I recently read with great interest an article written by Mark Mayberry
and published in Truth magazine, September 21, 2000. The article was
entitled "Bobby Knight on Cheerleading," and there is much to be said
concerning its content. The first two paragraphs should serve as an eye
opener to all who consider themselves to be faithful unto the Lord. I
quote:
"Bobby Knight, long-time Indiana basketball coach, is known for speaking
his mind. According to a recent report in the Houston Chronicle, if
Knight were coaching in the pros, the first thing he would do would be
to fire the cheerleaders. Referring to them as 'bump-and-grind
girls,' he said they are an unnecessary and inconsistent distraction:
'It's like we're selling a picture of a naked gal on the cover of the
Methodist hymnal.'"
"Jesus once said, 'For the children of this world are in their
generation wiser than the children of light' (Luke 16:8). Bobby
Knight, for all the reckless excess that he occasionally displays in
other areas - throwing chairs on the basketball court and allegedly
choking players in practice - is dead on the mark in his aforementioned
comments. In this regard, Coach Knight is more discerning than some
members of the Lord's church who allow and/or encourage their daughters
to become cheerleaders. In today's world, sex is the name of the game.
The only difference between professional cheerleaders and their younger
counterparts is degree. In both cases, flesh is on display. Whether we
are talking about junior high, high school, college, or professional
cheerleading, the clothing is typically scanty, the dancing provocative,
and the bodily movements undeniably sensual and suggestive.
Professional cheerleaders are held forth as the ideal for which younger
girls are to strive!"
In our day and time, it is very seldom that we read such articles from
any church of Christ source, especially among those whom we consider to
be "digressive." It is a very sad day when we realize the truth of
God's word on this subject has become a stumbling block to many parents
and to some ordained preachers and leaders. A few years ago, in the
same magazine, an article entitled "A Preacher On The Run" pointed out
that many people will no longer tolerate preachers who will cry out as
"watchman of the night" concerning such issues. Such preachers find
themselves with no place to go. They are "on the run." The same can be
said among us in certain areas. The subject of the above-mentioned
article is just one of many that has become very unpopular to many
people. I wonder why this is so. Have we drifted so far from the
Scriptures that we would allow our daughters to grow up and become
professional cheerleaders? If not, why do we start them down a road
that has such as its end? Mark Mayberry does a very good job pointing
out that the only difference between a professional cheerleader and her
younger counterpart is degree. He goes on to point out how the
"professional cheerleaders are held forth as the ideal for which younger
girls are to strive."
But, some will argue, "we don't point our children at the professional
cheerleaders. We don't set them up as their example." Who, then, are
they patterning themselves after? We don't see Godly aged women as Paul
described in Titus 2:3 walking around in cheerleading outfits and doing
high kicks and splits to amuse an audience or cheer a team on! We don't
see older women who are trying to teach the younger to be discreet,
chaste, sober, and shamefaced, going around and partaking of such. (We
do see older women at times, who like to be chased by men, dressing and
acting in such fashion). Such is far from the picture of what a Godly
woman is to be like and these are the women that Paul through
inspiration tells Titus are to teach the younger women. The truth is,
the cheers, dances, or routines that young cheerleaders do are generally
inspired by those who are professionals. They pattern their routines
after the best of the profession. This is the way they are able to
compete on a national level in the cheerleading competitions. We might
not like to admit it, but we are teaching our children to pattern after
such individuals if we encourage them or allow them to be cheerleaders.
Bobby Knight, sinner though he is, is indeed wiser than some children of
light. He considers such to be an unnecessary and inconsistent
distraction. I wonder what type of distraction he is speaking of, the
lust of the eyes or maybe the lust of the flesh. If such is considered
to be a distraction, by a man Mr. Knight's age, what about to the
younger men? I do not understand how any father, concerned about the
safety of his girl and the thoughts that other men have of her, could
allow his daughter to dress in a way that excites lust. That is, no
doubt, what Mr. Knight is speaking of when he states cheerleading is an
"unnecessary and inconsistent distraction."
In the very beginning of days, Adam and Eve sinned by partaking of the
fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Their eating
caused their eyes to be opened and they immediately realized they were
naked. Was this a good thing or evil? The Scriptures record they saw
their nakedness and went about to fashion garments in order to cover
themselves. The necessary inference involved here is that nakedness was
sinful or evil in the sight of God. Their eyes were opened and they
clothed themselves. We have no excuse today. We also have the
knowledge of what is right and wrong contained in the Bible. But, we
must be willing to study the word of God and accept those things taught
by direct command and by divine principle. Many are striving to escape
the principles of God when it comes to modesty. Paul stated "But strong
meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of
use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil" (Hebrews
5:14)!
The point is, if we will study the Scriptures, and if good and evil are
the same today as they were in the days of Adam and Eve, we will come to
the same conclusion they reached. This means, we will know when we are
naked and will attempt to cover ourselves. Many today will need to add
a number of inches of cloth to their garments as well as sew up a few
splits and button a few more buttons. God's definition of nakedness is
far better than anything man can come up with today. After all, "It is
not in man that walketh to direct his steps." According to Isaiah 47:2,
one is considered naked in the sight of God when their thigh is
uncovered. Is there a better definition than this? God's teaching on
this subject needs to be heralded over land and sea! Even if such makes
us unpopular and we have nowhere to preach, we best stand fast on a
"thus saith the Lord."
Bobby Knight's view of cheerleading should also open some of our eyes
today. He has much the same outlook as Mary Quant, the "mother of the
mini-skirt". She stated that "mini clothing has been described as
symbolic of those who want to seduce another." Such is sinful, is a
distraction to all men and promotes everything but modesty,
shamefacedness, sobriety, chaste conduct, Godliness, holiness, discreet
conduct, and obedience, all of which are supposed to be characteristics
which we are teaching our daughters.
But, some will say, "we won't allow our daughters to wear the short
skirts, we make them wear longer skirts." My question is, do you allow
them to kick, dance, and do the splits? Are they modest in these
efforts or are they revealing their nakedness (thigh) from time to time?
It would do us all a world of good to remember that lasciviousness is
defined as "wanton (acts or) manners, as filthy words, indecent bodily
movements, unchaste handling of males and females, lewd, lustful, etc."
The point is, immodesty, which is prevalent in cheerleading outfits, is
sinful, as well as the indecent bodily movements which draw attention to
the female body and the unchaste handling of males and females that are
found in many schools with both male and female cheerleaders. Modesty is
not the only reason to oppose cheerleading. Indecent bodily movements,
which are passed down from the professionals, are also sinful! How close
do we want to draw to the world and it's allurement concerning this
subject? Paul stated of those who are guilty of lasciviousness, "they
which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God."
- 872 N Quigley Rd
Marion, LA 71260-3432
[May we commend the teaching of brother Smith. The apostle Paul
pictures the Christian life as a foot race with the multitude of
faithful saint of the past gathered about observing our efforts to
encourage and cheer us on. In that picture he refers to impediments or
distraction to our progress toward the goal as "sins" and "weights". He
says, "Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a
cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which
doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is
set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our
faith..." (Hebrews 12:1,2). Some things are just sins. But, whether we
consider an item a sin or simply a questionable thing, if it proves to
distract from godliness and holiness it must be set aside because the
consequences of hanging on to it are painfully high - you may lose your
soul. Don't argue with those who encourage all to take the "safe
course" - R.N.]
