When CoC people decide to get together and have an argument, its not hard hitting stuff like whether or not Jesus came in the flesh or the church’s stance on abortion. Nope. We can all agree on that. Arguments happen over silly stuff like whether or not Adam had a bellybutton.
Yesterday a preacher friend told me a story (could have easily been an urban legend)….about a very conservative church summer camp. One where the girls had to wear dresses and everyone swam seperately fully clothed. We’re talking pants and all in the watering pool. Fully clothed boys swimming seperately from the girls and vice versa. Hearing how the girls swam in their dresses brings back those surreal views of victorian era swimwear.
I find myself worrying about why a bare calf leg is considered sinful in El Salvador yet not considered sinful here. Isn’t a sin a sin no matter where is happens at? Or is it just a matter of perverbial spiritual stumbling blocks scattered throughout the greater Latin American area? Have I been sinning this whole time anytime I mow the grass while my neighbors can see by bare calves from a distance? I realize that I know virtually nothing about El Salvadorian customs. It could be that El Salvadorians see bare calves as nudity in itself. Or it could be that we are just trying to present a positive impression to the people. Once a particular group of people get a bad rap for presenting themselves negatively, the whole town knows about it and the church is shunded by the town.
“No shorts” is an absolute. It doesn’t leave it up for any imagination. Can’t argue with that. There should be some kinda different word to describe shorts. Kinda like how there were 7 different Greek words for “Love.” Shorts is shorts. Nothing like “cargo pants” verses “daisy dukes” to describe those shorts.
No shorts is not completely unheardof. They don’t wear shorts on the stateside mission trips either, which I can totally understand. I guess I’m seeing paradoxical signs. “It’s hot in El Salvador.” However “You can’t wear shorts.” That’s a paradox within itself. But like I said before, mine is not to question the authorities. Maybe I just have questioned it by thinking out loud about this type of stuff.
So I wore some shorts last night. Maybe I’ll post some shots of it so that any El Salvadorian women out there can be titillated by my physique.
Meanwhile, you really should read about the Iraqi Hero to POW Jessica Lynch.
Standing on the Shoulders of Giants
My Redneck Past Keeps Nipping at My Heels
Shorts: Okay, Jeff, you have pushed one of my buttons. Although most people that read this don’t know me like you do, I’m sure you can read more into what I believe than they will.
First, many different cultures have different views on what they consider nudity or more appropriately, sinful nudity.
For example: recently, we in America have been introduced to cultures in the Middle East where women have to wear Burkas (head to toe garments). They must wear these because they fear that if women show any skin whatsoever men will be filled with lust and will be driven to commit sin. Most people in the U.S. don’t believe in this thinking. Except in certain religious groups, men and women can show their arms, legs, and faces without feeling that they are sinning. In most parts of Europe, women have the same rights as men on the beaches and can go topless. Most people in Europe don’t consider that a sin. In a lot of countries in Europe and other countries around the world, nude beaches are common and nude sunbathing is not considered sinful. Only when someone begins to use their nudity in a lewd or lustful way do people consider the acts sinful.
When the Pope was a cardinal he said this :
“Nakedness itself is not immodest… Immodesty is present only when nakedness plays a negative role with regard to the value of the person, when its aim is to arouse concupiscence, as a result of which the person is put in the position of an object for enjoyment.” — The Pope, while still a Polish Cardinal
As for stumbling blocks. I don’t believe that by going about your own business you are presenting stumbling blocks to others. I think that if you actively try to persuade someone to sin you are presenting a stumbling block. For instance, if one of your friends is recovering from an eating disorder, I don’t think that eating in front of them is presenting a stumbling block. But, if you repeatedly ask them to eat more, you are presenting a stumbling block.
So, only if you are flaunting your bare legs in order to arouse someone else would you be sinning. So, unless you stop mowing to put on a show for your neighbor in order to arouse him/her, I don’t think you are sinning.
With that said, if you are visiting another country, I think you should always respect their customs and norms. When I went to the Cayman Islands I made sure to read up on their social views and I tried to follow them when I was there.
I could say so much more but I don’t want to write a novel. : )
bob