Homepage
Archives
Email Me!
RSS FeedAnother post on Modesty: MODEST SWIMSUIT - AN OXYMORON?
Tuesday, June 27, 2006
Actually, the swimsuit question was rhetorical. I guessed that, after the Committed Christian Guy made several references to the effects of bare flesh on a male mind, it would mean that swimsuits, by nature, are immodest. And, I, personally, cannot understand the bare flesh leading to other thoughts to keep under subjection, because I have never really thought past the bare legs and chest associated with I do believe that modesty is not just being concerned with what someone else thinks. I believe God built each soul with a spirit that wants to be holy and flesh that wants to be, well, hellish. So, that is our decision... holy or hellish. It's funny that I just saw a program about this on PBS History Detectives last night after I had posted that entry. It spoke of how these little itty, bitty eyeglasses, with pictures on them, called stanhopes, coming out of Europe in the 1800's with pictures of scantily-clad or nude women were banned in some countries. It brought up the subject of modesty and the question of why some nude pictures were immodest - or pornographic- and some were considered art. So, almost a century later, with the "free-to-be-me hippy era", we had to make legislation for those who couldn't discern it for themselves. I think when morality and what is modest and what is not was actually legislated in the '60's or 70's (which is not included in the program transcript for some reason), that was the point at which our (we, as a culture) idea of modesty changed. Even if it had changed before, we then had someone who had defined modesty for us, so, even if we felt that something was immodest, we had a law that said otherwise. The definition of modesty was, at that point, being legislated by men, instead of by convictions (from God or the Holy Spirit). That is where the modest moral Christian today loses sight of what morality is - we let someone else define what modesty is or is not - usually culture, or Hollywood or our children's friends... and we would rather go along for the ride, instead of thinking about it and seeking the Truth for ourselves (forget about taking a stand and establishing morality and holiness). Hence, the comments about the lack of modest clothing enforced in the commentors' churches. Sad. So, by definition of modesty... in the holy sense of the word, can a swimsuit, which bares all but... can it be modest? I don't mean a comparatively modest swimsuit (one compared to the -I heard a description recently from a comic- 2 potato chips and a band-aid - swimsuits). After all, why compare a ideal like Holy Modesty with something of such a low standard on the modesty scale?
(7)Comments
Leave A Comment!
Permanent Link
Comments
Wednesday, June 28, 2006 - I Am Really Glad You Posted This
Posted by quietcajun
I have been thinking a lot about this issue... mostly in regards to my daughter. LAST Summer, (and she has changed a lot since then, if you know what I mean!) we were at the lake by our house and a group of young men (ranging from about 12-15 years old, I think) arrived at the lake on their bikes. They were running on the dock and suddenly Kaitlyn ran over to me and grabbed her towel and wrapped it around herself. She was SEETHING with anger and said, "Lets go home, PLEASE!" I was stunned. This girl is the most friendly girl in the world and she LOVES to be outside and she LOVES water!
Then, she told me that there had been a little conversation between the boys that I did not hear... they were all saying what a "HOTTIE" Kaitlyn was and were watching her.
I had not observed that. Probably partly because I did not even imagine its possibility. I had been looking right at those boys and did not realize what was going on.
Kaitlyn was furious. I was glad she was furious rather than flattered! But now... I don't even want to take her to that lake!
That is not fair. She was not immodestly attired per se... she had on a very modest one-piece suit that was not low-cut or high-cut in any way and she had very little to hide last year anyway!
I have looked at suits with shorts and other modest (read: expensive) alternatives. I feel frustrated that my daughter should not be able to enjoy herself b/c of someone else's problem, but at the same time I do not want to make her a stumbling block either!
Ahhhh... parenting, especially Godly parenting, is NOT for cowards!
Permanent Link
Wednesday, June 28, 2006 - Food for thought
Posted by amada
I understand what you mean about the need to define modesty. As believers who understand truth, what you've said makes sense, we need to think differently about how to protect ourselves and others - in all purity.
That said...
How do we swim fully clothed? I guess the weight and resistance would provide more exersize? ;) hheeheheheh
Amy
Cajamarca, Peru
Permanent Link
Wednesday, June 28, 2006 - Untitled Comment
Posted by HeartnSoul
Thank God that my dd has no desire to flaunt anything that would be considered "for sale". Thankfully so far she has not shown signs of needing extra attention from boys, etc. If she were to stay in p.school though, we would be having a problem I think. I screen her emails from past friends and delete all those that say anything about kissing boys, who likes who, etc.
I posted a comment on some one's blog recently about the modesty issue, saying there was a teen in our small church who's parents allowed her to wear short and strapless dresses to church. Actually they couldn't control her at all. One Sunday we were late and sat in the back, behind a man w/ his family. Up two rows to the right was this teen. From where the we all (man included) were sitting the gal in the pew looked like she had nothing on at all, how the pew covered all the clothing, and left were the bare legs and shoulders. This poor man could not keep from looking at her the entire service. She ended up pregnant and unmarried a half a year later.
The boys are growing up disrespecting the "woman". Mostly I'm sure in pschool situations. The church jr and high school groups are terrible IMO, I pray our children will be saved from that bondage.
Permanent Link
Thursday, June 29, 2006 - I stopped by...
Posted by Canadagirl
and wanted to let you know I appreciate your post. I am there right with you on this one.
In Him,
Canadagirl
Permanent Link
Friday, June 30, 2006 - Here's a comment for you!
Posted by rjdjohn316
Hi mom-
I wanted to post a commeent for you!!
I'm just checking out my friends blogs!
Thanks for concerning yourself with this Hobbit!
tigerlily
Permanent Link
Saturday, May 31, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by diamondsintherough
Hi Jacque,
I came over here from your entry about LOTR. (I can't believe no one has commented there yet! Very excellent post.) This swimsuit thing is a big one with my family. We are owners of the "expensive" brand (I think you mean Wholesomewear?). If we lived anywhere else, we might forgo swimming altogether, but we live in one of the hottest places in the country, western AZ. We justified the money spent on truly modest suits when we thought about all the things we DON'T spend money on for our kids, and we make the suits last two years by lengthening them with a double layer of rip-stop nylon. Plus, we buy whatever colors they have left at the end of the season, and get them 40-50% off. For five girls, It's still an investment. My husband wears long nylon pants and a t-shirt. We can't really swim well in these suits, but we can certainly play and cool off.
.
So now, we are modest, but where do we go swimming? Not at the community pool. We have a place far down the lake shore where there usually aren't any swimmers. Our bodies are not for others' eyes, but neither are their bodies for our eyes. It requires some cost and inconvenience to do what we believe the Lord would have us do in this regard, but is never convenient to do the right thing, is it?
I appreciate your godly standards for your family and your willingness to share the convictions you have from God's Word.
Sally
Permanent Link
Wednesday, June 4, 2008 - modest swimsuits
Posted by Anonymous
I was about to invest in one of the expensive alternatives, that to me was a bit more attractive than Wholesome Wear, when I found what I wear now. First, let me recommend you check out this link: http://www.modestclothes.com/modest-swimsuits-modest-swimwear.html
Anyhow, what I did is I went to the thrift store and found a pair of lycra (like exercise clothing) pants, a knee length skirt, a 3/4 sleeve zippered top and a high-enough necked tank for under (the above combo is so I can easily nurse). I cut the pants off to capri length. I think looking for lycra type clothes can give you just about any level of modesty you prefer, and still be quite swimable! I LOVE my outfit. I feel SO comfortable in it. I'm attractive, but I'm not trying to attract sexual attention (it almost looks like a trendy yoga-type getup), I can swim just as easily as if I was half naked, I don't have to worry about anything shifting or moving, I'm not worried about whether or not people are looking, what they are thinking.... I can just BE and have FUN. Did I mention I love it? I hope that helps some of you!
Lindsey
Permanent Link
Entry 588 of 701
Last Page | Next Page
