On Modesty

[LadyBlue]

This turned up in my FB today theleakyboob.com/2013/07/breastfeeding-and-following-jesus-uninviting-modesty-to-the-breastfeeding-discussion/ and I thought it was interesting. The main point I think fundies should pay more attention to from this article

Covering the natural, non-sexual function of the female breasts contributes to the dehumanization women. Instead of her personhood being valid and feeding her baby acceptable, forcing a woman to cover or hide feeding her baby values her sexual appeal over the personhood of both her child and herself.

Of course, they seem to be determined to dehumanise women.

The article also has several quotes and a link to this article http://www.qideas.org/blog/modesty-i-do ... means.aspx which shows even more how fundies don't pay the slightest attention to the Bible they supposedly live by

In fact, nearly all of the Bible’s instructions regarding modest clothing refer not to sexuality, but rather materialism (Isaiah 3:16-23, 1 Timothy 2:9-12, 1 Peter 3:3). Writers in both the Old Testament and New Testament express grave concern when the people of God flaunt their wealth by buying expensive clothes and jewelry while many of their neighbors suffered in poverty. (Ironically, I’ve heard dozens of sermons about keeping my legs and my cleavage out of sight, but not one about ensuring my jewelry was not acquired through unjust or exploitive trade practices—which would be much more in keeping with biblical teachings on modesty.)

Curious what other people's perspectives are, especially on the 2nd article.

[Mom23Girls]

I've had to block former friends on Facebook because I believe in what the second article suggests. I believe we're not supposed to flaunt our wealth, it has nothing to do with how much we show our bodies. The person I suggested this to got extremely hateful and suggested that I didn't know God and didn't have the Holy Spirit. Funny how those who profess to be so holy get so nasty when they are asked to keep an open mind about what these passages may mean. I get so angry at people who think the point of being a Christian is so they can feel better than everyone else and look down on those who believe differently then they do. If that person wanted to believe that I fully support his right to believe that, but to insult me because I don't is inexcusable. I think that's why families like the Duggars make me so angry because they give other Christians a bad name. :angry-banghead:

[LadyBlue]

I don't have alot of Christians on my FB, thankfully. I blocked one for other reasons & the main one left has always been religious but has gone off the deep end in recent years...fundie lite/faux Jewish/survivalist/bikers. Luckily, she seldom posts about it. I have no idea what their views on modesty are; their daughter was in a modelling contest but well covered & I don't remember if I've seen any pics in pants.

[fundiefun]

The whole breast feeding debate is a loaded one I don't mind it but what I don't get are many of my younger friends who are the more attachment route who feel the need to blow up facebook and instagram every single day of pictures breast feeding that and feel like they have to push the breast is best mantra. Literally around the clock "morning nummys" "evening lunch",etc. I get it you can breast feed but I don't see the need to take so many photos nipple exposed and all to make a statement and chide the rest of us who don't or can't breast feed. These are the whole breast is best militant in your face you're doing it wrong crowd. Like breast feeding somehow puts them on super mom status and don't even get me started on the mothering.com forum where forumla feeding is equated to child abuse.

[treehugger]

I shared a beautiful picture on facebook the other day of some lovely breastfeeding mamas (no nipples showing) and one of my very fundie friends informed me I was sharing obscene and pornographic pictures. :wtf: Needless to say, she got unfriended pretty quickly.

I don't think breastfeeding gives any mother super-status. I believe a mother needs to do what she believes is best, whether that is bottle or breast feeding. But, as a breastfeeding mother, I hate that it is still viewed as an inappropriate act.

[FJismyheadship]

When my baby was six weeks old or so, we went to church for the first time since her birth. There was a girl my age with a daughter the same age as mine. She said "Do you breastfeed?" I said "No, I can't." She looked at me funny and walked off without another word.

[fundiefun]

I shared a beautiful picture on facebook the other day of some lovely breastfeeding mamas (no nipples showing) and one of my very fundie friends informed me I was sharing obscene and pornographic pictures. :wtf: Needless to say, she got unfriended pretty quickly.

I don't think breastfeeding gives any mother super-status. I believe a mother needs to do what she believes is best, whether that is bottle or breast feeding. But, as a breastfeeding mother, I hate that it is still viewed as an inappropriate act.

I think it's beautiful to breast feed its my friends who in your face nipples showing photos of every hour of the day chanting breast is best and saying bottle feeding you don't love your kid or are too lazy to try. Having been a victim of sexual abuse and rape the idea of breast feeding is a sensitive subject for me.

[treehugger]

I think it's beautiful to breast feed its my friends who in your face nipples showing photos of every hour of the day chanting breast is best and saying bottle feeding you don't love your kid or are too lazy to try. Having been a victim of sexual abuse and rape the idea of breast feeding is a sensitive subject for me.

I completely understand that that would be sensitive and hard for you. There are so many wonderful ways to nurture and care for a child - and breastfeeding is not the only way to do that. Babies grow up healthy and loved both ways.

[Trynn]

Oh for goodness sakes, if you can't breastfeed, you can't breastfeed. Why would a person be so judgmental about THAT?

My mother tried to breastfeed me and, while I did get a little bit of milk that way, she could tell she wasn't producing enough. So she did what any good mother would do; went out and got some formula to bottle feed me.

Sometimes, when finding out about my mental and other health issues, I get asked if I was breastfed as a child. Right, because formula caused me to have depression and BPD.

[ADoyle90815]

As far as breastfeeding goes, I don't like it when mothers are shamed for either not using a cover even if they're discreet, or forced to go into some "mother's lounge" which is really a room in some church bathroom where the trash can of dirty diapers is rarely emptied. That said, there are plenty of mothers who try to breastfeed, but in the end, the bottle is really best for their situation, and it doesn't mean she's a bad mother. As long as the child is eating and growing, it shouldn't matter whether they're breastfed or given formula. My niece developed such severe reflux as an infant that she wasn't able to be breastfed, but given formula designed for babies with reflux. She eventually outgrew that problem, and has no food allergies or other issues that anyone is aware of.

[RosyDaisy]

A woman with a baby nursing on her breast is not the same thing as a woman flashing her tits for attention. Why is that so hard to understand? :roll:

[louisa05]

Sometimes, when finding out about my mental and other health issues, I get asked if I was breastfed as a child. Right, because formula caused me to have depression and BPD.

Someone recently explained to me that I have a hereditary retinal disorder because I was not breastfed. I explained that my mother was breastfed exclusively for six months and has the same disorder because it is GENETIC. On the same note, years ago, when my cousin was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis as a baby, a family member harassed my aunt/his mother for months on end that it was her fault for not breastfeeding. Because apparently in the minds of the militant nursing mommies, breastmilk can change your genes. :roll:

[EyeQueue]

A woman with a baby nursing on her breast is not the same thing as a woman flashing her tits for attention. Why is that so hard to understand? :roll:

QFT.

And I don't get all the nipple hate. Big damned deal--you see an occasional nipple. Get over it.

Is this only a problem in the US? We're way too repressed over here.

[PennySycamore]

QFT.

And I don't get all the nipple hate. Big damned deal--you see an occasional nipple. Get over it.

Is this only a problem in the US? We're way too repressed over here.

It really is pretty much just an American problem.

[Aurora rising]

QFT.

And I don't get all the nipple hate. Big damned deal--you see an occasional nipple. Get over it.

Is this only a problem in the US? We're way too repressed over here.

Well... call me prude BUT... last week I went to a festival - lots of music, nice people, good food etc. In one of the food-tents a woman sat opposite from (of? I always mix it up) me, open her shirt and her bra, stimulated her nipple with her fingers and breastfed her child. I´m absolutely for free choice and breastfeeding in public, but this I really don´t want to see. And the whole tent thought the same (well, maybe a few men not... 8-) ).

I live in Germany and women tend be more discret. Normally.

[Arete]

Honestly, my sisters have brought nursing babies to Greece and people in public (mostly older women) have been appalled at the idea of nearly one year olds still breast feeding. So, not really anything to do with the boob flashing, but universal love of prolonged breast feeding is not exactly a given even in some European countries.

[2xx1xy1JD]

Well... call me prude BUT... last week I went to a festival - lots of music, nice people, good food etc. In one of the food-tents a woman sat opposite from (of? I always mix it up) me, open her shirt and her bra, stimulated her nipple with her fingers and breastfed her child. I´m absolutely for free choice and breastfeeding in public, but this I really don´t want to see. And the whole tent thought the same (well, maybe a few men not... 8-) ).

I live in Germany and women tend be more discret. Normally.

I just wanted to point out that this would have had nothing to do with sexual stimulation. If someone has flat nipples, they need to do something like this in order for the baby to latch on properly. If the baby doesn't latch properly, not only might they not be getting enough to eat, but the mother can be screaming in agony with bleeding nipples.