My Bizarre Dress Code Violation

At Christian school, a Princess Jasmine dress did not fly

Me and friends at Carl’s Junior for breakfast before school. I’m in the zebra shirt with the leopard print tights. 1997, author’s photo.

Ever heard the Bible verse that says your body is a “temple of the Holy Spirit”?

Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? […] Therefore honor God with your bodies.

I Corinthians 6:18–20, NIV

Take it from me: Christian legalists LOVE this verse.

The verse concerns sexual immorality. But hard-working Protestants realized that with some ingenuity, the command could apply to a whole lot more.

Want to smoke? Well, your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, so put down that cigarette and don’t defile the temple.

How about sex? Well, your body is a temple that should be kept pure. Keep those front and back temple doors closed.

You can see how the “temple of the Holy Spirit” analogy can be used to forbid anything, from alcohol to tattoos to fatty foods.

My Christian high school used the verse as the foundation of the dress code. It’s the perfect opportunity to tell teenagers what to wear.

I mean, those temples have to be covered in something, right?