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jamaica-gleaner Flair
What's your opinion?
We're in the swing of the silly season - more parties, more social activities, thigh-high styles, and make to please. Some Christian women may be facing a dilemma on how to look hip and still maintain their wholesome values.
SHE TOSSES her mane of hair like a thoroughbred and dismisses her critics with a sneer. Years of carping have flowed off her back, leaving her conscience untouched. No one will make her change her love for short, body hugging dresses, makeup, jewellery and sleeveless tops that show off her slim-at-40, soft, yet sinewy, arms.
She is a Christian.
"I live according to my Bible not worldly traditions," this Sunday School teacher who asked to remain anonymous tells Flair, insisting that far too much focus is put on what women wear and not enough on how they behave. She will be present at all the season's parties, dressed in her best.
There are many who agree with her. While women in some other cultures are apt to display their religious beliefs through their manner of dress, those in the West, and especially Christians, are less likely to do so.
Locally, apart from the occasional "I love Jesus T-shirt" we usually cannot point out a Christian just by the way she dresses -- unless she is on her way to church or is a Pentecostal. Locally, Pentecostals are known for avoiding the hairdresser, keeping legs and arms covered, and turning up their noses at makeup and jewellery.
HOULD "REAL" CHRISTIAN WOMEN LOOK DIFFERENT?
Is this the way that "real" Christian women should carry themselves? Should those who believe in Christ have a "look" that is different from the rest of the world?
Some Christians believe that Pentecostal-type strictures on dressing are taking Christianity to an extreme, and only make women unattractive -- not more virtuous.
The text in Joel 2:13 which begs the reader to "rend the heart and not the garment," is frequently quoted by those who dress as they please. Scholars, however, point out that this verse is incorrectly used, as rending relates to outward acts of contrition and not to the general matter of dressing.
Of better use is the text in First Timothy which appeals to women to be modest in their appearance: "I also want women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God." 1 Timothy 2:9-10, NIV.
However, what may have been meant by 'modesty' is hotly debated. Reverend Carmen Stewart, overseer of the Pentecostal Gospel Temple in Kingston, admits to the confusion in the interpretation of what constitutes Christian modesty. "People vary in their description of what is modest. A fashion can be in that's long, you wear it long, no one says its long."
Rev. Stewart adds that the practices of her church are based on the text in Timothy which demands that women seek inner beauty, not outer beauty. She adds, however, that this does not mean that Christian women should not be 'well put together'.
She also notes that her church's avoidance of makeup, jewellery and the preference for natural hairstyles is based on the desire to 'develop natural beauty' instead of adorning oneself with other things.
"God made you beautiful."
'EVEN THE ISRAELITES WORE MAKEUP'
For others, natural beauty is not enough and they state that there is nothing in the Bible that says they cannot enhance what they have. Pat Cushnie, a youth leader in the Church of God International, is fiercely opposed to the Pentecostal practice of hiding their women under lots of material and adjuring them to keep their faces scrubbed clean.
"Even the Israelites wore makeup," she observes.
She reveals that she wears short dresses, makeup and jewellery and adds: "You should not judge people on the outward. I live my life solely off the Bible. I will never live according to what others say."
Another woman, a deaconess in the Church of God, who does not wish to be identified, says that it is her opinion that "short skirts restrict you. Although, they fit me better, I don't believe we should be so restricted in service." Skirts that have too deep a split also make her too self-conscious, she states.
She is also concerned about the effect of some garments on men. She observes: "Some say that men should control themselves, but we should as Christians shun the very appearance of evil and we should not be stumbling blocks in our brothers' way. If he sees your leg and it looks sexy he might start lusting. We should be concerned about how we affect each other. Our Christian principles need be borne out in our lives."
Rev. Devon Dick, Pastor of the Boulevard Baptist Church, in Kingston, has no such concerns, however. "You don't know men," he comments. "Anything can provoke them, even a broomstick. Cultural practices also vary," he says. "In Israel, the women cut their hair so they would not look attractive. Here, if you cut the hair, it is attractive."
The Reverend observes: "The Bible counsels modesty in dress, but as you are well aware, it has various interpretations according to taste and custom. There was a time when women would not wear pants. Now they are doing it."
Rev. Dick adds that these matters are not the essentials of the faith. "They are non-essentials. It's all in the mind. A man will see a homeless woman naked on the street and he does nothing. But, he can see a women who is well clothed and all sorts of things go through his mind."
IT'S WHAT IS IN THE HEART
What do Christian men think about their sisters who are more liberally clothed?
Clive Clarke, a member of the Church of God, comments: "I am happy. Variety is the spice of life. I have no problem with short skirts. Some knees (I look no higher) look prettier than others."
D. Kelly, of the New Testament Church of God says, "Personally, I think (long skirts) are not attractive. Still, skirts should not be so short though that if they bend you see everything. If you choose to wear splits and other worldly styles, I personally have no problem -- not because I am a man, but because I have always been taught that it is what is in the heart that matters."
He, however, has some reservations.
"Christian women should leave 'bottom riders'...leave that to the world. One must be able to differentiate between [those] who should be living a certain type of life and [those who are] living another kind of life. You can't have impressionable young men coming to church just to see what you will be wearing this week."
DRESS AS A REFLECTION OF VALUES
The appeal to make Christian dress a reflection of values is perhaps not so unreasonable when viewed from the perspective of other religions.
People from many religions use dress as a sign of their faith. Sometimes a special type of dress is required by the religion, while other times it is a matter of custom.
Islam requires both men and women to be modest not only in behaviour but in dress. Some Muslim women wear modest dress, or a hijab which covers most of their head and body.
Sikhs followers of Sikhism in India also keep their heads covered. Sikh men wrap their heads in cotton turbans, while Sikh women may wear turbans or headscarves.
Buddhist nuns and monks wear robes in a variety of colours from grey to orange, depending on their region and their tradition. In many cases, both nuns and monks in the Buddhist tradition shave their heads.
The Amish and Mennonites dress in simple clothing that reflects a devotion to traditional ways. Men often wear plain hats and long coats, and women wear simple dresses and aprons.
... and not the garment
SHE TOSSES her mane of hair like a thoroughbred and dismisses her critics with a sneer. Years of carping have flowed off her back, leaving her conscience untouched. No one will make her change her love for short, body hugging dresses, makeup, jewellery and sleeveless tops that show off her slim-at-40, soft, yet sinewy, arms.
She is a Christian.
"I live according to my Bible not worldly traditions," this Sunday School teacher who asked to remain anonymous tells Flair, insisting that far too much focus is put on what women wear and not enough on how they behave. She will be present at all the season's parties, dressed in her best.
There are many who agree with her. While women in some other cultures are apt to display their religious beliefs through their manner of dress, those in the West, and especially Christians, are less likely to do so.
Locally, apart from the occasional "I love Jesus T-shirt" we usually cannot point out a Christian just by the way she dresses -- unless she is on her way to church or is a Pentecostal. Locally, Pentecostals are known for avoiding the hairdresser, keeping legs and arms covered, and turning up their noses at makeup and jewellery.
HOULD "REAL" CHRISTIAN WOMEN LOOK DIFFERENT?
Is this the way that "real" Christian women should carry themselves? Should those who believe in Christ have a "look" that is different from the rest of the world?
Some Christians believe that Pentecostal-type strictures on dressing are taking Christianity to an extreme, and only make women unattractive -- not more virtuous.
The text in Joel 2:13 which begs the reader to "rend the heart and not the garment," is frequently quoted by those who dress as they please. Scholars, however, point out that this verse is incorrectly used, as rending relates to outward acts of contrition and not to the general matter of dressing.
Of better use is the text in First Timothy which appeals to women to be modest in their appearance: "I also want women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God." 1 Timothy 2:9-10, NIV.
However, what may have been meant by 'modesty' is hotly debated. Reverend Carmen Stewart, overseer of the Pentecostal Gospel Temple in Kingston, admits to the confusion in the interpretation of what constitutes Christian modesty. "People vary in their description of what is modest. A fashion can be in that's long, you wear it long, no one says its long."
Rev. Stewart adds that the practices of her church are based on the text in Timothy which demands that women seek inner beauty, not outer beauty. She adds, however, that this does not mean that Christian women should not be 'well put together'.
She also notes that her church's avoidance of makeup, jewellery and the preference for natural hairstyles is based on the desire to 'develop natural beauty' instead of adorning oneself with other things.
"God made you beautiful."
'EVEN THE ISRAELITES WORE MAKEUP'
For others, natural beauty is not enough and they state that there is nothing in the Bible that says they cannot enhance what they have. Pat Cushnie, a youth leader in the Church of God International, is fiercely opposed to the Pentecostal practice of hiding their women under lots of material and adjuring them to keep their faces scrubbed clean.
"Even the Israelites wore makeup," she observes.
She reveals that she wears short dresses, makeup and jewellery and adds: "You should not judge people on the outward. I live my life solely off the Bible. I will never live according to what others say."
Another woman, a deaconess in the Church of God, who does not wish to be identified, says that it is her opinion that "short skirts restrict you. Although, they fit me better, I don't believe we should be so restricted in service." Skirts that have too deep a split also make her too self-conscious, she states.
She is also concerned about the effect of some garments on men. She observes: "Some say that men should control themselves, but we should as Christians shun the very appearance of evil and we should not be stumbling blocks in our brothers' way. If he sees your leg and it looks sexy he might start lusting. We should be concerned about how we affect each other. Our Christian principles need be borne out in our lives."
Rev. Devon Dick, Pastor of the Boulevard Baptist Church, in Kingston, has no such concerns, however. "You don't know men," he comments. "Anything can provoke them, even a broomstick. Cultural practices also vary," he says. "In Israel, the women cut their hair so they would not look attractive. Here, if you cut the hair, it is attractive."
The Reverend observes: "The Bible counsels modesty in dress, but as you are well aware, it has various interpretations according to taste and custom. There was a time when women would not wear pants. Now they are doing it."
Rev. Dick adds that these matters are not the essentials of the faith. "They are non-essentials. It's all in the mind. A man will see a homeless woman naked on the street and he does nothing. But, he can see a women who is well clothed and all sorts of things go through his mind."
IT'S WHAT IS IN THE HEART
What do Christian men think about their sisters who are more liberally clothed?
Clive Clarke, a member of the Church of God, comments: "I am happy. Variety is the spice of life. I have no problem with short skirts. Some knees (I look no higher) look prettier than others."
D. Kelly, of the New Testament Church of God says, "Personally, I think (long skirts) are not attractive. Still, skirts should not be so short though that if they bend you see everything. If you choose to wear splits and other worldly styles, I personally have no problem -- not because I am a man, but because I have always been taught that it is what is in the heart that matters."
He, however, has some reservations.
"Christian women should leave 'bottom riders'...leave that to the world. One must be able to differentiate between [those] who should be living a certain type of life and [those who are] living another kind of life. You can't have impressionable young men coming to church just to see what you will be wearing this week."
DRESS AS A REFLECTION OF VALUES
The appeal to make Christian dress a reflection of values is perhaps not so unreasonable when viewed from the perspective of other religions.
People from many religions use dress as a sign of their faith. Sometimes a special type of dress is required by the religion, while other times it is a matter of custom.
Islam requires both men and women to be modest not only in behaviour but in dress. Some Muslim women wear modest dress, or a hijab which covers most of their head and body.
Sikhs followers of Sikhism in India also keep their heads covered. Sikh men wrap their heads in cotton turbans, while Sikh women may wear turbans or headscarves.
Buddhist nuns and monks wear robes in a variety of colours from grey to orange, depending on their region and their tradition. In many cases, both nuns and monks in the Buddhist tradition shave their heads.
The Amish and Mennonites dress in simple clothing that reflects a devotion to traditional ways. Men often wear plain hats and long coats, and women wear simple dresses and aprons.
... and not the garment
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