Here’s an illustration of where [selective] biblical literalism can take one. In Deuteronomy 22:5, the writer states in plain King James English, “The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman's garment: for all that do so are abomination unto the LORD thy God.” This text has been interpreted to mean that women cannot wear pants, even though men wore robes, not trousers, when this text was written. Thus, at my Christian school and the church that sponsored it, women wore dresses, skirts, even culottes, but not pants and certainly not shorts. We wore them with nylons and heels in the relentless heat of south Florida. I could perhaps have borne it better—after all, my Christian college let us wear pants only after five p.m., another bizarre rule—if all of Deuteronomy were evenly applied. For example, one chapter earlier, provisions were made for stoning a rebellious son. Any number of such sons sat in my classes, and no one was throwing rocks at them, least of all their frustrated or doting parents. The saga of women and pants at our church and school took place over several years and stages. First, wearing pants was clearly forbidden. Then it was decided that pants with an elastic waistband could be worn; they didn't pertain to a man. Next, pants with side zippers were acceptable; no man would wear those. One teacher, an excellent seamstress, moved all the zippers in the pants she still owned. Color was the next determiner of true manliness—no man would wear pastels, so sherbet-colored pants, even with a zipper in front, were acceptable for women. Never mind that Florida was and is littered with men playing golf in pink or mint green or yellow trousers. A manly man would always wear black, navy, brown, or gray. By the time that final ruling came down, the women in my circle were weary and cynical. We suspected that these changes had nothing to do with biblical interpretation but may have owed their origin to the fashion desires of the pastor’s wife. She was petite and cute; she looked darling in pants. [The photo is from an ad for Lilly Pulitzer, noted for the brilliant tropical colors of her fabric.]
0 Comments
Your comment will be posted after it is approved.
Leave a Reply. |
Baptist GirlI was a conservative Baptist girl who grew up to become a career Christian, working first in a Baptist school and then in a Baptist college. For about three decades, it was very good until it wasn’t, and I had to leave. But the Baptists formed me. This is my homage to the good times and good people of the world I left, finally, at forty-three, when I became an Episcopalian. These are my memories; others might disagree with my recollections. So be it. Archives
January 2024
Categories |