Having been raised Roman Catholic, I was taught, at an early age, the human body was the “temple of God” — and, at the same time, an object of shame. Especially when it came to sex.
Talk about confusing!
Fortunately, I’ve outgrown most of the outdated concepts of the Catholic Church. But they still persist in many folks, including some of my family. (Though I must admit, I like the “temple of God” idea.)
A few years ago, I was at a large family wedding. I was talking with one of my straight-laced relatives when she spotted an attractive young lady in what my relative thought was a “shamefully revealing” dress. (The dress wasn’t that revealing, and was in good taste.) I told my relative I rather enjoyed the view. She didn’t appreciate that.
There was a “Dear Abby” column some years ago where a mother wrote to Abby about her 14-year-old daughter sleeping naked. The mother obviously disapproved. Abby replied there was nothing wrong with sleeping naked.
Are we so hung up about our bodies, sex, etc. that we think it’s wrong for someone to sleep naked in the privacy of her own bedroom? Or that an attractive woman (or man, for that matter) cannot be proud of her body?
What are your thoughts? Please comment below.
Judee Pouncey
I've thought for a long time that it would be amazing if we could be as natural and allowing and un-self-concious of our bodies as animals are. I mean that is natural! It is amazing that people think nothing of a man with no shirt on, yet a woman with no shirt on is "bad or shameful" (well, to most people anyway!) May we all get over all this erroneous conditioning soon! May we bless and appreciate our wonderful bodies. : )