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It's something I don't understand: I see often see evidence that God wants us to hate our bodies. I recently witnessed an example and I wanted to voice my opinion.
The other day I was working out at
Curves and I saw something that made me think.
I should preface this with the fact that I live in an area that has a high population of Orthodox Jewish families. I was raised Jewish, but no longer practice it. I have converted to the
Wiccan religion, although I still consider Judaism my ethnicity.
A young Orthodox Jewish girl came in to work out. She went to the changing rooms and returned dressed in sneakers, black leotards, a midi-length pleated gray skirt, and a long sleeved checkered blouse that was literally buttoned to the neck. Although plainly and modestly dressed , as per the laws of her religion, she was pretty girl. She was obviously extremely self-conscious. Some of the machines were difficult for her to take advantage of in a skirt and sometimes she got tangled up in moving from machine to machine.
I felt for the girl as she checked her top shirt button on a regular basis and did her best to do the circuit of machines.
What is so wrong with our bodies that several religions insist on such extreme modesty?
Orthodox Judaism and Islam along with some sects of Christianity (such as the Amish), come to mind first.
Can religion dictate such 'morality' over basic primal instincts? Should it?
The religion I now practice recognizes that I am a part of nature,not above it. Therefore my body, in any form, is beautiful, natural and good. I have danced naked in the moonlight and it has empowered me. It didn't make me evil, bad or disgusting. Don't misunderstand me I believe in modesty, especially for young girls these days. It's the degree of it and the teaching behind it that almost saddens me.
Just my opinion....rant over.