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"Girls' Clothes Too
Skimpy"
So said the
recent headline above "DEAR ABBY." A reader wrote, "...I think some of
the clothes marketed for girls are pretty shocking. Last summer, the
style was teeny little tops that exposed the navel and had spaghetti
straps, with bell-bottom hip hugger jeans. The skirts this year are
minis and the shoes are chunky platforms...I used to work the night
shift for a courier service. My 'run' took me into Manhattan between the
hours of 1 and 3 AM...During those hours prostitutes would openly
solicit on street corners -- and guess what they were wearing? Teeny
tops with spaghetti straps, tight jeans and platform shoes!"
In the same column, another reader remarked, "It's very difficult
to find appropriate clothing for little girls...I remember when I was
young my mom said 'no!' to outfits that were too sophisticated or
revealing. I thank her for teaching me how to dress with style and
class. These decisions are taught by responsible parents who have the
guts to draw the line with whiny children, media and manufacturers who
do not have a clue (and could not care less) about what makes a little
girl become a self-confident, independent woman."
If a Christian had written the above words, perhaps some of our
brethren would have ridiculed him as going about with a ruler to measure
hemlines! However, this comes not from some preacher, but from women of
the world! They can see the connection between modest dress and
morality, between immodest "inappropriate" apparel and "the attire of an
harlot" (Prov. 7:10). So, why can't we?
Should we accuse the women above of trying to "make laws for
everyone else"? Should we say that while we, "in the main, agree" with
their essential thought, we cannot condone their comments lest we be
guilty of attempting to "establish a dress code for churches of Christ"?
Should we say that though the column was "well meaning," it "nonetheless
violated our individual liberty in Christ"? Should we say that these
women are intruding into "gray areas," and are "being too judgmental,
seeking to bind their opinion upon others"? Should we say that we must
not allow fanatics to determine for us what is "inappropriate clothing"?
Should we snidely ridicule them and give comfort to those whose dress is
of the world, "earthly, sensual, devilish"?
No, rather, we ought to commend the spirit and principles manifest
above and strive to develop that decent disposition of heart which is
shown in a disciples' dress and daily decorum (Eph. 5:15; Titus 2:7;
1 Pet. 3:16).
--Larry Ray Hafley
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