So Sexy Isn't Offensive?

[CC1]

Originally Posted by aegsm76

I have never heard anyone say it was a sin to wear short sleeve clothing.
I have been in churches who do ask their members to not wear it.
The practical reason given is that with some short sleeves on females you can see more than you wish if they raise their arms.
Which is true.

May I introduce you to Elder Epley and a bazillion other ultra cons who do think it is is sin!

[Michael Phelps]

Originally Posted by MissBrattified

"Great peace have they who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble." Psalm 119:165, NIV

Don't be so troubled by what others do. It's a waste of time.

[aegsm76]

Originally Posted by CC1

May I introduce you to Elder Epley and a bazillion other ultra cons who do think it is is sin!

In some ways I am as ultra-con as they come!!!
Our church associates with both WPF and UPC.
The pastor I grew up with was one of the driving forces behind the affirmation statement, in the UPC.
My previous pastor was one of the first to break with the UPC, due to the tv issue.
However, I have still never heard a preacher say this...

[tv1a]

I don't know if I'm skeptical or surprised you aren't aware of the short sleeve doctrine.

Originally Posted by aegsm76

In some ways I am as ultra-con as they come!!!
Our church associates with both WPF and UPC.
The pastor I grew up with was one of the driving forces behind the affirmation statement, in the UPC.
My previous pastor was one of the first to break with the UPC, due to the tv issue.
However, I have still never heard a preacher say this...

[aegsm76]

Originally Posted by tv1a

I don't know if I'm skeptical or surprised you aren't aware of the short sleeve doctrine.

I am very aware of it.
Just have not heard short sleeves called a sin from the pulpit.

[Bro. Robbins]

well... someone asked why I hadn't responded... I haven't been on since Friday... so this morning was the first time I had a chance to read and respond.

In regards to the men... you have to understand the setting I work in, it's quite different than a corporate setting. I work for a large University with a large Medical Center. Typically there is a line between the two entities, but in my job, it's blurred. I work in Cancer Research, therefore there are a smattering of graduate students, many that are foreign, who work on my floor. Not in my department or division, but on my floor. Also, the Medical Center departments enforce the dress code to the letter of the law. While the University is quite leniant and even ignores the same dress code policy for anyone receiving a check (which graduate research students do).

There are some of the young men in the research areas that wear shorts on the floor... which I don't approve of as a Christian. But none of this thread has to do with my convictions as a Christian, but in a business sense. I'm in management, shorts are against the rules. I don't allow shorts on my team... however my staff see other employees, under the same rules, not being forced to go home and change. So our HR policy is to not report them to HR, but that we are to go to the manager of the offending employee... which is what I do.

Now, another poster is to a small extent taking out of context what I said regarding t-shirts and denim jeans. They have no place here at work because they are against the dress code. But in society as a whole, there is a place for denim. I will wear them when working in my yard, or a quick run to a convenient store, etc.... but they are definately not my clothing of choice by any means.... oh, and I won't wear a t-shirt anywhere but at home. To me a t-shirt is an undergarment...way too casual for out in public... and that has nothing to do with conviction or being a Christian, just my feelings toward t-shirts in public.

His citing an earlier thread was where I was stating that society was way too casual, and that it did offend me (not as a Christian, but just as a person and it's inappropriateness) of people wearing jeans out to dinner, shopping, etc.

You folks have to understand... I had many of these feelings about dress and what is appropriate long before ever becoming Apostolic. I had issues with shorts, denim being worn too frequent, over casualness in appearance... and just overall people not knowing what is appropriate in a sophisticated society long before being a Christian.

Lastly... I am a fuddy duddy. I am an extremely serious person, and was long before ever being Apostolic. The dear brother that believes my demeanor is somehow a way to punish myself and is tied only to my walk as a Christian is really mistaken. I was like this long before even becoming a Christian. Even as a child, I didn't enjoy the things that most children found enjoyable as recreation. I would rather be working on chores any day and doing those types of things than playing like most of my friends. I preferred to wear suits and tie to church as a child, even when my dad has never worn a tie and my friends despised being placed in a suit. I would always beg my teachers to stay in at recess and work on extra assignments when in elementary school.... so it's really just the fiber of how I'm made.

[Dagwood]

#1, It probably wouldn't take me, as a male, long to figure out someone dressed in the manner BR described was violating some sort of universal dress code rule, especially in the workplace. During my days of working in the office, there was one particular female who got eyes turned from nearly everyone who saw her. Even if only for a second, one could tell her shirt and skirts were too revealing. Pardon the detailed description, but it's pretty bad when her cleavage (easily blocking her view of her feet) would wiggle and bounce so much she was constantly pulling her shirt up. The same thing happened when she was walking in such short skirts. Since I haven't worked in the office in quite some time, I have no idea if she's still an employee. I can only hope she was talked to by the appropriate people before further action was taken.

#2, I agree that some people dress provocative because they know somone will be looking, whether to entice or not. It's bound to happen. It's modern society. Do I agree with it? Absolutely not. However, I will refrain from repeat glances knowing my eyes have no business feasting on such sights any longer. After all, I'm a married Christian man.

#3, I firmly believe what one displays as provocative is, in disguise, a cry out for attention of some kind, whether the kind they are looking for is Jesus or not. I mean, I think we all need to think back (for those of us non-established church-goers) to when we were hungry and searching for something. While maybe not this degree, I do believe we were all hungry for something and didn't know what at the time. But, when we knew what satisfied our hunger, we remembered it and have kept feeding ourselves since. At least I hope (I'm talking about Jesus here).

#4, The most important thing for all of us to remember: be a witness, not a trouble-maker. If one is provoking something over and over, I would probably wait and see if the situation takes care of itself (i.e., others do the telling-on and the correction happens as a result). God sees both sides, the provocateur and the provoked. He'll take care of whatever needs to happen in order for His will to be done, even in a corporate and/or public setting.