The Androgyny Deception
Part 4
“Androgyny Today”
This is the continuation of our study
on fashions that tend to blur the
distinction between men and
women.
We have seen how, in the mid-1800’s, spiritualistic,
women’s rights advocates wore knee length or shorter
dresses over pants. We read that Ellen G. White
declared that this was an abomination to God because
it violated Deuteronomy 22:5. It was too close to men’s
wear. She prophesied that this practice would cause
confusion and great increase of crime. Let’s continue
on from where we left off.
We will be looking at the
progression of fashion from
1870 to our current day
The five decades from 1870-1910 were tending
toward a more healthful style of dress. No more
hoops, no more dragging dresses, no more
heavy weight on the hips, no more corsets.
Skirts not dragging, waists not compressed.
1870 1880 1890 1900 1910
1920 1930 1940 1950
The next four decades made startling changes
to the hemlines. Pants and tailored suits were
becoming popular in the 1950's.
1960 1970 1980 1990
Pant suits, mini skirts, bell bottoms, unisex styles became popular in the next four decades.
Over the years, Satan used fashion to promote
rising hemlines. This was a violation of the
principles of health and modesty. It tended to
cause the exposed legs to become chilled.
1930 Fashion Show
If you look at photographs of our SDA sisters
over the years, you will notice that their
hemlines rose correspondingly to the world’s.
1940 1950
1960
At first the stockings were thick. Then they
became thinner, until today, bare legs under
knee length skirts are common.
With the legs exposed, with only a thin
covering, women have suffered with cold legs
for decades.
When Satan introduced a fashion that would
keep the legs warm—pants on women, it
seemed logical and sensible to accept it.
Satan seeks to “correct” a wrong fashion by
introducing another wrong fashion.
In the 1950’s, women were not allowed to wear
pants at our Seventh-day Adventist schools and
camp meetings.
After the 1960s, when many SDA young ladies
wore miniskirts, church leaders accepted pants
on women as a more “modest” alternative to
miniskirts.
Satan’s strategy is quite clever.
In this depiction of the history of dress from
1400-2000, you will notice women had on long
dresses for 5 centuries, until after 1900.
1400 1500 1600 1700
top row 1400 1500 1600 1700
bottom row 1800 1920 1950 1960 2000
Then, for 6 decades fashion raised the
hemlines. Mini skirts gave way to pants after
the 1960’s.
How much does fashion influence
what we wear?
1936-2008
Let’s talk about one of the most influential
fashion designers in the last 60 years. Yves
Saint Laurent.
It is said of him:
“Yves Saint Laurent reigns as one of the most
influential and inspired designers in the world.
He was the father of modern fashion and last of
the great French couturiers.
“When he was beginning his career in the late
1950s, women and their lives were about to
change. He opened doors with his mild and
always elegant gender- bending, putting women
in pants and safari looks.
“In the next two decades he revolutionized
women's fashion, pioneering mini dresses, the
trouser suit and le smoking, the square shouldered
tuxedo for women. Yves Saint Laurent changed
the way women dress more than they know. But
his most enduring legacy is so pervasive as to
seem almost unremarkable: pants…
He led a decadent social life, and was plagued
with depression, alcoholism and drugs.
He also broke ground as one of the first
homosexual men to gain sufficient power and
celebrity that he did not have to deny his
sexuality.”
Did Yves Saint Laurent influence the way
Seventh-day Adventist women dress?
For those following the fashions of the world,
the answer is— ABSOLUTELY.
Would God have His daughters choose what
they wear based on the influence of a godless
fashion designer who intentionally blurred the
distinction between men’s and women’s
clothing?
How can we escape such a pervasive influence?
There is only one way.
EGW: “We are aware that as we speak and write
upon the subject of woman's dress we have to
stem the current of custom. It is manifest that
most women do not think and act in reference
to dress from reason and reflection. They
accept, without questioning, that which society
and fashion imposes upon them. Few have the
moral courage to wear a dress in opposition to
fashion.” {HR, May 1, 1872 par. 2}
We must pray for MORAL COURAGE to stem
the current of custom. We must reflect carefully
on what we choose to wear, and base it on
godly principles, not on worldly fashion.
Have you ever heard this quote:
“They will not be the first to adopt the new styles of dress or the last to lay the old aside”?
Unfortunately, this statement is in our Church
Manual. Many people mistakenly believe that it
was written by Ellen White.
Thus, they conclude that Ellen White gave
approval for our sisters to follow the fashions
of the world, just as long as they weren’t the
first ones to wear it.
Ellen G. White did not write that statement, and
it does NOT reflect God’s principles. She says
quite the opposite:
EGW: “Fashion is deteriorating the intellect
and eating out the spirituality of our
people.
Obedience to fashion is pervading our
Seventh-day Adventist churches and is
doing more than any other power to
separate our people from God.” {4T 647.2}
We find no encouragement in the Bible or the
Spirit of Prophecy to follow the fashions of the
world. Rather, we find strong statements such
as these:
“And as soon as any have a desire to imitate the
fashions of the world, that they do not
immediately subdue, just so soon God ceases to
acknowledge them as His children.” {1T 136.1}
The feminist movement, communism, the
military and the homosexual agenda have all
promoted the removal of the distinction
between the sexes.
World War 1 World War 2
War helped to further Satan’s goals of having
women wear men’s clothing.
He used famous people and movie stars to get society used to the idea of women in pants.
Marlene Deitrich cross dressed. God calls cross
dressing an abomination.
From a fashion website: “Morocco—the
Movie that Changed the Fashion Game.
Unlike the traditional fashion, this film
introduced ‘pants’ and ‘tuxedos’ for
women, which discovered an amazing
hidden beauty of women.
After the film was released in 1930, Pants
became the most sizzling sensation for women.
Women have copied men’s fashion from this
film in 1930, but will a day come when men
will copy women’s fashion?”
“It was unheard of for women to wear anything other
than skirts until the 1930s when actresses Marlene
Dietrich and Katharine Hepburn made pants
fashionable.”—Fashion Expert
“Coco Chanel . . . stood out in her different, creative
ideas, and the fact that she enjoyed wearing men’s
clothing.”
http://www.mybfcloset.com/2009/09/re wind-coco-chanel-wore-the-pants-first/
“Dressing a woman in men's clothing was
surely a revolution with regards to the feminine
wardrobe, either a consequence of or maybe
even in conjunction with the women’s
movement of the 1960s.”http://www.vogue.it/en/encyclo/fashion/t/pant-suit
When fashions become popular in the movies,
they spread like wildfire. Just about everyone
follows along.
How else could women have gone from dresses
to pants in such a short time!
Does an Abomination to God turn into an
approved practice just by the passing of years?
Unisex style jeans were popular in the 1970’s
Many SDA Christians followed this fashion
without giving it much thought.
Instead of doing what seems right in our own
eyes, we need to stop and think about what God
wants!
When women started wearing pants, it was
considered to be cross dressing. These women
were scorned by society.
Now, since the majority of women wear
pants, it is no longer thought to be
cross dressing.
Now, the interest in cross dressing is
focused on the men.
Cross dressing has a tantalizing appeal. Many
who are not tempted to cross dress are
entertained by those who do.
Satan has used the media to promote cross
dressing for years. Society has been entertained
and amused at this abomination.
Well over 100 major movies featured cross
dressing even before the year 2000. It’s greatly
accelerating now.
Gender bending started with clothing. The
enemy has kept up his unwearied efforts
until he has successfully blurred the
distinction between men’s and women’s
clothing.
Now we’re totally accustomed to seeing women wear men’s clothes at work.
Are we following in the footsteps of rebels?
Where is the “plain distinction” between the dress of men and women that God wants us to have?
"The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman's garment: for all that do so are abomination unto the LORD thy
God." Deuteronomy 22:5
The lines of distinction between the dress of men and women have been increasingly blurred.
And it’s going to get worse!
God's prophetess, in speaking about the
American Costume, said,
"There is an increasing tendency to have women in their dress and appearance as near like the other sex as possible, and to fashion their dress very much like that of men, but God pronounces it abomination." {1T 457.2}
“Trousers for women were considered "indecent" or "shocking" during the early 1900's and were considered men's attire.”—Mary Jewell, Feminism 101, Examiner.com
What used to be shocking is now totally
acceptable in our society. Where is the line
between abomination and God-approved?
Fashion is very confusing these days.
But as if that’s not bad enough, now Satan is working on the men, to get them to wear feminine clothing!
Nothing shocks us any more.
Now there are skirts for men!
“Clothes that are a thermometer of social
custom tell us that the differences between man
and woman are becoming less defined and
rigid. With the affirmation of women rights a
new androgynous model of being is emerging.”
Equality in Fashions
One blogger writes,
“Men must wear dresses. In fact, I would like
to posit the theory that until all men are able to
walk about in dresses without fear of mockery,
losing their jobs or putting off potential mates,
we will not have achieved freedom and equality
in our societies. When it comes to clothing at
least, women can do anything. But do men
have the same equal rights as women do when
it comes to clothing choice? Clearly not.”
http://equalityinfashions.blogspot.com/2012/01/high-heels- for-men-androgyny-man-in.html
Male cross dressing is the latest rage!
Male cross dressers justify their actions by
reasoning, “After all, women wear pants. So
why can’t we wear dresses?”
http://www.sistersinskirts.com/crossdressing.html
Gender confusion is becoming a real problem.
Same-sex marriage is a prominent issue.
Homosexuality is at an all time high!
Lesbianism is celebrated!
Friends and relatives join in support of a same-sex commitment ceremony
The practices that God calls an abomination are
exalted by pagans, Wiccans and many feminists
to be the highest spiritual attainment.
EGW: “There is no virtue in closing the eyes to
these threatening dangers while you are
allowing your minds to become infatuated and
held in slavery to fashion's claims.”
{HR, June 1, 1877 par. 8}
Now we can see the great wisdom in God’s counsel:
“God designed that there should be a plain
distinction between the dress of men and
women, and has considered the matter of
sufficient importance to give explicit directions
in regard to it; for the same dress worn by both
sexes would cause confusion and great
increase of crime.” {CG 427.3}
Androgyny = blurring male/female distinctions.
“Androgynous fashion is everywhere these days,
so it is important to have a clear understanding of
this current trend.”—fashion designer, 2012
Androgynous People - male or female?
It is Satan’s agenda to blur the
distinction between the sexes!
Cross dressing delights the devil.
Unisex clothing is created by his design.
Androgyny is his goal.
He started with the clothing.
By participating in any aspect of his rebellion, we are furthering his agenda.
We need to become alert and aware of the
subtle delusion that has been creeping over us
for years!
Satan wants to numb us, so we don’t even
recognize his most blatant attack on our Lord,
and His Creatorship.
Androgyny is an Abomination to Jesus.
And it’s breaking His heart.
“Feminists today celebrate ambiguity, tolerance
and androgyny. They refuse to think in terms
of “us-them” in regards to men. In this 3rd
wave, women seek to erase their femininity and
encourage men to abandon masculinity.
Women and men become gender neutral.” http://unlockingfemininity.com/terminology/
Satan doesn’t propose to make everyone sexual
deviants or cross dressers. His goal is to so
familiarize us with these abominations that we
lose the sense of the sinfulness of sin. Those
who tolerate and accept sin come to agree with
Satan’s agenda, which is incompatible with the
mind of Christ.
First we abhor,
Then we ignore,
Then we tolerate,
Then we participate!
Today gender confusion is rapidly increasing.
What paved the way for this mess?
Have we not followed the fashions of the world in accepting this tendency to dress like the opposite sex?
Here are some of the latest
fashions
– ladies looking like men . . .
- and men looking like ladies.
This is spreading quickly. We must be on
guard, or we will be swept along with the trend.
Here is something very serious to consider:
Many of the fashions that are coming out are
termed androgynous fashions. The fashion
designers are using the term “channeling” the
fashions. Could they be referring to the
androgynous mindset that the spirit guides are
bringing upon society?
By wearing these fashions, could we be
accepting the influence of the evil spirits that
inspire them?
Let’s consider what the fashion designers are saying:
A fashion blogger writes:
“I am channeling the androgynous trend
today and let me tell you, do I feel
fierce!
I'm intrigued by the juxtaposition of a
super feminine silhouette with just a
touch of menswear chic - there is
something so fun about mixing
masculine pieces with feminine flair.
http://www.stylesbyola.com/2012/02/andro gyny.html
“Chanel goes androgynous for
women's fall/winter 2011/2012
“Chanel’s Ready to Wear women’s collection
for Fall/Winter 2011/2012 is decidedly
androgynous with its menswear focus!”
http://www.examiner.com/slideshow/chane l-goes-androgynous-for-womens-fall-winter- 2011-2012
“Get your swag on ladies because
we’re going all manly this season.
That’s right, after a few cameo
appearances the androgynous trend
has now made its way into the
forefront of the fashion game with
everyone from Alexa Chung to Kate
Moss wearing this look.”
http://www.shinystyle.tv/2011/06/celebrity-and-designer-trends-androgyny-as- seen-on-alexa-chung-emma-watson-and-rihanna.html?pid=7361
“Androgyny is back in fashion, so
man up, ladies”
“The most provocative woman may look more
like a man.”
“Many designers continue to channel Yves
Saint Laurent's '70s sensibility.”
http://www.chron.com/life/article/Androgyny-is-back-in-fashion- so-man-up-ladies-2149848.php
A Look At Modern Day Androgynous Women
“Androgynous fashion is becoming
more popular as more women enter the
professional workforce and assert
themselves in positions of power.
Androgynous women are re-defining
what it means to appear sexy,
fashionable and most importantly
comfortable at a time in history where
women are taking on and accomplishing
more than ever before.”
http://www.lifescript.com/soul/self/well-being/a_look_at_modern_day_androgynous_women.aspx?gclid=CPWRsJWotbECFeUa
Qgod4RUAow&trans=1&du=1&ef_id=zopQCK6lsMEAAASL%3a20120725170714%3as
“Androgynous fashion blurs
traditional rules of style”
Bo Breda says: “While women began adopting
menswear into their wardrobes early in the 20th
century, men only recently began experimenting
with the markers of traditional women’s
fashion.” “You have the idea of, ‘Let’s get the
man out of the pants.’”
http://insite.artinstitutes.edu/androgynous-fashion-blurs-traditional-rules-of-style- 21858.aspx
We need to ask ourselves the serious
question, Do we as SDA women dress
similar to men?
Are we being led into the androgyny deception without even realizing it?
The association between women’s God-
ordained role in the home and in the church,
and God’s desire regarding women’s dress is
closely connected.
The way a women dresses has a major impact
on her willingness to submit to her God-
ordained role.
Rebellion against God’s order is often first
revealed in the dress.
“The truth is, a woman wearing jeans is
something much bigger than simply the
wardrobe choice of a single individual.
Either consciously or unconsciously, it is
a symbol of conformity with the modern
utopian ideal, which is based on the
flawed premise that there is no ultimate
difference between men and women.”
http://silasreinagel.blogspot.com/2009/12/androgynous-nation-prevalence-of-jeans.html
EGW: “It is as easy to make an idol of false
doctrines and theories as to fashion an idol of
wood or stone.” {GC 584}
Has not the theory of androgyny become an idol?
Ezekiel 14:6; Repent, and turn yourselves from your idols; and turn away your faces from all your abominations.
God’s heart is breaking because of the abominations and idolatry in our midst today.
How do you think God feels when we trivialize something that pains Him to the depths of His heart?
Godly women may show that they are in
submission to God’s rules of male headship by
refusing to follow the feminist agenda, and
choosing to wear modest, feminine clothing.
Is it not time to conscientiously oppose Satan’s
gender blurring agenda?
EGW: “We are to reveal our faith in our
dress.” {YI, April 27, 1909 par. 7}
EGW: “The very dress will be a
recommendation of the truth to
unbelievers. It will be a sermon in
itself.”{RH, May 30, 1871 par. 10}
EGW: “The distance is widening between Christ
and his people, and lessening between them
and the world. The marks of distinction
between Christ's professed people and the
world, have almost disappeared. They follow
after the abominations of the nations around
them, as did ancient Israel.” {RH, June 25, 1861 par. 26}
Do these girls look like they’re looking
for Jesus to come?
Some may be thinking,
It really doesn’t matter what we wear!
But God says,
“The outside appearance is an index to the heart.”
{OHC 273}
“Dress is an index of the mind and heart.” {1MCP 289.2}
What we wear reveals our attitudes.
Are we submissive or rebellious?
If Seventh-day Adventist women had
followed God’s counsel regarding dress,
would we now be dealing with the demand
for identical roles for women, as in
women’s ordination?
Is this not the result of the Creeping Compromise?
One downward step leads to the next.
Does it really make sense to oppose the
feminist agenda of women’s ordination,
but accept the feminist agenda of blurring
the distinction between men and women’s
clothing?
These two issues are inseparable!
God is looking for womanly women, who are
not only modest and womanly in their
appearance, but also in their innermost hearts.
God is looking for manly men who will
encourage their wives and daughters to be
modest and womanly and their sons to be true
men.
Isn’t it time for Seventh-day Adventist women
to take a stand in making a plain distinction
between the dress of men and women?
Many of us are in need of repentance regarding
our past choices. We may need to apologize to
our children whom we have wrongly
influenced.
Is it not time for
us to listen to the
voice of the
Holy Spirit, who is calling us away from the
abominations of the world?
Today, it is not difficult to find
clothing that is pleasing to God. It is
not a huge sacrifice to follow His will
in how we dress. But it does take
moral courage, and the willingness to
go against the tide of fashion.
What God wants is our hearts. He is willing to
teach us what He wants us to wear if we will go
to Him and ask Him!
EGW: "When they really desire an article of
dress, or some ornament or convenience, do
they lay the matter before the Lord in prayer to
know if his Spirit would sanction this..."
{RH, December 6, 1881}
Whatever God asks us to do, He provides the
strength to perform. And He adds a rich
blessing besides!
Our testimony of His goodness will radiate
from our lives.
EGW: "Even the style of the apparel will express
the truth of the gospel. Their dress bears its
testimony to their own family, to the church
and the world, that they are being purified from
vanity and selfishness. They demonstrate
that they are not idolaters." {6MR 161.1}
EGW: “We should not give a semblance of
excuse to any for patterning after the worldly,
changing fashions of this corrupt age.”
--Lt 7, 1894. {PaM 63.4}
EGW: “Many who profess to believe the
Testimonies live in neglect of the light
given. The dress reform is treated by some
with great indifference and by others with
contempt, because there is a cross attached
to it. For this cross I thank God. It is just
what we need to distinguish and separate
God's commandment-keeping people from
the world. The dress reform answers to us
as did the ribbon of blue to ancient Israel.”
--Lt 7, 1894. {PaM 63.4}
God will give us courage to walk in the light, even if no one around us joins us.
We cannot safely follow anyone but Jesus.
God never asks anything of us that is not in our own best interest.
Please know, dear sister, that no one is
judging or condemning you. This is a
call from the heart of God to seriously
consider this matter, and study it out
for yourself.
There are many who can testify to the goodness
of God as they walk in the light He has given
regarding our dress.
There is JOY in following Jesus!
May God help us to return to His principles as given in His inspired testimonies!
May God bless you!
For additional studies on this topic, please visit:
www.RemnantRaiment.com
www.MovingTowardModesty.com
www.SistersInSkirts.com
EGW: “We are living in the last days of this
earth's history, and Satan is making
determined efforts to subvert the mind. O that
those who have for years been at war with the
Testimonies God has graciously given in
warnings to save His people from the snares
of Satan, would come into harmony with the
requirements of God. . . .
Satan's rebellion has been repeated over and
over again in the history of our race — a
perpetual testimony as to the nature and
results of sin and the working out of Satan’s
rule. Its sure effects on both men and angels
speak loudly as to what will ever be the fruit
of setting aside the light God sends, and of
rejecting His authority.”
{PUR, May 6, 1909}