Is it a sin for women to wear bikinis?

[mchale]

No offense but whether a woman is wearing a bikini to attract attention or not chances are she probably will. No matter the argument the wearing of them is completely immodest and spiritually speaking is harmful to purity - at least if we are going to take what the Church says about modesty in the Catechism.

While some bikinis are definitely immodest, I think others can be a judgment call. Certainly the standards of what is and isn’t immodest has changed over the years. In some Arab Cultures, seeing any part of a woman is considered immodest, in Victorian days, seeing a woman’s ankle was also considered immodest.

Meanwhile, many people in tropical tribal cultures, still go all but completely naked. That is certainly not out of a lack of modesty on the individual part of women.

If modesty is the refusal to unveil what should remain hidden them the bikini (no matter how culturally acceptable) is most certainly immodest attire.

I think that modesty is more likely the attitude behind what you wear and how you wear it, not what you wear.

Now, I agree in our culture, much of the skimpy clothing that women wear is intended to be immodest. But the mere fact of being skimpy does not automatically make it immodest, but rather the intent behind it.

–
Bill

 

[edwest2]

Since “intent” has been relegated to the realm of the unknown, let’s be honest. Showing 90% of your skin is immodest. Period.

God bless,
Ed

 

[torch621]

Yes

At least in our culture.

Maybe not if you’re in the privacy of your own home, but in public? Yes it’s a sin.

 

[Portrait]

While some bikinis are definitely immodest, I think others can be a judgment call. Certainly the standards of what is and isn’t immodest has changed over the years. In some Arab Cultures, seeing any part of a woman is considered immodest, in Victorian days, seeing a woman’s ankle was also considered immodest.

Meanwhile, many people in tropical tribal cultures, still go all but completely naked. That is certainly not out of a lack of modesty on the individual part of women.

I think that modesty is more likely the attitude behind what you wear and how you wear it, not what you wear.

Now, I agree in our culture, much of the skimpy clothing that women wear is intended to be immodest. But the mere fact of being skimpy does not automatically make it immodest, but rather the intent behind it.

–
Bill

Dear Bill,

Cordial greetings,

Whilst it is quite true to say that standards do change (usually for the worst) over the years, the sight of naked flesh will always stimulate sexual arousal, whether we be in the 19th. century or the 21st and it is the degree to which this should be exposed which is our business here. Moreover, it needs to be remembered that men and women have the same sexual proclivities and experience the same temptations irrespective of the age in which they happen to live in.

It is surely a sad reflection of the decadent times in which our lot is cast that formerly better principled people no longer find apparel such as bikini’s and mini-skirts offensive and shameful. Sadly, we are now living with the legacy of the permissive sixties which took a perverse delight in repudiating the moral standards of former generations and the situation has become increasingly worse in the subsequent decades. This is why it is so very necessary, more than ever in the West, for Catholics to dare to be different and to be men and woman of moral rectitude. Now our own intuitive moral sense should tell us that bikini’s and mini-skirts do not sit comfortably with modesty and moral probity by any stretch of the imagination.

Let us not then dearly beloved, as Catholics, become allied with those ungodly forces of moral deterioration that are forever pushing the envelope of what people find descent and acceptable, rather let us take a stand against them not only in word but in deed by the manner in which attire ourselves and our children.

Warmest good wishes,

Portrait

 

[mommamaree]

I’d really like to know…are the people who are insisting wearing a bikini is sinful referring specifically to a certain type of bikini, such as string bikini or thong bikinis? Because there are a great many two-piece suits that are called bikinis but are cut very modestly. And the issue of modest bathroom trips that was mentioned before IS an important part of the decision-making process. Two-piece suits only require the bottoms to be removed, whereas one-piece suits require the wearer to become totally naked in a public toilet. Not exactly a comfortable (emotionally or physically) thing to have to do! My daughter wears what is called a tankini, as do I (but in a maternity version), and it is one reason that we do. A tankini is like a bikini, but has more fabric covering the midriff. There are also some sporty two-piece that have lots of fabric covering the bosom and bottom, so are very modest and quite practical for swimming and playing. They are still marketed as bikinis, however.
And as a side note, I find this thread a bit upsetting , because it makes me feel even more self-conscious when I don my swimsuit. First I have to wonder if my swollen pregnant body is going to have people thinking they’ve spotted a beached whale, and now I realize that so many people are ready to condemn women’s swimsuit choices in general. I worry that my choices are going to be condemned as sinful, as I always, pregnant or not, choose a 2-piece suit. One-piece suits simply are not made for women with short torsoes, or for women that wear a different size top from bottom. Two-piece separates work so much better, but apparently a Catholic man seeing me at the beach or pool is gonna think, “oh, look away from the sinful woman!” It’s for swimming, for goodness sake, so can’t we just cut people some slack? It’s not like they’re wearing it to the store or the office.

 

[edwest2]

Dear Bill,

Cordial greetings,

Whilst it is quite true to say that standards do change (usually for the worst) over the years, the sight of naked flesh will always stimulate sexual arousal, whether we be in the 19th. century or the 21st and it is the degree to which this should be exposed which is our business here. Moreover, it needs to be remembered that men and women have the same sexual proclivities and experience the same temptations irrespective of the age in which they happen to live in.

It is surely a sad reflection of the decadent times in which our lot is cast that formerly better principled people no longer find apparel such as bikini’s and mini-skirts offensive and shameful. Sadly, we are now living with the legacy of the permissive sixties which took a perverse delight in repudiating the moral standards of former generations and the situation has become increasingly worse in the subsequent decades. This is why it is so very necessary, more than ever in the West, for Catholics to dare to be different and to be men and woman of moral rectitude. Now our own intuitive moral sense should tell us that bikini’s and mini-skirts do not sit comfortably with modesty and moral probity by any stretch of the imagination.

Let us not then dearly beloved, as Catholics, become allied with those ungodly forces of moral deterioration that are forever pushing the envelope of what people find descent and acceptable, rather let us take a stand against them not only in word but in deed by the manner in which attire ourselves and our children.

Warmest good wishes,

Portrait

Thank you, Portrait, for a clear and precise answer.

For the past 40 years, the media has been constantly promoting the following ideas:

“Tame by today’s standards.” Whose standards? Who sets these standards?

“Not your mother’s… or … Not you father’s” Car, razor, whatever. This to indoctrinate young people into believing that whatever your parents found useful or acceptable is not what you should select. You should break psychologically from whatever your parents found useful or appropriate.

“Pushing the envelope of what people find acceptable.” What people? Certainly not the creators of that phrase. The goal was to turn what they found acceptible into what we - Christians - would find acceptable. It was a gradual process that took 40 years, but here we are.

It’s time to turn things around and build, each one of us, that City on the Hill that is not hid.

God bless,
Ed

 

[LittleSoldier]

Speedo? What a comical name. I don’t get why any man would want to wear one strictly from a functional angle. Boxer style swimwear is just fine for actual swimming.

God bless,
Ed

It may be a comical name to you but a lot of men wear them on the beach and around swimming pools. They also go topless, as I’m fairly sure you do. So why limit this discussion to bikinis when many men wear even less than women?

 

[CWBetts]

I enjoy being a prude. I find it to be an agreeable alternative lifestyle. If a woman is beautiful, there is no need for her to run around in her underwear.

God bless,
Ed

“Prude” is the word the immodest use to denigrate the modest.

 

[LittleSoldier]

Honestly, going to the bathroom in a wet suit is a small price to pay for being modest. You still have the same problem if it is a one piece or two piece–you are wet and the clothes are going to stick to you when you pull them off or on. BUT if that really, really, is your issue and not just a justification, you can get two piece suits that cover everything. Yes, men should control their thoughts but that is a separate issue. Women still have the responsibility to be modest even if it were a same sex beach full of other women. The reason women should be modest in these situations is that is because what God wants of them.

Actually it’s not the same problem at all. When a woman goes to use the restroom wearing a wet one-piece swimsuit she has to take the entire swimsuit off in order to do what she needs to do. It feels disgusting, the material sticks to the skin, and it’s very difficult to even do. For me it’s almost impossible because I have a back injury and can’t squirm around the way I need to to get the swimsuit off.

With all respect, I disagree that men controlling their thoughts is a separate issue. If it were this thread would not be limited to bikinis.

Why would God be offended by women in bikinis on a beach with only other women? We’re made in His image! Aren’t we? Doesn’t He know what each and every one of us looks like under our clothes?

 

[LittleSoldier]

I’m a woman as well, and I agree with you wholeheartedly. Every woman I’ve ever met who’s purchased a bikini did not do so because of some increased logisitical benefit of the “swim wear”.

There’s plenty of modest swim wear out there that is functional and stylist. A bikini has one purpose, and one purpose only. If it was really all about functionability and ease or comfort, then why don’t we see the beach full of over weight, hairy, elderly, “plain” looking women wearing them?

And I do have to ask, if it hasn’t already and I missed it:

What of speedos?

I brought it up awhile ago. Yes, what about speedos and modesty?

The reason we don’t see overweight, hairy, elderly women wearing bikinis is that they know they look awful in them. Simple.

I’m sorry, but what is a “plain” looking woman? Would you please provide a description? I’m confused because I don’t think I’ve ever seen one.

 

[LittleSoldier]

Dear coolcatholicguy,

Yes women who are scantily clad, as they decidedly are in a bikini, are surely not only sinning themselves but causing others to sin also. Moreover, how can it possibly be respecting good taste and propriety for a Catholic female to be attired so immodestly?

Whatever her reasons for wishing to wear a bikini, there is no escaping the fact that she is dressing in a seductive manner and encouraging men, even if unwittingly, to focus upon her body and possibly inflaming impure thoughts, thereby causing them to sin with there eyes (cf. St. Matt. 5: 28). Clearly, no Catholic woman worth her salt would wish to be the potential prime mover in causing a man to sin with his eyes, especially if that man happens to be a good friend and a fellow Catholic.

No, bikini’s are unacceptable attire for this garment, if one can call it that, is manifestly indecorous and immodest because it is reveals just too much of a woman’s body.

Since the Fall God has implanted within us a certain shyness and sense of shame respecting sexual issues. Indeed, He made “garments of skins, and clothed” the first pair after they fell to cover their nakedness. Our present age surely needs to recover a sense of shame and reserve when it comes to sexual matters and Catholic men and women need to set an example of modesty when it comes to our choice of clothing and swimwear.

Warmest good wishes,

Portrait

If I were younger and had the body (again) I would proudly wear a bikini to swim. I like the way the sun feels on my body - on as much of my body as I feel is appropriate. My favorite bikini was one with a string top. My Mom picked it out for me in Palm Springs one year. I was surprised she liked it, but like it she did and it was very, very comfortable.

When I wore a bikini I was modest. I’m sorry that some people have problems with this, but I felt absolutely no guilt and I don’t believe I incited any other woman to sin.

I am not responsible for men’s impure thoughts. If men are as strong as many of them claim to be they wouldn’t have these thoughts in the first place. Again, women are being blamed for the weaknesses of some men.

 

[turtle18]

Actually it’s not the same problem at all. When a woman goes to use the restroom wearing a wet one-piece swimsuit she has to take the entire swimsuit off in order to do what she needs to do. It feels disgusting, the material sticks to the skin, and it’s very difficult to even do. For me it’s almost impossible because I have a back injury and can’t squirm around the way I need to to get the swimsuit off.

With all respect, I disagree that men controlling their thoughts is a separate issue. If it were this thread would not be limited to bikinis.

Why would God be offended by women in bikinis on a beach with only other women? We’re made in His image! Aren’t we? Doesn’t He know what each and every one of us looks like under our clothes?

I know it feels disgusting because I am a woman and I have taken a wet swimsuit off to use the bathroom before; however, in the grand scheme of things I would rather do that than wear something immodest on the beach.

Yes, I do believe women should be aware of what they are wearing. You should have charity towards the male gender and not put them into a situation where it is easy for them to have such thoughts. You can’t do whatever you want or wear whatever you want because you are a woman. You should always keep in mind what God wants you to do.

I think you are missing my point. Bikinis are immodest clothing whether men are present or not. Bikinis don’t become immodest because men are on the beach and they can’t control their thought. Bikinis are immodest because you are nearly naked in them and as a Catholic/Christian woman, you are supposed to respect your body by being modest in your dress.

 

[LittleSoldier]

I’m not so prudish that I don’t enjoy the sight of beautiful women at the beach; but if I want a class in anatomy, I’ll enroll at college. The sin lies in the viewer’s heart; if the viewer of a beautiful woman (or a super-studly guy) lets nasty thoughts accompany the sight, he needs to plunge and flush his mind in confession. But I see nothing wrong in appreciating the inherent beauty of a woman, any more than there is anything wrong with appreciating the beauty of a perfect rose-bud as it blooms into mature glory.

Many beaches at lakes around here near Chicago (Chain-O-Lakes area) won’t allow “cheeky” swim suits: the women’s butt-cheeks gotta be covered up. One mayor was getting queried about “how much needs to be covered” and he said “The law is word-specific. If you can’t understand it, our public library has dictionaries.”

Now, in Chicago at Lake Michigan’s beaches, I have no clue. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v313/ponyguy/Shrug.gif

I can’t imagine that those thong bottoms could possibly be comfortable, with that string stuck between the wearer’s back cheeks… seems to me like it’d be having a constant atomic wedgie. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v313/ponyguy/yuk.gif

Great post! Thank you!

I agree about the thongs although my limited experience is that they look like they would be extremely uncomfortable but for some reason they are very comfortable. At least for me. Not that I ever wore one outside of my house. Honestly.

 

[LittleSoldier]

I enjoy being a prude. I find it to be an agreeable alternative lifestyle. If a woman is beautiful, there is no need for her to run around in her underwear.

So if a woman is ugly it’s OK for her to run around in her “underwear” on the beach?

PRUDE: : a person who is excessively or priggishly attentive to propriety or decorum; especially : a woman who shows or affects extreme modesty.

merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prude

 

[CWBetts]

So if a woman is ugly it’s OK for her to run around in her “underwear” on the beach?

PRUDE: : a person who is excessively or priggishly attentive to propriety or decorum; especially : a woman who shows or affects extreme modesty.

But you use it to insult those who actually have a sense of modesty. Bikinis were designed to incite lust.

 

[LittleSoldier]

I know it feels disgusting because I am a woman and I have taken a wet swimsuit off to use the bathroom before; however, in the grand scheme of things I would rather do that than wear something immodest on the beach.

Yes, I do believe women should be aware of what they are wearing. You should have charity towards the male gender and not put them into a situation where it is easy for them to have such thoughts. You can’t do whatever you want or wear whatever you want because you are a woman. You should always keep in mind what God wants you to do.

I think you are missing my point. Bikinis are immodest clothing whether men are present or not. Bikinis don’t become immodest because men are on the beach and they can’t control their thought. Bikinis are immodest because you are nearly naked in them and as a Catholic/Christian woman, you are supposed to respect your body by being modest in your dress.

The problem is that we have different definitions of modesty. I don’t believe bikinis are immodest. I don’t think mini skirts are immodest. I don’t believe tank tops or bra tops are immodest. I honestly don’t see a problem with them. God knows me and He knows every atom in my body.

I respect my body. I don’t respect it in the way you think I should, but fortunately for me, I have free will and can wear what I please, when I please, in any manner as long as it is legal. I haven’t been arrested yet.

 

[LittleSoldier]

But you use it to insult those who actually have a sense of modesty. Bikinis were designed to incite lust.

Are you referring to my definition or my bikini?

No matter. I’m not using either to insult anybody. I don’t intend either to be an insult. A definition is a definition, nothing more. I disagree with a person who states he enjoys being a prude and I posted the definition because I question why anyone would enjoy being such a thing.

My bikini is gone. If I wore one now it would be an insult to myself and anyone within viewing distance.

Do you have documentation to back up your assertion that bikinis were designed to incite lust?

Were speedos designed to incite lust in women?

 

[LittleSoldier]

Thank you, Portrait, for a clear and precise answer.

For the past 40 years, the media has been constantly promoting the following ideas:

“Tame by today’s standards.” Whose standards? Who sets these standards?

“Not your mother’s… or … Not you father’s” Car, razor, whatever. This to indoctrinate young people into believing that whatever your parents found useful or acceptable is not what you should select. You should break psychologically from whatever your parents found useful or appropriate.

“Pushing the envelope of what people find acceptable.” What people? Certainly not the creators of that phrase. The goal was to turn what they found acceptible into what we - Christians - would find acceptable. It was a gradual process that took 40 years, but here we are.

It’s time to turn things around and build, each one of us, that City on the Hill that is not hid.

God bless,
Ed

Ed, I apologize but I have absolutely no idea what you are talking about. Would you please go into further detail or rephrase to help me understand? Thank you.

 

[CWBetts]

Are you referring to my definition or my bikini?

There is not a bikini in existence that can in nay way be considered modest.

 

[LittleSoldier]

There is not a bikini in existence that can in nay way be considered modest.

I disagree. So where do we go from here?

I edited the post you responded to, just in case you’re interested. Sorry I didn’t catch it in time.