What do you think about breastfeeding? Cover or no cover?

[GoldenEagle]

 

 

I do not believe it's insensitive to ask that breastfeeding mothers cover themselves in public.

 

And that is your opinion and option to do so brother. Which is a valid opinion or position to take.

 

However, nursing mothers can have a different belief. In many instances according the the law in the U.S. in many instances she is exempt from doing so.

 

God bless,

GE

 

 

 

 

 

 

You know, to be totally honest, I really don't care what nursing mothers do. It doesn't bother me. Never did.

 

But what I see in your post is that you're attempting to bypass scripture using the laws of the world.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Where does personal comfort trump the Word?

 

I'm thinking I need a break from this thread. Man I have one last question for you. By your statement here... Are you trying to be the Holy Spirit in people's lives? Let me rephrase: Are you saying that if someone disagrees with you on this they are unilaterally practicing evil? That there is no room for agreement on this issue?

 

 

 

Personal attack?   You must be really mad.

 

 

 

Yes, I'm not surprised you're not really interested in the subject matter. I will admit I'm frustrated you're not reading what I write and responding only to sections of what I say (particularly the last few sentences). How am I bypassing Scripture? I brought up the passage you quoted in Romans 14 today at 1:28pm U.S. Central time. Actually I had been studying it on August 11th.

 

I said specifically that I'm not advocating ignoring weaker brothers and sisters in Christ. I do believe that we should consider those who struggle in the faith. Loving God and loving people is to be our guide. How that looks to each person in their culture, etc. can be different.

I also am asking for compassion to be shown to nursing women.

I said I'm trying to find a balance.

 

 

Please read before commenting further!

 

I’d like to make some clarifications here. I’m not trying to advocate a woman shouldn’t try to be discreet when breastfeeding. I’m not advocating a woman going topless. I’m not advocating ignoring weaker brothers and sisters in Christ.

I do believe we should in fact follow Scripture and consider weaker brothers and sisters in the faith. I do believe that loving God and loving people is the command that is to be our guide.

I’m simply advocating being sensitive to nursing mothers and the babies involved.

 

People are people no matter how small.

<snip>

 

All I’m wanting to do is to point back to the idea that instead of demanding women to be covered (which most women try to do anyway) we should lovingly, gently, and compassionately consider their needs (and those of the baby) too. A little kindness and compassion goes a long way.

 

<snip>

There needs to be a balance. I’m trying to find that balance.

So this is where I’m coming from in this discussion.

 

 

This second quote is not a personal attack. I am not mad at all. I will ask again directly. I will put the question at the end since this is typically what you respond to. Are you saying the Bible (based on the passages you quoted) is crystal clear that a woman should always cover herself when nursing in every circumstance and every culture?

 

I'm taking a break from this thread for a bit.

 

God bless,

GE

[Guest man]

Yes, I'm not surprised you're not really interested in the subject matter. I will admit I'm frustrated you're not reading what I write and responding only to sections of what I say (particularly the last few sentences). How am I bypassing Scripture? I brought up the passage you quoted in Romans 14 today at 1:28pm U.S. Central time. Actually I had been studying it on August 11th.

 

 

I'm not a reader of long posts. And I do pick and choose what I want to respond too. That's not likely to change any time soon. I usually pick one thing that stands out to me and that's what I respond too.

 

 

Bypassing scripture. Let's have a look.

 

 

 

 

 

 

However, nursing mothers can have a different belief. In many instances according the the law in the U.S. in many instances she is exempt from doing so.

 

 

 

Explain that different belief. Are nursing mothers exempt from having to follow the scriptures? I'm just curious. 

 

And what do U.S. laws have to do with anything? It sounds like your saying, if U.S. law allows it, it automatically becomes biblical. I know that's not what you're saying, but it sure looks like it. The laws of this world do not replace the scriptures. I don't care how decent and compassionate they appear.

 

 

 

 

Moving on to the rest of your post.   

[Guest man]

I said specifically that I'm not advocating ignoring weaker brothers and sisters in Christ. I do believe that we should consider those who struggle in the faith. Loving God and loving people is to be our guide. How that looks to each person in their culture, etc. can be different.

I also am asking for compassion to be shown to nursing women.

I said I'm trying to find a balance.

 

 

Regardless of culture and whatever else is out there, the Gospel never changes. 

 

 

 

You want find balance? Stick with the scriptures.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Moving on to the rest of your post.   

[firestormx]

 

 

 

Grace is the Word

 

 

 

From the Word.

 

 

1 Corinthians 8

9 But beware lest somehow this liberty of yours become a stumbling block to those who are weak.

 

<snip>

 

13 Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never again eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble.

 

 

Romans 14

13 Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother’s way.

 

 

and without grace those verses become a nice club to force other to do what you would have them do. 

 

Colossians 4:6 

Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.

 

Ephesians 4:32

Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

 

I Corinthians 13:2

And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.

 

I wanted to say I am sorry for any offense. I guess if I would have just come out and spelled out my thoughts, completely in one post, it would have saved a lot of  problems.           

 

 Breastfeeding under most circumstances is fine and I see no problem with it. Because most use modesty in doing so, trying not to reveal themselves. But I have also seen women who didn't care who saw what or who it offended, all the while proclaiming to be Christian. It's the later that I was addressing. Of course all women should be shown respect, grace and love at all times. But no believer should use their freedom to cause another to stumble. Most of the time, this is not the case. But it does happen, I have seen it.

 

 

Have you ever seen breastfeeding sit-in protests? That is a great example of what I meant about for show. There are 2 sides to this issue. I truly thought you and others were saying that because a woman breastfeeds, she can do anything she wants, because the bible says we have to show her love. If she causes someone to stumble, then to bad, oh well, it's there problem. She has no responsibility to show compassion or love. No responsibility to think of anyone but herself and baby. The fact she chooses to exercise no or little modesty is irrelevant. She can do what she wants because she is breastfeeding. To use something you said in the quote above, I thought you were using the word to control everyone who may be offended by it. or to quote you word for word, " without grace those verses become a nice club to force other to do what you would have them do."

 

 

 I thought you were doing exactly what you thought I was doing. I now realize you were only responding to my perceived lack of love or compassion to any and all breastfeeding women. That was not my intent. I am sorry for any offense. I will make an true effort to be more clear in the future and try to explain myself fully. Remembering to try to see things from the other point of view.

 

If you have any other questions, please ask. I will try to give a full answer.

 

 

God Bless You

Firestormx

Joseph

[Guest man]

 

This second quote is not a personal attack. I am not mad at all. I will ask again directly. I will put the question at the end since this is typically what you respond to. Are you saying the Bible (based on the passages you quoted) is crystal clear that a woman should always cover herself when nursing in every circumstance and every culture?

 

 

 

If I was to say that I'd be lying. 

 

The passages I posted makes reference to those who are weaker in faith, easily tempted, etc. 

 

If I'm doing something that causes another to falter in their walk, I need to stop doing whatever it is I'm doing. I don't get special privileges because I'm uncomfortable. 

 

 

 

 

 

Done.  

[Guest ninhao]

.....The passages I posted makes reference to those who are weaker in faith, easily tempted, etc. 

 

If I'm doing something that causes another to falter in their walk, I need to stop doing whatever it is I'm doing. I don't get special privileges because I'm uncomfortable. 

 

 

Done.  

 

Hello Man,

 

I am curious about the application of Roman's 14 in this issue. Do you think there are circumstances when something which may cause a brother/sister to stumble is not the resposnsibilty of the "doer" to change.

 

For isntance; if I am stumbled by the shape of a woman is it her responsibilty to conceal her shape to the point of removing the temptation ? At this satage I have considered we should take reasonable steps not to stumble a person but do you suggest we should do anything requested ?

 

Done + 1 ?

[Guest Butero]

This week was breastfeeding week. Feel free to discuss one or more of these questions...

A. What do you think about breastfeeding? Cover or no cover?

B. What are the social norms in the culture/country you live in?

 

C. Do you know the laws in your country/state regarding breastfeeding?

 

A.  Some people freak out when they see a woman breastfeeding her child in public, so it is probably a good idea to cover herself as much as possible for their sake?  I don't care one way or the other.

 

B.  I rarely see a woman breastfeeding a child in public, and when they have, they were as modest as possible.

 

C.  I am not sure about the laws in my state, but I can't imagine any woman being arrested for breastfeeding in public?  I can just imagine the outrage and protests that would arise if that ever did occur!

[Guest man]

 

.....The passages I posted makes reference to those who are weaker in faith, easily tempted, etc. 

 

If I'm doing something that causes another to falter in their walk, I need to stop doing whatever it is I'm doing. I don't get special privileges because I'm uncomfortable. 

 

 

Done.  

 

Hello Man,

 

I am curious about the application of Roman's 14 in this issue. Do you think there are circumstances when something which may cause a brother/sister to stumble is not the resposnsibilty of the "doer" to change.

 

For isntance; if I am stumbled by the shape of a woman is it her responsibilty to conceal her shape to the point of removing the temptation ? At this satage I have considered we should take reasonable steps not to stumble a person but do you suggest we should do anything requested ?

 

Done + 1 ?

 

 

 

 

I believe Romans is referencing passing judgment on weaker brothers and sisters for their convictions. 

 

 

13 Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother’s way.

 

 

People stumble for various reasons and there are times when there's nothing to be done about it. I know people who are jealous because someone has a better job then they do. Is that person expected to quit their job? No. 

 

Should I sell my house because my neighbor thinks it's too big?  No.

 

 

There are some things we cannot control, but for the ones we can, we should, or at least make an attempt.

[Guest Butero]

 

 

.....The passages I posted makes reference to those who are weaker in faith, easily tempted, etc. 

 

If I'm doing something that causes another to falter in their walk, I need to stop doing whatever it is I'm doing. I don't get special privileges because I'm uncomfortable. 

 

 

Done.  

 

Hello Man,

 

I am curious about the application of Roman's 14 in this issue. Do you think there are circumstances when something which may cause a brother/sister to stumble is not the resposnsibilty of the "doer" to change.

 

For isntance; if I am stumbled by the shape of a woman is it her responsibilty to conceal her shape to the point of removing the temptation ? At this satage I have considered we should take reasonable steps not to stumble a person but do you suggest we should do anything requested ?

 

Done + 1 ?

 

 

 

 

I believe Romans is referencing passing judgment on weaker brothers and sisters for their convictions. 

 

 

13 Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother’s way.

 

 

People stumble for various reasons and there are times when there's nothing to be done about it. I know people who are jealous because someone has a better job then they do. Is that person expected to quit their job? No. 

 

Should I sell my house because my neighbor thinks it's too big?  No.

 

 

There are some things we cannot control, but for the ones we can, we should, or at least make an attempt.

 

I agree with you.  Everyone likes to point to Romans to show we shouldn't judge, but few will acknowledge that people aren't supposed to offend others by the things we allow.  It is a two way street.  There is no question that there are some who are offended by a woman who breastfeeds her baby in public, and for that reason, your position is a valid one.  Personally, I don't understand why people are so bothered by it, but many are.

[nebula]

 

 

 

For that matter, when I mentioned to my husband about guys here claiming men are tempted with lust at seeing a woman breastfeeding without a cover, he gave a look of disgust and said something to the affect of, "Those guys [the ones lusting] have a problem."

So when someone admits that this is a stumbling block for them, the correct response is, the problem is theirs, not mine?

No one said anything about how to respond to someone.

 

I posted a verse from Corinthians. I'll post it again if you want.

 

We were referring to the anonymous men who were being referred to.

So because the ones that are stumbling are strangers, it's ok to stray from the Word?

 

Someone expressing their opinion on a matter to someone else is not stating what they would say to a person directly. I do not know of a single person who doesn't do that.

 

If I was talking face-to-face with a man who told me he feels lust seeing a woman breast-feeding when her breast is exposed . . . well, I'd probably feel too self-conscious and scared to say anything and try to leave as fast as I could. But if I did have the boldness to say anything ... actually, I can't feel myself having the boldness to say anything. Sorry.