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

[GoldenEagle]

 

 

 

 

Saying what the law states is not going against Scripture.

 

 

 

You're right, it's not. I don't understand why the law was even brought up. It has nothing to do with the christian perspective. 

 

 

So the law has nothing to do with the Christian perspective? Really? Please explain.

 

God bless,

GE

[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.   

 

 

See previous post. You brought up Romans 14. If you have an issue about me stating what the U.S. law states then perhaps a good look at Romans 13:1-7 is in order? I agre The Gospel doesn't change - Jesus Christ crucified, risen in three days, forgiveness of sin for maknind, adoption as co-heirs in Christ, Christ's 2nd return.

Social norms (cover or no cover for example) do change. In Europe a freind told me if someone messes with a woman when she's nursing her baby covered or not covered that those bystanders around her wouldn't be getting on her (nursing mother) case but on the case of the person doing the messing. Perhaps in America children are de-valued (someone brought up the whole abortion issue for example). Food for thought.

God bless,

GE

 

 

 

We're just going in circles here. It gets old.

 

 

Tell you what, post 15 different pictures of women breastfeeding uncovered. If it's as harmless as you claim, there should be no issues with it.  

[GoldenEagle]

 

I have no issues with the laws of this country. 

 

Does gay marriage and abortion ring a bell?

 

And just so we get this straight, I'm not trying to impose anything on anyone.

 

All I did was post some scripture.

 

If the law doesn't have anything to do with the Christian perspective why do we care about abortion or the sanctity of marriage?

 

 

You're right, it's not. I don't understand why the law was even brought up. It has nothing to do with the christian perspective. 

 

This seems contradictory to me... 

God bless,

GE

[Guest man]

 

 

I have no issues with the laws of this country. 

 

Does gay marriage and abortion ring a bell?

 

And just so we get this straight, I'm not trying to impose anything on anyone.

 

All I did was post some scripture.

 

If the law doesn't have anything to do with the Christian perspective why do we care about abortion or the sanctity of marriage?

 

 

 

 

But yet can we impose what we percieve as Biblical truth on people who are non-Believers?  

[GoldenEagle]

I will throw this out here-and excuse me if I come across as a bit straightforward, but from a guys perspective here-I for one, and most of my male friends are the same-do not find anything lustfull about a woman breastfeeding. Massive cleavage? yes thats enough to draw a guys eye, letting them hang out? ya that would do it. Feeding a baby? no. Sorry. Most men I know do not find that in the least bit attractive. For one, the baby covers up pretty much everything anyway, 2 most men feel a little uncomfortable around a woman that does it-not lustful, but rather uncomfortable.

 

With that being said, I do know some men who would lust after this-but these guys are sex crazy, and are likely to lust after the woman regardless of whether she decided to do it in public or not. So to say that a guy who lusts after a woman breastfeeding has issues, is a true statement-and I will say this as a guy.

 

I agree with you Pat particularly in bold... I find nothing attractive or sensual about breastfeeding.

Men who lust uncontrollably IMO are going to lust even if a woman is fully clothed.

[JDavis]

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.

See previous post. You brought up Romans 14. If you have an issue about me stating what the U.S. law states then perhaps a good look at Romans 13:1-7 is in order? I agre The Gospel doesn't change - Jesus Christ crucified, risen in three days, forgiveness of sin for maknind, adoption as co-heirs in Christ, Christ's 2nd return.

Social norms (cover or no cover for example) do change. In Europe a freind told me if someone messes with a woman when she's nursing her baby covered or not covered that those bystanders around her wouldn't be getting on her (nursing mother) case but on the case of the person doing the messing. Perhaps in America children are de-valued (someone brought up the whole abortion issue for example). Food for thought.

God bless,

GE

We're just going in circles here. It gets old.

Tell you what, post 15 different pictures of women breastfeeding uncovered. If it's as harmless as you claim, there should be no issues with it.

Was going to take you up on this challenge but can't from my phone.

The striking thing was when i did a yahoo search for breast feeding images none that i saw had the baby or breast covered by anything other than the baby.

[GoldenEagle]

 

 

I think whether it was 20 years ago or 10 months ago... usually, a mom can plan around outings or work... breast pumps, etc.  I am glad you are not offended by women breastfeeding babies.  I'm not offended either.  I try not to deliberately make other people feel uncomfortable and that said, I never had an issue going to a private area when necessary out in public or when out visiting to nurse the kids.  Sorry for any confusion or distress - I haven't been on the forum for a long, long time.  I forgot how controversial everything becomes here.  Have a blessed day.

 

 

 

When we had our first child my wife wasn't treated properly I thought by those around her. Breastfeeding especially amongst more conservative people or older generations is seen as an inconvenience. Perhaps because in the 1950's to the 1980's there was such a big push for the whole bottle/formula thing?

 

In any case at least in part due to her not feeling comfortable with breastfeeding, our son being super squirmy, etc. she stopped nursing him around 8 months old. She would've liked to go longer but the baby was too squirmy and people IMO were too insensitive to her as a nursing mother. We're pregnant with our second child now and I'm going to encourage her to put the needs of our child before the discomfort in particular of total strangers. Perhaps this sheds some light on my frustration?

 

 

 

 

Congratulations!  You sound like a wonderfully supportive husband and father.  Many blessings to you and your family.  

 

 For myself, when I have a baby I will do my best to be modest but if am in a situation where I have to choose between modesty and the needs of my child, the child comes first.  If that makes some other people uncomfortable or stumbly then tough luck!  I feel similarly about modesty.  I'm not spending 8/10's of a super hot summer with heat stroke just so that some lecherous guy doesn't 'stumble' when he sees me!  Especially when so many men are walking around with their shirts off, sweaty chest and armpit hair long enough to braid waving in the wind!  Since putting on a bit of weight I've noticed that modest apparel has been narrowed down to suffocating high-neck sweatshirts.  No thank you!  If I catch some guy leering at me I feel pretty comfortable that my glare can unstumble him quite quickly.  A hand in the purse can make them think I have pepper spray too!  

 

There seems to be clear double standards at work between the genders, and it doesn't seem right or fair to me.  

 

 

 

I think you hit the nail on the head here in bold red.  Why do you think this is the case?

 

Thanks TR for the encouragement. My stance on this subject in many circles is misunderstood or not well recieved. 

 

God bless,

GE

[GoldenEagle]

 

I am going to have to agree with you and your husband on this one point. I can't imagine any man having a battle with lust because a woman is breastfeeding her baby? A guy like that has definitely got issues. I also wouldn't think of walking up to a woman who was breastfeeding her child and tell her she needs to cover herself. If I was that bothered by it, I would just look away. From a Biblical perspective, I do see Man's point with regard to not laying a stumbling block in front of others. I would just question someone with that kind of lust problem?

Nice to be in agreement with you!

I actually do see Man's point as well. Unfortunately, I was in defense-mode too much for this point to be brought out or clear. And I do apologize for this.

I agree that women shouldn't "let it all hang", but for those times a mother is in a bind, is it unscriptural to granted her some grace and leeway? This is what has been my concern. Seeing what mothers of babies have to go through - it's exhausting!

 

 

I agree too Man does have a point. Or at least I think I see what he's saying.

My issue is we forget the child in the wole matter.

The Bible clearly states we shouldn't punish parents for kids' sins or vice versa (Deuteronomy 24:16; Ezekiel 18:13-14;17-20).

 

Yet to me it seems that even if a nursing mother doesn't always have the right attitude (try carrying a baby for 9 months and nursing it for x amount of time, then nurturing it until they're old enough to be out on their own years after that...) we want to punish the child too... Or so it seems to me.

 

God bless,

GE

[GoldenEagle]

 

 

 

I have no issues with the laws of this country. 

 

Does gay marriage and abortion ring a bell?

 

And just so we get this straight, I'm not trying to impose anything on anyone.

 

All I did was post some scripture.

 

If the law doesn't have anything to do with the Christian perspective why do we care about abortion or the sanctity of marriage?

 

 

 

 

But yet can we impose what we percieve as Biblical truth on people who are non-Believers?  

 

It is one thing to expect Biblical morals from Christians...

 

Poiint is: We shouldn't expect lost people to act saved.

[TsukinoRei]

 

 

 

I think whether it was 20 years ago or 10 months ago... usually, a mom can plan around outings or work... breast pumps, etc.  I am glad you are not offended by women breastfeeding babies.  I'm not offended either.  I try not to deliberately make other people feel uncomfortable and that said, I never had an issue going to a private area when necessary out in public or when out visiting to nurse the kids.  Sorry for any confusion or distress - I haven't been on the forum for a long, long time.  I forgot how controversial everything becomes here.  Have a blessed day.

 

 

 

When we had our first child my wife wasn't treated properly I thought by those around her. Breastfeeding especially amongst more conservative people or older generations is seen as an inconvenience. Perhaps because in the 1950's to the 1980's there was such a big push for the whole bottle/formula thing?

 

In any case at least in part due to her not feeling comfortable with breastfeeding, our son being super squirmy, etc. she stopped nursing him around 8 months old. She would've liked to go longer but the baby was too squirmy and people IMO were too insensitive to her as a nursing mother. We're pregnant with our second child now and I'm going to encourage her to put the needs of our child before the discomfort in particular of total strangers. Perhaps this sheds some light on my frustration?

 

 

 

 

Congratulations!  You sound like a wonderfully supportive husband and father.  Many blessings to you and your family.  

 

 For myself, when I have a baby I will do my best to be modest but if am in a situation where I have to choose between modesty and the needs of my child, the child comes first.  If that makes some other people uncomfortable or stumbly then tough luck!  I feel similarly about modesty.  I'm not spending 8/10's of a super hot summer with heat stroke just so that some lecherous guy doesn't 'stumble' when he sees me!  Especially when so many men are walking around with their shirts off, sweaty chest and armpit hair long enough to braid waving in the wind!  Since putting on a bit of weight I've noticed that modest apparel has been narrowed down to suffocating high-neck sweatshirts.  No thank you!  If I catch some guy leering at me I feel pretty comfortable that my glare can unstumble him quite quickly.  A hand in the purse can make them think I have pepper spray too!  

 

There seems to be clear double standards at work between the genders, and it doesn't seem right or fair to me.  

 

 

 

I think you hit the nail on the head here in bold red.  Why do you think this is the case?

 

Thanks TR for the encouragement. My stance on this subject in many circles is misunderstood or not well recieved. 

 

God bless,

GE

 

 

I think that it is much easier to examine other cultures than our own when analysing deeply engrained mindsets in our own culture. Unbiased self examination of ones own self, or of our own beliefs is challenging!  But people have never found it hard to be critical of other cultures, and sometimes in doing so accidentally find critical comparisons with their own culture!

 

In looking at other cultures we may observe some of the following;

 

1. Which parts of a woman are lusted after changes both geographically and temporally.  

• In European culture there has been a time when showing ankles was considered terribly inappropriate, and many layers were expected to be worn below the waist to obscure the shape of the legs and hips as much as possible, while at the same time enormous amounts of cleavage was considered appropriate.
• In most aboriginal cultures in most hot climates women walk around practically naked by our standards and entirely topless, but other parts are covered and uncovering those parts is considered sexually explicit and inappropriate (such as the neck, wrists, or ankles).  This makes sense as a woman loses most of her body heat through her breasts.  Covering up would be horrid!  When evangelists come and teach them to wear covering women also start fainting more and doing less during the day!
• In Islamic nations, where women are almost entirely covered from head to toe the eyes become an object of fatal attraction, as well as potentially the voice, or the softness of the hand.  So in conservative Islamic cultures women are also expected to wear gloves, and veils over the eyes, and to never speak to a man who is not already a member of her family so as not to cause herself to become an object of lust.

2.  All of the cultures that place the responsibility to prevent lust entirely on their women are also patriarchal - they all had a time when, or still are in a time where, women are not considered fully human or fully independent.  They were or are property, on similar level to or lower than the cattle or pigs, and were not part of the decision making in their societies (could not vote).

 

3. Where-ever women are elevated to a status of equal citizenship with men, the expected attire for women are relaxed and begin to fall more in line with what men are expected to wear.