I read an interesting and well-written article by a lady discussing what women wear. Specifically, she talked about wearing the skin-tight yoga pants that many women choose, not only for exercise but to go to stores, soccer games, etc. It was her thought that such attire creates lust in men and that it’s a woman’s scriptural obligation to be modest in her clothing.

Now, while I understand her motive, and agree to some degree—for instance, I wonder why women wear ultra-short skirts and revealing blouses to church (but that’s just me)—as a man I find the article somewhat off putting. It’s as though she classifies all men as young boys who can get aroused by reading the newspaper or watching a racy episode of Sponge Bob Square Pants. When we pass through that stage and become adults, we are no longer just controlled by testosterone; we allow other things to govern us. Yoga pants! How about bathing suits—no, I’m not talking about strings, just suits in general. They show the woman’s curves, so is she supposed to cover when she enters the water? What next, veils?

I understand this isn’t what she was suggesting but once you open that box, it’s open. Is it a woman’s obligation to dress so that men have no temptation to undress her in their minds? In my opinion, it’s that kind of thinking that reduces women to objects to be at men’s disposal; let’s put her in her place. If a woman walks up to me and undresses, am I supposed to lose control or simply admire the view? If I walk into a bar and order a beer, am I supposed to feel a responsibility to someone who might be an alcoholic? We can quote scripture and while you might see black, I see white. So, doesn’t it come down to individual responsibility? If a woman wants to wear clothing that shows her attributes, is it any different than a man wearing a custom made suit or showing off his muscles with a skin-tight shirt? Or have I missed something and it’s only men who lust.

If a woman thinks she has to cover up to remove my lust, what must she think of me? We are all created by God and if we walk with Him, what worry do we have? We, for the most part, are not fragile pieces of china, broken by the slightest trembling. My God is not a god of don’t’s.

ROCK ON WOMEN!