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Modesty Doctrine

Definition: The “modesty doctrine” is the belief that women need to cover their bodies to prevent men from being attracted to them, because sexual attraction is lust that leads to sin and death for both. The modesty doctrine is not the same as wearing conservative clothing. You can do the latter without believing the former. The modesty doctrine is found in fundamentalist Christianity, Judaism and Islam, with milder echoes in mainstream Western culture.

My posts about the Modesty Doctrine:

Hatred and Modesty

The Message vs. the Gospel: Lust and Responsibility

How Modesty Made Me Fat

Modesty: A Response to Common Misunderstandings

How the Modesty Doctrine Hurts Men, Too

Quick Hits: Modesty, LGBTQ, and “Honoring” Women

Fundamentalist Aesthetics

Memorial Monday’s Massive Modesty Media Mention

Modesty, Body Policing and Rape Culture: Connecting the Dots

Modesty and False Empowerment

Recommended posts from others on the Modesty Doctrine:

The Modesty Myth: a new series on From Two to One

Love, Joy, Feminism: The “Problem” of Lust

Love, Joy, Feminism: I Wear a Bikini (Gasp!)

Love, Joy, Feminism: How the Purity Culture Made Me Afraid of Men

Friendly Atheist: A Pastor Tells Women How to Dress Modestly

Got recommendations? Leave your links in the comments!

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