Modesty as described by the General Youth Division

[Pressing-On]

Originally Posted by tstew

I just don't think modesty and "standards" were the point of what I read there at all. Believe it or not there are some in the org whose every waking thought is not about such things

It read to me as a discussion of style and more exactly as a discussion of how dressed up people were in their best. The discussion of women in ankle length gowns and fancy hair, and men in bow-ties and vests could be found in style discussions of any formal type event. That is basically the standard of formal or black-tie events.

I would not get so worked up about "standards" every time I saw mention of women in ankle-length dresses. If you were to Google it you would be just as likely to find discussions of inaugurations, black-tie events, and proms as you would an Apostolic service.

Stop being so sensible. You're going to scare people!

[Pressing-On]

Good points on your posts, Miss Bratti!! Don't tell me that I'm being immodest when I get dressed up. Your definition on modesty is correct. I'm not a causal dresser. It's just how I roll....

[MissBrattified]

Originally Posted by *AQuietPlace*

I don't get worked up about standards when I read such things, but the contradiction does bother me.

For instance, I'm not supposed to wear a wedding ring. Our church's stance has been not to wear them. (although that may change pretty soon) The reason for not wearing them has been 'we don't believe in adorning our bodies'. Not wearing a wedding ring has always bugged me. And when I go to conferences and see over-the-top dress, the contradiction really bugs me. Double standards have always set my teeth on edge, and I feel like that is an definite double standard. A wedding ring is too flashy, but goo-gaws in my hair is not??

I agree that the article posted had nothing whatever to do with standards. It just started an interesting train of thought.

A completely agree with what you're saying here, about a double standard. My sister who goes to Promiseland in Austin sang at a wedding of a friend's daughter at a fairly conservative church in ________. She was lamenting the fact that she showed up in a simple black dress with some good heels, sheer sleeves *GASP* and her watch and wedding ring, and while NO one else was wearing "jewelry", she said she had never seen so much sewn on glitter. Sequins, pearls attached TO the clothing, etc. Apparently as long as the glitz is sewn onto the clothing or into the fabric, it's permissible. LOL!!!! So, I understand perfectly what you mean by the double standard.

However, that doesn't translate into: You're wrong if you wear sequins. It translates into: You're wrong for wearing gold on your sweater and hypocritically condemning someone for wearing gold around their neck.

[*AQuietPlace*]

Originally Posted by MissBrattified

I understand your point, although I'm not sure I agree 100%. For instance, I've gone from a date with my husband to the mall--still dressed up. Was there something wrong with that? Walking through the mall all dressed up, amid casually dressed patrons is somehow immodest simply because I look different?

Miss B, I am not talking about being dressed up. I love to dress up. I own a gazillion pairs of high heels, I love clothes, and I love to fix my hair nice, wear bright colors, I adore clothes.

I'm talking about WEIRD hairdos, for one thing. There is a friend of mine who many of us are honestly embarrassed to go to the mall with. Because her hairdo is OUT THERE. She gets stares everywhere she goes. She even commented on it once - 'Everyone is staring at me, they can see the glory of God on me'. Um, no. They're staring at you because your hairdo is WEIRD.

If you're dressed up, you're not going to stand out that much. Everyone will just assume you're dressed up. But if you have on a jean skirt, a t-shirt, sandals....and a huge barrel-curled updo, it just draws attention.

I'm not talking about normal "being dressed up." I'm talking outlandish. And if you haven't seen outlandish, you haven't been to some of the conferences I've been to.

[*AQuietPlace*]

Originally Posted by MissBrattified

Bottom line: I don't think we should be quick to condemn a bunch of kids to being shallow and lacking spirituality or sincerity because they show up in colorful, fashionable, formal clothing. That's pretty judgmental, IMO. About the same as judging the casual dresser in the same way.

I don't think anyone did that.

[*AQuietPlace*]

Originally Posted by MissBrattified

A completely agree with what you're saying here, about a double standard. My sister who goes to Promiseland in Austin sang at a wedding of a friend's daughter at a fairly conservative church in ________. She was lamenting the fact that she showed up in a simple black dress with some good heels, sheer sleeves *GASP* and her watch and wedding ring, and while NO one else was wearing "jewelry", she said she had never seen so much sewn on glitter. Sequins, pearls attached TO the clothing, etc. Apparently as long as the glitz is sewn onto the clothing or into the fabric, it's permissible. LOL!!!! So, I understand perfectly what you mean by the double standard.

However, that doesn't translate into: You're wrong if you wear sequins. It translates into: You're wrong for wearing gold on your sweater and hypocritically condemning someone for wearing gold around their neck.

EXACTLY. Exactly my point.

[Pressing-On]

Originally Posted by *AQuietPlace*

I'm talking about WEIRD hairdos, for one thing. There is a friend of mine who many of us are honestly embarrassed to go to the mall with. Because her hairdo is OUT THERE. She gets stares everywhere she goes. She even commented on it once - 'Everyone is staring at me, they can see the glory of God on me'. Um, no. They're staring at you because your hairdo is WEIRD.

I think a weird hair-do would be Lucille Ball in "Fancy Pants". She had a birdcage in her hair.

[Pressing-On]

Originally Posted by MissBrattified

However, that doesn't translate into: You're wrong if you wear sequins. It translates into: You're wrong for wearing gold on your sweater and hypocritically condemning someone for wearing gold around their neck.

Agreed! I never wear sequins, beading or glitter on my clothing. I think it looks cheap.

[dizzyde]

Originally Posted by Pressing-On

Agreed! I never wear sequins, beading or glitter on my clothing. I think it looks cheap.

Come on PO, you know you love your Christmas glitter/sequin sweater!!! The one with the fake birds sewn on it!

[pelathais]

Do you ladies actually enjoy wear high heels? Ow!

Why can't we have some sort of cultural programming that says "sensible shoes only?"