CathInfo.com

I got some responses from elderly relatives who remember pre Vatican 2:

‘Traditional dancing is not an issue at all. Some of what passes for dancing today is definitely an issue... and I do not mean ballet or jazz, etc. Go to a high school dance and the concerns will be reasonable.’

And:

‘Must be closet Wesleyans, anything 'fun' is a sin to them, dancing included’

‘Ballet is a beautiful, elegant, highly disciplined, and upscale art form that involves countless others in theaters including musicians (often full symphonies), stage crews, set and costume designers, choreographers, professional make up artists, pointe shoe makers, patrons and supportive families, many benefactors, and it often becomes central in social circles involved in behind the scenes efforts during galas, and even in political diplomacy. I don’t look at it through the lens of an uptight extremest, a prude, or with a dirty mind. The human body is beautiful. There are many famous Catholic ballet dancers from wonderful Catholic families. I personally know many of them.’

From another friend:

‘I love the pious story of our Lady s presentation and how she danced for God in the Holy of Holies, much as David danced before the Ark. Michal criticized his 'immodesty ' so God closed her womb.’

Well let us think about this. 

Shakespeare was performed in its time by only male actors.  Young men played the part of women.  If Romeo  and Juliet were played that way now, that might be a very scandalous thing to see. People are very much influenced by what other people tell them to feel. 

We need to recognize what is sinful in ourselves and act accordingly. 

Should no alcohol be available, because some use it to sin gravely?  Worse sins come from the over consumption of alcohol than any one commits by watching a ballet.

You know what is a problem, a person will say this saint said this about dancing therefore it is bad and then turn around and say don't listen to this saint on BoD because he made an error.  The Catholic Faith is consistent and constant.  We have to learn the difference between things everyone has to believe and the opinions shared by certain people that is not the same for everyone in the population (alcohol, arts, etc fall into this category)

And before you decide that I don't have a clue you need to not assume my meanings, nothing I say is intended to go against God.  I am a fallible woman.  Ask questions to get better clarity.  I don't have time to dive deep in to the intellectualism of this.  I do know there are smart people out there that can and if we put aside our pride and hurt feelings we could certainly help each other become better Catholics.

The dancing is not the problem, so remove that aspect of the argument, it is the immodesty of the outfits and impure gestures that is the issue; if a dance contains immodesty or impure movements, then it is sinful, if it does not then it is fine. The Catholic Church has a minimum modesty standard, so compare whatever dance you want with the Catholic standard, and it either meets that standard or it does not. No amount of custom or excuse of "it is only art" can make something immoral to something moral.


Some Directives on Christian Modesty – Our Lady of the Rosary Library
The opinion which allows custom to dictate the question of modesty was refuted by Pope Pius XII in one short sentence:  “There always exists an absolute norm to be preserved.”

Custom, of course, pays no attention to absolute norms; but, it is a follower of this false principle:  “… the majority cannot go wrong.”

To say that “… modesty is a matter of custom” is just as wrong as to say that “… honesty is a matter of custom.”

What about those who teach “What is customary does not affect us?”

Pope Pius XII calls this application of an ancient principle to the virtue of modesty, “the most insidious of sophisms.”  He calls attention to the fact that some people use this sophism “…in order to brand as ‘old fashioned’ the rebellion of honest people against fashions they consider too bold.”

The Pope’s pronouncements make no distinctions for various types of garments.  Pius XII states “…an unworthy, an indecent mode of dress has prevailed” without any distinction of place, “on beaches, in country resorts, on the streets, etc.”  (Aug. 29. 1954)