W
Walking_Home
Guest
Yes – you are right. Focus the mind on the breasts proper function --to nourish infants — and Not to “entice”.
- Status
Yes – you are right. Focus the mind on the breasts proper function --to nourish infants — and Not to “entice”.
L
L_piperatus
Guest
Yesterday I got another eyeful of this new fashion that’s based on nothing but raw sex appeal, a rather crude and shameless display of one’s body… and it was at Holy Mass, in a Catholic church!
Yeah, I think it has become normalized, and the people wearing this stuff have become so desensitized to sin, they no longer see their screamingly immodest clothing choices as problematic. 
Church is becoming less and less of a safe place to be.
I honestly don’t remember anything like this going on, twenty years ago, in our Catholic churches. I wish I had a time machine, to hop inside and travel to a church of the past, with people all dressed in a decent, modest, non sexually provocative way. I think this is a good reason for us to spread the word, and educate people everywhere about the dress code in the Catholic Church - that is, people are expected to wear clothing that covers their bodies from shoulders to knees, included. That means, no bare shoulders, bare backs, bare midriffs, and shorts or skirts/dresses above the knee are allowed in Catholic churches, per the instructions of our Holy Fathers John Paul II and Benedict XVI. People need to be told this, because many may not be aware of the specific requirements for modest dress in our Catholic churches, per the instructions of our Popes and Bishops, and in accord with the norms presently enforced in the Vatican and throughout the churches of Rome and Italy.
As a coping mechanism, I use this: I find with my eyes people and small groups of people who are all dressed modestly, appropriately. Then, I alternately look at the priest and these people, to slowly regain my inner peace and sense of safety - i.e. that I am still in a mostly safe place, frequented at least partly by brothers and sisters who dress with a sense of modesty and decency.
T
TheRealJuliane
Guest
You should bring this to the attention of your priest. He can put a notice in the church bulletin and also speak from the pulpit about proper dress. I go to one church where pretty much anything goes, the priest is not going to draw that line and never has. The other parish is much more orthodox and traditional and the priest has lectured the congregation more than once as well as dedicated his weekly space in the bulletin to proper dress and comportment at Mass. If you make no headway with the priest on this issue, try another parish. Not every parish is that casual toward immodesty in dress at Mass.Yesterday I got another eyeful of this new fashion that’s based on nothing but raw sex appeal, a rather crude and shameless display of one’s body… and it was at Holy Mass, in a Catholic church!
Church is becoming less and less of a safe place to be.
I think this is a good reason for us to spread the word, and educate people everywhere about the dress code in the Catholic Church - that is, people are expected to wear clothing that covers their bodies from shoulders to knees, included. That means, no bare shoulders, bare backs, bare midriffs, and shorts or skirts/dresses above the knee are allowed in Catholic churches, per the instructions of our Holy Fathers John Paul II and Benedict XVI. People need to be told this, because many may not be aware of the specific requirements for modest dress in our Catholic churches, per the instructions of our Popes and Bishops, and in accord with the norms presently enforced in the Vatican and throughout the churches of Rome and Italy.
As a coping mechanism, I use this: I find with my eyes people and small groups of people who are all dressed modestly, appropriately. Then, I alternately look at the priest and these people, to slowly regain my inner peace and sense of safety - i.e. that I am still in a mostly safe place, frequented at least partly by brothers and sisters who dress with a sense of modesty and decency.
When I see girls dressed like sluts in church, it takes everything I can do not to turn into their grandmother and go up to them and pinch their ear all the way out of the sanctuary and put a sweater on them…
S
severus68
Guest
It would seem you get eyefulls of everything at church going by your posts. Perhaps you should just look at the priest and the tabernacle at mass and not at people in view of your sensitive nature.Yesterday I got another eyeful of this new fashion that’s based on nothing but raw sex appeal, a rather crude and shameless display of one’s body… and it was at Holy Mass, in a Catholic church!
Church is becoming less and less of a safe place to be.
I think this is a good reason for us to spread the word, and educate people everywhere about the dress code in the Catholic Church - that is, people are expected to wear clothing that covers their bodies from shoulders to knees, included. That means, no bare shoulders, bare backs, bare midriffs, and shorts or skirts/dresses above the knee are allowed in Catholic churches, per the instructions of our Holy Fathers John Paul II and Benedict XVI. People need to be told this, because many may not be aware of the specific requirements for modest dress in our Catholic churches, per the instructions of our Popes and Bishops, and in accord with the norms presently enforced in the Vatican and throughout the churches of Rome and Italy.
As a coping mechanism, I use this: I find with my eyes people and small groups of people who are all dressed modestly, appropriately. Then, I alternately look at the priest and these people, to slowly regain my inner peace and sense of safety - i.e. that I am still in a mostly safe place, frequented at least partly by brothers and sisters who dress with a sense of modesty and decency.
S
severus68
Guest
Whatever your views on dress and however people dress, perhaps you should not liken people to sluts. It seems to defeat the purpose of going to mass.You should bring this to the attention of your priest. He can put a notice in the church bulletin and also speak from the pulpit about proper dress. I go to one church where pretty much anything goes, the priest is not going to draw that line and never has. The other parish is much more orthodox and traditional and the priest has lectured the congregation more than once as well as dedicated his weekly space in the bulletin to proper dress and comportment at Mass. If you make no headway with the priest on this issue, try another parish. Not every parish is that casual toward immodesty in dress at Mass.
When I see girls dressed like sluts in church, it takes everything I can do not to turn into their grandmother and go up to them and pinch their ear all the way out of the sanctuary and put a sweater on them…
J
JaneGrey
Guest
I am not going to make light of your struggle - rather I am going to suggest you reflect on why it is you feel ‘unsafe’ etc on seeing people with bare midriffs. What is it exactly that troubles you so much? If people actually are being immodest inwardly and outwardly, in words, actions or otherwise, then that is their sin not yours.Yesterday I got another eyeful of this new fashion that’s based on nothing but raw sex appeal, a rather crude and shameless display of one’s body… and it was at Holy Mass, in a Catholic church!
Church is becoming less and less of a safe place to be.
I think this is a good reason for us to spread the word, and educate people everywhere about the dress code in the Catholic Church - that is, people are expected to wear clothing that covers their bodies from shoulders to knees, included. That means, no bare shoulders, bare backs, bare midriffs, and shorts or skirts/dresses above the knee are allowed in Catholic churches, per the instructions of our Holy Fathers John Paul II and Benedict XVI. People need to be told this, because many may not be aware of the specific requirements for modest dress in our Catholic churches, per the instructions of our Popes and Bishops, and in accord with the norms presently enforced in the Vatican and throughout the churches of Rome and Italy.
As a coping mechanism, I use this: I find with my eyes people and small groups of people who are all dressed modestly, appropriately. Then, I alternately look at the priest and these people, to slowly regain my inner peace and sense of safety - i.e. that I am still in a mostly safe place, frequented at least partly by brothers and sisters who dress with a sense of modesty and decency.
S
severus68
Guest
Well said.
L
L_piperatus
Guest
Thanks for the advice - I will do what you suggested. There has been quite a bit of change at this parish, including a new parish priest who seems quite dynamic and might be willing to listen to my concerns and suggestions. I used to teach university students like these, and this is the campus church at my local university. I really feel sorry for these students. They look like the proverbial sheep without a shepherd, to quote an expression from the gospels. Or, as elsewhere the Old Testament says, “my people perish for lack of knowledge”. I’m afraid these students just don’t know any better - instead of having learned the virtue of modesty, they learned how to dress like sluts, how to put their “goodies” on display, cheapening their own dignity and inviting others to sins of lust. So, they are on a road to perdition, for lack of knowledge, and it’s our duty to educate them about the “way of life” instead of the “way of death” they are currently walking on.You should bring this to the attention of your priest. He can put a notice in the church bulletin and also speak from the pulpit about proper dress. I go to one church where pretty much anything goes, the priest is not going to draw that line and never has. The other parish is much more orthodox and traditional and the priest has lectured the congregation more than once as well as dedicated his weekly space in the bulletin to proper dress and comportment at Mass. If you make no headway with the priest on this issue, try another parish. Not every parish is that casual toward immodesty in dress at Mass.
When I see girls dressed like sluts in church, it takes everything I can do not to turn into their grandmother and go up to them and pinch their ear all the way out of the sanctuary and put a sweater on them…
Hearing that the Catholic Church actually has expectations for dressing modestly, and learning the specifics of dress code when visiting a Catholic church, might prove to be something really novel and unheard-of to these students…
L
L_piperatus
Guest
Well, I feel like Paul felt in Athens - quote from Acts, chapter 17:
15
After Paul’s escorts had taken him to Athens, they came away with instructions for Silas and Timothy to join him as soon as possible.
16
While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he grew exasperated at the sight of the city full of idols.
We live in a society that idolises a person’s sex appeal, in a totally perverted/pagan/un-Christian way - instead of keeping one’s beauty for the enjoyment of his/her spouse, everything is put on display for everybody to see. I can cope with it easier when I see such things in the secular world. But to see it in God’s House, to see this filth invading our very churches, that deeply disturbs me.
W
Walking_Home
Guest
What is un-Christian is the way some of you go about denigrating people people – based on what is worn.
W
Walking_Home
Guest
Agree.
P
Paddy1989
Guest
I know this thread isn’t solely on modesty although it is linked to a certain extent however i just find it so silly that poster’s are actually defending immodesty. Do some not grasp it or what, is this too big for them to understand, do they not understand that these fashion’s are designed to stimulate sex appeal, why are some then so surprised when this happens in society??? Modesty is certainly not controversial among any Christian never-mind Catholic’s in which the Church has ALWAY’S been at the front in the fight against immodesty. To me it prove’s that sexualization has been normalized to the extent that even Catholic’s are defending it’s fashion’s, i bet their are some who would try and defend the like’s of porn saying they are only admiring the beauty of sexual intimacy and that some should stop looking at it in a negative way
W
Walking_Home
Guest
Purity of the heart/mind-- Paddy1989—Purity of the heart/mind. Let it sink in.
T
ToeInTheWater
Guest
I don’t think anyone here is saying that immodest behavior or appearance is perfectly okay, and I think it ridiculous that you are comparing immodest fashion to actual hard-core porn depicting sexual acts. Sure, some people wear immodest clothing with the express purpose to sexually entice others, but many others, especially the young, do so out of ignorance. Many young women are very naive when it comes to male sexuality, and would be horrified to find that men are looking at them lustfully. The issue really is, since we can’t actually physically force people to change, how do we deal with it? Sure, we can spend our time pointing out these sinners and griping about them, but how does that improve the situation at all? If some of the complainers actually were to take productive steps such as ask the priest or bishop to set a dress code, that’s great, but what does all this judging accomplish, otherwise?
Some of the comments people have made remind me of that Bible passage where a Pharisee goes to Temple and gives thanks to the Lord that he’s not a big sinner like the tax collector who happened to go to Temple at the same time. Whereas the tax collector admits his sinfulness and humbly begs the Lord to have mercy on him. And how Jesus said that it wasn’t the supposedly sinless Pharisee, but the sinful tax collector, who came away justified.
I also suspect that some of the prostitutes Jesus ministered too weren’t dressed that modestly, either. And indeed, some of his disciples protested, for example, when Mary of Bethany came and anointed Jesus with expensive perfumed ointment. As I recall, one of them was Judas Iscariot, who obviously was not sinless himself; even before his ultimate betrayal, I’ve read that he was embezzling funds from the group, and that’s the real reason why he protested that the ointment could have been sold to raise funds for the poor.
There’s also that comment about taking out the plank in your own eye before pointing out the speck in your brother’s eye. Modesty topics make it really easy for people to become self-righteous hypocrites and spend all their time pointing out the sins of others, and not enough time examining their own. Easy to say “look at those sinful women” and excuse your own lustful tendencies.
Some of the comments people have made remind me of that Bible passage where a Pharisee goes to Temple and gives thanks to the Lord that he’s not a big sinner like the tax collector who happened to go to Temple at the same time. Whereas the tax collector admits his sinfulness and humbly begs the Lord to have mercy on him. And how Jesus said that it wasn’t the supposedly sinless Pharisee, but the sinful tax collector, who came away justified.
I also suspect that some of the prostitutes Jesus ministered too weren’t dressed that modestly, either. And indeed, some of his disciples protested, for example, when Mary of Bethany came and anointed Jesus with expensive perfumed ointment. As I recall, one of them was Judas Iscariot, who obviously was not sinless himself; even before his ultimate betrayal, I’ve read that he was embezzling funds from the group, and that’s the real reason why he protested that the ointment could have been sold to raise funds for the poor.
There’s also that comment about taking out the plank in your own eye before pointing out the speck in your brother’s eye. Modesty topics make it really easy for people to become self-righteous hypocrites and spend all their time pointing out the sins of others, and not enough time examining their own. Easy to say “look at those sinful women” and excuse your own lustful tendencies.
B
Bearontherun
Guest
I think that we should be glad that some men and women have the honesty, humility, and courage to come forward and admit that certain clothing choices make purity of thought more difficult. They speak for many of us and IMHO their message should be appreciated and taken seriously. We are all in this together.
W
Walking_Home
Guest
Honesty, humility and courage would be to take responsibility for our own thoughts and actions — and Not transfer the blame/responsibility on to others.
W
Walking_Home
Guest
:clapping::clapping:
T
TheRealJuliane
Guest
Some forum members really do like to argue. I know of one who was defending Planned Parenthood recently and I believe she was removed or removed her account. No matter what was said, she was on the side of Planned Parenthood and wasn’t going to admit any wrongdoing on their part. People say, “Just turn your eyes away” which may seem easy for them, so they have no empathy for others who struggle and stumble with half-naked people in church.
S
severus68
Guest
Exactly!
S
severus68
Guest
You say you feel sorry for those students but you talk about them with great disrespect. Where is the Christian charity and Christ like manner? I wonder if those you taught sensed your anger, outrage and disgust and learned anything at all.Thanks for the advice - I will do what you suggested. There has been quite a bit of change at this parish, including a new parish priest who seems quite dynamic and might be willing to listen to my concerns and suggestions. I used to teach university students like these, and this is the campus church at my local university. I really feel sorry for these students. They look like the proverbial sheep without a shepherd, to quote an expression from the gospels. Or, as elsewhere the Old Testament says, “my people perish for lack of knowledge”. I’m afraid these students just don’t know any better - instead of having learned the virtue of modesty, they learned how to dress like sluts, how to put their “goodies” on display, cheapening their own dignity and inviting others to sins of lust. So, they are on a road to perdition, for lack of knowledge, and it’s our duty to educate them about the “way of life” instead of the “way of death” they are currently walking on.
Hearing that the Catholic Church actually has expectations for dressing modestly, and learning the specifics of dress code when visiting a Catholic church, might prove to be something really novel and unheard-of to these students…
- Status