God designed every part of our bodies, and when He was done, He said it was good. There is not any part of the body which is shameful. In Old Testament times people bathed in public areas. In New Testament times people were baptized while nude. Elijah preached to large crowds for three years nude. (Some students of Hebrew say that the passage about Elijah going nude for three years really should be interpreted as his being in his underwear, but even if that is correct, it would still not be considered modest in today’s America. Most Christians would certainly condemn his attire.)

In many cultures over the centuries people have worn little or no clothing as both children and adults. Even in some “western” cultures today, nude or nearly nude sun bathing or swimming is common, and not associated with sexual activity. Young people living on the western frontiers of America 150 years ago would swim nude (or sometimes in their bloomers and such) in the local creeks. Few would ever own special clothing for swimming.

Should girls in the USA today be conscious and conscientious about modesty? Yes. But it is a sad commentary on where our culture has come. There are likely many influences that contribute to the men of American having such an obsession with sex. And it may be reasonable for them to ask the ladies to “help out’ by covering up, but the men should also work on developing a healthier attitude. If a man cannot look at a scantily clad lady without becoming sexually aroused or having immoral thoughts, he should be examining what the problem is and seeking a solution that is not dependent on how women dress. I can understand that non-Christians may be quite conflicted in this area; but Christians, having been placed into a right relationship with God, should be more able to appreciate the way we were made without perverting it.