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A popular magazine recently featured a piece about celebrities who had wowed crowds by showing up at a public occasion in clothing (?) that revealed their posterior for all to see. Of course, they just had to include photos of these women, to go with their story. Hollywood types regularly show up to gala events in see-through outfits which are about as discrete as plastic wrap. Some rock stars such as Courtney Love are famous for taking off their clothes on stage. Then of course, there is Demi Moore who has a long-standing tradition of appearing unclothed on magazine covers. Even when her stomach was hugely distended in pregnancy, she did a nude cover. One cannot walk through the supermarket without being assaulted by photos of models who appear to be in the process of disrobing. Magazines from Cosmo to Muscle and Fitness feature covers with silicone-enhanced, airbrush-retouched breasts straining desperately to escape from their textile prisons. Many of the weightlifting magazines rival the Greeks in the self-worship of the male physique. Everywhere you turn, the human body is exposed. The amazing thing about all this is that these people don�t seem a bit ashamed of what they are doing.

A long time ago, in a garden far, far away, when their were only two people in the world, the Bible tells us that Adam and Eve "were naked and unashamed." It was a time of innocence, as yet untouched by sin. Later, with rebellion against God, there came and awareness of their nakedness, and a desire to clothe themselves. Their choice of attire proved to be insufficient, and God himself proved skins to hide their nakedness.

I have watched my son reach an age where he began to desire his privacy, as he became self-aware of the need for discreteness. This was not something we drummed into him. It came naturally. So why is it that certain adults lose their sense of modesty, and flaunt their bodies? And how does their flagrant exhibitionism desensistize us as a nation?

In our society, many are also "naked and unashamed." Not because of their innocence, but because their sinfulness has deadened their consciences. They revel in arousing lust in others. They have no shame. You will find no blush on their cheeks.

As Christians, we have a responsibility in the way we choose to dress. We must consider the effect that what we wear will have on others. To resolve to place no stumbling block in another�s way is a noble duty. Let us rise above our culture, and not be prisoners of it.

UPDATE: Just in case you think I'm exaggerating, here's an interesting article from Mr. Showbiz about self-proclaimed born-again actress Rene Russo regarding her nude sex scenes in The Thomas Crown Affair:

July 16, 1999

Rene Russo: God OK'd My Nude Scene

Well, that's a new one. When asked how she prepared for her topless love scene with Pierce Brosnan in The Thomas Crown Affair, Rene Russo apparently consulted the very highest authority.

The actress, a regular churchgoer, tells Los Angeles magazine that she sent up a prayer about whether she should or should not disrobe for the cameras. She apparently got the go-ahead (or at least a "no comment") from the Man Upstairs.

"I don't know where in the Bible it says, 'Don't be nude in a motion picture,'" Russo says. Well, we've never come across a passage to that effect either. And, implying that the Pope would also give her nude scene a big thumbs-up, the actress adds, "In some of the most beautiful paintings in the Vatican, people are in the nude."

http://mrshowbiz.go.com/news/Todays_Stories/990716/russo071699.html


Naked and Unashamed A popular magazine recently featured a piece about celebrities who had wowed crowds by showing up at a public occasion in clothing (?) that revealed their posterior for all to see. Of course, they just had to include photos of these women, to go with their story. Hollywood types regularly show up to gala events in see-through outfits which are about as discrete as plastic wrap. Some rock stars such as Courtney Love are famous for taking off their clothes on stage. Then of course, there is Demi Moore who has a long-standing tradition of appearing unclothed on magazine covers. Even when her stomach was hugely distended in pregnancy, she did a nude cover. One cannot walk through the supermarket without being assaulted by photos of models who appear to be in the process of disrobing. Magazines from Cosmo to Muscle and Fitness feature covers with silicone-enhanced, airbrush-retouched breasts straining desperately to escape from their textile prisons. Many of the weightlifting magazines rival the Greeks in the self-worship of the male physique. Everywhere you turn, the human body is exposed. The amazing thing about all this is that these people don�t seem a bit ashamed of what they are doing. A long time ago, in a garden far, far away, when their were only two people in the world, the Bible tells us that Adam and Eve "were naked and unashamed." It was a time of innocence, as yet untouched by sin. Later, with rebellion against God, there came and awareness of their nakedness, and a desire to clothe themselves. Their choice of attire proved to be insufficient, and God himself proved skins to hide their nakedness. I have watched my son reach an age where he began to desire his privacy, as he became self-aware of the need for discreteness. This was not something we drummed into him. It came naturally. So why is it that certain adults lose their sense of modesty, and flaunt their bodies? And how does their flagrant exhibitionism desensistize us as a nation? In our society, many are also "naked and unashamed." Not because of their innocence, but because their sinfulness has deadened their consciences. They revel in arousing lust in others. They have no shame. You will find no blush on their cheeks. As Christians, we have a responsibility in the way we choose to dress. We must consider the effect that what we wear will have on others. To resolve to place no stumbling block in another�s way is a noble duty. Let us rise above our culture, and not be prisoners of it. UPDATE: Just in case you think I'm exaggerating, here's an interesting article from Mr. Showbiz about self-proclaimed born-again actress Rene Russo regarding her nude sex scenes in The Thomas Crown Affair: July 16, 1999 Rene Russo: God OK'd My Nude Scene Well, that's a new one. When asked how she prepared for her topless love scene with Pierce Brosnan in The Thomas Crown Affair, Rene Russo apparently consulted the very highest authority. The actress, a regular churchgoer, tells Los Angeles magazine that she sent up a prayer about whether she should or should not disrobe for the cameras. She apparently got the go-ahead (or at least a "no comment") from the Man Upstairs. "I don't know where in the Bible it says, 'Don't be nude in a motion picture,'" Russo says. Well, we've never come across a passage to that effect either. And, implying that the Pope would also give her nude scene a big thumbs-up, the actress adds, "In some of the most beautiful paintings in the Vatican, people are in the nude." http://mrshowbiz.go.com/news/Todays_Stories/990716/russo071699.html

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