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.
There’s an ENTIRE WORLD between #4 and #6!!
“Stealing a horse doesn’t make a man a horse thief.
It only proves he already was one.”
Comment from a pastor years ago, explaining that the sin was committed in the heart, before the action was taken. The action was the observable proof.
Has anyone been to the beach lately, particularly Miami? Nothing but bare female asses as far as the eye can see. I totally understand where the pastor is coming from and what she’s trying to say. Ladies, have a little self respect.
Guess we can chalk this up to “Great minds think alike” :0)
It’s a matter of common courtesy towards men.
Many men, probably most, struggle with sexual temptation and want to control their thought lives, and the way women dress can make that job a lot harder than it needs to be.
Besides, if a woman wants to dress provocatively, save it for the bedroom,
I’m not interested in seeing it either.
Check out the eyes on that one in the middle!
My thought too. She is simply stating Islamic Doctrine. So the question is very simple: Do these people who are attacking her hate Islam? If not, then why are they so opposed to a fundamental teaching of the religion? Obviously these people attacking her are filled with HATRED and RELIGIOUS INTOLERANCE, and we need to start calling that out.
The Bible is unequivocal about modesty: it is essential to a Christian woman.
We women can rebel all we want, but it is absolutely true that we attract the kind of man we dress for, and teach him how to treat us, in part, by the way we dress.
If we want to be treated as a lady, we must dress as a lady. Period.
As Camille Paglia famously said, Yes you have a legal right to walk around in Central Park at 2 am but if you are going to I’d be saying “girl what are you thinking?” Ditto the eedjit who leaves his door unlocked or his keys in the car. The law defines the perpetrator, common sense defines the dummy. There is such a thing as asking for it.
The Bible does tell women to dress modestly...
Proverbs 11:22 “Like a gold ring in a pig’s snout is a beautiful woman who shows no discretion.”
1 Timothy 2:9-10 “Paul said: I also want women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God.”
Women have responsibilities as well!
Men will be judged for their inner thoughts and motives certainly...but so will the women! Men are often accused of not being honest with themselves but so can the women be so accused when they try to justify wearing sexually revealing clothing by accusing others of having “dirty minds”!
Both men and women were judged at Sinai for their corrupt activities before the golden calf! Men AND women were destroyed when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah!
This teacher speaks correctly, never mind the flack she is getting.
“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.”
She sounds like she was very wise.
Exactly!!
I am a 75 year old woman. I know how I dressed as a young woman and I know WHY I dressed that way.
Frankly I wanted the attention; I wanted the lustful looks. But I wanted it both ways, he could look but not touch. This is immaturity and selfishness in the extreme. And no, the women guilty of this thinking will not admit it.
Ironically, I met my husband at a church picnic when I was dressed modestly.
Yep.
We understand the concept of someone trying to pick a fight but we seem to lack any understanding that dressing as scantily as possible is like wearing a Sherman button to a Georgia picnic as my grandmother would say.
Be kind and don't push people.
Temptation is not a Sin. Acting out the temptation is a Sin.
To make sure the saracens don’t do anything.
She is talking about seduction not rape.
One is an action by a predator on a victim and the other is somethin that happens with the consent of both people involved.
Way too much common sense in your post for the year 2021
Ok, the purpose of the Law is to show mankind what a filthy sinner he truly is, which should make all God fearing mankind long for the Grace promised by God through the Gospel message of Jesus Christ. The Law of Moses condemns mankind for what he truly is, but the Grace of God redeems mankind to God, doing FOR us what we can never DO for ourselves...become the righteousness of God in Jesus Christ.
The idea that even Christian people are going to go through their lives and never be turned on by the opposite sex is a pipe dream. ONLY through Christ’s work in the believers life will those feelings EVER fade. NOTHING we can DO ourselves will be able to stop it, and feeling guilty about it when it does happen is just the evil ones way of doubling down on your feelings of worthlessness and failure. The truth is that WITHOUT Jesus Christ we are ALL worthless failures, justly deserving of a just and righteous God’s wrath and displeasure.
Christians need to know EXACTLY what they truly ARE in the sight of God...a redeemed by the Blood of Christ believer IS THE RIGHTEOUSNESS of God already, spiritually speaking. ONLY when you recognize what you truly are in the eyes of God, and fully rely on Christ’s work in your life instead of your own “works”, will the power and curse of sin stop controlling you.
So yea, anyway, Islam already takes her idea to the extreme. Do we REALLY think that draping sheets over women is what God intends as a “control” for the thoughts and actions of mankind?
Which explains why their men go for goats and sheep.
Oh goody...more lectures and more rules. I’ll pass...
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.