Modesty and Free Speech

Woman in a burqini carrying a towel (Giorgio Montersino)

Under-dressed women are becoming controversial in the city of Everett, Washington:

November 23, 2017

The city of Everett, about 30 miles north of Seattle, is home to numerous bikini barista espresso stands, where servers dressed in everything from tasteful two-piece swimsuits to pasties and G-strings serve up lattes and Americanos at a drive-thru window.

But these successful entrepreneurs – having found an angle that differentiates them from your ubiquitous Starbucks numbness – face being shut down by local officials who are set to tighten the city’s regulations on what constitutes lewd behavior and push to institute a dress code that bans employees from wearing bikinis or showing too much bare skin. …

As Fox News reports, the laws are just the final straw in a years-long battle against bikini baristas stands.

“The Constitution doesn’t allow the government to regulate the content of speech because the government disagrees with it,” Derek Newman, an attorney representing one of the baristas, told the Seattle Times.

“If the First Amendment was so limited, NFL players kneeling during the national anthem to protest police brutality would not be protected expression because the president interprets this as anti-American sentiment.”

Everett lawmakers have been steamed about the coffee stands for years – arguing everything from obscenity to mob ties – officials are taking a page out of the headlines and citing a new argument: The skin-flaunting coffee servers could turn men into the next Harvey Weinstein.

“The male gaze on bikinied women is on the continuum of sexualization of women,” wrote Mary Anne Layden, the director of the Sexual Trauma and Psychopathology program at the University of Pennsylvania and an expert witness for the city of Everett.

“When you make the body a commodity, and sex a product which you sell, one outcome is sexual violence… If you can sell it, you can steal it.”

By this logic – the question has to be asked of every ‘accuser’ that has come forward in recent weeks, calling out everyone from Kevin Spacey to John Conyers and Roy Moore, what were they wearing before they were abused? Can you imagine the leftist uproar?

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The baristas also say that their rights are being impinged upon and instead of feeling degraded when wearing a bikini, they feel empowered.

“This is about women’s rights,” coffee server Natalie Bjerk said, according to the Daily Star.

“The city council should not tell me what I can and cannot wear when I go to work; it’s a violation of my First Amendment rights.” http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2017-11-22/bikini-bearing-baristas-battle-bureaucrats-who-claim-theyre-turning-men-harvey-weins

Many have attempted to justify pornography by claiming “First Amendment rights.”

While courts have tended to side with the pornographers in the USA, this does not make it right.

Over in Europe, we have seen this pushed in another odd direction. Earlier this year, a Muslim woman was barred from using a swimming pool, because she wore a swimsuit known as a burqini (see French prejudice against the ‘burkini’). Women should be able to wear full body bathing suits when swimming, etc.

Now, getting back to the First Amendment of the Constitution of the USA, it states:

First amendment — Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

But is it always wise to say anything anywhere?

Is it wise to go before as many people as possible and speak insults to them?

While it may be “legal,” some may get so upset as to take violent action against the insulter. While that action by the insulted would be illegal, it certainly was not wise to go around intentionally trying to insult people.

Furthermore, it is not wise or proper to attempt to incite male lust as many businesses (especially those involved in entertainment) try to do.

Last week, I read an article from a woman trying to defend under-clothed women by saying that everyone has the right to look as good as they want.

But there is a difference between trying to look nice and trying to incite sexual lust.

All who profess Christ should consider something that the Apostle Paul wrote:

8 I desire therefore that the men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting; 9 in like manner also, that the women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation, (1 Timothy 2:8-9)

Consider also some statements from Jesus and the Apostle Paul:

27 “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ 28 But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. (Matthew 5:27-28)

18 Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body. (1 Corinthians 6:18)

Adultery is prohibited by the seventh commandment and lust by the tenth commandment (see also What Did Jesus Teach About the Ten Commandments?).

Jesus and the Apostle Paul warned against attempting to provoke, stir up, or mentally succumb to sexual lust. Thus, they are also condemning pornography, including dressing inappropriately.

What was considered immoral dress in the mid-20th century is now more modest dress than what many young females now wear. Another trend, which is appearing in the USA, as well as Europe, is for women’s clothing to become more and more sheer. So sheer, that one can often look through the clothing to the skin (slips and other covering items are often missing). This is not a positive trend but is another that I wanted to mention and it is a type of pornography.

Many of the underclothed do not blush. They think they are clever, and like adulteresses, act like they did nothing wrong.

20 This is the way of an adulterous woman:
She eats and wipes her mouth,
And says, “I have done no wickedness. (Proverbs 30:20)

But inciting lust is wicked!

Jesus said:

31 And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise. (Luke 6:31)

Women should not incite men to sin as men should not incite women to sin. And men should NOT frequent restaurants that attempt to incite lust.

15 Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination?
No! They were not at all ashamed;
Nor did they know how to blush.
Therefore they shall fall among those who fall;
At the time I punish them,
They shall be cast down,” says the Lord. (Jeremiah 6:15)

Not only will those that participate and promote pornography pay a price, society will as well:

23… your sin will find you out (Numbers 32:23).

10… For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. (Romans 14:11)

7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. 8 For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, (Galatians 6:7-8).

18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19 because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, 21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Professing to be wise, they became fools, 23 and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man — and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.

24 Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, 25 who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.

26 For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. 27 Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due.

28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; 29 being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, 30 backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; 32 who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them. (Romans 1:18-32)

Pornography is not harmless. It promotes lust and covetousness–as well as sometimes sexual violence and other forms of wrong behavior. Note: I am NOT trying to justify sexual violence, etc. This is something I denounce (see Sexual assault and harassment scandals). But just like it is unwise to come up to people to try to upset them, it is not wise to flaunt sexuality to incite lust.

The Bible warns about the seductress:

20 For why should you, my son, be enraptured by an immoral woman,
And be embraced in the arms of a seductress? (Proverbs 5:20)

23 For the commandment is a lamp,
And the law a light;
Reproofs of instruction are the way of life,
24 To keep you from the evil woman,
From the flattering tongue of a seductress.
25 Do not lust after her beauty in your heart,
Nor let her allure you with her eyelids.
26 For by means of a harlot
A man is reduced to a crust of bread;
And an adulteress will prey upon his precious life.
27 Can a man take fire to his bosom,
And his clothes not be burned?
28 Can one walk on hot coals,
And his feet not be seared? (Proverbs 6:23-28)

20 This is the way of an adulterous woman:
She eats and wipes her mouth,
And says, “I have done no wickedness.” (Proverbs 30:20)

27 For a harlot is a deep pit,
And a seductress is a narrow well.
28 She also lies in wait as for a victim,
And increases the unfaithful among men. (Proverbs 23:27-28)

It is not good to try to induce sin:

19 Do they provoke Me to anger?” says the Lord. “Do they not provoke themselves, to the shame of their own faces?” (Jeremiah 7:19)

Pornography, including in clothing, needs to be denounced. It is a sin of the house of Israel.

1 “Cry aloud, spare not;
Lift up your voice like a trumpet;
Tell My people their transgression,
And the house of Jacob their sins. (Isaiah 58:1)

You might think, well this is not a subject that has any impact on you. Consider also that the Bible teaches:

3 the older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things — 4 that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, 5 to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed. (Titus 2:3-5)

Christian women need to encourage younger women to dress appropriately. Christian men need to realize that their daughters and wives should be dressed appropriately. And all Christians should be dressed appropriately.

Sadly, the Western nations no longer seem to highly prize modesty in female apparel (though female politicians tend to remain modest in their dress). Immodesty in dress is now mainly considered to be acceptable or simply daring, as opposed to being immoral by many.

What is considered to be acceptable dress for public display (mainly for females) continues to the trend to show more skin, more cleavage (and more and more women have decided to have “breast enhancement” apparently for display), and more of their figures. This is not good. And this is not just limited to television or the movies.

The idea that women need to be almost totally naked to work in restaurants, swim, etc. is wrong.

Promoting lust is wrong, promoting modesty is not.

Promoting lust is bad for humanity.

Some items of related interest may include:

The Ten Commandments: The Decalogue, Christianity, and the Beast This is a free draft/unedited pdf book explaining the what the Ten Commandments are, where they came from, how early professors of Christ viewed them, and how various ones, including the Beast of Revelation, will oppose them. A related sermon is titled: The Ten Commandments and the Beast of Revelation.
Ashley Madison: Your Sins Will Find You Out The pro-adultery ‘Ashely Madison’ website was hacked and information released on many of its claimed 37 million registered members. Ashley Madison claimed that ‘life is short, so have an affair’ and that it was confidential. NBC offered tips for those whose identities are being released. What does the Bible teach about adultery or even seriously considering it? Is adultery wicked? The Bible warns that in the last times people will be inventors of evil things and whisperers like Ashley Madison promotes. Is adultery grounds for divorce? What did Jesus teach about this? This is a video.
Pornography: A scourge on society Is pornography harmless fun? Does the Bible teach anything about it? What are the views of some involved with it? Here is a link to a YouTube video Pornography: Harmless Fun or a Scourge on Society?
Making Your Marriage Work Marriage is not also easy, but it pictures a divine relationship. How can you make your marriage work? Here is a link to the video sermon: You Can Make YOUR Marriage Work.
Here’s the Plain Truth About OLD TESTAMENT POLYGAMY by Herbert Armstrong. Here is a related article in the Spanish language: ¿Es la poligamia una senda de Dios?
Love, Marriage, and Sex It is important to get them in the right order.
Husbands Love Your Wives An article written by the late Selmer Hegvold.