Are bikinis always sinful?

[Gabriella_San_S]

I totally agree! I’ve been trying to look in people and not at them especially girls.

That is God’s grace at work in you! We have been given the grace through our Baptism to detect the presence of Christ in one another. And a priest once said that " … the Holy Spirit has been poured out, so that we might* love* Him there (in our neighbor)…He may be* buried* there…He may be bound hand and foot there-but He’s there!

 

[Jack17]

Beauty is far more than “skin deep”. All women desire to be respected, even if they weren’t taught to respect themselves- they know when they are being degraded and viewed like objects.
God has bestowed great dignity on His children by creating us in His image and likeness. Let us honor and respect the great dignity of women for their beauty as daughters beloved of their Heavenly Father.
And pray the Rosary with** consistency** and** fervor** if you are, or ever have been enslaved by any form of **degrading women in thought, word or deed.

ok

 

[lobster]

Bikinis are unbecoming of someone trying to grow in her faith. They serve no practical purpose other than to exploit a woman’s tendency toward vanity in her bodily want for the illicit attraction of others.

 

[jjb5985]

I think implying that bikinis are inherently sinful is going a little too far, but I could be wrong.

For me, I can see a girl in a bikini and think, “that’s nice, a girl in a bikini, she’s attractive” and then go on about my business without dwelling on any lustful thoughts or undressing her with my eyes.

It’s important for men to recognize that they are responsible for their own thoughts. Through God’s grace I have managed to overcome lustful sins. One big thing is whether you are going to allow yourself to indulge in lust or not. For instance, even though I’ve never taken an art class with nude models, if I were to paint one, I can internally set the tone as to whether I will see this as an arousing situation, or just the human body that is “no big deal”. If you can learn to think like a doctor or artist does and see the human body for what it is, it goes a long ways towards overcoming temptation.

That doesn’t mean you’ll always think like this, but it’s sort of something that can be turned “on” or “off”. If I were to see an exposed breast, I try to think, “yeah, that’s just part of the female body” and then I can avert my eyes if there is risk of temptation. I’m not always able to keep something from being arousing, but most of the time I can keep myself from “enjoying too much” the sight of the female form with the right attitude.

Of course, I do believe in modesty and that we shouldn’t tempt others.

I guess I’ve just seen too many bikinis in my lifetime (though I’m only 23) to see it as being that titillating or arousing above and beyond any other beach wear.

 

[Gabriella_San_S]

they are responsible

for their own thoughts. Through God’s grace I have managed to overcome lustful sins.

… and then** I can avert my eyes** if there is*** risk of temptation.*** I’m not always able to keep something from being arousing,.

(bolds and italics mine)

You make the*** important*** distinction here, that* we are not able to overcome our* propensity towards sin without the grace of God.**
The* pool or the beach or the late night shows or the daytime soaps or the cinema*-ALL can be near occasions of sin-but if we are exercising the virtues of** temperance**, and purity of intention and calling on the grace of God, we can be victorious over lust-one of the deadly sins. That is why modesty in woman’s dress and prudence in our behavior as Christians is critical in this present culture, so saturated with impurity.

 

[RachelKH]

ok, some of you work hard not to lust and suceed. If my daughters are at the beach in bikinis (all are beautiful, very nice looking girls), how many men/boys are going to be sucessful in not lusting? How many will even try? How many will struggle a bit and fail? Why put others in that position? If I allow it, or wear a bikini myself, I am sure to be causing sin in some or many or even all who see them. Therefore, bikinis are sinful because we know there will be lust as a result of their public exhibition.

 

[edwest2]

Yes. Bikinis are always sinful. I recall the scandal that was caused when they were first introduced. At the time, no self-respecting woman would be caught dead in public in her underwear, but a bikini is nothing more than underwear.

A woman can be regarded as beautiful and virtuous. Hollywood and the so-called ‘fashion industry’ decided to change that idea. By portraying women as whores in films and even billboards, they exploited their beauty and damaged their virtue. Beauty and virtue can go together, but once the line is crossed, respect and virtue are lost.

True beauty must always contain virtue.

Peace,
Ed

 

[jjb5985]

I guess for me, the issue is that lust will always be a temptation regardless of clothing choice.

The thing is, whether a woman is wearing a bikini, vs. a “more modest” swimsuit, vs. fully clothed, vs. whatever else, if they are an attractive enough person, there is always the temptation to lust. I’m not saying I don’t believe in modesty as I am with the Church 100%, but at the beach with a bunch of people walking around with more skin than usual showing, it just doesn’t strike me as being a big deal if a girl is showing just that extra bit of skin. Seeing a belly button and some more skin vs. not seeing a belly botton just doesn’t make the difference for me between sin and no sin.

Of course, if the person is wearing it IN ORDER TO arouse lust, that is obviously a problem of modesty.

This is purely personal, but an attractive woman is only somewhat more tempting to lust after with a bikini vs. many other clothing styles. Either way lusting for many involves imagining what is there underneath it all. Of course, I recognize that some people have different occasions of sins. That’s why I believe in personal responsibility first.

When I think of issues of modesty, it seems much more relevant to everyday situations where girls are wearing things that are obviously meant to be provocative. In a swimming environment, even if a girl is technically showing more skin, it just seems to be the kind of environment where such a thing is more appropriate therefore not as provocative.

Once again, I’m not saying it’s not a sin. It just strikes me as strange to think of it as inherently (always) sinful. I certainly can see it as potentially sinful depending on the intentions of the wearer.

 

[budgie2]

Ok, first of all I want to let everyone know: I’m a guy. But when I go to the beach, I always guard against lusting after women, because it can be so easy. So do you think that when women wear bikinis it is always sinful? I mean if they’re not wearing them to incite lust in men, but just to get a tan or go for a swim, then do you think it is still sinful? Obviously modesty in dress depends on the culture, place, etc., so when we go to the beach we are expecting men and women to be showing more skin than at the local grocery store, let’s say. Also, some bikinis that are too revealing are I think sinful notwithstanding intent. But some are not as revealing as others. I know there are differing opinions about this, but I was wondering what others thought. Thanks for your (name removed by moderator)ut all!

Bikinis are a bra and knicker set for the beach. Yes, they are fashion however lacking in a certain modesty. Me and my mum wouldn’t wear a bikini but my gran would and my mum was ashamed. I’ve already written this on another link.

Tankinis are more modest or shorts, sarong and a top.

 

[lobster]

Yes. Bikinis are always sinful. I recall the scandal that was caused when they were first introduced. At the time, no self-respecting woman would be caught dead in public in her underwear, but a bikini is nothing more than underwear.

Indeed, it is disgusting that society would have come to the point to regard women running around in their underwear as acceptable. What is the difference between a bikini and underwear? Nothing.

A woman can be regarded as beautiful and virtuous. Hollywood and the so-called ‘fashion industry’ decided to change that idea. By portraying women as whores in films and even billboards, they exploited their beauty and damaged their virtue. Beauty and virtue can go together, but once the line is crossed, respect and virtue are lost.
True beauty must always contain virtue.
Peace,
Ed

And I would add that modesty is a virtue, not only out of concern on a woman’s part for the sensibilities of those who may be tempted by her serving her body to them, but because women are guardians of purity. As Alice von Hildebrand points out: “What is hidden usually refers to something mysterious”. The wearing of underwear in public does nothing to advance the virtue of modesty nor safeguard purity.

 

[renepape]

It would not be sinful, though, to go to the beach, would it? I had been trying to emerge from scrupulosity, and with God’s grace and help I have been able to, but I don’t want to fall back in. If we go to the beach and look at women in bikinis we are not sinning unless we lust after them, correct? I find I can go to the beach and look at women in bikinis without lusting, but if I find myself beginning to lust, as with any other women, I try to think of something else. I ask because I was having doubts when going to Communion yesterday, but I know that unless we are absolutely certain we have committed a mortal sin there is no mortal sin, and that we should receive Communion, especially if we are scrupulous. I think I may just be dwelling too much on this and making too big an issue out of it. Thanks for your help and (name removed by moderator)ut everyone!

 

[Jack17]

ok, some of you work hard not to lust and suceed. If my daughters are at the beach in bikinis (all are beautiful, very nice looking girls), how many men/boys are going to be sucessful in not lusting? How many will even try? How many will struggle a bit and fail? Why put others in that position? If I allow it, or wear a bikini myself, I am sure to be causing sin in some or many or even all who see them. Therefore, bikinis are sinful because we know there will be lust as a result of their public exhibition.

I doubt you be causing sin on a beach of 18-24 year old women. There’s no competition.

People would probably prefer not to see a bikini because it bothers them and makes them feel embarass for you.

 

[edwest2]

For the Catholic community, this is not an individual issue. It concerns the reaction of a man, any man, to a woman exposing 90% of her body in public. Her intentions matter as well.

Peace,
Ed

 

[j2c99]

I guess I’ve just seen too many bikinis in my lifetime (though I’m only 23) to see it as being that titillating or arousing above and beyond any other beach wear.

And that right there is how current culture and society is ruining people. Desensitization. If you’re exposed to enough graphic sexual content, enough breasts, or whatever that is exciting or shocking (this goes into violence as well), then it becomes more common and thus becomes “normal” in earthly standards.

What is “normal” should never be judged by what society dictates as the norm, but rather what human dignity requires, what is morally correct, and what is thus coherent with God’s Word and His Church.

All of this coming from a 21 year old guy.

 

[j2c99]

I doubt you be causing sin on a beach of 18-24 year old women. There’s no competition.

People would probably prefer not to see a bikini because it bothers them and makes them feel embarass for you.

I doubt that. I’ve seen older men and younger men get lust or oogle over or get excited with ANY under 50 woman in a bikini. Smaller the bikini, the more eyes watchin and the more sin occurring…you can bet on that.

I used to know first hand what the lust is like at a beach or pool, even with older women around, not just the young 18-24 crowd. Secular world would call certain women “MILFs” (sorry to be crude, but just describing the older type of woman who would be in bikinis or skimpy clothing) and those men, actually immature boys, of that world would enjoy looking and fantasizing.

No matter what the age, always be on guard and always remain chaste and modest , in appearance and thoughts. Temptation is not a sin, but a call to battle.

Again, from a 21 year old former fraternity guy, now Catholic convert.

 

[Gabriella_San_S]

I doubt you be causing sin on a beach of 18-24 year old women. There’s no competition.

People would probably prefer not to see a bikini because it bothers them and makes them feel embarass for you.

I think you missed the point, friend. This is not about who would win some beach body contest, but who will overcome the** careless** or even** deliberate **intention to awaken temptation in others by their lack of virtue. If you want to consider the real “competition” in light of who will make it through the “pearly gates”, then I’m confident that the conscientious mother and her daughters ***will ***arrive, and will bring many souls with them for guarding their purity.

 

[tjm190]

Counter question- Is it a sin to drive a nice car if you think it will make some of the people who see it jealous, even if that is not your intention?

 

[envchemist]

I’m a female I think the sin is in the eye of the beholder and what is intended by the person wearing the bikini. Even a 1 piece can incite to lust. In Muslim countries the women are covered head to toe…Do I want to wear a Burka? No. If the girl wearing the bikini is out to incite lust (I don’t necessarily think the idea of ‘attention’ is the same thing), then yes. If the guy looks lustfully at her yes. If it’s to admire the beauty, then no sin.

If it’s a problem then the guy should use the custody of the eyes and look away. The idea that a woman is responsible for your reaction to her—bikini, 1 piece or Burkha, is wrong. It always takes two to tango. One to reveal and one to lust. This sort of judgement allows rapists to get away with rape (he couldn’t help himself…she led him on). You guys are MUCH stronger than that!!! Just my 2 cents.

 

[Gabriella_San_S]

Counter question- Is it a sin to drive a nice car if you think it will make some of the people who see it jealous, even if that is not your intention?

It depends on what your intentions* are* for driving a* nice* car… If it cost you more than what you could afford; if it is a source of vanity; if you stole it; if you like fast cars due to a complex of some sort; if you bought it as a result of coveting your neighbors goods; if you have an inordinate attachment to nice cars; and if you bought it instead of paying off other debts or giving a portion of your income to the poor…those are just a* few reasons*** why it could be a sin to drive a “nice” car. Others may or may not be jealous, but if you’re conscience is clear, don’t sweat it too much…unless of course, it’s your own pride that makes you assume so. God Bless you. (btw. confession and spiritual direction are the means by which you can be truly *clear *on the matter.

 

[tjm190]

It depends on what your intentions* are* for driving a* nice* car… If it cost you more than what you could afford; if it is a source of vanity; if you stole it; if you like fast cars due to a complex of some sort; if you bought it as a result of coveting your neighbors goods; if you have an inordinate attachment to nice cars; and if you bought it instead of paying off other debts or giving a portion of your income to the poor…those are just a* few reasons*** why it could be a sin to drive a “nice” car. Others may or may not be jealous, but if you’re conscience is clear, don’t sweat it too much…unless of course, it’s your own pride that makes you assume so. God Bless you. (btw. confession and spiritual direction are the means by which you can be truly *clear *on the matter.

I see I should have been more clear- I was trying to make a statement similar to the one evnchemist did above- that, if you do not intend to bring others to sin (whether it be jealousy or lust), their sin is their own.