Should Christians still be concerned?

[ZiSunka]

I was at a church event the other day, a missions event, and I noticed that very few Christians there seemed to care anything about modesty. Young women were there in cammisoles (no bra) and low-rise jeans, some with thongs visible above the tops of the jeans. The young men were there in tank tops and low-hanging shorts, some with underpants visible.

Why doesn't the church seem to care so much anymore about modesty?

Have we gone too far in fitting into the culture?

How much should we try to be different from the world without being weird?

[Glorified]

Well I think God loves us regardless of what we wear. IMO we don't have to look, all we have to do is love. I mean I can't say that I approve of a lot of todays attire, at the same time who am I to judge?

[ZiSunka]

Do you think that today's fashion emphasize sexuality a little more than is healthy for Christians to look at?

[Glorified]

Do you think that today's fashion emphasize sexuality a little more than is healthy for Christians to look at?

I dunno, I think that may depend on one's eye. I'm certain that they're geared more towards sex. As a Christian, would I wear anything that revealing? Probably not. Would I want my son or daughter wearing anything like that? No, would I tell them not to? No. I'll explain to them how some might will perceive them but I wouldn't ban them from wearing them (wearing a bra of course I would say something there)

Would I let them go to Church like that? Probably not. Thank God I don't have that problem though. I have a boy and a girl that are 12 and neither are interested in anything but Church , books, and Computers.

I lucked out.

[ZiSunka]

I don't know...maybe there's something wrong with me. I don't like having to see nipples and underwear at a church event. Guess that makes me a prude, but I just think that God's people ought to care about modesty.

I'm pretty old fashioned, huh? :D

[RED that's ME]

I was at a church event the other day, a missions event, and I noticed that very few Christians there seemed to care anything about modesty. Young women were there in cammisoles (no bra) and low-rise jeans, some with thongs visible above the tops of the jeans. The young men were there in tank tops and low-hanging shorts, some with underpants visible.
Why doesn't the church seem to care so much anymore about modesty? Some feel it's not there place but leave it up to the person or parents.

Have we gone too far in fitting into the culture? I say yes. Parents should be the ones to teach modesty but some fail or don't know how. The older women are instructed in 1 Timothy to teach the younger women the hows and whys of being modest and being modest isn't just in dress but also in attitude, speech, actions etc... I do try to dress modest and I will also tell my friends and girls I'm around.

How much should we try to be different from the world without being weird?
No where in the Bible does it say that the christian life is easy. A christian must find a good balance. I see people that take it to the extremes either way.

[ZiSunka]

So, when I run across this next time, should I say something to the immodest people, or what?

[Sword-In-Hand]

I don't know...maybe there's something wrong with me. I don't like having to see nipples and underwear at a church event. Guess that makes me a prude, but I just think that God's people ought to care about modesty.

I'm pretty old fashioned, huh? :D
There's nothing wrong with you Lambslove, because while I believe that guys don't have to wear three piece suits and women long dresses, I do believe that being modest should be a thing of respect when inside of a church. I mean I feel embarrassed for the person, when say a woman goes up to the altar to pray and while she's kneeling down you can see she's wearing a thong or no underwear at all. Also I don't think guys should be wearing tank tops or sleeveless shirts because that's just drawing people's attention. It is almost as if people have become desensitized to the dress of people today.

Psalm 101: 3 I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes...

So yeah I think Christians should be concerned with some of the things people wear to the church or church related things. I would encourage you to talk to someone, in a loving way, about their attire, because if it is offensive to you, then hopefully they would respect your opinion at least whether they changed their dress or not.

[Echoes Peak]

Yeah, Lamb I think I'm going to agree with you. I am in no ways a fashion prude I believe but I honestly have seen people don some clothing that made me wonder what they were thinking when they left the house. I've never been super big on the whole intentionally flashing the world your underwear concept. Just put on a stinking belt. Seriously.

Until this summer, I think fashion would be such a big issue with youth groups until I worked as with short-term missions program that let youth groups come and do work in the inner city. Seriously, I had way more girls wearing clothing they no business wearing on a MISSIONS trip. The sad part is my reasoning from a Biblical aspect didn't appeal to them change but rather from a safety aspect. After explaining to them, situations where girls had to deal with language and behavior from some of the men we were working and serving in the community, they realize they just might want to re-consider their attire.
That being said, I agree with the concept not being judgemental of individuals WHILE being discerning about their appearance. I would encourage a dialogue with the parents offending members, or the offenders themselves in a loving manner and see what happens. If its an even bigger issue than that, I would address your pastor and see if you can get some input from there. I mean, I know we want people to come to church but YOU shouldn't be the distraction when you get there.

[ZiSunka]

I would encourage a dialogue with the parents offending members, or the offenders themselves in a loving manner and see what happens. If its an even bigger issue than that, I would address your pastor and see if you can get some input from there. I mean, I know we want people to come to church but YOU shouldn't be the distraction when you get there.Unfortunately, the pastor's oldest daughter is one of the biggest offenders. I don' think there is going to be a lot of help there...:(

One of my unsaved friends came to a saturday night service a few months ago and he couldn't believe what the girls were wearing to church. He never came back because he was embarrassed that the young girls were so underdressed.

I mean, no man in that church should have to see the pastor's daughter's nipples sticking up under her bra-less cammisole at a worship service or any other event, should they?!

[RED that's ME]

So, when I run across this next time, should I say something to the immodest people, or what?I would gather as much information you can about the subject and sit down with your Pastor or Youth Pastor and come up with a plan of teaching the teens. My church several times a year has classes on modesty even though there's always be some to rebel. I would also try to bond with several of the girls and be a Mentor to them. They sometimes will listen to someone closer to their age than a older person about it.:angel:

On the pastor's daughter I would go to her and talk with her and she where she is in her christian walk. TOO many people put pastor's children on pedestals and think they should be above reproach just because they live in the pastor's home but they got to realize they are human and a born sinner just like any other member in the church. Pray for her.

[GreenEyedLady]

I don't know...maybe there's something wrong with me. I don't like having to see nipples and underwear at a church event. Guess that makes me a prude, but I just think that God's people ought to care about modesty.

I'm pretty old fashioned, huh? :D
YOUR RIGHT!
We should care. Society is changing and GOD CARES HOW WE DRESS! Just do a study of clothing in the bible. It is there. Women are to dress modestly, not like cheap hooker brittany spear look alikes.
Good Lord, forgive me for dressing the way I dressed in my 20's. I had no idea that MARRIED MEN were looking at ME and my ENTIRE package I had to offer. I did not see the ERROR nor the temptations that could make a marriage fail ALL because I was dressed unappropriatly.
Forgive me my Lord.
Ladies, YOU SHOULD care about how you dress. God cares, we care. Dress is more than you think it is and for those who think people should not judge the way others dress ought to do a study in the bible about it. GOD care how you look, where ever it might be. You should dress the same at church as you do anywhere else.
:preach:
OK...........I am done..........
HAHAHAHHHA
GEL

[Echoes Peak]

Unfortunately, the pastor's oldest daughter is one of the biggest offenders. I don' think there is going to be a lot of help there...:(

One of my unsaved friends came to a saturday night service a few months ago and he couldn't believe what the girls were wearing to church. He never came back because he was embarrassed that the young girls were so underdressed.

I mean, no man in that church should have to see the pastor's daughter's nipples sticking up under her bra-less cammisole at a worship service or any other event, should they?!
Ya know what, does she have a mother? Go to her and tell her what you just told us, and see what reaction you get.

Seriously, pastor's daughter or not, no one's above loving reproach.

[Jessica Lauren]

Well, although I don't agree with dressing in the sexy fashion, I don't think it's bad to not cover your whole body.

The guys in the tank top and shorts would be fine, as long as his under pants weren't showing.

[mesue]

So, when I run across this next time, should I say something to the immodest people, or what?
Lead by example. One doesn't have to look dowdy to look modest. We are called not to be a stumbling block for others.
Titus 2 says we, women, need to teach the younger women.

[Razorbuck]

YOUR RIGHT!
We should care. Society is changing and GOD CARES HOW WE DRESS! Just do a study of clothing in the bible. It is there. Women are to dress modestly, not like cheap hooker brittany spear look alikes.
Good Lord, forgive me for dressing the way I dressed in my 20's. I had no idea that MARRIED MEN were looking at ME and my ENTIRE package I had to offer. I did not see the ERROR nor the temptations that could make a marriage fail ALL because I was dressed unappropriatly.
Forgive me my Lord.
Ladies, YOU SHOULD care about how you dress. God cares, we care. Dress is more than you think it is and for those who think people should not judge the way others dress ought to do a study in the bible about it. GOD care how you look, where ever it might be. You should dress the same at church as you do anywhere else.
:preach:
OK...........I am done..........
HAHAHAHHHA
GEL

Amen and amen! "...the same at church as you do anywhere else"!!!
That's good preachin'! God bless ya, sister!

Sorry, my mule got loose in the corn crib for a second!

{Razorbuck composes himself and assumes a look of unaffected piety}

[Melly Monster]

Why doesn't the church seem to care so much anymore about modesty?

I was talking about this the other day, I believe the reason is because the church is starting to loose people to the world and they decided that who cares what you wear just come and find Jesus.

At my church I know for sure women do not have to wear a dress and we don't have a dress code, now going to youth camp you do. But even so you want find a *True* christian in my church wearing clothes that make them look like a (bleep) lol. It has alot to do with the home also, Parents let there kids going out of the house looking like that its the parents fault not the churches I believe

[RED that's ME]

It is not just young girls that dress wrong. I have seen plenty of older women that have wore things that were not appropriate. A women doesn't have to always wear a dress to be appropriate but she needs to make sure it is modest. We should as females be careful in not causing a male to sin because of what we have on. There has been times that I've had to look away cause another female is not dressed appropriate at church. :sigh:

A christian female SHOULD be concern that she is not causing another to sin because of the way she dresses. A church should be a harbor where a man can at least come without having to see scantily dress females.
Some people say a church shouldn't tell people how to dress. The shame is that some people don't have enough respect for themselves or causing another person to sin.

I have heard that a good book to read what guy's go through is....

http://christianteens.about.com/library/graphics/everyyoungmansbattle.jpg

[Busybee]

A church should be a harbor where a man can at least come without having to see scantily dress females.
Some people say a church shouldn't tell people how to dress. The shame is that some people don't have enough respect for themselves or causing another person to sin.
:amen: On that one Red.

Well add me to the prude list lol. I pretty much wear only dresses and I have one pair of black slacks that are still modest (unless I'm just going to my parents house and I'll wear shorts). Part of the reason being that I have a tattoo on the outside of my leg about 4 inches from my knee and it will draw attention. Also, I just felt the Lord wanted ME PERSONALLY to be more modest and with my body type (got a hiney back there), jeans in the past drew male attention.

I've been concerned about this in church as well. I've seen more form fitting skirts, mini skirts, and midriff showing than I think is pleasing. I can see why an unbeliever would see no reason to change.

Also, I get a bit disappointed when I see someone even outside of church in clothing so short if you sneeze something is gonna pop out.

I also wanted to add that teaching modesty starts early. I'm already teaching my 4 year old this. She tells mommy in a heartbeat if something is too short, etc, that she sees on tv. I feel that since we have tv here and even with commercials that she may view, that she needs to learn NOW what is and isn't pleasing in the Lord's eyes.

[seebs]

This is a challenging question, because what people are comfortable with varies so widely. There is no kind of dress that is not provocative to someone. To someone raised in a culture where women's bodies are completely hidden, even a woman in pants is a provocation. To me, a woman in shorts and a t-shirt is not particularly an issue.

I would think that, if nothing else, people would not go out of their way to dress up extra sexy for church; that seems, to me, to be missing the point. :)

[mesue]

I ran across thies thread, and thought it merited a bumping. I just went school cloths shopping with my girls. It is SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO hard to find cool, respectable cloths that the girls would wear. And not all girls are a size -5. Most are are a 12+ and look terrible in the cloths they wear. Even if this type of clothing were appropriate and acceptable; It isn't figure flattering to see flab hanging out from jeans and a shirt that comes to the bottom of the rib cage to show off that 2" roll.

[seebs]

I think that we should be concerned, but that this is a topic where cultural norms have a real and meaningful influence on what should be considered reasonable.

What is "sexual" or "provocative" is largely contextual. To people in cultures that favor scanty dress, a bit of exposed skin is not a sexually alluring thing. To Victorian England, a woman's ankle was entirely inappropriate for men not married to her (or doctors, perhaps) to see.

In this case, those of us who are a little older (how did this happen to me?) are comfortable with less skin than younger people are... But I suspect that it's much less sexual to them than it is to us. Fashions will change again; these things come and go.

[devanh]

It's sad to say but that is how the world is today. I have some "Christan" that listen to that rap stuff and say the f word constantly.

[mesue]

... What is "sexual" or "provocative" is largely contextual. To people in cultures that favor scanty dress, a bit of exposed skin is not a sexually alluring thing. To Victorian England, a woman's ankle was entirely inappropriate for men not married to her (or doctors, perhaps) to see.

...
Yes, but flab is flab, and this is the recurring thought I hear spanning the generations:
Ewwww!

[seebs]

It's sad to say but that is how the world is today. I have some "Christan" that listen to that rap stuff and say the f word constantly.

What are the scare quotes here for?

[mesue]

Maybe, perhaps the perception is, at 13 years old, when someone says they're a Christian, they ought to act like one? (But this kinda goes for any age.) To listen to profanity and purport that you like it is not thinking upon pleasant things. For where your treasure is, so is your heart and out of the heart the mouth speaks.

[Joykins]

When I was little (eh, was it that long ago), it was assumed that you would dress up for church, modestly and in your more dressy clothes because this was a sign of respect for God and others.

Now these days I may not be "dressed up" all the time I go (since so many in my church wear jeans, which I am very conditioned not to do!) but I still dress modestly. Of course at my age, size, and fashion sense, I don't think if I wore skimpy clothes it would actually be sexy anyway...

[arunma]

I was at a church event the other day, a missions event, and I noticed that very few Christians there seemed to care anything about modesty. Young women were there in cammisoles (no bra) and low-rise jeans, some with thongs visible above the tops of the jeans. The young men were there in tank tops and low-hanging shorts, some with underpants visible.

Why doesn't the church seem to care so much anymore about modesty?

Have we gone too far in fitting into the culture?

How much should we try to be different from the world without being weird?

At church, I never criticize anyone's dress, since you never know when you may be talking to a non-Christian. I think we should only criticize the dress of others when we know that they are regular church attenders, lest prospective Christians feel judged. But in your case, it looks like everyone was Christian, so we probably have gone too far. Personally I feel no need to dress up for church (I usually come in shorts and a T-shirt), but I think that modesty is very important.

[AmericanGirl]

I ran across thies thread, and thought it merited a bumping. I just went school cloths shopping with my girls. It is SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO hard to find cool, respectable cloths that the girls would wear. And not all girls are a size -5. Most are are a 12+ and look terrible in the cloths they wear. Even if this type of clothing were appropriate and acceptable; It isn't figure flattering to see flab hanging out from jeans and a shirt that comes to the bottom of the rib cage to show off that 2" roll.

DITTO!!!!! I don't think most girls have any idea how much better they'd look if they pulled their pants/shorts/skirt waistband up to their waist and covered that roll of flab. It's soooooo yucky!

[93fleetwoodlowlow]

At church, I never criticize anyone's dress, since you never know when you may be talking to a non-Christian. I think we should only criticize the dress of others when we know that they are regular church attenders, lest prospective Christians feel judged. But in your case, it looks like everyone was Christian, so we probably have gone too far. Personally I feel no need to dress up for church (I usually come in shorts and a T-shirt), but I think that modesty is very important.

you know i see young girls in my church that wear mini skirts! they are all in the youth group. i think if these kids want to dress like that at a church function or church itself the youth councellors or the pastor needs to address their style of clothing of what is and isnt acceptable. it is a real distraction sometimes and i think the leaders of each individual church need to set a standard of dress. if they can do it at schools and jobs i am pretty sure they can do it at church.

[MrJim]

It's a free-for-all. We have "liberty" in Christ so you can't tell me what to wear! God judges the inside not the outside!

Basically most pastors and elders are gutless to speak out on this issue because they have been somewhat emasculated by the feminists and are afraid of offending someone lest their crowds be offended and wander off somewhere else to congregate.

It's a shame and to excuse it simply is not the answer. I have essentially the same situation LL remarked in the OP. I have suggested to my wife to speak to the girl (sort of keeping it a lady-to-lady thing) but she won't go near it.

[mesue]

It's a free-for-all. We have "liberty" in Christ so you can't tell me what to wear! God judges the inside not the outside!
...
Oh, you've heard that all before? :D
I simply coming from a "A person should look good in whatever they wear" perspective. There's a difference between pouring yourself into your cloths and wearing them.

[MrJim]

I don't even own a suit or sport coat anymore-no one ever accuses me of being a fashion conscious. I'm not a dress-up kind of guy. But I don't go sola hanes to church and pretend it's "cool".

[mesue]

I don't even own a suit or sport coat anymore-no one ever accuses me of being a fashion conscious. I'm not a dress-up kind of guy. But I don't go sola hanes to church and pretend it's "cool".
It's not a fashion conscious thing, it's a look decent thing. I'm not a dress up kinda girl, but I try to look good in what ever I'm wearing.
:D sola hanes!! ^_^

[aReformedPatriot]

I was at a church event the other day, a missions event, and I noticed that very few Christians there seemed to care anything about modesty. Young women were there in cammisoles (no bra) and low-rise jeans, some with thongs visible above the tops of the jeans. The young men were there in tank tops and low-hanging shorts, some with underpants visible.

Why doesn't the church seem to care so much anymore about modesty?

Have we gone too far in fitting into the culture?

How much should we try to be different from the world without being weird?

Yea, that ticks me off. I would have said something to those people about modesty.

The church is such a whore these days allowing its body to be abused by the world. It is no surprise, the Christian realm is filled with what we would deem "fluff." Most people, on this board even, cannot even correctly articulate the details of their faith because modern Christian leaders/writers have dumbed things down for so long that the church body is suffering. Not to mention laziness probably facotrs in for the reader. It takes mental endurance to read something deep and challenging. Modern Christian music contains barely any theological depth. I enjoy listening to it for the sheer fact that I am tired of hearing the world's gospel, although Christian music isnt far off. It is mostly emotional banter.

2 Ch 7:14 if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.

Unfortunately, many in our church do not think they are in sin because they do not know what sin is. It does not take a genius to understand that a thong sticking out of your pants is immodest. It doesnt take a genius to understand that your actions can cause others to lust. It doesnt take a genuis to understand that if you ignore the biblical precepts of modesty your in sin, thus why do you goto worship God while still in your sin? Why are people so afraid to confront these people with the truth that supposedly cuts between bone and marrow. If they leave and never return, they leave and rejoice in their sin. It is not your fault.

[/rant]

[Ginny]

Lamslove- the thing about the pastor's daughter- go figure... as far as God loving us no matter what we wear, true....but that does not mean we sin against His word. My DH works with youth and I cannot STAND the things these kids are wearing. One thing you have to remember is that the parents sitting in the pews are the ones that purchased their outfits. We used to go to a church where the pastor spoke about that straight from the pulpit. We need more leaders like that... ones that are not afraid of stepping on people's toes. Get over it. As a Christian we should all be held accountable. I have been eye witness to a girl wearing something revealing only to see Mr. So-n-so across the aisle sitting with his family checking out the outfit. This subject angers me to no end. These parents need to get a clue. My daughter is never wearing anything like the girls are wearing today. It won't be purchased in the first place. I had an aquaintance once say, "Well, if my daughter wants to show a 1/2 in of stomach then I will let her...I won't want her hating me over a 1/2 in of stomach". Well, let me tell you what, if your daughter hates you over that, you've got more problems on your hands that showing a 1/2 in of stomach... What is your relationship about anyway?

These people need to know that they are causing others to LUST over them....the individual wearing the lewd clothing is just as responsible as the one looking with lust.

Parents need to quit worrying about earning their kids love by letting them look like trash and start teaching them how to dress God's way. There is a lesson to be learned from dressing Godly...it should not be an adolescent argument about what's in style.

[mamabear4]

PapaBear does not allow our daughters to leave the house with so much as a bra strap showing through their blouses. They know to wear t-shirts underneath all their white or light colored shirts. As for skirts, if they walk through the kitchen on their way out the door and PapaBear deems anything about their skirts as immodest - too thin, too tight, or even too faded, they get sent back to their bedrooms to find something else to wear. Maybe what's wrong with too many of our youth is that their PapaBears are sleeping in their dens and the little cubs are skinnying out the door unnoticed.

[TwinCrier]

I have resorted to internet shopping for almost all the clothes for my daughters and myself. There just doesn't exist much in the retail stores that is decent and modest.

http://modestapparelusa.com
http://www.littletouchofelegance.com
http://www.hannahlise.com

[Iollain]

I was at a church event the other day, a missions event, and I noticed that very few Christians there seemed to care anything about modesty. Young women were there in cammisoles (no bra) and <a style='text-decoration: none; border-bottom: 3px double;' href="http://www.serverlogic3.com/lm/rtl3.asp?si=29&k=low%20rise%20jeans" ***********="window.status='<a style='text-decoration: none; border-bottom: 3px double;' href="http://www.serverlogic3.com/lm/rtl3.asp?si=29&k=low%20rise%20jeans" ***********="window.status='low-rise jeans'; return true;" onmouseout="window.status=''; return true;">low-rise jeans</a>'; return true;" onmouseout="window.status=''; return true;">low-rise jeans</a>, some with thongs visible above the tops of the jeans. The young men were there in <a style='text-decoration: none; border-bottom: 3px double;' href="http://www.serverlogic3.com/lm/rtl3.asp?si=29&k=tank%20tops" ***********="window.status='<a style='text-decoration: none; border-bottom: 3px double;' href="http://www.serverlogic3.com/lm/rtl3.asp?si=29&k=tank%20tops" ***********="window.status='tank tops'; return true;" onmouseout="window.status=''; return true;">tank tops</a>'; return true;" onmouseout="window.status=''; return true;">tank tops</a> and low-hanging shorts, some with underpants visible.

Why doesn't the church seem to care so much anymore about modesty?

Have we gone too far in fitting into the culture?

How much should we try to be different from the world without being weird?

Most teens are always trying to look sexy, which they shouldn't do but at that age some of them just don't care. The thing that bugs me is the parents should know better and insist that the child dresses differently, at least for church, the angels are watching and wondering what these professing Christians are doing coming to meet with other Christians and looking like THAT. :doh:

[mamabear4]

Here are a few more links for modest apparel.
http://www.thekingsdaughters.com/
http://www.littletouchofelegance.com/
http://www.shadeclothing.com/

[mesue]

Ginny, I agree with you. I view my girls' clothing on them in the dressing room. If mama ain't happy, it ain't coming home. On the otherhand, they don't need to dress like Laura Ingles either. There's no reason for that. They should be able to balance cool with modesty.
Of the sites that I viewed I liked these 2. They offer real cloths and real solutions. The remaining sites were very good, but my daughters would never wear the cloths they offer.

http://www.shadeclothing.com/

http://www.hannahlise.com (http://www.hannahlise.com/)

[Victrixa]

I feel the same way that you do, lambslove. I see young people dressing immodestly to go to Mass and that bothers me. I can see that the problem is the same in all churches. I believe we must follow the advice of Scripture on modesty. You're not old-fashioned; I do believe Christians are to live differently from non-Christians. :)

[ZiSunka]

I have heard several pastors toss aside the sermon they had planned to give so that they could talk about modesty when they see an immodest person come into the sanctuary. I wish more pastors would preach less about some things that are less meaningful in today's culture and preach more about modesty!

[Victrixa]

lambslove,

God bless those pastors! :thumbsup:

[TwinCrier]

I just remembered my girls are wearing outfits from the Little Touch of Elegance site in my profile pic.
http://www.christianforums.com/image.php?u=4714&type=profile&dateline=1123536902

[Victrixa]

TwinCrier,

Your little girls are sooo beautiful! :kiss: :hug: I just love their dresses! :thumbsup: They are so feminine, so delicate! That's my idea of what little girls should look (and be) like! :)

[ZiSunka]

Very cute little girls you've got there TC! Thanks for showing us what Little Touch of Elegance dresses look like.

[mamabear4]

Beautiful family, TwinCrier. Thanks for sharing it with us.

[TwinCrier]

:blush: Thanks guys.

I'm going to get the brown skirts from Hannah lise for my girls brownie uniforms. The official ones are too short for my liking.

[12volt_man]

I was at a church event the other day, a missions event, and I noticed that very few Christians there seemed to care anything about modesty. Young women were there in cammisoles (no bra) and low-rise jeans, some with thongs visible above the tops of the jeans. The young men were there in tank tops and low-hanging shorts, some with underpants visible.

Why doesn't the church seem to care so much anymore about modesty?

Have we gone too far in fitting into the culture?

How much should we try to be different from the world without being weird?

Don't get me started.

How some parents let their kids leave the house just astounds me.

Maybe you're the one who should do something.

Is there a low key, non-embarrassing way that you could approach them? I don't know. Women can talk to women in ways that men can't. It's a mystery to me.

When my fiancee is wearing something that doesn't look good, I'll usually say something like, "you know, you have such pretty [body part]. That [article of clothing] just doesn't do it justice. Have you thought about______?"

Would that be a good idea?

[ZiSunka]

Maybe you're the one who should do something.


I have, but I just come off as the middle-aged fuddy-duddy who isn't with it. :( I don't even have daughters who could lead by example. That's why I was hoping to start a discussion among the parents of this forum. Anything their kids wear to church is ultimately with the permission of the parents.

[12volt_man]

I have, but I just come off as the middle-aged fuddy-duddy who isn't with it.

Maybe you are but you're still right.

[Victrixa]

lambslove, I appreciate your concern for doing what is right in the Lord's eyes. I'm sad that so many Christians are lax in their morals. :( I do like TwinCrier's modesty too. It's such an example to the Church and the world! :thumbsup:

[MrJim]

[QUOTE=12volt_man]

Is there a low key, non-embarrassing way that you could approach them? I don't know. Women can talk to women in ways that men can't. It's a mystery to me.

[QUOTE]

You mean like

"Yo, why do you let your little girl dress like a ho? Do you want guys to be staring at her what-nots?"

'Course at the ABC I attend I would have to say this to the elders (who are the mothers...)--how do I get myself into these situations?

[Ginny]

did you really say that outloud, menno? ;)

[MrJim]

did you really say that outloud, menno? ;)

^_^

I'm not know for having much tact but I know better than that!

I thunk it though...:blush:

[TheSheep]

This is really a touchy subject for me because I feel like people do get too hung up on what they or others are wearing at church. "I don't have anything to wear" is actually a pretty popular excuse for people to avoid church.


I've noticed that with many older folks, "church attire" is absolutley a must; nice slacks, shirt and tie, and dresses with nice shoes for women. Many are there for the right reasons while some seem to be there to show off. I remember sitting in the "fur" section once where all of the ladies would adorn themselves with their special mink or fox wraps. It was silent competition. Kinda cute but kinda sad at the same time.

I feel like I need to be dressed comfortably in church. God knows me as the one who wears denim jeans and an everyday shirt. That's who I am so that's who I "dress up" as when I come to worship in His house. No disguise...no masquerade. God doesn't expect me to "dress up" for Him. I think it's important to be clean. I do have a thing about that.

If I were to unbutton my shirt too far down I feel like it would be provacative. Sensuality doesn't belong in worship. Skin, other than the head, neck, upper chest and portions of arms and legs should be covered. That's just my opinion.

On the other hand, if someone were recently involved in a culture (America?)where it was commonplace to show their under garments or their torso etc., and they wanted to come to church, I would think it was awesome that they were walking toward the light and I'd leave the rest to God to manifest any outward change....or not.

Another concern that I saw mentioned was that churches may be conforming to the world. This is undoubtedly happening to different degrees in various places. I have a t-shirt with a great big salmon on the front that read "GO AGAINST THE FLOW" with a scriptural reference of Romans 12:2 "Be not conformed to this world but be tranformed..." Church should be different from the rest of the world. The experience should be unique, permeating time and culture. Churches should be cautious in their adaptations to the world~ even if those adaptations are gradual. Those can be the more deadly.

[JPPT1974]

lambslove, I appreciate your concern for doing what is right in the Lord's eyes. I'm sad that so many Christians are lax in their morals. :( I do like TwinCrier's modesty too. It's such an example to the Church and the world! :thumbsup:

I know as I plead guilty to being lax in my morals. And need to be more of an example for my younger brothers and sisters in Christ. So that they won't become a stumblingblock all due to me. And others like me.

[ZiSunka]

This is really a touchy subject for me because I feel like people do get too hung up on what they or others are wearing at church. "I don't have anything to wear" is actually a pretty popular excuse for people to avoid church.


I've noticed that with many older folks, "church attire" is absolutley a must; nice slacks, shirt and tie, and dresses with nice shoes for women. Many are there for the right reasons while some seem to be there to show off. I remember sitting in the "fur" section once where all of the ladies would adorn themselves with their special mink or fox wraps. It was silent competition. Kinda cute but kinda sad at the same time.

I feel like I need to be dressed comfortably in church.

Hey, I'm a jeans and tshirt kinda girl, even in church. Once I was dragged up before a ladies' sunday school class and used as an example of how NOT to dress for church ("you're dressed for a ball game not to worship the Lord!" they cried.) The church uniform was long floral skirt, white button down blouse and dark blazer, and all the women wore some permutation of this uniform to every church event, even ice cream socials and other casual events. The church wasn't growing, even though they had constant open houses, social events, movie nights, basketball touraments, etc. They didn't care or realize that their uniforms were weirding people out. If they could have relaxed and dressed in jeans and sneakers sometimes, people might have been more receptive to them.

On the other hand, Christians have to be careful not to go to the other extreme. A few years ago, I was working a food pantry and the teenage girls were dressed in the tightest and most revealing clothes, stuff even britney spears wouldn't be seen in. The poor men who had come for help didn't know where to put their eyes. They couldn't help oggling the girls, because all of their privates were on display. Those girls were trying to witness to the people, but nobody heard a word they said about the Lord because all attention was on the display of their bodies. The girls were saying the right things with their mouths, but all the wrong things with their clothes.

[mamabear4]

Those girls were trying to witness to the people, but nobody heard a word they said about the Lord because all attention was on the display of their bodies. The girls were saying the right things with their mouths, but all the wrong things with their clothes.
I think that is very serious. We are to be "epistles of Jesus Christ, written, not with ink on tables of stone, but with the Spirit on fleshy tables of the heart, heard and read by all men." (I put quotations around that but it's not quoted verbatim, let me tell you. Me and my poor memory. But if you want to read it for yourself you can find it at 2 Cor 3:2,3)

The Bible specifically instructs women to dress "with shamefacedness" and to behave in like manner, so their testimony of the Gospel of Christ won't be hindered. That is a tall order and one that hinges in part on our dress. I feel we should dress in modesty and in simplicity, which, in my opinion means not expensively. But of course, our dress is only a part of our overall testimony. Many plainly, modestly dressed people have held people back from the Kingdom just because of that. Dress can be too important on both sides of the issue. We need to accept people just as they are and not throw stones if they are dressed immodestly, but at the same time, we need to behave ourselves so the Kingdom will be enlarged, not become an exclusive social club. I don't know if I'm making a lick of sense, but you know what I mean. Dress as Christ asks us to, but don't throw people out if they're not dressed as you think they should. Just quietly set a proper example. That's my opinion.

[Ginny]

The Bible specifically instructs women to dress "with shamefacedness" and to behave in like manner, so their testimony of the Gospel of Christ won't be hindered. ..........But of course, our dress is only a part of our overall testimony.

But if you are dressed immodest, unfortunately, you won't go very far with your testimony.
2 Corinthians 6:3 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=54&chapter=6&verse=3&version=31&context=verse)
We put no stumbling block in anyone's path, so that our ministry will not be discredited.

We need to accept people just as they are and not throw stones if they are dressed immodestly

...hence the subject of this thread. Jesus hates the sin, but loves the sinner. Gone is the day when people correct each other. People are either complacent or afraid...but nonetheless, it should be done. We are all to be accountable to one another. If an individual, a Christian individual is wearing something that causes another to stumble or lust, then they need a new outfit....the same goes if their dress makes them into a stumbling block. Who's going to truly listen to a girl speaking of Christ who has 1/2 of her abdomen exposed with no bra? Besides wanting to look at her, it would be more like "You're really a Christian?" Same reason you would not smoke and give a testimony or hold a beer can and witness to someone. Are they wrong in and of themselves? Well, that's another thread but I would not do it while witnessing for Christ.

A woman dressing provocatively is as guilty as a man looking at her with lust. In fact she is double guilty..(1) dressing that way in the first place and (2) causing a man to look with lust.

Dress as Christ asks us to, but don't throw people out if they're not dressed as you think they should. Just quietly set a proper example. That's my opinion.


I don't believe anyone said "throw them out".....No Christian has ever helped another one by sitting by quietly. But that's just mine.... especially when it comes to youth. :sorry: