This bitter meme suggests that modesty's purpose is to help keep men's minds in check. This assumption is as shallow as the feelings behind it. Would God give a commandment because He knows that He can't expect His other children to act like 'decent human beings'?
Is modesty to protect us innocent men from our "uncontrollable" urges to undress in our mind (and in person) partially dressed women? A desire which apparently increases exponentially with every square inch of skin being shown? (weight being placed on breasts, legs, back, shoulders, abdomen ... - provided that they're in mediocre condition).
God did not say in the beginning: "We can't expect men to control their thoughts, so let's make it easier for them - I need at least some of them to return to Me. Women - be modest." I'm sorry - that is not taught in any scripture or spoken by the Apostles. We, teaching this principle, are placing the importance of modesty on the effect it has on men. This priority is false, and this meme shows the illogical nature of modesty centered on protecting men.
So why is modesty important?
Let's try a definition found on lds.org: Modesty is an attitude of propriety and decency in dress, grooming, language, and behavior. If we are modest, we do not draw undue attention to ourselves. Instead, we seek to "glorify God in [our] body, and in [our] spirit"
I invite all of us to consider why we are modest and how we explain it.
Over and out.
Is modesty to protect us innocent men from our "uncontrollable" urges to undress in our mind (and in person) partially dressed women? A desire which apparently increases exponentially with every square inch of skin being shown? (weight being placed on breasts, legs, back, shoulders, abdomen ... - provided that they're in mediocre condition).
God did not say in the beginning: "We can't expect men to control their thoughts, so let's make it easier for them - I need at least some of them to return to Me. Women - be modest." I'm sorry - that is not taught in any scripture or spoken by the Apostles. We, teaching this principle, are placing the importance of modesty on the effect it has on men. This priority is false, and this meme shows the illogical nature of modesty centered on protecting men.
So why is modesty important?
Let's try a definition found on lds.org: Modesty is an attitude of propriety and decency in dress, grooming, language, and behavior. If we are modest, we do not draw undue attention to ourselves. Instead, we seek to "glorify God in [our] body, and in [our] spirit"
Modesty's sole purpose is not to protect men, but is to reflect our commitment to God: to glorify Him, to help invite the companionship of the Spirit. Now admittedly, immodesty distracts men (and women alike), but that is their own problem.
Let's not forget, men need to be modest just as much as women. We need to be modest in our language and behavior JUST AS MUCH as in our dress.
I invite all of us to consider why we are modest and how we explain it.
Over and out.
This is so well put, Ogden!!! Seriously so good. Amen.
ReplyDeleteGood thought. I think we guys sometimes dismiss modesty (in all the different ways you mentioned) as something we don't need to worry about, when really we should.
ReplyDeleteTHANK YOU! That's a ridiculous meme. Modesty is an ATTITUDE, not just a way to dress. Obviously standards of modest dressing have changed throughout the years but the attitude of modesty should not have. My other complaint is that by teaching my children God's standard people wrongly assert that I am teaching (in their ridiculous opinion) my children and specifically my daughters to be ashamed of their bodies. No I'm not. I'm teaching them to have the utmost respect for their bodies. That they are a sacred and holy gift from a loving Heavenly Father and that we should use our stewardship over them wisely. And that bodies don't just become sacred once we go to the temple and receive garments, but that they are sacred all along. We dress modestly in the privacy of our own home as well, because it isn't just the flaunting or covering of a body that makes someone immodest or modest. I teach an attitude of modest behavior hand in hand with modest dress. It's probably more important. And you're absolutely right - it's not about men!
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