CS Lewis on modesty and societal propriety

[*AQuietPlace*]

"The Christian rule of chastity must not be confused with the social rule of “modesty” (in one sense of that word: i.e. propriety, or decency). The social rule of propriety lays down how much of the human body should be displayed and what subjects can be referred to, and in what words, according to the customs of a given social circle.

Thus, while the rule of chastity is the same for all Christians at all times, the rule of propriety changes. A girl in the Pacific islands wearing hardly any clothes and a Victorian lady completely covered in clothes might both be equally “modest,” proper, and decent, according to the standards of their own societies; and both, for all we can tell by their dress, might be equally chaste (or equally unchaste)."

- Mere Christianity

[Sister Alvear]

and something as a lady I can tell you...we all know when a woman is wanting to "show off"...and we all know a Goldly lady when we see one....

[ThePastorsCoach]

This is so true. I have preached with several women from the jungle sitting on the front bench breast feeding and showing it all and then in the islands where flip flops and shorts were the norm. I was on one South Pacific Island and the UPC pastor from a southern state was trying to preach them into hell for flip flops and flowered shirts while his neighboring pastor from Samoa was preaching in a skirt! Most of that is cultural anyway.

[*AQuietPlace*]

There is some great food for thought in this article:

http://ptm.org/09PT/Winter/modesty.pdf


One quote, which I think is very thought provoking -

"While immodest apparel focuses attention on women as sexual objects, obsessive teaching on dress codes creates the same focus. Preachers and other spiritual leaders reinforce the destructive message that women and girls are so distracting sexually that they must be covered up beyond cultural sensibilities."

More -

"Inadvertently, the focus on female modesty and guilt labels men as victims of their own sexual impulses."


"For many, church-generated propriety and modesty standards are less about listening to God, and more about following the culture within a sub-group or denomination."

(can the church say amen??)

[Sabby]

Originally Posted by *aquietplace*

"the christian rule of chastity must not be confused with the social rule of “modesty” (in one sense of that word: I.e. Propriety, or decency). The social rule of propriety lays down how much of the human body should be displayed and what subjects can be referred to, and in what words, according to the customs of a given social circle.

Thus, while the rule of chastity is the same for all christians at all times, the rule of propriety changes. A girl in the pacific islands wearing hardly any clothes and a victorian lady completely covered in clothes might both be equally “modest,” proper, and decent, according to the standards of their own societies; and both, for all we can tell by their dress, might be equally chaste (or equally unchaste)."

- mere christianity

excellent!

[Sabby]

People also don't realize that C.S. Lewis married late in life, used to have lively discussions with notables such as Tolkien at the local meeting house (pub) and (according to one professional I know) smoked cigars.

None of which takes away from the statement of chastity vs modesty.

[RandyWayne]

Originally Posted by Sabby

People also don't realize that C.S. Lewis married late in life, used to have lively discussions with notables such as Tolkien at the local meeting house (pub) and (according to one professional I know) smoked cigars.

None of which takes away from the statement of chastity vs modesty.

And the point being?

[Amanah]

I think I may want to read his book

[Sabby]

Originally Posted by RandyWayne

And the point being?

RW....????
Stirring the pot since standards is the underlying theme here

[Sabby]

I see Lewis' point and completely agree with it. I'm getting cynical.