Dress+and+Covering+-+Modesty+from+a+religious+perspective

=**Define Clothing:**=

Definition of // CLOTHING // **:** garments in general; //also// **:** [|covering] = = http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/clothing

=**Why is clothing important?**=

**History of clothing:**

 * In most of the worlds societies, clothing is a cultural norm. Whether it is used to show gender, status, religion, occupation or otherwise – most cultures and societies embrace the use of clothing.
 * Humans began donning clothing around 100,000 years ago according to some studies 1 . Scientists claim to be able to trace the genetics of lice to determine when this began. While these scientists say that it was at least 100,000 years ago, clothing could have come about even earlier.
 * Clothing’s first and foremost purpose is function. It is used to protect humans from the environment in which they exist. In some cases, it can increase safety, either from danger (like a helmet) or from germs (like a face mask). It can also serve to identify a particular occupation. Fire, Police, and Military personnel all wear uniforms that serve to identify them as their respective roles.

**In religion:**

 * Clothing in religion is most commonly denoted by a sense of wanting to be closer to god and to show respect for the religion itself. Indicating a strong commitment to the religious beliefs and core values.
 * Religion, customs and particular historically important circumstances have shaped the way different people in various times feel about clothing and exposure 2
 * In general, clothing also helps people identify with particular religions. For example, as is the case in Islamic culture and religion, women are expected to wear a garment known as a “hijab”. This garment is a direct reflection of Islamic culture and is indicative of the religion.
 * Clothing is used to control the modesty of a person by covering appendages and genitals that if shown are in some cases a form of disrespect to particular cultures and religions. Also, clothing is commonly used as a means of controlling the behavior of men and women in relation to one another. Women typically are shunned if they dress to sexy, this perhaps points towards the conclusion that she might be purposely enticing men to lust after her.

**In society:**

 * Today in society clothing is used as a form of self-expression. In general, our society, and most, have moved away from the notion of clothing as a means of protection and much more commonly use clothing as a fashion statement. It is up to the discretion of the person to decide what they will wear. The clothing a person wears is usually meant to tell the onlooker something about the person, whether it simply be pertaining to his/her personality, mood, or something else.


 * Society will look at a person and on the basis of what he or she is wearing thus form an opinion 3 . This doesn’t mean that the opinion formed will necessarily be a positive one, it could alternatively be negative. People are often times quick to judge one another simply on the basis of what they are wearing.


 * Clothing is one of the best ways to distinguish a person’s social class, sex, occupation, marital status, and ethnic or religious affiliation. However, it is important to keep in mind that in order to correctly decipher the “code of clothing” a person must understand and be familiar with different cultures. For example, wearing white during a western funeral is extremely inappropriate, but in eastern societies colors such as white are used for mourning people. So in one area of the world a particular garment might have one specific meaning while elsewhere in the world it has the complete opposite effect 2

= =
 * In some cases what a person wears might actually be deceiving and not give way to who or what they are truly like. For example, just because a person is wearing gym related clothes does not mean that they have any athletic affiliation or even go to the gym. It could have just been a quick wardrobe decision. On the other hand the wardrobe cues could have been right, it just depends on the person

=**Clothing and Modesty in the Bible:**=

Therefore, I tell you, don't be anxious for your life: what you will eat, or what you will drink; nor yet for your body, what you will wear. Isn't life more than food, and the body more than clothing ?
 * //Matthew 6:25://**

Then do not be full of care, saying, What are we to have for food or drink? or, With what may we be clothed? = = In the same way, that women also adorn themselves in decent clothing, with modesty and propriety; not just with braided hair, gold, pearls, or expensive clothing.
 * //Matthew 6:31://**
 * //1 Timothy 2:9://**

Let your beauty be not just the outward adorning of braiding the hair, and of wearing jewels of gold, or of putting on fine clothing. = = It will happen in the day of Yahweh's sacrifice, that I will punish the princes, the king's sons, and all those who are clothed with foreign clothing.
 * //1 Peter 3:3://**
 * //Zephaniah 1:8://**


 * //1 Corinthians 6:16-20://** Or do you not know and realize that when a man joins himself to a prostitute, he becomes one body with her? The two, it is written, shall become one flesh. But the person who is united to the Lord becomes one spirit with Him. Shun immorality and all sexual looseness [flee from impurity in thought, word, or deed]. Any other sin which a man commits is one outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body. Do you not know that your body is the temple (the very sanctuary) of the Holy Spirit Who lives within you, Whom you have received [as a Gift] from God? You are not your own, You were bought with a price [purchased with a preciousness and paid for, made His own]. So then, honor God and bring glory to Him in your body.

=**Modesty in Religion:**=

__**Christianity:**__
Important Biblical Texts: 1 Peter 2: 12, 1 Peter 3: 3-4, 1 Timothy 2: 9, and all listed above = = Christians believe in modesty to varying degrees. Some Christian denominations believe in strict modesty and have rules on dress while other denominations do not seem to make any formal opinion on the subject. However, there is a general idea among Christians about clothing and modesty. In general, Christians believe that they should try to be modest in their dress for a few reasons. For one, “a modest attitude in one’s style of dress and behavior is one way of responding to God's invitation to live with him in a relationship of love, personal purity, and grace that can extend into eternity,” 4. Another reason for dressing modestly in the Christian opinion is that it by being modest; it allows others to see the faith within you versus just seeing your outer appearance 5. This allows other Christians to see your faith and prevents non-Christians for judging them and thinking of them as hypocritical 5. Modesty can also help to deter sexual acts between couples that are not married, which helps keep the covenant with God 6. Overall, Christians believe that modesty is important, but they do not have any universal rules on regulation, enforcement, or level of importance of the subject.

__**Judaism:**__
Judaism is one of the oldest known religions that still exists today. It is a religion that centers around a belief system that there is only one God. The main goal and purpose of life is to live in accordance with God’s word and be obedient to the laws put forth by God. There are different divisions and subdivisions of Judaism but they all center around the same general ideas and belief system, only deviating in certain areas. For example, in the afterlife some believe in a non-existence while other sectors believe in the “Garden of Eden” or reincarnation. However, for the most part everyday life encompasses obeying the law, repenting for sin, and trying to walk a pure and upright life 7. This means that men and women should dress modestly in order to honor God. > = =
 * For the most part Judaism requires that both men and women dress modestly, covering a substantial amount of the body. Women will typi[[image:http://www.ecatalogs.ca/examples/kippah.jpg width="230" height="164" align="right" caption="A Kippah"]]cally wear skirts that go below the knee and blouses that are below the elbow. Men on the other hand, will wear long slacks and long sleeved shirts.
 * The 'kippah' is the brimless skullcap that is slightly rounded in shape that many Jewish men wear when they are praying, eating a meal, reciting their blessings, or studying religious texts. 8 It is also common for men to wear their ‘kippah’ at all times and not just during times centered around prayer.


 * “A kittel is a white linen robe worn by Jewish men on special occasions to signify purity, holiness and new beginnings.Traditionally, a Jewish man first wears a kittel on his wedding day, thereafter on Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur and[[image:http://angrynyer.com/wp-content/uploads/image/Hebrew-Hammer-03.jpg width="194" height="152" align="right"]] Passover, and ultimately as a burial shroud." 9


 * For Jewish people white is indicative to holiness and purity, therefore bright or dark colors are typically not worn.It is important that the clothing men and women wear in Judaism reflect their commitment to God. Judaism, however isn't as strict as some religions but it is still important to dress modestly never revealing to much skin, unless it is in intimate situations with your spouse.



__**Islam:**__
"Say to the believing men that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty: that will make for greater purity for them: And Allah is well acquainted with all that they do. And say that the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty that they should not display their beauty and ornaments except what (must ordinarily) appear thereof; that they should draw their veils over their bosoms and not display their beauty except to their husbands, their fathers, their husband's fathers, their sons, their husbands' sons, their brothers or their brothers' sons, or their sisters' sons, or their women, or the slaves whom their right hands possess, or male servants free of physical needs, or small children who have no sense of the shame of sex; and that they should not strike their feet in order to draw attention to their hidden ornaments. And O ye Believers! turn ye all together towards Allah, that ye may attain Bliss." -Sura 24, ayat 30-31 – Qur’an


 * In Islam, there are many differing types of dress, and they differ for men and women. Islamic culture generally prescribes a certain “hijab” for men and women. Hijab literally translated means “covering”. Their dress is considered to be very modest, covering most if not all of the female body and a great portion of the male body.
 * Covering for women comes in many different styles. Geographic regions all have differing styles and customs pertaining to female dress. Most commonly, women in Islam wear full robes covering their legs and upper body. Often times their hair is covered, and sometimes their faces are hidden behind a screen or there may only be a small opening for their eyes.
 * Various forms of this dress are the Abaya, the Burqa, the Dupatta, and the Niqaab. The Abaya is a long veil outer garment that covers the face, save the eyes. It is popular in the gulf region. The Burqa is similar but has a screen covering the face from which women look out of. The Dupatta is a three-piece garment, consisting of pants, top, and matching headscarf. A Niqaab is a veil that covers the face with an opening for the eyes. It is a common addition to the Hijab.

__**Mormonism**[[image:http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bis9rFaZpb8/SsUe5iWYMoI/AAAAAAAACKM/jxnmIPyKNW4/s320/dress.jpg width="246" height="200" align="right"]]__

 * Biblical Foundation for Modesty Beliefs: 1 Corinthians 6: 16-20
 * General Guidelines from “For the Strength of Youth”: Immodest clothing includes short shorts and skirts, tight clothing, shirts that do not cover the stomach, and other revealing attire. Young women should wear clothing that covers the shoulder and avoid clothing that is low-cut in the front or the back or revealing in any other manner. Young men should also maintain modesty in their appearance. All should avoid extremes in clothing, appearance, and hairstyle. Always be neat and clean and avoid being sloppy or inappropriately casual in dress, grooming, and manners. Ask yourself, “Would I feel comfortable with my appearance if I were in the Lord’s presence?” 10
 * **In the Mormon religion**, it is taught that the body should be covered for a few reasons. For example, Mormons believe that the bo[[image:http://services.byuh.edu/files/Honor%20Code%20Dress%20and%20Grooming.jpg width="450" height="317" align="left"]]dy is a temple and should be treated and clothed with the utmost respect. The Church of Latter Day Saints states that “We must respect our bodies as a gift from God. Through our dress and appearance, we can show the Lord that we know how precious our bodies are.” The Church also states that if a person is in question of whether or not something is modest, they should ask themselves: “Would I be comfortable wearing/saying/behaving like this in front of the Lord?” Mormons believe in dressing modestly because clothing expresses who a person is and it effects their actions and the actions of those around them. This matters for two major reasons. First, dressing in a sexual or revealing fashion could lead to stimulation of “desires and actions that violate the Lord's law of chastity.” Secondly, when someone is groomed, clean, and modestly dressed they are helping to invite the companionship of the Spirit. Overall Mormons believe that dressing modesty helps to keep behavior in line with the wishes of God and that it in fact allows a person to become closer to God. 11

**__Amish__**

 * __Biblical Foundation for Modesty Beliefs__
 * 1 Timothy 2: 9-10 – women should dress modestly
 * 1 Peter 3: 3-4 – do not adorn yourself
 * Leviticus 19: 27 – men shall not shave
 * 1 Corinthians 11 – talks about head coverings for men and women and their importance in praying and the relations to God
 * Others in Gospels, Thessalonians, and Romans 12
 * __General Guidelines__:
 * Men wear plain, unadorned clothing. They wear straight-cut suits that have no additions like pockets or lapels. They also wear pants that have no creases or pockets and wear suspenders with them. Men also typically wear straw hats as a part of the Amish identity. Accessories like belts, sweaters, and neckties are not permitted. Men are also typically clean shaven until marriage when they must grow their beards without mustaches.
 * Women wear dresses that cover the legs, arms, back, and chest. This is then covered with a cape and apron. Women never cut their hair and wear it pinned behind their heads concealed by a black or white bonnet. Stockings and shoes are black.
 * All clothes are homemade and are made of plain, dark fabric. 13
 * **Amish have** very strict rules about what is and is not permitted in clothing. They regulate clothing strictly for many reasons. One reason is that they believe dressing simply and modestly promotes one of their central ideas that they are “in the world, but not of the world.” Plain dress is not worldly and therefore helps the Amish live that idea and promote humility. Another reason that Amish dress modestly and plainly is that it promotes unity and allows for a clear identity. This diminishes envy, jealousy, and competition and encourages union. The specific rules for clothing are taken from passages in the Bible and are based on practicality. The Amish believe that clothing is a central part of their identity and therefore their faith and relationship with God. 12

=**Clothing in our Society**=

**Clothing as self expression:**
In the early times what was acceptable to wear was much more conservative and stricter than present day in our society. If you look back in time in the United States, it was proper for a man to “court” a woman. Courting being defined as: “courtship: a man's seeking the affections of a woman (usually with the hope of marriage) and family approval” 14. Where as present day men and women are freely allowed to date and engage with one another without having family approval. It is still common however, and respectful for a man to ask the father of his bride to be, if he may take her hand in marriage. In the past, women were expected to wear girdles and dresses or skirts that reached the ground, pants were not commonly accepted. And men were to wear suits usually dark in color. If they were farming white flannel shirts and slacks were acceptable. Almost every man wore a hat farmers wore straw hats, the rich wore silk hats, and middle-class men wore derbies 15. Our society has moved from being extremists when it comes to marriage and religious attire to more of a freedom-oriented environment. Women and men today are permitted to dress as they please, if that means conforming to religious ideals so be it. Or even if a person wants to express himself or herself freely through dress they can. Today in the United States there are no laws depicting what is to be worn by any sex. However, there are ideals and standards that are usually unspoken but none the less are not enforced directly by law but more so through social standing and environment.

**Trends for Men:**
Men and women's fashion have both retreated from religion/modesty and function in our society to self expression. There are many connotations with colors, fabrics, fit that all affect the clothes that are worn. Gender is usually seen to be performed; that is to say that a woman who desired to be more manly could wear clothes that society would assume are male clothes. Vice versa, a man who wanted to be womanly could wear clothing that was traditionally feminine. To challenge that norm today, more men are wearing colors such as pink or purple that were inherently feminine not more than 20 years ago. There is also the pants sagging fad for men - this is said to have originated out of prison, though its purpose in prison is unclear. It was either a solicitation for homosexual acts, or simply because belts were not given to prisoners and their pants sometimes did not fit. Bathing suits for men, which 20-30 years ago were short and came down to the upper thigh are now knee length if not longer. However, a growing trend is the return to the upper thigh, though low waisted bathing suits.

**Trends for Women:**
Trends in women’s fashion today are turning away from modesty and towards sexy. However, there are many different opinions as to the effects this has on women. Some believe that moving away from modesty is moving away from oppression, and therefore is liberating and empowering for women 16 . Others say that this supposed empowerment is actually working against the progress that women have made. This argument can also be applied to the church. When the church tries to regulate clothing, are they trying to oppress or control women? And when women choose to dress in a less modest way, are they actively denying the church? These are all important topics to consider and discuss when talking about clothing and women.

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