Comments on thinking-out-loud: At What Point Does It Cease to Be a Skirt?

Thanks for your kind words, Darth (Aaron). I'm gl...

2008-06-26T08:58:00.000-04:00

Thanks for your kind words, Darth (Aaron). I'm glad if my comments were of interest and benefit.

I was abruptly reminded of these thoughts again last week, when I looked up from reading at Panera to see a young woman displaying her white little under-thingys to the room as she was bending down (in front of the soda fountain) to retrieve something out of her purse. Her cute little mini skirt was barely big enough to cover her butt to begin with, but it hadn't a chance while she was on her reconnaissance mission. What was she thinking? Or was she? Or was she?

Mind you, this was not some teeny-bopper, but appeared to be a young mother, in her 20s maybe. She had a little boy in tow with her, who acted as though he were her son. As one might expect, I have a lot of sympathy for mothers with children; and, granted, even one little boy can be a handful. But I guess the point would be, don't go out in public without sufficient fabric to cover the necessities. I wonder what her son will grow up thinking about women and their bodies.

As per usual, my comment comes late, but I also wa...

2008-06-14T23:16:00.000-04:00

As per usual, my comment comes late, but I also want to express my appreciation for your addressing this, Pr. Stuckwisch. It is always good to see other people voice concerns about modesty. This has been a hot-button issue for me, but sometimes I feel kind of alone in trying to deal with it.

--Aaron

Thanks, everyone, for your kind and thoughtful res...

2008-04-27T03:54:00.000-04:00

Thanks, everyone, for your kind and thoughtful responses. I am most gratified that my words were evidently received in the spirit I intended them; that is, as being neither pietistic, prudish nor perverted, but pious, prudent and evangelical.

I'm sorry that I haven't been able to reply to each of you, as I would love to do (whenever anyone comments on my blog); but I do appreciate each person's input, and I thank you for that.

This is a great post, dad. I have definitely notic...

2008-04-25T12:18:00.000-04:00

This is a great post, dad. I have definitely noticed that most Lutherans avoid really talking about this issue, and it makes sense that they are trying to avoid being legalists (there are definitely those who tend to be too legalistic about such things). Being a guy, however, I definitely know what you mean about OUR need for women to dress modestly, and I really don't think that a lot of women really understand that.

One thing that REALLY bothers me is that I constantly hear people saying something along the lines of "It's ok to look, just don't touch." This is so ridiculous! Looking is not only a way of giving into temptation already, and sinning in the heart and mind, but it also has the effect of leading to even greater attention! Women do need to practice more modesty for their own sake and for the sake of the men who see them, but I think men really need to take their own responsibilities seriously as well. It's very difficult, especially with fashion the way it is today (I feel sorry for your experience with short skirts in Siberia--just imagine living on a college campus), but at least getting the idea that it's ok to "check out" every girl that walks by out of our heads would go a long way, I think...

Amen Pastor! Thank you for tackling this. Not many...

2008-04-23T20:49:00.000-04:00

Amen Pastor! Thank you for tackling this. Not many do or will.

And I might add that not only does immodest apparel tempt young men, but it also makes modestly dressed young women feel exposed just by being in the presence of one who is not so modestly covered.

Thank you, Pastor Stuckwisch, for saying this so w...

2008-04-23T20:28:00.000-04:00

Thank you, Pastor Stuckwisch, for saying this so well.

Well said!Now could you talk about young men whose...

2008-04-23T15:30:00.000-04:00

Well said!

Now could you talk about young men whose pants don't always cover what they should in their lower back regions?

Thanks for risking it. Few could do it so well. (A...

2008-04-23T14:30:00.000-04:00

Thanks for risking it. Few could do it so well. (And without the vitriol of someone who, a few months after the birth of her fourth child, isn't looking so hot!)

This is a wonderful post! At 35, I'm not even a mi...

2008-04-23T12:44:00.000-04:00

This is a wonderful post! At 35, I'm not even a middle-aged pastor, but old enough where I now get annoyed at the young women, as you say, here in Siberia (MN), who are oblivious to these things.

It is especially bad at the communion rail. Here, of all places, common sense alone should remind women, whatever the age, that low-cut blouses are a major distraction for a pastor who is trying to offer the body and blood of Christ to his flock. Ladies, for the sake of the dignity of Christ and His Sacrament, and for the sake of all your fellow Christians who need the forgiveness of sins, please, cover yourselves better.

Part of the problem, I am convinced, is that most women have no idea how the male flesh responds to such visual temptation, and the rest know, but cannot comprehend it. They blame the individual men, not understanding that they may as well blame the north pole of one magnet for being drawn toward the south pole of another. Men are equally oblivious to the fact that women really have no idea how men are wired to respond. As one talk-show host I once heard remarked on this matter, "The phrase 'Men are from Mars and women are from Venus' is entirely wrong, because it implies they are from the same solar system."

Your pastoral manner in dealing with this issue is excellent, and I would like to recommend this article to every Christian father, mother, and pastor.

So now I'm feeling guilty, sitting here in a spagh...

2008-04-23T11:18:00.000-04:00

So now I'm feeling guilty, sitting here in a spaghetti-strap tank-top, wondering if I'm being indecent. (Hey, the hot flashes have been bad recently, and sometimes sleeves are unbearable!)

I know what you mean regarding "when it ceases to be a skirt and become a wide belt." The acolytes at church had hip-length surplices or calf-length albs. They usually wore the surplices. After several Sundays of girls looking like they had on nothing BUT the surplice, one altar-guild lady hid the surplices and left only the albs. (If you can't finagle out of a tradition of having girl acolytes, at least they could have their thighs covered!)

Well said. Thank you. I'm glad when men speak out ...

2008-04-23T10:31:00.000-04:00

Well said. Thank you.

I'm glad when men speak out on these things. In our home, everything I have to say on dress and hair and, well, anything under the sun, is only made real once it has Dad's backing. Dads of the world, speak up.