It's summer now. How much would you show your body?

[daeve]

It seems that the overwhelming opinion when it comes to modesty is “let everyone fend for themselves”.

I suppose it is a mark of the culture and “sign of the times”.

It doesn’t seem that way at all. These posts agreed that modest dressing is the right thing to do for women and for men. The differences surround our varying opinions of what modesty means. No one here has seriously said that women should dress provocatively or trashy, but that doesn’t mean we have to be wrapped up like dowdy packages either.

HUMANS are vain and HUMANS lust. Neither emotion is restricted to one gender.

 

[lobster]

Mmmm… I can’t wait to go to the beach in my nice new bikini…All the talk here about bikinis some months ago made me wanna buy one my self for the first time all my life maybe on the beach I can even see some handsome men and admire their muscular upper bodies… :tanning:

The above post is a good illustration of how culture has jaded this persons sense of modesty. She can’t wait specifically to have people gawk at her as well as for the express purposes of drooling over others.

 

[lobster]

If you think women in general donlt struggle with lust…think again. Both men and women struggled with lust. And I think we should within reason protect each other from that. But within reason would not be going around with tons of cleavage showing and shorts that donlt even cover your butt or going around in a bathing suit. However at the same time people should be able to control themselves. Men should be able to control their desires and lusts if a woman is dressed in normal modest clothes. Showing a bit of skin shouldn;t cause them to lose it…same goes for women. But yeah if a man or woman struggles with lust that much that seeing a bit of skin sets them off…then well that is their problem.

What you said seems to makes a lot of sense. I don’t believe we are called to extraordinary means, only that we do not purposely try to draw undue attention to ourselves.

 

[lobster]

I find your post very judgmental. The Catholic church calls all to be modest not blind. The human body is beautiful why would you suggest that one must make it look ugly? Yes, I think we are all in agreement that we should not dress like a street walker and take care not dress provocative, but that does not mean we have to dress in “baggy” clothing. I teach my daughter to take good care of herself, by buying clothing that actually fit, which means not too tight and not too loose. I don’t understand why you think women should where hats. I mean really hats? If you or any man has a lustful thought because my hair is showing how is that my fault? I only wear a hat when I am gardening or when I am canoeing, and this is for convenience. I have always thought that I was a bit on the conservative side when it came to clothing but your ideas really have me scratching my head. (which doesn’t have a hat on it, right now)

I my post was judgmental, my apologies for it wasn’t meant to be. Maybe there is some middle ground, as I tend toward being overly conservative as maybe my way of trying to help overcome the sliding downward spiral. Hats a bit much? Maybe, but I do think walking around in public with tank tops and belly button showing is over the top. It certainly doesn’t help others any.

 

[mesurman]

Women should always keep the sensibilities of men in mind when choosing how to dress. They should cover as much as possible, wear loose fitting clothing and preferably always have some form of head covering or hat in while in public. Women have a special duty in regards to subjugating the natural desire for self attention. This self attention not only harms the woman through the capital sin of vanity, but leads others to the capital sin of lust as well. That is a big responsibility on the shoulders of women. Therefore it is prudent, where the interest in leading others to God rather than oneself should be the goal, that women take every reasonable caution. The heat is not really an excuse, for one would be remiss to find Our Lady running around in short shorts and tank top and say its because its too hot!
Let’s not let summer become an excuse for indecency.

That is a bit much don’t you think.

 

[LSK]

I had to laugh when I saw this title:

I have two fake knees, fat jiggly thighs and Irish skin that basically bursts into flame when it gets too much sun…

so what is the question again?

 

[lobster]

That is a bit much don’t you think.

Maybe. But why? Is it wrong?

 

[lobster]

I had to laugh when I saw this title:

I have two fake knees, fat jiggly thighs and Irish skin that basically bursts into flame when it gets too much sun…

so what is the question again?

Ha Ha. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder!

 

[lovemysix]

I just can’t stop laughing at the thought of my husband’s reaction if I suddenly started wearing sweatpants, sweatshirts, and a do-rag everywhere! I dress for my husband much more than I dress for myself. I think it’s very important to dress in a way that pleases him and keeps him interested.

BTW, my husband is an extremely decent man with a good head on his shoulders about what is modest vs. immodest. He’d never want me parading around out there letting it all hang out, but he’d also be very sad if I started wearing baggy sweats everywhere. My body is his now, and the way I cover it should show how much I care about him—not to mention that it should also reflect the great gift I believe God has given all of us in our bodies. It is a temple of the Holy Spirit, for crying out loud. Why would I cover it in unattractive baggy sweats and a do-rag???

I learned a long time ago that you are never going to get Catholics to agree on what is modest, and that modesty changes depending on situation, circumstance, and culture.

 

[aspawloski4th]

I wear less in the way of clothing not show off my body, but because my ability to take heat is close to non existant thesedays.

 

[mesurman]

Maybe. But why? Is it wrong?

I didn’t say it was wrong per se. I meant that in my opinion I feel that her approach is over the top. Women can dress moderately to stay cool while not enticing men to have impure thoughts. Sometimes I think that many people try to be more Catholic than the Catholic Church. I believe that Our Lady ( I love Mary) would have worn light clothes (not overly exposing anything) during the warm season while maintaining her integrity as a woman and as the mother of Christ. Human beings were the same then as now, our ancestors avoided the heat whenever possible and I am sure that included light clothing in the warm season. Unfortunately now most people have no shame or sense of common decency.

 

[theistgal]

The above post is a good illustration of how culture has jaded this persons sense of modesty. She can’t wait specifically to have people gawk at her as well as for the express purposes of drooling over others.

If only I could get away with wearing a bikini, I couldn’t wait to join her, just because this thread annoys me so much!

What is this, the 1,735th thread about “modesty” at CAF? Won’t someone pleeeezzz think about the cheeeeelrennn??

 

[GraceDK]

The above post is a good illustration of how culture has jaded this persons sense of modesty. She can’t wait specifically to have people gawk at her as well as for the express purposes of drooling over others.

The above post is a good illustration of the saying that goes: “Thief thinks everyone steels”.
I have no lust in me, nor do I desire to be gawked at. I said, I look forward to going to the beach in my new bikini. If I found this immodest then I would not wear it. If you find it immodest, then you just don’t wear it.
As for my drooling over others… no… I didn’t say that. I can admire a male body without drooling thank you. Some men look good and attractive, because God created them that way. I can admire that… Also, I find old pictures of male indians quite beautiful, because they had very nice strong bodies. I do not lust after them. That problem is yours… not mine.
Apparently you have a problem with lust and you project your own impurity and lust into others so that you can judge them instead of taking responsibility of your own sinful eyes.
Besides … what I wrote I wrote precisely to disturb narrowminded people like you. You know neither me nor how my bikini looks… but you already have your hand on the trigger. Go get a life.

 

[lobster]

I just can’t stop laughing at the thought of my husband’s reaction if I suddenly started wearing sweatpants, sweatshirts, and a do-rag everywhere!

Well, yeah, you’re probably right. But hey, it would be pretty funny though, wouldn’t it?

I dress for my husband much more than I dress for myself. I think it’s very important to dress in a way that pleases him and keeps him interested.

BTW, my husband is an extremely decent man with a good head on his shoulders about what is modest vs. immodest. He’d never want me parading around out there letting it all hang out, but he’d also be very sad if I started wearing baggy sweats everywhere. My body is his now, and the way I cover it should show how much I care about him—not to mention that it should also reflect the great gift I believe God has given all of us in our bodies. It is a temple of the Holy Spirit, for crying out loud. Why would I cover it in unattractive baggy sweats and a do-rag???

I learned a long time ago that you are never going to get Catholics to agree on what is modest, and that modesty changes depending on situation, circumstance, and culture.

Thanks for your insightful perspective.

Thanks to everyone else also. It is interesting the number of angles involved and everything is not necessarily as black and white as one would think.

 

[lobster]

Besides … what I wrote I wrote precisely to disturb narrowminded people like you. You know neither me nor how my bikini looks… but you already have your hand on the trigger. Go get a life.

I see, so you were being disingenuous. I will keep that in mind whenever I come across posts from you. Good day.

 

[srlucado]

Wow, this is starting to heat up…the steam is building…

Wait a minute…isn’t that how you cook a lobster?

 

[Benjamin8o8]

I’ll concede that point, but I think there also comes a time when its scrupulocity to dress a particular way. I think the key is moderation in all things. I also disagree on exactly what is modest & what is not. While vanity may play a role in wearing flattering clothing, there’s nothing immoral w/ showing your God-given beauty as long as you’re doing so in a Christian modest way. Actually, you could look at dressing in a flattering manner as doing something good for God - praising Him and allowing others to see the beauty He bestowed on you.

A particular - this dress has nothing immodest about it IMO even though it is sleeveless. I don’t find any of these [sleeveless shirts ](http://www.kohls.com/kohlsStore/womens/tops/shirtsblouses/sleeveless.jsp?ENDECA_SEARCH_(name removed by moderator)UT%3C%3ENe=&ENDECA_SEARCH_(name removed by moderator)UT%3C%3ENo=0&ENDECA_SEARCH_(name removed by moderator)UT%3C%3ENs=p_Product_Total_Inventory%7C1&ENDECA_SEARCH_(name removed by moderator)UT%3C%3ENtt=&ENDECA_SEARCH_(name removed by moderator)UT%3C%3Erecs=23&ENDECA_SEARCH_(name removed by moderator)UT%3C%3EN=4294960912&ENDECA_SEARCH_(name removed by moderator)UT%3C%3Etype=2&PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524892456714&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374752622208&bmForm=guided_nav_search&bmFormID=1242317822871&bmUID=1242317822871)to be even vaguely immodest. Just like there’s nothing inherently immodest about [these shirts](http://www.kohls.com/upgrade/webstore/subcategory.jsp?ENDECA_SEARCH_(name removed by moderator)UT%3C%3ENe=4&ENDECA_SEARCH_(name removed by moderator)UT%3C%3ENo=0&ENDECA_SEARCH_(name removed by moderator)UT%3C%3ENs=p_Product_Total_Inventory%7C1&ENDECA_SEARCH_(name removed by moderator)UT%3C%3ENtt=&ENDECA_SEARCH_(name removed by moderator)UT%3C%3Erecs=28&ENDECA_SEARCH_(name removed by moderator)UT%3C%3EN=4294960913%2B4294967266&ENDECA_SEARCH_(name removed by moderator)UT%3C%3Etype=2&PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524892456714&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374752622207&bmForm=guided_nav_search&bmFormID=1242317952901&bmUID=1242317952901).

IMO the difference between these outfits is not that one set is inherently immodest. Any of these could be made ‘immodest’ by being worn inappropriately (too tight, too low-cut for build, etc). The difference between these outfits is purely superficial - sleeves or not.

However, I guess its to each their own…

lol, I took a look at the attire you shared with us and you can be certain all of them are sinful and can draw any normal man to sin. No saint or Mary would approve of that style.
Maybe its your *God-givin *beuty that makes it okay I guess…tst, tst ,tst

 

[GraceDK]

lol, I took a look at the attire you shared with us and you can be certain all of them are sinful and can draw any normal man to sin. No saint or Mary would approve of that style.
Maybe its your *God-givin *beuty that makes it okay I guess…tst, tst ,tst

If you are drawn to sin by looking at these attires then you are not a normal man… and society would not function if there were only men like you.
First thing to do is to learn to admire instead of lusting. And stop looking at the woman body as a sexual obejct.
I think saint Mary would have no problem with the shown attires… they celebrate the woman figure and there is nothing wrong with that per se…

 

[GraceDK]

I see, so you were being disingenuous. I will keep that in mind whenever I come across posts from you. Good day.

I was being exactly how I have to be in order to remain a happy and balanced Catholic among certain people who sometimes turn utterly strange.
I have tried with seriousness and even frustration. But why should I let, what I perceive to be religious minds gone off on a tangent, destroy my peace?
Sometime you have to ask your self: “If I am at odds with everyone around me, even those who honestly and purely practice their Catholic faith, and I see ghosts where they see none, maybe… just maybe… I am the one who is wrong”. My theory is that you have heard about how dangerous the woman body is, so much that you have come to fear it and wanting it hidden away somewhere where you can control its every move.

 

[BiologyBrain]

lol, I took a look at the attire you shared with us and you can be certain all of them are sinful and can draw any normal man to sin. No saint or Mary would approve of that style.
Maybe its your *God-givin *

beuty that makes it okay I guess…tst, tst ,tst

I disagree w/ you very thoroughly! My mom, dad, husband, and fellow church members, while they may not be saints in any book, all think these articles of clothing are appropriate for summer wear. My mom & dad raised me to be aware of exposing too much skin than is appropriate for the situation. I tend to cover myself more than other girls my age - always have. As I said previously, there is nothing inherently immodest about those articles of clothing displayed on those pages. They can be worn immodestly if improperly fitted, altered, and/or worn in inappropriate settings (although that last is harder to judge). My main point is that in general, its not the clothes themselves that are immodest - its how they’re worn & presented by the wearer.

I’m not entirely sure what you meant by my God-given beauty making it ok. If it was an insult of some sort, puh-leaze! If it was in reference to my previous post where I indicate God gave us bodies so we can show His blessings, ok. Whatever, else you could have meant is beyond my comprehension right now.