The Mormon obsession with the female body.

[_DarkHelmet]

One of the more disturbing aspects of Mormonism that we've discussed a lot here, is mormonisms obsession with the female body. I've seen it a lot with my TBM relatives, and it seems to be a relatively new phenomenon. Recently my wife asked me if the dress she was wearing was inappropriate. It went to her calves, but she thought it might be too tight. She gets this type of thinking from church. The female form is beautiful (with obvious exceptions, like Rosie O'Donnell). It is nothing to be ashamed of. If you believe in God, you believe God created the female form. Yet Mormons, like muslims, are obsessed with covering it up. The things that make women different from men must be concealed - the curves, the cleavage, the bumps. A "modest" woman in Mormonism is a woman with most of her feminine features concealed. Their clothing must be loose and frumpy to conceal any body shape. Mormons are told this is important because otherwise they will arouse men. What the brethren don't understand, probably because they haven't had a boner in decades, is men are still aroused by an attractive woman. Unless they cover them in burkas (next logical step) they cannot stop male-female physical attraction. There is nothing pornographic about the female body, and any man who thinks there is has issues.

[_moksha]

Could be the obsession is only with the concept of appearing modest.

[_bcspace]

There is no such obsession. Among anti-Mormons though, noting that sexual sins are so pervasive among them, there is an uncontrollable obsession with sex because of fear that at any minute, they won't be able to perform.

[_zeezrom]

I think we are experiencing the residue of a partriarchical society founded during the Victorian era, followed by a structured organization led by a series of men that followed a homogeneous path of male power and dominance.

I doubt the religion itself created any obsession with the female form as the religion really hasn't had a huge impact on anything.

I think women should always try to enjoy wearing whatever the hell makes them feel beautiful, be it drapy, baggy, restricted, airy, angelic, powerful, dark, hot, cold, etc. I also think men should feel the same damn freedom, but alas, they are stuck in a world of boring, stuffy, business oriented outfits. :(

[_Tarski]

*sigh*
It is simpler than that.
I am sick of the tiptoe and the polically correct language (the female form is a beautiful work of art and made by God etc. etc.)
Regardless of inappropriate or not, I say please look sexy! Please send those sexual signals.
Go ahead and be a little naughty even if that's what it is (being naughty).
Whatever the societal line, put a toe over the line. Go ahead.
Thanks.

[_zeezrom]

I say please look sexy!

This is an interesting plea.

What if you did not feel completely secure about your body and someone came up to you and said, "Please, look sexier!"

I suppose what I want in this world is for people to believe that what they wear really is important and they should put some effort into dressing in a way that makes them feel good. By "good", I mean confident, when they need confidence. Free when they need freedom. Color when they need life. Etc.

What bothers me is the T-shirt. I am very guilty of this. I have spent much of my life wearing them. But I'm trying to do better now! Burn those goddamn T-shirts! OK, keep a few...

[_Wilma Fingerdoo]

Obviously with the "problem" the church has addressed with pornography indicates males in the church enjoy viewing the scantily clad female body. I guess if you don't get it at home you search for it somewhere else. I guess the church makes angels look more most in an attempt to not have a situation where the males take the magazine into the bathroom for a little extra study if you know what I mean

[_Tarski]

I say please look sexy!

This is an interesting plea.

What if you did not feel completely secure about your body and someone came up to you and said, "Please, look sexier!"..

One can always say no. I am only showing appreciation for those that can and do.

Of course, with a little effort, most people can look sexier if they want. But again, it isn't for everyone.

I just hate to see a really well put together woman (or man) that only avoids sexiness for some silly moral reason.

On another level, my point is that any society will make sexual taboos about dress and other behavior and it will always be sexy to push that envelope in a daring but artful way.

[_why me]

Of course, with a little effort, most people can look sexier if they want. But again, it isn't for everyone.

This is true. At times the modest dressed woman is sexier for the man. And it shows that that woman respects herself and it leaves much to the imagination for the man when somethings are modestly covered. The Mormon women are not dressed in long dresses walking around town on a hot summer day. They are wearing shorts and tops that just cover the shoulders.

And man also need to be modestly dressed inf they are wearing temple garments. This is not just a woman thing at all.

[_why me]

Obviously with the "problem" the church has addressed with pornography indicates males in the church enjoy viewing the scantily clad female body.

Pornography is different. The porn producers know how to make their product addictive.

However, dressing like a oornstar is not that uncommon among the teens or young adults. And like I said, a temple going male would be hard pressed to wear a sleeveless t-shirt in the city on a hot summer's day.