ready. Again I say I support your choice and the courage that it takes to make it in the modern world.

Answer 3

I don't usually wear anything that goes above the middle of my thigh. I don't make a point to cover my shoulders unless I am going somewhere for business, shoulders are beautiful. I rarely show cleavage. I feel more comfortable when my important parts aren't showing. People already don't really take me seriously, because I'm 24 and I look like I'm 19 maybe, so showing parts will only make it worse.

When I go out at night, I have no problem losing some modesty from time to time. It's fun.

I have piercings...one in my belly button and 5 in my ears (one is my tragus)...my belly button is only seen in my bathing suit or by my fiance :)

Answer 4

I do not wear anything I would not want my father to see me in. I think it is a good rule for me to follow- I will wear shorts, but nothing too short or tight; I am all about comfort! I also only have my ears pierced and am tattoo free, but probably for a different reason then you. My mother got my ears pierced when I was very young. I never added any more piercings or tattoos because I am a scrawny lil chicken. What confuses me though is when I go to the gym to work out in my baggy pants and oversized t-shirt and get hit on by men. I seriously want to point out the girls who are wearing thong backed leotards and say "why don't you go hit on her?"

Answer 5

I think the Bible puts it "Your body is the temple of the Lord." Are we trying to keep our body in good condition or are we neglecting it. Too many people neglect their own body. How many people are over weight? MANY ! I smoke, so I'm guilty of neglect too. I think everyone that smokes, drinks too much, takes illegal drugs, etc. are neglecting their own body. Over altering or disfiguring the body seems sort of like telling God that God made a mistake and they are improving themselves. Some alterations aren't bad. Areas such as: Hygiene-deodorant, shaving, hair cuts, hair pieces, after shave, perfume, nice clothing, bathing, are all good things. Our society puts a lot of emphasis on sex and sex appeal. Hey, I'm a guy and I like seeing women, but there is a right and a wrong way, and time, of doing things.

Answer 6

I personally found in the summer heat that my three layers of clothing don't even break a sweat - I soon got used to it.

I hate immodesty, and think it should be outlawed. No one ever was offended (maybe lustfully disappointed) by not espying another's flesh, but suddenly appearing in front of people who are not living like dogs is a true crime.

Being current means nothing.

Answer 7

Men made up all those rules as to what is "modest" and what isn't.

You show far more respect for your body through exercise and eating well than by following over-simplistic dress codes.

Wear what you feel comfortable in. Own your own body. Wear the stuff above because YOU want to, not because you want to impress certain people with the "respect" you have for your body.

Answer 8

Let me tell you, that I respect your own understanding of modesty, but I don't have to agree with it. Modesty to me has absolutely nothing to do with the style of the outfits you are wearing. It has to do with your state of mind and your manners: keeping your body clean and fit is your responsibility . It shows respect for yourself. Your outfits should be clean, becoming and current. It also has to cover you, but not make you look like an elderly lady. That isn't modesty to me, but a waste of your youth and beauty. Being modest is knowing how to conduct yourself in public with people of opposite sex. Respecting yourself means not to let people treat you distastefully. I can look into someone's eyes, and he will never think to approach me. Learn to do that, and you won't need ugly clothes to protect your modesty.

Answer 9

A.) Keep your naughty bits covered; (nothing see through)
B.) Don't wear anything too tight, too loose, or too short (Check in a mirror to make you're complying with Rule A.)
C.) Multiple piercings are fine, but don't overdo it
D.) Tattoos are fine, but don't overdo it.
* edit*
I forgot an important rule
E.) If your mother would beat the crud out you for wearing it, don't wear it.

Answer 10

I think people should feel free to dress how they want. If someone is comfortable with their body, I don't think anyone should look down on them for showing that off. But I also believe that if someone feels it's innappropriate to show off their body, they should be totally free and not feel pressured to do so.
I also think people should be allowed to have as many piercings and tattoos as they want. While I don't personally go for a ridiculous amount of piercings, I totally think it should be acceptable for someone to do it.
The body is a temple, sure, but it's your own personal temple. Decorate it how you want.