Let’s all keep our shirts on

Opinion

Discussion

August 31, 2010

by Tony Thomas CNHI Pharos-Tribune Tue Aug 31, 2010, 02:55 PM EDT

While driving through town last week, I passed a middle-aged man doing some repair work at a small business, and he wasn't wearing a shirt.

The sight took my breath away. Appetite, too.

There was also a golfer on my favorite course who was shirtless. The course rules state that shirts must be worn, and the guy teeing off on the 18th hole needed a large one.

Nobody gets too exorcised when a kid decides to shed his shirt, and no rules exist that clearly define the age when shirts should be worn, but overweight men ought to exercise enough discretion to keep the passing masses from upchucking. Right?

Our culture has become way too lax about the way we dress in public, and I’m not just talking about men.

I passed a “lady” in a convenience store who was wearing those new hip-hugger jeans that exposed more flesh than any man needs to see. Her top was as miniscule as a Band-Aid, leaving her midriff fully exposed, and she was pregnant. Having lived through three pregnancies myself, I know that a smart man cuts a pregnant lady an ample amount of slack, but no man wants to see another man’s bride in Kroger with her stretch marks showing.

This problem of exposed flesh is not limited to Indiana. Twenty-five topless women recently paraded on motorbikes and through the streets of Auckland, New Zealand, despite the winter chill and nippy wind. No arrests were made, but 4,000 workers at a nearby labor protest rally were momentarily distracted.

A homeless woman in Munich insists on bathing in the public fountains. She goes by the name of “Billie,” and she’s 44 years old. So far, she’s been arrested 21 times.

And teenagers in Vermont shed their clothes this summer after learning about their history. The village of Brattleboro dates back to 1724 and public nudity isn’t illegal unless “it’s done to arouse sexual gratification.”

Our family has vacationed in Daytona Beach for nearly 30 years. With the passing of time, I have noticed that the swimming attire requires less and less material, thereby exposing more and more flesh. Could I suggest a possible ordinance? “Dental floss is not an accepted substitute for a bathing suit.”

We aren’t the first generation to be exposed to the occasional forced organ recital. Ever see Michelangelo’s David? He could have used an appropriately placed fig leaf at a minimum.

The church in Corinth was reminded by Paul that some parts of the body are indispensable. He adds, however, that the “parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty” (1 Corinthians 12:22, NIV).

Modesty. Now there’s a forgotten virtue. As Monty Hall used to say, "Let's make a deal." Middle-aged and overweight men should keep their “unpresentable” flesh covered, and ladies ought to keep their cleavage to a minimum (top and backside).

Nobody wants to see a plumber. When it comes to attire, less is not always best. Leave something to the imagination.

• Tony Thomas is a church pastor, a high school basketball coach and author of “A Smidgeon of Religion.” He can be reached through the newspaper at ptnews@pharostribune.com.

Text Only | Photo Reprints

Opinion

Putting our best foot forward
Projects to enhance Logansport’s curb appeal for visitors are coming together. The community owes a debt of gratitude to the hard-working volunteers who made these projects happen.

May 28, 2012
Public forum
Letters of up to 400 words may be submitted to Public Forum, Pharos-Tribune, 517 E. Broadway, Logansport IN 46947. The email address is publicforum@pharostribune.com, and the fax number is 574-732-5070.

May 28, 2012
Taking the cow to school
Managing editor Kelly Hawes says a recent highly publicized prank shows the quality of kids in Logansport.

May 26, 2012
Public forum
Letters of up to 400 words may be submitted to Public Forum, Pharos-Tribune, 517 E. Broadway, Logansport IN 46947. The email address is publicforum@pharostribune.com, and the fax number is 574-732-5070.

May 26, 2012
More than just an extra day off
Monday is Memorial Day, a time when the nation pauses to remember those who have given their lives in defense of the freedoms we all enjoy. It’s great to have a long weekend, but let’s not forget the holiday’s original meaning.

May 26, 2012
Have fun, safe start to summer
Memorial Day weekend marks the unofficial start of the summer season. Have fun this weekend, but be sure to keep it safe.

May 24, 2012
Thorns & Roses
Thorns & Roses is our staff’s compilation of the best and worst of the week, but if you have your own nominations, feel free to send them along for publication in our Public Forum. Submissions of up to 400 words may be addressed to Pharos-Tribune, 517 E. Broadway, Logansport IN 46947. The fax number is 574-732-5070, and the email address is publicforum@pharostribune.com. Don’t forget to include your name, address and daytime telephone number.

May 24, 2012
Meeting students where they are
A mall-based alternative school in Indianapolis is working to reach students who weren’t able to succeed in a traditional classroom. The approach is similar to the one now being taken by Logansport schools.

May 23, 2012
A woman on both state tickets
Columnist Dave Kitchell writes about the running mates for gubernatorial hopefuls John Gregg and Mike Pence.

May 23, 2012 1 Photo
Public forum
Letters of up to 400 words may be submitted to Public Forum, Pharos-Tribune, 517 E. Broadway, Logansport IN 46947. The email address is publicforum@pharostribune.com, and the fax number is (574) 732-5070.

May 23, 2012
More Opinion Headlines

Opinion

Search Results

Discussion

Let’s all keep our shirts on

The U.S. Postal Service is scaling back hours at about 13,000 post offices across the country so that it can keep open about 3,700 post offices it had targeted for closing. Do you support this plan?

Site Map

Contact Us