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Traditional Catholic Faith => Catholic Living in the Modern World => Topic started by: Carissima on June 06, 2018, 08:37:07 AM

Title: Swimming pools
Post by: Carissima on June 06, 2018, 08:37:07 AM
Hello friends quick question..

I don’t normally take my children to public pools for modesty’s sake, but what if pagan friends or family members invite us over for a swim day at their homes?
I do have worries about other women and children attending and what their attire could be.
(We have a pool at home and cover up with rash guards and shorts)

Does anyone else here run into this issue as well?
How do you respond if you have encountered this?
Do you inform them of your modesty concerns, or just decline the invites altogether?

I do have Traditional Catholic friends and family and they would think me silly for asking (I know this because public pools aren’t a concern for them)
Title: Re: Swimming pools
Post by: Last Tradhican on June 06, 2018, 08:47:52 AM
Hello friends quick question..

I don’t normally take my children to public pools for modesty’s sake, but what if pagan friends or family members invite us over for a swim day at their homes?
I do have worries about other women and children attending and what their attire could be.
(We have a pool at home and cover up with shorts and tees)

Does anyone else here run into this issue as well?
How do you respond if you have encountered this?
Do you inform them of your modesty concerns, or just decline the invites altogether?

I do have Traditional Catholic friends and family and they would think me silly for asking (I know this because public pools aren’t a concern for them)
We go to lakes and beaches during the week and other times when there are few people. My girls wear  bathing suits like in the picture and the boys wear long shorts and rash guards. If I were invited to a non-traditionalist house for a pool party, I would skip it. It's one thing to go to a beach where there are few if any people, it is another to go to a beach where I know it is full of people. A pool party is like going to a beach that I know is full of people. Best to avoid it.
(https://www.ou.org/life/files/modest-swimwear.jpg)
Title: Re: Swimming pools
Post by: Carissima on June 06, 2018, 09:14:43 AM
We go to lakes and beaches during the week and other times when there are few people. My girls wear  bathing suits like in the picture and the boys wear long shorts and rash guards. If I were invited to a non-traditionalist house for a pool party, I would skip it. It's one thing to go to a beach where there are few if any people, it is another to go to a beach where I know it is full of people. A pool party is like going to a beach that I know is full of people. Best to avoid it.
(https://www.ou.org/life/files/modest-swimwear.jpg)
Thank you tradican! Great example of modest suits by the way. 
Sadly, most of my children have never been to the beach or a lake. I’ve not had the courage to go and risk running into a busy day there and make the drive for nothing. Kinda sad it’s this bad these days. 
The pool invites are more concerning for us though because they are family and friends close to us and may not understand why we are declining. I may have to explain and it sounds so awkward in my head. I’m just not used to this I grew up Novus Ordo and it didn’t matter and now my trad friends and family don’t even see a problem. 
Title: Re: Swimming pools
Post by: Ladislaus on June 06, 2018, 09:54:03 AM
Prudence is often very difficult, complex; there can be a lot of gray in the application of moral principles ... even if some Traditional Catholics who like to pretend that they live in ivory towers refuse to admit this.

1) Avoid becoming a temptation to others.
2) Avoid being tempted by others.
3) Avoid scandal.

What is the degree of temptation you might pose to others?  If you go and you are all modestly dressed, then you can avoid #1 completely.  You might even be a source of edification to others (vs. #3).

What is the possibility that your children might BE tempted whether directly to impurity or generally disedified or receive bad example?

Would there be scandal by participation at an event where there's rampant immodesty?  Would it be sending a signal that such things are OK in principle?

Depending on the degrees of potential harm in these areas and potential offsetting considerations, one might attend or one might feel obliged to skip it.
Title: Re: Swimming pools
Post by: Ladislaus on June 06, 2018, 09:57:12 AM
The pool invites are more concerning for us though because they are family and friends close to us and may not understand why we are declining. I may have to explain and it sounds so awkward in my head.

Indeed it can be awkward, because you might as well be speaking Mandarin Chinese to them when you discuss the notion of "modesty" ... so much has the world become desensitized to it.  Again, depending on prudence, you can gently raise the subject.  But if you feel that they would reject this out right, you are not obliged in strict conscience to try correcting them.  It's all a judgment call.  Or else you might just use a mental reservation.  Plan to go out at the same time and then say that you already have plans for that time and can't make it.

Title: Re: Swimming pools
Post by: Matthew on June 06, 2018, 10:01:46 AM
I know what you mean about "Trads not having a problem with public beaches".

There was a high profile Trad, an ex-seminarian, creator of many SSPX Seminary-themed videos, and currently an Accordista, who fell into this category. I knew him for several years because our Seminary experience (at S.T.A.S.) overlapped by a couple years.

Before he cut off contact with me, he sent me one video -- of his young family (2 kids at the time) going to a waterpark. Not a private waterpark, or a waterpark reserved just for him -- no, a waterpark with people running around naked like usual, wearing swimwear that left nothing to the imagination.

I was scandalized.

I'm not surprised that he's an accordista today. It's also interesting that he doesn't like Bishop Williamson anymore (though he once made a popular "tribute" video to +Williamson, which even features himself!)
Title: Re: Swimming pools
Post by: monka966 on June 06, 2018, 10:20:03 AM
Just curious how people dealt with this issue 60 years ago when Church was seemingly normal.
Title: Re: Swimming pools
Post by: X on June 06, 2018, 10:22:06 AM
I know an SSPX priest who was mocked by several of his brother priests for objecting to a 16 year-old girl taking a summer job as a lifeguard.
Title: Re: Swimming pools
Post by: Ladislaus on June 06, 2018, 11:56:41 AM
Just curious how people dealt with this issue 60 years ago when Church was seemingly normal.

By 60 years ago, they were all just going with societal standards.
Title: Re: Swimming pools
Post by: Ladislaus on June 06, 2018, 11:59:19 AM
I know an SSPX priest who was mocked by several of his brother priests for objecting to a 16 year-old girl taking a summer job as a lifeguard.

Ah, yes, the quality of this new generation of SSPX priests.  It would be one thing to disagree, based on various moral reasoning ... but to outright mock someone for holding this opinion.  It says volumes about these priests.

Good old Christopher West of Novus Ordo fame, a notorious theology of the body perv, used to mock saints who would go around keeping strict custody of the eyes ... and also considered the dunking of the Easter Vigil candle into the holy water to be symbolic for the sɛҳuąƖ act.
Title: Re: Swimming pools
Post by: Matthew on June 06, 2018, 12:05:24 PM
Good old Christopher West of Novus Ordo fame, a notorious theology of the body perv, used to mock saints who would go around keeping strict custody of the eyes ... and also considered the dunking of the Easter Vigil candle into the holy water to be symbolic for the sɛҳuąƖ act.
I didn't know this about Christopher West. It's good to be aware of such things.
Title: Re: Swimming pools
Post by: Matto on June 06, 2018, 12:32:37 PM
I know what you mean about "Trads not having a problem with public beaches".

a waterpark with people running around naked like usual, wearing swimwear that left nothing to the imagination.

I was scandalized.
Yes. I agree with you here Matthew. I don't think we should be going to public beaches or swimming pools where people wear modern bathing suits. They are immodest. Perhaps if everyone wore modest bathing suits like burquinis. Would it be okay to allow for public beaches or swimming pools that are segregated by sex so the temptations to lust would be mostly eliminated (except for the ɧoɱosɛҳųαƖs)?
Title: Re: Swimming pools
Post by: Ladislaus on June 06, 2018, 12:55:05 PM
Would it be okay to allow for public beaches or swimming pools that are segregated by sex so the temptations to lust would be mostly eliminated (except for the ɧoɱosɛҳųαƖs)?

I don't see why not.  It's not forbidden for men to shower with other men and be half naked around them in locker rooms.  Or for women among other women.
Title: Re: Swimming pools
Post by: Matto on June 06, 2018, 01:18:47 PM
I don't see why not.  It's not forbidden for men to shower with other men and be half naked around them in locker rooms.  Or for women among other women.
Yes, this is what I agree with. But I asked the question because in the past someone suggested that even segregated public beaches would not be okay because immodesty is still immodest even if not witnessed by the other sex. And then there is the opinion of the holy Cure of Ars that even babies should not remain undressed for very long even when they are alone with their mothers because their nakedness would offend their guardian angels. So perhaps even a sex-segregated beach would offend the guardian angels of those who would go there.
Title: Re: Swimming pools
Post by: Matthew on June 06, 2018, 01:35:21 PM
And then there is the opinion of the holy Cure of Ars that even babies should not remain undressed for very long even when they are alone with their mothers because their nakedness would offend their guardian angels. So perhaps even a sex-segregated beach would offend the guardian angels of those who would go there.
In the world, there has been a persistent heresy that the human body (and all that pertains to it, such as eating, sex, etc.) is evil, and/or that the "devil god" created the material world, and the "good god" made the spiritual world.

Manichaeism, Puritanism, Calvinism, Jansenism, Catholic "Jansenism Lite", Jansenist infection, or Jansenist tendencies (the Cure of Ars goes into one of these latter categories).

Just like someday people will look back and see a tad bit of Liberalism in today's Saints, because it was in the air we breathe, likewise we can look back in hindsight and see such infection in the Cure of Ars.
There is nothing "dirty" about the human body! Why would a naked baby offend a pure spirit (such as a Guardian Angel) or anyone else for that matter? Unless the human body were somehow dirty or evil. It's not!
I assure you that ANGELS are not offended by anything that doesn't offend God Himself: namely, sin. And God Himself created the human body.

Angels are offended by any sɛҳuąƖ sins, including exhibitionism, but they don't leave the room (or strongly want to) when a married couple have sex in a private setting!

The Cure of Ars did speak about it being a mortal sin to sleep with a child over 5 years old, but that was also because it was assumed that the married couple would be having sex in that bed, and the 5 year old wouldn't be oblivious -- he would be self-aware enough to remember it, think about it later, etc. A 5 year old is no longer a baby.

As for being naked in front of the same sex, it really comes down to modesty. I don't like parading around in front of a group of men OR men/women. I hated having to strip naked in the locker room every day in (public) middle school. It was my natural sense of modesty throwing a fit. And it should have! Our bodies are temples of the Holy Ghost; they deserve covering.

What is one of the punishments given to prisoners, especially in situations of torture? They get stripped naked. Doing this strips them of all their dignity.

Note that at Traditional seminaries, such as those run by the SSPX, the Rule states that men are to be modestly covered in the hallways, on the way to shower, etc. I quote: "A seminary is not a barracks". If there were no issue with men seeing other men without shirts, or even naked, why would the SSPX have this rule for its seminaries?
Title: Re: Swimming pools
Post by: Maria Regina on June 06, 2018, 05:03:04 PM
...

Note that at Traditional seminaries, such as those run by the SSPX, the Rule states that men are to be modestly covered in the hallways, on the way to shower, etc. I quote: "A seminary is not a barracks". If there were no issue with men seeing other men without shirts, or even naked, why would the SSPX have this rule for its seminaries?
When I was in the convent, yes, there were many rules addressing modesty in attire.

We were to be modestly dressed at all times. Whenever we visited the bathroom to take a shower or bath, we had to wear a bathrobe with a towel or veil covering our heads to and from the bathroom to our cells. We slept wearing a full length white  flannel nightgown with a veil (scarf).

Our superiors only permitted us to use the swimming pool when students, lay professors, priests, and visitors would not see us. In other words, we could not use the pool when classes were in session or when students, professors, or visitors were on the university campus. Thus, I only remember visiting that pool a few times per year (during the one to two week summer break).  Oh, it was a solar minimum during that time, so the summers were very particularly cold, and the pool water was also cold. Our superiors would give us a choice: take a hike in the foothills surrounding the property, go on a picnic to a nearby private park, take a bus to visit benefactors who had large estates, or swim in the pool. Most of us did not like to swim in the cold pool.

We were not allowed to sunbathe, and we were only permitted to swim for 30 minutes, then we had to shower and leave.  The sisters rotated the use of the pool. In other words, postulants could not swim with the novices, or the temporary professed, or finally professed sisters. Besides, we were a large class and the pool room had few private changing spaces.  When I entered the postulancy, there were 27 of us. In the novitiate, there were 15 novices.  
Title: Re: Swimming pools
Post by: St Jude Thaddeus on June 06, 2018, 05:56:12 PM
OK, how about this?

Brooklyn city councilman announces sex-segregated beach days

http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/ny-metro-segregated-beach-20180606-story.html (http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/ny-metro-segregated-beach-20180606-story.html)

A Brooklyn city lawmaker is sponsoring sex-segregated beach days to give his Jєωιѕн and Muslim constituents an opportunity to enjoy the seaside.
City Councilman Chaim Deutsch announced the first ever “Southern Brooklyn Beach Day,” with separate dates for men and women by the sandy spot behind Kingsborough Community College.

Obviously not a Traditional Catholic but we agree with him on the modesty issue. Can/should Trads petition for the same type of treatment?

Title: Re: Swimming pools
Post by: cathman7 on June 06, 2018, 09:01:25 PM
I know an SSPX priest who was mocked by several of his brother priests for objecting to a 16 year-old girl taking a summer job as a lifeguard.
Indeed. He fights a lonely battle. 
Title: Re: Swimming pools
Post by: MaterDominici on June 06, 2018, 09:45:24 PM
The Cure of Ars did speak about it being a mortal sin to sleep with a child over 5 years old, but that was also because it was assumed that the married couple would be having sex in that bed, and the 5 year old wouldn't be oblivious -- he would be self-aware enough to remember it, think about it later, etc. A 5 year old is no longer a baby.
You butchered that example a bit. klasG4e posted this a few weeks ago:

If you want the true message in its full integrity which the holy saint was conveying to his audience it is incuмbent upon you to read the quote in its proper and full context seen below between the asterisks. (The bold print is for your reading convenience.)  The passage from the sermon can be found at https://www.ecatholic2000.com/cts/untitled-628.shtml. (https://www.ecatholic2000.com/cts/untitled-628.shtml)
**************************************************************************************************************************
THE DUTIES OF THE MOTHER

You should never have your children sleeping with you from the time they are two years old. If you do, you are committing a sin. The Church did not make this law without reason. You are bound to observe it.

But, you will say to me, sometimes it is very cold or we are very tired. All that, my dear brethren, is not a reason which could excuse you in the eyes of God. Besides, when you married, you knew quite well that you would be obliged to fulfil certain responsibilities and obligations which are attached to the married state.

Still, my dear brethren, there are fathers and mothers who are so little instructed in their religion or who are so indifferent to their duties that they will have sleeping with them children from fifteen to eighteen years of age, and often brothers and sisters together. Dear Lord! These poor fathers and mothers are in a terrible state of ignorance! But, you will say, we have no bed. You have no bed? But it would be better to let them sleep on a chair or in a neighbour's house. Dear Lord! The parents and children who damn themselves! But I will return to my subject and repeat to you that all the time that you allow your children to sleep with you after they have reached two years of age, you are offending God. How many mothers are there who have found their children smothered in the morning! How many mothers are present to whom this calamity has happened! And even if the good God has preserved you from it, you are no less guilty than if, every time your children slept with you, you found them smothered in the morning. You do not wish to agree with this, that is to say, you do not wish to correct it. We will wait until the Judgment, and you will be obliged to recognise what you do not wish to recognise today. There are mothers who have so little religion or, if you like, are so ignorant that if they want to show off their baby to some neighbouring mothers, they will show it to them naked. Others, when they are putting on diapers, will leave the babies, for a long period of time, uncovered before everyone. Now even if there is no one present at all, you should not do this. Should you not respect the presence of their Guardian Angels? It is the same thing when you are feeding them. Should any Christian mother allow her breasts to remain exposed? And even if they are covered, should she not turn aside to some place where there is no one else? Then there are others who, under the pretext of being foster-nurses, are continually only halfcovered. This is very disgusting. It is enough to make even the pagans blush. People are compelled to avoid their company in order not to expose themselves to evil thoughts.

But, you will say to me, even if everyone is around, we must feed our children and change their diapers when they cry! And I shall tell you that when they cry, you ought to do everything you possibly can to quieten them but that it is a far better thing to let them cry a little than to offend God. Alas! How many mothers are the cause of evil glances, of bad thoughts, of immodest touches! Tell me, are these the Christian mothers who should be so reserved? Oh, dear God! What judgment should they expect? Others are so cruel that they let their children run around for the whole morning, during the summer, only half-dressed. Tell me, unhappy people, would it not be better for you to take your places among the savage beasts? Where is your religion, then, and your anxiety to do your duty? Alas! As far as religion is concerned, you have none. As for your duties, have you ever known what they were? That you have not, you give proof every day. Ah, poor children, how unfortunate you are to belong to such parents!
**************************************************************************************************************************

(https://www.cathinfo.com/Themes/DeepBlue/images/icons/modify_inline.gif)
Title: Re: Swimming pools
Post by: Centroamerica on June 06, 2018, 09:52:56 PM
I actually ran into this question and went to counsel from a great SSPX priest about this recently. One has to use his best judgement in these things. It is hard because I have a nephew I promised to take to the lake and summer is on us. Then there are the water parks. I love water parks and going with kids is so much fun. We have a pool in my apartment complex and the women who go to it dress no different than if they were shopping in wal-mart so I see no problem if I use the criteria that Ladislaus jotted out. I think his 3 points were great to go by.
Title: Re: Swimming pools
Post by: tdrev123 on June 06, 2018, 09:57:47 PM
I actually ran into this question and went to counsel from a great SSPX priest about this recently. One has to use his best judgement in these things. It is hard because I have a nephew I promised to take to the lake and summer is on us. Then there are the water parks. I love water parks and going with kids is so much fun. We have a pool in my apartment complex and the women who go to it dress no different than if they were shopping in wal-mart so I see no problem if I use the criteria that Ladislaus jotted out. I think his 3 points were great to go by.
Yes but you have to go to Walmart to feed yourself, you don't have to go to a pool.  There is a difference.  
Title: Re: Swimming pools
Post by: X on June 06, 2018, 09:58:22 PM
I actually ran into this question and went to counsel from a great SSPX priest about this recently. One has to use his best judgement in these things. It is hard because I have a nephew I promised to take to the lake and summer is on us. Then there are the water parks. I love water parks and going with kids is so much fun. We have a pool in my apartment complex and the women who go to it dress no different than if they were shopping in wal-mart so I see no problem if I use the criteria that Ladislaus jotted out. I think his 3 points were great to go by.
If that great SSPX priest told you you can go to water parks, he is an idiot (and will have your sins upon his conscience the first time you think yourself strong, and fall).
That's like saying you can go to the porno shop, as long as you keep custody of the eyes.
Title: Re: Swimming pools
Post by: Centroamerica on June 06, 2018, 10:38:44 PM
If that great SSPX priest told you you can go to water parks, he is an idiot (and will have your sins upon his conscience the first time you think yourself strong, and fall).
That's like saying you can go to the porno shop, as long as you keep custody of the eyes.
He didn't. And I've been to a water park about seven times and never sinned while doing so...unless you're really a complete pervert, it's not super hard to control yourself, you know.
Title: Re: Swimming pools
Post by: X on June 06, 2018, 10:46:26 PM
He didn't. And I've been to a water park about seven times and never sinned while doing so...unless you're really a complete pervert, it's not super hard to control yourself, you know.
"He who loves danger shall perish in it."
Title: Re: Swimming pools
Post by: Last Tradhican on June 06, 2018, 10:50:30 PM
He didn't. And I've been to a water park about seven times and never sinned while doing so...unless you're really a complete pervert, it's not super hard to control yourself, you know.
Not even you believe that. 
Title: Re: Swimming pools
Post by: Cantarella on June 06, 2018, 10:52:25 PM
OK, how about this?

Brooklyn city councilman announces sex-segregated beach days

http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/ny-metro-segregated-beach-20180606-story.html (http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/ny-metro-segregated-beach-20180606-story.html)

A Brooklyn city lawmaker is sponsoring sex-segregated beach days to give his Jєωιѕн and Muslim constituents an opportunity to enjoy the seaside.
City Councilman Chaim Deutsch announced the first ever “Southern Brooklyn Beach Day,” with separate dates for men and women by the sandy spot behind Kingsborough Community College.

Obviously not a Traditional Catholic but we agree with him on the modesty issue. Can/should Trads petition for the same type of treatment?


I don't think there is such a thing as a truly "modest" swimming outfit; so I believe sex-segregated beaches are a wonderful idea. There are many activities which are best for women to be separated from the men.

Swimming is one of them.

What is alarming to me is that the Hassidic Jews and the Moslems seem to do a much better job in controlling and protecting their women; whereas the Christians have failed epically in doing so for many years.

Title: Re: Swimming pools
Post by: Maria Regina on June 06, 2018, 10:56:00 PM
"He who loves danger shall perish in it."
ooh!

Although we do live in dangerous times, I wish it were not so. Certainly, I do not seek danger.

Yet, ever since the fall of Adam, our time on this earth has been dangerous physically, mentally, and spiritually.
Didn't the first son of Adam, Cain, kill his brother Abel?
Title: Re: Swimming pools
Post by: Maria Regina on June 06, 2018, 10:57:17 PM
I don't think there is such a thing as a truly "modest" swimming outfit; so I believe sex-segregated beaches are a wonderful idea. There are many activities which are best for women to be separated from the men.

Swimming is one of them.

What is alarming to me is that the Hassidic Jews and the Moslems do a much better job in controlling and protecting their women; whereas the Christians have failed epically in doing so for many years.
Perhaps the Hassidic Jews protect their women, but Moslems do not. They only pretend to do so.
Title: Re: Swimming pools
Post by: MaterDominici on June 06, 2018, 11:01:44 PM
He didn't. And I've been to a water park about seven times and never sinned while doing so...unless you're really a complete pervert, it's not super hard to control yourself, you know.
Even if what you say here is true, I'd still be concerned on at least two fronts:
1. Can you guarantee the same lack of temptations is true for the other people accompanying you?
2. If you're taking little kids, how are you going to explain that it was OK when they were 5, but when they're older they aren't allowed to go.
.
When you have something like a water park that's a bad idea 90% of the time, it's not really worth carving out a few exceptions and opening the door to forming young adults who will always think themselves to be the exception.
Title: Re: Swimming pools
Post by: Maria Regina on June 07, 2018, 01:54:59 AM
Even if what you say here is true, I'd still be concerned on at least two fronts:
1. Can you guarantee the same lack of temptations is true for the other people accompanying you?
2. If you're taking little kids, how are you going to explain that it was OK when they were 5, but when they're older they aren't allowed to go.
.
When you have something like a water park that's a bad idea 90% of the time, it's not really worth carving out a few exceptions and opening the door to forming young adults who will always think themselves to be the exception.
Lately, the news about water parks and public and hotel swimming pools is not good as these waters are contaminated. Even lakes and rivers are often contaminated. People visiting Hawaii should be very careful due to the parasites contaminating the fresh water lakes and rivers there.
Children and adults can get a painful intestinal infection caused by viruses and/or bacteria due to fecal matter in the pools, lakes, or rivers.. Worse, they can get a lethal brain parasite (protozoa) from these contaminated waters.

JUST SAY NO.
Title: Re: Swimming pools
Post by: Amakusa on June 07, 2018, 02:19:52 AM
You are right when you say that many trads do not see swimming pools and beaches as a problem regarding modesty; and this attitude does not only exist among lay people, but among some of our priests.

The last time I went to Fatima, I had a conversation with a trad priest about the issue of swimming pools, and he answered something like this: "I have never thought about that, it does not seem to be a real problem; when you go to a swimming pool, you go to swim, not to remain outside the water. It is not the same thing as beaches".

This distinction is weird since people spend much time outside the water in swimming pools, and the purpose of many is to hit on each other, not to swim! I don't see how one can remain in a state of grace while being surrounded of naked men/women, some of whom are very attractive.

I asked the same priest whether it is a sin for a man to run bare chested, and he answered: "No, there is no problem with that. It is a custom for men to do that, or to work bare chested in villages. Men look at women, but women do not look at men. Men's body is not as much attractive."

When I was a pagan average Joe, I used to run bare chested, and I was muscled, with good proportions and a beautiful body; well, I can say that women looked at me... One day there were some teens walking in my village (they were at a wedding), and when they saw me down the street, they immediately chuckled without shame, because I was ripped. Therefore it is not true to claim that women do not look at men.

Some weeks ago I was talking with a priest who defended corridas, and I told him that the toreadors wore immodest and slinky clothes that unveiled their genitals. At that moment a girl said: "then what shoud we say about ballet dancers?". In other words, it was not obvious for her that it is a sin to dress like that, even for sports!

There is no way a man can see such a performance without comitting a mortal sin, or he is a castrato. It is simply impossible to see those sumptuous women in their diabolical attire without being strongly tempted.
Title: Re: Swimming pools
Post by: forlorn on June 07, 2018, 07:02:35 PM
You are right when you say that many trads do not see swimming pools and beaches as a problem regarding modesty; and this attitude does not only exist among lay people, but among some of our priests.

The last time I went to Fatima, I had a conversation with a trad priest about the issue of swimming pools, and he answered something like this: "I have never thought about that, it does not seem to be a real problem; when you go to a swimming pool, you go to swim, not to remain outside the water. It is not the same thing as beaches".

This distinction is weird since people spend much time outside the water in swimming pools, and the purpose of many is to hit on each other, not to swim! I don't see how one can remain in a state of grace while being surrounded of naked men/women, some of whom are very attractive.

I asked the same priest whether it is a sin for a man to run bare chested, and he answered: "No, there is no problem with that. It is a custom for men to do that, or to work bare chested in villages. Men look at women, but women do not look at men. Men's body is not as much attractive."

When I was a pagan average Joe, I used to run bare chested, and I was muscled, with good proportions and a beautiful body; well, I can say that women looked at me... One day there were some teens walking in my village (they were at a wedding), and when they saw me down the street, they immediately chuckled without shame, because I was ripped. Therefore it is not true to claim that women do not look at men.

Some weeks ago I was talking with a priest who defended corridas, and I told him that the toreadors wore immodest and slinky clothes that unveiled their genitals. At that moment a girl said: "then what shoud we say about ballet dancers?". In other words, it was not obvious for her that it is a sin to dress like that, even for sports!

There is no way a man can see such a performance without comitting a mortal sin, or he is a castrato. It is simply impossible to see those sumptuous women in their diabolical attire without being strongly tempted.
If men shouldn't be bare chested to not tempt women, then what do you think of crucifixes? And even ignoring those, the Vatican is full of statues and paintings of topless men at work or whatever else. 
Title: Re: Swimming pools
Post by: Amakusa on June 08, 2018, 12:42:06 AM

Venerable Anne Catherine Emmerich described as a sacrilege the sensual depiction of saints. For instance the Holy Virgin is usually depicted with small breasts. Likewise, Our Lord and the saints have to be represented with moderate shapes.

The nudes of the Vatican were painted during the decadence of the Renaissance.

Title: Re: Swimming pools
Post by: Nadir on June 08, 2018, 12:51:19 AM
If men shouldn't be bare chested to not tempt women, then what do you think of crucifixes? 
Are you serious? Jesus was stripped of his clothing; a very demeaning action meant to humiliate and degrade Him. The Crucifix should not be spoken of in such a way.
Title: Re: Swimming pools
Post by: Neil Obstat on June 08, 2018, 01:00:31 AM
 It's not forbidden for men to shower with other men and be half naked around them in locker rooms.  Or for women among other women.
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Really? What about when they're ɧoɱosɛҳųαƖs, is it okay for them too?
Title: Re: Swimming pools
Post by: trad123 on June 08, 2018, 02:07:05 AM
It's one thing to go to a beach where there are few if any people, it is another to go to a beach where I know it is full of people. A pool party is like going to a beach that I know is full of people.

This hits the mark.

If you find yourself in the occasion of sin, then leave.

If the probability is high that you would find yourself, or place others, in the occasion of sin, then avoid going in the first place.
Title: Re: Swimming pools
Post by: forlorn on June 08, 2018, 05:10:24 AM
Are you serious? Jesus was stripped of his clothing; a very demeaning action meant to humiliate and degrade Him. The Crucifix should not be spoken of in such a way.
He was saying it's not alright to depict topless men. Well, pretty much every Catholic Church in the world has a big depiction of an almost naked man. 
Title: Re: Swimming pools
Post by: poche on June 09, 2018, 02:22:34 AM
On a related note, I think it would be a good idea for your children to learn how to swim.
Title: Re: Swimming pools
Post by: SusanneT on June 12, 2018, 07:23:46 PM
I would be interested to hear the view of husband’s and fathers on this. 

Should women and girls wear swimming costumes in mixed public places and what is acceptable ? 
Title: Re: Swimming pools
Post by: Pax Vobis on June 12, 2018, 07:50:40 PM
It was either Pius IX or X who said mixed-gender swimming was an occasion to sin.  Modernism has infected us all to such a degree that we don’t even realize it...
Title: Re: Swimming pools
Post by: SusanneT on June 12, 2018, 08:06:16 PM
We go to lakes and beaches during the week and other times when there are few people. My girls wear  bathing suits like in the picture and the boys wear long shorts and rash guards. If I were invited to a non-traditionalist house for a pool party, I would skip it. It's one thing to go to a beach where there are few if any people, it is another to go to a beach where I know it is full of people. A pool party is like going to a beach that I know is full of people. Best to avoid it.
(https://www.ou.org/life/files/modest-swimwear.jpg)
These suits are lovely and suitably modest but would stand out as objects drawing attention on any European beach. 
Title: Re: Swimming pools
Post by: Centroamerica on June 12, 2018, 09:58:37 PM
Some of us are old enough to remember when the old school SSPX was accused of imprudence for raffling off tickets to Cancun beaches.
Title: Re: Swimming pools
Post by: poche on June 13, 2018, 12:26:22 AM
I would be interested to hear the view of husband’s and fathers on this.

Should women and girls wear swimming costumes in mixed public places and what is acceptable ?
I would make a distinction between dressed going to the beach and dressed going shopping and dressed going to mass. 
Title: Re: Swimming pools
Post by: Last Tradhican on June 13, 2018, 08:51:01 AM
These suits are lovely and suitably modest but would stand out as objects drawing attention on any European beach.
Drawing attention to modesty is good, it makes people see themselves for the first time, like when Eve and Adam covered up.

The bigger problem in Europe is the other people, I doubt one can find a beach that is deserted. In the USA where we go swimming there are few if any people, we purposely avoid beaches where people go.
Title: Re: Swimming pools
Post by: Last Tradhican on June 13, 2018, 08:59:48 AM
I would be interested to hear the view of husband’s and fathers on this.

Should women and girls wear swimming costumes in mixed public places and what is acceptable ?
From a husband and father : One can't purposely seek out places where they know before hand that crowds are running around naked, like they do in crowded public beaches. 
My girls wear the suits I showed in the picture and we only go to beaches that are empty. If there are people their scantily dressed we setup far from them. The point is:

1) I did my duty to teach my girls how to dress at the beach and why we do it.
2) We seek out places where we are not exposed to the nakedness on beaches

That is all we can do outside of never going swimming. If the only option was crowded beaches, we would not go swimming anymore.
Title: Re: Swimming pools
Post by: Maria Regina on June 13, 2018, 02:24:08 PM
I would make a distinction between dressed going to the beach and dressed going shopping and dressed going to mass.
One should dress modestly in public.
I wear the same good clothes going to church as I do when shopping or visiting friends.
I do not go swimming.
Title: Re: Swimming pools
Post by: Ladislaus on June 14, 2018, 08:51:39 AM
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Really? What about when they're ɧoɱosɛҳųαƖs, is it okay for them too?

As a general rule.  If it temps a man to see naked men, then he should avoid the occasion ... obviously.
Title: Re: Swimming pools
Post by: Matthew on June 14, 2018, 12:30:01 PM
Can anyone say that going swimming is a necessity of life? It's not like "simply never go swimming" is such a crazy, out-of-this-world suggestion like growing all your own food, producing all your own goods, surviving in the wilderness, etc.

You just simply: never go swimming! It's as easy as never going biking, never going canoeing, never going skydiving, etc.

Your "bucket list" might look like ____ compared to other worldly peoples' lists, but who cares? Catholics should only have ONE mandatory item on their bucket list, which is prioritized before all others:

[ ]  Be found pleasing to God, blameless before Him, and in the State of Grace at the time of death

Everything else is just extra fluff.

If that item isn't checked off at death, it won't matter how many places on earth you've been, sites you've seen, experiences you've had, or anything like that. It will all be for naught if you find yourself in hell for eternity.

I'm sure heaven will be more fun than any swimming experience on earth.
Title: Re: Swimming pools
Post by: Neil Obstat on June 14, 2018, 03:29:23 PM
Can anyone say that going swimming is a necessity of life? It's not like "simply never go swimming" is such a crazy, out-of-this-world suggestion like growing all your own food, producing all your own goods, surviving in the wilderness, etc.

You just simply: never go swimming! It's as easy as never going biking, never going canoeing, never going skydiving, etc.

Your "bucket list" might look like ____ compared to other worldly peoples' lists, but who cares? Catholics should only have ONE mandatory item on their bucket list, which is prioritized before all others:

[ ]  Be found pleasing to God, blameless before Him, and in the State of Grace at the time of death

Everything else is just extra fluff.

If that item isn't checked off at death, it won't matter how many places on earth you've been, sites you've seen, experiences you've had, or anything like that. It will all be for naught if you find yourself in hell for eternity.

I'm sure heaven will be more fun than any swimming experience on earth.
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So, by this standard, we'd be better off hiding in our closet all week and just showing up for Mass on Sunday, and then going home.
Otherwise we'd be a home-aloner, and everyone knows that's no good.
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Then we could check off that item at our death, and go to heaven.
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Never go scuba diving, never get a driver's license, never fly a kite, never play baseball, never learn to ice skate, never jump off the high dive, never ride a ski lift or ski down a pristine mountain of fresh powder, never try windsurfing, never fly a helicopter, never hang glide, never drive a formula 1 race car or a dragster, never fire a high-powered rifle, never run a race, never pole-vault, never watch a movie, never go trick-or-treating, never have a mixed drink, never go to a philharmonic concert, never go bowling, never learn to ride a bicycle, never learn to ride a unicycle, never pop a wheelie on a motorcycle, never learn to ride a motorcycle over basketball-sized rocks while going downhill in the desert, never race motorcycles in a sand wash, never fly a helicopter, never operate a drone, never use a GPS or a cell phone, never use the Internet, never walk a tightrope, never go skeet shooting, never go hunting, never go fishing, never sail a boat, never ride a horse, never rope a steer, never throw a party, never have dessert, never cook breakfast, never tell a joke?
Why?
Well, it might be the occasion of sin!
Title: Re: Swimming pools
Post by: Matthew on June 14, 2018, 03:35:09 PM
If you read my post more closely, you'll see that I said one MANDATORY item. Other items might be nice or fun, but not mandatory.

How many Catholics risk fulfilling this mandatory item (saving our souls, and those of our children) for the sake of a splash in the pool? It's ridiculous.

It's not worth risking our souls to "have fun". That's my point. And there are so many other ways to have fun. I won't even bother listing them since there are literally thousands of other things you can do outside, for exercise, and to have fun other than swimming. Heck, a sprinkler and a hose, slip-n-slide, water guns, water balloons, or other devices will get you plenty wet in your own backyard. And then you won't have to worry about occasions of sin.

If one can't swim or enjoy beaches without exposing oneself to occasions of sin, then simply forego swimming and beaches. No big deal!

The solution is simple: If you need to be the water that bad, so you feel like you'll die without floating in cool water from time to time, then prioritize getting an in-ground or at least an above-ground pool for a few hundred bucks. You'll survive.
Title: Re: Swimming pools
Post by: Neil Obstat on June 14, 2018, 03:55:00 PM
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I heard of a family who set up an above-ground pool in their back yard so all the children could splash around in privacy. Then one day when the family activities were as usual, very busy, one small child found his way into the pool assisted by an older, retarded sibling, and drowned. They drained the pool the same day and got rid of it for good.
Title: Re: Swimming pools
Post by: Matthew on June 14, 2018, 04:25:32 PM
There are actually many cases of young children drowning -- it makes me glad we don't have a pool.


Quote
Drowning is responsible for more deaths among children 1-4 than any other cause except birth defects. Among those 1-14, fatal drowning remains the second-leading cause of unintentional injury-related death behind motor vehicle crashes.

When I read that, I think to myself, "There are worse fates in the world than not having a pool in your backyard, or not being able to go swimming for various reasons -- since a ton of risk is avoided at the same time."
Title: Re: Swimming pools
Post by: jvk on June 14, 2018, 04:37:54 PM
This brings up another good question related to the topic:
It was either Pius IX or X who said mixed-gender swimming was an occasion to sin.  Modernism has infected us all to such a degree that we don’t even realize it...
What about siblings?  My children are young enough yet that this hasn't become a major issue, but it's getting there quickly.  What do other people do with their children?
Title: Re: Swimming pools
Post by: forlorn on June 14, 2018, 07:00:50 PM
This brings up another good question related to the topic:What about siblings?  My children are young enough yet that this hasn't become a major issue, but it's getting there quickly.  What do other people do with their children?
I seriously doubt your children are incestuously attracted to one another. Just have them dress modestly regardless, even if there's no one else around it gets them used to it at the very least. 
Title: Re: Swimming pools
Post by: Last Tradhican on June 15, 2018, 08:50:46 AM
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So, by this standard, we'd be better off hiding in our closet all week and just showing up for Mass on Sunday, and then going home.
= I like swimming in crowded public beaches. 
Title: Re: Swimming pools
Post by: Carissima on June 15, 2018, 09:58:11 AM
We do have a pool at home and I dress my children in shorts and rash guards and we have never had any issues. My children understand perfectly well that ‘swim clothing’ is not appropriate for walking around the house or going to town, just as skirts and neckties are not appropriate for the pool. 
My biggest concern was how to deal with other family members that don’t have modesty standards in and around pools, and how to deal with invitations to parties. 

My children have accepted the ‘no beach rule’ here just fine, but extended family members sometimes don’t understand the modesty thing and look at you like you’re speaking another language when it comes up. (I always second guess myself on how to say it so that I know I’m saying it well)

I am thinking I’ll just decline the swimming invites from now on though. I can’t tell people how to dress when we are around and don’t want to risk and uncomfortable situation with my children by going anyway.  We don't even go to public parks that have splash pads.. little kids in bikinis  :-[
Title: Re: Swimming pools
Post by: SusanneT on June 15, 2018, 07:17:08 PM
I seriously doubt your children are incestuously attracted to one another. Just have them dress modestly regardless, even if there's no one else around it gets them used to it at the very least.
I agree I don’t think it’s likely that children will think in that way but equally we do have very strict rules (absorbed and acted on with no comment) about modesty at home and in public. 
We do allow the children to swim on the beach but beach clothes are strictly for the beach and the water. Shorts and tea shirt for the boys and a dress for our daughter immediately otherwise. 
Boys wear proper loose fitting and longer leg shorts and our daughter a swim dress.