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What we see here is extreme legalism. Because Islam IS, by nature and definition, a law- (Sharia) based religion, outward habits and behavior must be tightly controlled to suppress the sin nature. Christianity, on the other hand, is a grace-based religion that honors and respects God’s Law, and seeks to keep it. The motivation and grace to do so is found INWARDLY by the effects of the Gospel, which produces a “new creation” in the depths of the soul and endows the regenerate believer with the power and grace of the Holy Spirit. This is, in fact, the definitive difference between Islam (and all other religious systems) and genuine biblical Christianity.

This does not mean that some degree of outward state-generated norms of decency should not be regulated by law. We still do not allow streaking or other public nudity. But the primary regulatory mechanism is inward standards of virtue and decency.

If Islam is at one end of the stricture continuum, Western culture has drifted toward the other pole: unbridled exposure and sex-attraction attire (tight clothes, midriff exposure, bikinis etc.). Modesty and virtue have become rare commodities in our urbanized culture. I’m not talking nuns’ habits or burkhas; just reasonable, restrained and lovely dress, the goal of which is modest beauty that glorifies God and guards against the dangers of sex-attraction exposure.

Biblical Christianity assumes the fall of man and the weakness of self-control. Adam and Eve were completely naked in the Edenic state and knew no sin therein. When they fell into sin (transgression of God’s command) they experienced a sense of shame and guilt; not because of their nakedness, but because of their disobedience, which resulted in shame generally. God provided skins to hide their nakedness to prevent lust and wantonness. Of course, clothing provides other important functions as well. In regard to a Christian ethic of modest and godly dress standards I Peter 3.3 says:

“Do not let your adornment be merely outward—arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel—rather let it be the hidden woman of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God. For in this manner, in former times, the holy women who trusted in God also adorned themselves . . .”

The issue here is not exposure so much as ostentation and pride. The goal is two-fold: to focus on godly behavior and virtue by eliminating gaudy and showy dress, and covering the body so as not to cause men to fall into fornication and adultery. Studies show that men are much more sight-oriented than women, but men also have a responsibility to dress appropriately. Christian modesty is based on a realistic view of sin and temptation, as well as an understanding of the stark difference between the worldly values of lust and self-centeredness and the Christian virtues of righteousness and godly love.

We need a change in our lust-driven culture, but not one that imposes rigid external laws. We need the inner conviction of individual hearts and minds to honor God. We need to protect our young people – male and female – from the destructive effects of sexual promiscuity. This should include modest, yet beautiful dress. Our culture has sunk to new lows in both categories. With the ascendancy of drugs, primitive music and “free” sex has come a descent into ugliness, body lust and social disintegration. But the answer is not Islamic legalism, but Christian salvation and modesty.