Did Meagan Good’s Dress Shed Light on Judgmental Christians?

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(ThyBlackMan.com) I don’t watch the BET Awards, but even I heard about the backlash Meagan Good received for her dress of choice that night. Everywhere I turned it seemed like this “scandal” was being talked about, so I looked up the dress for myself.

My thoughts? The color is beautiful, but overall, the dress is okay (not really my type). The plunging neckline is much lower than anything I’d ever wear and the split was too high for my taste, but that’s me. I’m a conservative-dress kind of gal. Obviously, Meagan Good liked the gown though.

And her “taste” in clothing is what caused such uproar last week. From what I’ve read, the opinions are along the lines of:

Meagan Good is the first lady; her husband (DeVon Franklin) is a Seventh-Day Adventist Minister;

She was presenting a Gospel award; therefore,

As a pastor’s wife and someone presenting an award for Gospel music, her dress was inappropriate.

Let’s be real: The dress showed a good amount of her breasts (we’re talking bare skin); her nipples were clearly visible through the fabric, and her spilt went up the center of her dress revealing mid-thigh. I can see why some thought this look was a bit much because, preacher’s wife or not, award show or not, the dress itself is in fact very revealing.

As she received a lot of backlash for this, I noticed many people spewing dislikes and annoyances with “judgmental Christians.” People have pulled text from the bible in her defense, such as “Let he who is without sin cast the first stone,” “Jesus said, “Come as you are,”’ and “Judge not, lest ye be judged.”

I just want to say a few things:

1. Anytime a Christian speaks out against some action, we’re often called judgmental, holier than thou and hypocritical, but this is not true. First off, calling Christians these names is generalizing. I’m not sure who others may come into contact with, but I know plenty of Christians who treat everyone with respect, in the church or not. I know plenty of open-minded, loving and accepting Christians who do not judge (well, everyone judges to an extent, but you get my point). They don’t care if you just came from a corporate office or the local corner; they are happy you’re there and want to help you get to know Jesus.

Now don’t get me wrong, I’ve come across some “saints” who are quick to condemn, but it’s not all of us. I truly believe most Christians’ intentions are pure, but their approach may not always be the best. We love God and want to help others, and sometimes our approach can come off as condemning and pointing the finger; but this isn’t everyone. Not every Christian was taught the proper way to reach out to “unbelievers” or those in need. God offers grace to us all, so I think it’s important to offer the same to those Christians with pure intentions but misguided ways. Again, it’s not all of us.

2. Don’t confuse being a hypocrite with being a sinner. We were all born into this world of sin (of course, I say this as a Christian). The bible says not one of us is perfect, and Christians are no exception. Every person deals with his/her own issues, and even though we’ve give our lives to Christ; it’s a daily struggle between our flesh (sinful nature) and our new life. We stumble and a lot of times we fall; we don’t always hit the mark every time. So again, just because imperfect Christians attempt to witness to unbelievers doesn’t mean we are all hypocritical.

I’ll be real: There’s a difference between your friend who is attempting to walk with Christ, tries to get you to do the same, yet he or she slips up and goes to a bad habit every now and then; and your friend who condemns you for club hopping and not going to church, yet she is tossing them back at the bar every weekend.

For example, if you’re friend tells you he believes the both of you should stop cursing, yet the person slips up once or twice, doesn’t mean your friend is now a hypocrite because he wants you to stop cursing yet he gave in to temptation. We are all sinners and miss the mark every now and then.

Again, Christians often come from a pure place, but we are imperfect people so our records aren’t spotless either. And this is not to discredit the many church scandals you here about in the news where a pastor condemned an action but come to find out he’s been doing that for years. Unfortunately, this does happen, but it doesn’t translate to all Christians being hypocrites just because they also have a tainted background.

3. A lot of people are living for the world but wearing Christian apparel. This is something my pastor said that I believe is not only very true, but one of the main reasons people get so confused and put off by “so called” Christians. It is another reason why people think we’re all judgmental and hypocritical because there are a lot of false advertisements out there claiming to follow Christ.

Again, no one is perfect, but there are many people who want to throw the title “Christian” around when it’s so much more than that. Being a Christian is a lifestyle; it’s how you live, how you function and the decisions you make. Many people want to carelessly put on a “title,” but not follow through with the lifestyle. Then others see the “Christian” partying every weekend, getting drunk, etc. and falsely assume we are all hypocrites. Matt.7:15 tells us to “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.” Verses 16-20 go on to explain that you will know who people really are by their fruits—whether good or bad.

I keep reiterating the fact that no one is perfect, so don’t think all Christians should bear perfect fruit. But there’s a huge difference between those who are coming from a pure place and truly want to speak and stand up for their Lord (and who doesn’t defend the person they love?) yet sometimes have the wrong approach and stumble every now and then; and those “Christians” who quickly point the finger but they’re fruits consistently show everything opposite from the Christian lifestyle.

After a million words, what exactly is my point? People spoke out against Meagan Good’s apparel because they wanted to stand up for what they believe is right when it comes to honoring and respecting Christianity. But, that doesn’t make all those “backlashers” who were Christians hypocritical or judgmental.

Jonah’s heart wasn’t right and he ran away from God.

Rahab was a prostitute.

David committed adultery and killed the woman’s husband!

The list goes on and on because God uses imperfect people to complete His will.

I apologize to those who have ever had a bad experience with the “so called Christians,” but I also ask for grace and understanding. Like those we’re reaching out too, we are equally flawed and are simply working to become whole.

For the final time: It’s not all of us. A few rotten apples don’t accurately reflect the bunch.

Source; http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/07/01/meagan-good-cleavage-baring-gown-2013-bet-awards-_n_3528375.html?ir=Black+Voices

Staff Writer; Shala Marks

Facebook; https://www.facebook.com/shala.marks

Service is her passion, writing is her platform, women and the Black Community are her avenues. Shala Marks is a writer, editor and soon-to-be author. Through her work, Marks aspires to demonstrate “The Craft of Writing, and the Art of Efficacy.” She has a B.A. in journalism from ArizonaStateUniversity. Connect with her at http://www.sisterscanwespeak.tumblr.com.

Shala Marks says:

September 24, 2013 at 9:16 pm

@ Florence Johnson your wrote: We have crossed the line, to the degree you can’t tell the difference between the world and the body of Christ.

This is so very true and sums up the article. I hope and pray the “real church” and real Christians will rise up, and that begins with the decisions we make. We don’t have to work so hard for people to receive Jesus or to represent Christ if we’d make the conscious effort to display Christianity through the decisions we make. Though it may sound cliche, it is very true: We must ask ourselves in every situation, “What Would Jesus Do?”

Thanks everyone for reading and for your feedback!

Florence Johnson says:

September 23, 2013 at 12:20 pm

I am at a loss for words, and yet not surprised by some of the comments. Shala’s remarks are the most intelligent, and well thought out. Nevertheless, People of God we do have to be an example. Come on people, when do we get it! I realize and believe that she may not go to hell for wearing such a dress, I get that, but what is wrong with us to believe that as representatives of Christ and his kingdom, we do not have to be an example in everyway. We have crossed the line, to the degree you can’t tell the difference between the world and the body of Christ. No we don’t walk around with victorian collars up to our neck, and dresses down to our ankles, (although the hem lines have dropped as of late), but there had to be a dress just as sexy (if that is what she was going for), in the same color, for someone who not represents herself, her husband, or her church, the most important person she represents is Christ, would she have worn that had she been going to meet the “King of her life?” Is this the dress she would have worn? We represent Christ people, We represent Christ.

Rod says:

July 22, 2013 at 6:28 pm

What we have is a person with a “Title” 1st lady, when the bible itself doesn’t recognise a 1st lady of the church. So the first thing is we have to stop puting titles on people and try to hold them to a standard. Second, though she may be married to a minister, doesn’t mean she is as Mature a christian as he. Remember, he knew what she was wearing to the event and didn’t have a problem. So what we have is a matter of maturity in Christ. The bible says the man is head over his wife, which is in teaching of the word of GOD to his family and is held accountable. So quess who taught her that it is okay to wear clothing that is extremly revealing while representing Jesus? her husband. So who should we be talking to, her, or should I say, who in his Church should be talking to HIM. I feel for those who are under his teachings.

Papacool says:

July 22, 2013 at 12:55 am

The dress represents exactly what has happened to people who claim to love the lord. Any person with a brain would use a mirror to see exactly how the fit of the material works with their body. Therefore Megan made a choice, which is what freewill is all about. In these times people in general will have a form of godliness, but deny the power thereof. So then a study is conducted on the subject of why attendance numbers are down with the Church. People are tired on being told the stories without having any examples to follow. Any woman that would honestly say that the dress in question should be worn to service, let alone television, should have their hearts and brains checked. Certain things have been allowed to creep into the Church environment that has negatively affected the majority of people who state that they have no interest whatsoever in attending any type of service. Since I can not stop a person from wearing the type of attire they want, I simply say that the dress was not a personal favorite of mine. When style overrates substance, then we are in for a long battle of exhibitionism. If you got it, flaunt it because there will be someone out there that will find it acceptable. Peace out, Papacool.

toomanygrandkid says:

July 12, 2013 at 1:30 pm

Alot of “playa’s” attend/go to church for the women. Some park outside the church to see what these “church-going” women are wearing, how tight is it, how short is it, and how much skin is showing. Pastor’s wives wear clothing that shows so much clothing that if you stand near her, it’ll be like getting attacked by the titty lady. Looks as though the black church has transformed into a strip club. Have they installed the poles yet?

Satchel says:

July 11, 2013 at 1:26 am

It’s safe to say the, Women in church outnumber Men by a big margin. Every preacher I have observed, works to attract people to attend church. I think this is a great way to attract men to church. The writer makes the the case with this quote saying “The dress showed a good amount of her breasts (we’re talking bare skin); her nipples were clearly visible through the fabric, and her split went up the center of her dress revealing mid-thigh”. Church attendance just went up.

Marty says:

July 10, 2013 at 6:25 pm

Well done and I concur.