Top 10 reasons women should dress modestly

[Edward_H]

You have no idea why a woman would dress the way she does. You insult women who do not dress the way you think they should by saying they are wanting to be sexually provocative or they are just plain ignorant.

Are you saying that those of us who disagree with your views are loose/have loose values?

Only a woman knows why she dresses as she does. And the same for a man.

And as is true for all adults, male and female, it is the proper hope of all adult Christians that we all intentionally, generously, and first serve God in everything we do, in the spirit of humility and service as Christ Himself showed us the way.

If a man puts on a pullover tee-shirt with some coarse message on the back of the shirt, then goes off to Mass, only he can answer the question whether he intentionally is loving God and serving others, or whether he’s just careless or indifferent or something else.

As you say, that’s a question that only he (or she) can and eventually may be asked to answer.

 

[Walking_Home]

I can’t speak for anyone else, but I’m not arguing that people who dress immodestly are evil people or loose women.

Obviously God knows the heart and we aren’t to judge people based on how they’re dressed.

Having said that, my major concern is that we should be a witness to the world.

If we “talk like Sailors” (no offense to the Sailors on this board), then** we are not being good witnesses to the gospel since the bible says **

Quote:
Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.

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You say one thing — “Obviously God knows the heart and we are not to judge based on how they dress” —then you go and do just that with your following statements—“not being good witnesses to gospel”.

 

[Portrait]

I just truly don’t see the huge amount of controvery the topic of modesty can truly bring. I am honesty so sad that there are catholics who advocate for immodest clothing such as the miniskirt or short shorts.

Whether one accepts this or not, these types of clothes offend God so much. I believe that has been proven by some of you here.

Listen I am not here to attack anyone. Please know that. But also know that just because modesty differs from one culture to another, doesn’t mean that certains types of clothes are appropriate. When I look at girls who dress immodestly by such revealing clothes, the things that come across is that many guys won’t treat them like ladies but rather as sexual objects.

I know that I will not convince you Debora123, Walking Home, or Lost Wanderer. I just needed to post this video called The Naked Truth about Modesty.

Here is the link to anyone who wishes to listen to it.

youtube.com/watch?v=sWKipaNH83E

It is about an hour long but worth to see. All I can offer is my prayers for you three.

God bless.

Dear Art321,

Cordial greetings and a very good day. Thankyou for the above contribution, dear friend.

The reason that there exists so much controversy among Catholics today with regards to choice of clothing, is because so many, especially neo-Catholic orthodox types, have assimilated in large measure the godless spirit of the age with its lowered standards and voluptuous tastes in dress. Rather than countering the anti-Catholic and anti-Christian sexual and moral revolution by re-establishing wholesome and biblical principles in society, they have warmly and enthusiastically embraced the debased standards of the revolution, even becoming its most vocal spokesmen, much to the chagrin of all devout and God fearing Catholics. Perhaps this was to be expected, given the Laodicean lukewarmness and worldliness that has sadly prevailed within Holy Mother Church in the aftermath of Vatican II. Thus, as a result of this monumental failure on the part of multitudes of modern day Catholics to raise a standard against the abounding morally permissive culture, there has hardly been any firm and bold resistance to seductive styles of clothing, unbefitting of those who profess godliness.

Moreover, there has been an almost complete loss of the instinct for modesty among the faithful in recent times and the words of Pope Pius XII continue to be highly apposite: “How many young girls there are who do not see any wrongdoing in following certain shameless styles like so many sheep. They would certainly blush if they could guess the impression they make and the feelings they evoke in those who see them”. Methinks that the good Pope would be branded a ‘Puritan prude’ in the mileu of today’s morally degenerate society, or at the very least, charged with damaging the Church’s credibility by such harsh words and not being youth friendly.

Unfortunately, our lot is cast in times when men no longer see the exceeding sinfulness of sin, the ‘anything goes’ mindset of the Sixties has certainly ensured that. As a consequence we have had to witness the erruption of shameful styles of attire that are utterly at variance with timeless Christian modesty. The faithful should never have allowed themselves to be carried along by the godless spirit of the world and its unseemly fashions, but should have steadfastly resisted such fashions and denounced them in the most strongest terms. However, the Church itself must take some share of the blame for this capitulation to the world, for it has largely remained silent and refused to counteract the ever increasing tide of moral and cultural deterioration in its midst.

Yes, it is most lamentable to witness even conservative Catholics defend and rationalize seductive styles of clothing, such as the mini-skirt, shorts, low-cut tops that reveal cleavage and the bikini (why would any God-fearing Catholic lady wish to wear what is basicly her underwear in public - it just beggars belief!). Our plight is jolly serious and worrisome, that is for sure. Nevertheless, I remain sanguine because we have God and the consistent teaching of the Church throughtout the ages on our side. Take courage, my dear chap.

Warmest good wishes,

Portrait

Pax

 

[Portrait]

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You say one thing — “Obviously God knows the heart and we are not to judge based on how they dress” —then you go and do just that with your following statements—“not being good witnesses to gospel”.

Dear Walking_Home,

Cordial greetings and a very good day, dear friend.

Those Catholics who obstinately refuse to wear decent and seemly apparel, as befits those who profess religion, are decidedly not being good witnesses for the Gospel. This is because they are declaring loud and clear that they have capitulated to the godless world and its seductive styles of dress. Contrary to what some men say, this shameful disobedience to the Church and its biblical teaching, does warrant gentle rebuke from ones fellow Catholics, who have a duty to admonish in a charitable manner those who are erring.

If we truly love our brethren in Christ, then surely we will endeavour to convince them of the error of their ways and, hopefully, bring them back to the path of truth and virtue. The emphasis is always upon the restoration of the erring brother or sister - “Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual should restore him in the spirit of gentleness. Look to yourself lest you too be tempted” (Gal. 6: 1, added emphasis mine).

Warmest good wishes,

Portrait

Pax

 

[Debora123]

Whether one accepts this or not, these types of clothes offend God so much. I believe that has been proven by some of you here.

Source please.

You people say this but offer absolutely nothing to back this up, though I’ve requested it several times.

It has not been “proven,” as you say, bc no one backs up their claim or uses any catholic doctrine to back up their claim.

Can you refute the many points I’ve made to back up MY claims? No one’s done that either. They just skip right over them and go back to proclaiming their beliefs without any basis whatsoever.

 

[Debora123]

Listen I am not here to attack anyone. Please know that. But also know that just because modesty differs from one culture to another, doesn’t mean that certains types of clothes are appropriate. **When I look at girls who dress immodestly by such revealing clothes, the things that come across is that many guys won’t treat them like ladies but rather as sexual objects. **

1. I’ve never been treated like a sexual object. I am married to a great man and have great guy friends.
2. Can you tell me what these clothes are that you speak of?
3. If you think a man treats a women like a sexual object, than shouldn’t we be focusing on THAT, instead of on telling women to cover themselves all up? Covering up more won’t change any man’s heart, and I’ve made this point many times, to which everyone just ignored.

-I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again. It always boggles my mind that there are infinitely more threads urging women to cover up their bodies more than is normal, than there are threads urging that men treat and respect all women.

 

[Debora123]

I have read that quote so much since you used it for reference in this thread. I do agree that God judges all human beings with their hearts. I do not deny this. Please know that. But I also know that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit and as such, we are to respect it with true dignity, something that can NOT be done with immodest clothes.

No one here is advocating immodest clothes.

 

[Debora123]

Since our bodies are created and are beautiful in the sight of God, of course they do not offend Him. Although it must be said wearing such clothes is not right in the sense that all that we do must be done to bring us closer to God, so how will wearing these clothes do anything but bring lustful thoughts to men?

We must do everything with love, leading us to the greatest prize of all which is Heaven.

So when we wear shorts on a hot day, we are personally responsible for bringing lust to men?

Interesting.

 

[Debora123]

If a man puts on a pullover tee-shirt with some coarse message on the back of the shirt, then goes off to Mass, only he can answer the question whether he intentionally is loving God and serving others, or whether he’s just careless or indifferent or something else.

Good. Thank you.

You’re right, only HE can say and only GOD can judge, and the rest of us should keep our mouths shut about it and not immediately assume the worst about him or see him as any less of a Christian because of it, right?

So then why is your party making accusatory assumptions about people based on what they wear?

 

[Mark_David]

You have no idea why a woman would dress the way she does.

What does it matter when something is objectively wrong. Sexuality, on the whole, is something reserved for the married - not for public display or anything else. Her (or his) reason hardly matters in this context; this is a social issue.

You insult women who do not dress the way you think they should by saying they are wanting to be sexually provocative or they are just plain ignorant. Are you saying that those of us who disagree with your views are loose/have loose values?

If you think that revealing clothing isn’t (at the very least) questionable, or is somehow a good thing - then yes, I think you need to reevaluate some things. Clothing is a choice, not something we’re born with (like a physical feature). Arguing that this view is “superficial” is weak deflection.

 

[Edward_H]

Good. Thank you.

You’re right, only HE can say and only GOD can judge, and the rest of us should keep our mouths shut about it and not immediately assume the worst about him or see him as any less of a Christian because of it, right?

So then why is your party making accusatory assumptions about people based on what they wear?

I said like a bazillion posts ago not to put me in any “party”. But as someone once said there are 2 types of people: those that say there are two types of people and those who don’t. :>

And I don’t belong to a party and I don’t put people in one of 2 buckets.

God apparently does eventually place souls in some finite buckets, and He also told us in many ways His standard. In fact, at Mass today His Son reminded us about the narrow gate.

 

[Mark_David]

You want the Word of God? I’ve quoted and referred to 1 Samuel 16:7 many times over on this thread.

This has no bearing whatsoever on immodest dressing. It is never condoned in the Bible - only condemned.

 

[Debora123]

I can’t speak for anyone else, but I’m not arguing that people who dress immodestly are evil people or loose women.

And by this, do you mean your personal definition of immodest attire? Or do you mean what is normal, decent and accepted attire here in America? Because the Church doesn’t have one, other than what is accepted by each individual’s culture.

Obviously God knows the heart and we aren’t to judge people based on how they’re dressed.

Thank you.

Having said that, my major concern is that we should be a witness to the world.

If we “talk like Sailors” (no offense to the Sailors on this board), then we are not being good witnesses to the gospel since the bible says

If we dress in a way that is worldly (and yes I know that is subject to definition), then we are not being good witnesses.

…But then here you contradict yourself.

Not to mention your logic is flawed. Talking dirty cannot be compared to wearing a bikini to the beach.

Talking dirty is not considered decent, which is why it is often censored from TV’s and radios. A mother will get angry if you talk dirty in front of her young child. Talking dirty is looked down upon and unchristian.

Wearing a bikini to the beach, on the other hand, is completely normal. And no normal American is going to think anyone is less Christian for wearing one to the beach, and we are not being bad witnesses to the gospel for doing that. I didn’t even know Catholics who thought bikinis were indecent even existed until I joined CAF.

 

[Debora123]

I said like a bazillion posts ago not to put me in any “party”. But as someone once said there are 2 types of people: those that say there are two types of people and those who don’t. :>

When I say “your party,” I mean you and the group of people on this thread who have the same views on clothing as you do. There are 2 opposing sides to this discussion here.

What are you trying to imply here with that last sentence?

And I don’t belong to a party and I don’t put people in one of 2 buckets.

If you say so. I suppose in that case I’ve gotten the wrong impression.

God apparently does eventually place souls in some finite buckets, and He also told us in many ways His standard. In fact, at Mass today His Son reminded us about the narrow gate.

The fact that you say this almost makes me think you’re trying to imply something here…

But I’ll give you the benefit of the doubt and assume the above comment was just a random remark.

 

[Debora123]

This has no bearing whatsoever on immodest dressing. It is never condoned in the Bible - only condemned.

Once again, no one here is condoning immodest dress.

The disagreements are:

1. whether or not to make assumptions on someone based on their dress
2. who is responsible for men lusting
3. what constitutes as modest/immodest clothing, and who decides

 

[Debora123]

If you think that revealing clothing isn’t (at the very least) questionable, or is somehow a good thing - then yes, I think you need to reevaluate some things. Clothing is a choice, not something we’re born with (like a physical feature). Arguing that this view is “superficial” is weak deflection.

Did you know that showing ankles at one point used to be considered “revealing clothing?”

You can’t talk about “revealing clothing” in general as if it’s a bad thing, bc what defines whether or not something is revealing is based on the cultural norms of the time and place.

Did you know that in his book Love and Responsibility, JPII actually condones using swimwear to the beach?

 

[Debora123]

Dressing “sexily” (ie: revealingly) demonstrates an intention to be an object of desire and to attract others sexually; otherwise it’s just plain ignorance and should be corrected. Some of these posts are an apology for titillation and loose cultural “values”, not modesty.

You mean sexy, as in, sexually attractive?

I’d like to know why it seems like being sexy around here is such a bad thing.

I think every woman is sexy in her own way, and from what I understand, sexual attraction is a good thing.

And what do you mean by “dressing sexily?”

I had an ex boyfriend once who used to think it was incredibly SEXY when I wore a baseball cap.

So should i have refrained from wearing a baseball cap as not to make him think I looked sexually attractive? Was he not supposed to think I was sexy and be sexually attracted to me?

 

[Mark_David]

1. whether or not to make assumptions on someone based on their dress

Once again, this is a social issue and irrespective of the individual.

1. who is responsible for men lusting

Depends on the scenario. Give us one and then maybe we’ll see.

1. what constitutes as modest/immodest clothing, and who decides

God? The Church?
2522 Modesty protects the mystery of persons and their love… Modesty is decency. It inspires one’s choice of clothing. It keeps silence or reserve where there is evident risk of unhealthy curiosity. It is discreet.
2526 So called moral permissiveness rests on an erroneous conception of human freedom; the necessary precondition for the development of true freedom is to let oneself be educated in the moral law…

 

[Mark_David]

Did you know that in his book Love and Responsibility, JPII actually condones using swimwear to the beach?

Well she couldn’t wear a fur coat, could she?

The basic argument here is that what constitutes “modest dressing” is blurry - and I’m saying, it isn’t.

 

[Mark_David]

I’d like to know why it seems like being sexy around here is such a bad thing.

It’s not about being a bad thing, but it has its place.

I had an ex boyfriend once who used to think it was incredibly SEXY when I wore a baseball cap.

Sounds like a paraphilia, so that doesn’t help