I hope this woman is not giving you any lustful thoughts.
Posted on 02/23/2021 11:02:55 AM PST by nickcarraway
Social media can either make you or break you, and a pastor in Singapore is bearing the brunt of her remark on sexual temptation.
On Monday (Feb 22), Christian youth-oriented website Thir.st came under fire for publishing an article by Pastor Joanne Chow where she appealed to young women to avoid dressing "in a revealing or provocative way" to help men "control [their] lustful thoughts".
In her article, Chow, a pastor for youths at Pasir Panjang Hill Brethren Church, recounted her own difficulties dealing with sexual temptation when she was in a relationship with her then-boyfriend who is now her husband.
The pastor also offered three tips to help youths from falling into such a temptation.
However, it was a particular remark that sent social media into a frenzy.
Shortly after her article was reposted on Instagram, many took offence with a particular paragraph that appeared to hint that a woman's dressing is to blame for a man's lustful thoughts:
Responses from netizens were largely negative. Many commented on how Chow's suggestion reiterates the traditional role of women in the sexual sphere.
A few others shared their own experiences of being sexually abused.
Others called for the removal of the Instagram post, with some netizens pointing out that it has shone a bad light on the Christian faith.
A few also stated that while the intention of the writer seemed clear, they felt that it was framed wrongly.
In response to the backlash, Thir.st said that the purpose of the article was to "offer practical advice on how Christians can avoid falling into sexual temptation", due to a recent case of a global Christian leader being accused of sexual misconduct.
Chow's article is part of a series called 'How not to fall', which focuses on the temptations both men and women face.
Her acknowledgement that everyone is "ultimately responsible for their own thought life" and her suggestion of "girls helping guys by dressing modestly" are "true at the same time and not necessarily in conflict", Thir.st explained.
Screenshots of Thir.st's response to the article. PHOTO: Instagram/thir.st In another comment, Thir.st said that the article does not condone sexual misconduct and added that both the website and the pastor do not intend to victim-blame women who have experienced sexual assault.
They also agreed that it is "simplistic to say that the issue of lust can be solved by modest dressing".
However, their explanation did not sit well with netizens, who pointed out the contrasts in their responses.
Well, my mother, God rest her soul, always told me if I wanted to be treated like a whore or a slut then I should dress like one. Having self respect and an element of grace and style goes a long way.
I was about to say the same.
How you present yourself influences how people think of you.
I hope this woman is not giving you any lustful thoughts.
People routinely - correctly - blame the bad guy for stealing a car with the keys in it, or robbing a home when the door was left unlocked.
If we now want to claim to woman is culpable in this realm, then I expect FReepers to stop criticizing perpetrators, because I guess it really IS the homeowner's fault for having all that cool stuff.
It’s like they don’t understand that in religion, the mere act of THINKING about having sex with someone who you are not married to is a sin, and that temptation is what she is talking about.
Flee temptation is an actual thing taught in the Bible.
Don’t put yourself in a position where temptation might overcome you.
It’s like being mad if she told parents not to print out naked pictures and paste them on their walls where their children could see them.
Note that we have literal laws that prohibit anybody sending naked pictures of minors to other people — we don’t say “hey, those other people simply shouldn’t look at them, or shouldn’t react to them, so there is no reason NOT to let people send them”.
Yeah, these dudes never get horny.
WTH?
Whatever gave her that idea? Perish the thought!😎
So.....where are the photos of Miss Chow? Certainly, we must have photos to make a decision! ;-)
I was of the understanding that sexually harassing a coworker was a perk.
Guess I shouldn’t wear my undies on the flight deck then.
AMEN!
You miss her point.
She is talking about seduction not rape. Which is not a crime.
If you have a big glass of the finest whiskey in front of someone who can not drink, making frequent remarks about how good it is, that person still has total responsibility if they decide to empty the bottle.
Their responsibility does not make you any less of a total jerk for actively putting temptation in their path.
Females who dress in a provocative way around men who are trying to behave are on the same level of total jerk.
Are the men fully responsible for what they did? Yes.
Are the women fully responsible for what they did? Yes.
The entire point is being kind and not a jerk.
Something the world could use a lot more of.
Oddly, atheists in Sweden are saying the same thing to women to avoid being raped by Muslims.
A Priest once told me, anyone can be blindsided by an image or a view. It is when you linger on that image or view that the sin starts. Your posting of an image doesn’t necessitate my stare.
She was talking about helping control temptation - controlling THOUGHT.
Actions are well past the level of thought.
The world has lost its collective mind - the urge to control others by shaming and condemning is far too strong.
Not to be too confrontational, but,
Leaving your house unlocked is not the same as going down an alley at 2:00 in the morning with $100 dollar bills hanging out your pocket. The perpetrator is wrong in both instances, but the guy being in the alley in the first place didn’t help himself very much.
On the issue of temptation, Paul made the point that he would never eat meat again if it caused his brothers or sisters in the Lord to sin. Yeah, they were the week ones, but he wanted his hands clean before the Lord.
Yeah, the women can wear what they want, but God judges the heart. And if they did it to make people lust or to highlight themselves above others, than they have some dirt on their hands also.
Your analogy only works if the thief only THINKS ABOUT stealing the car - moving from thought to action is self control. Thoughts can be spurred by circumstance, like the keys in the ignition.
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