Wendy, while I'm religious, I could definitely expand more than a bit on the very *practical* reasons why modesty is good for women. Being seen as *me*, not my body, now that's something every woman who has dignity can benefit from, religious or not.

Go Wendy! Maybe your letter will encourage reporters to start reporting, um, the facts.

How could they come to such a conclusion regarding your husband if they are supposed to be journalists and ask questions. The world has got itself in a real conundrum as far as I can see: the indifference is startling, you'd think people would want an alternative but instead we're in a deadlock of "free choices" and pain... Funny how it was edited... Shame you're not being broadcasted in New Zealand :( You should come on a publicicty tour.... :)

Priya, I think they just took out one line for space considerations; I don't think it was malicious and I did appreciate that the editors ran such a long letter.

L.B., the amazing thing is that most people did not get that there was a slant to the piece and they actually congratulated me on the story! Personally, that's why I dislike the subtle smirk much more than the outright attack--precisely because many people don't pick up on it and so it really influences them.

What's interesting to me is the way the journalist seems to have assumed that there *must* be a declaration of waiting until marriage in "A return to modesty." It seems to me that no one is interested in whether an argument stands on its own any more. The author's (ahem) status is completely irrelevant to the book's theme of modesty as virtue, yet it's considered an essential point, because the only thing anyone is interested in is the emotional impact of personal (and private) details, not the actual merits of the idea in question.

Does that strike anyone else as weird? (In formal logic, it probably has a cool Latin name, but I'm not educated enough to know...)

I think that journalists just have to have an "angle" and perhaps they are just too lazy to consider anything too challenging because they are just trying to remain published to cover their student debt and health insurance. There are few who have the gumption really - so those that do have a tougher job because most people just want a comfortable place to sleep even though that may be at the expense of a whole world full of people who can sleep better. Sad fact but true as far as I can see on so many levels and places in society... where there is no wrath of the Ancestors, as it where

You go, girl! I am utterly amazed at how people think who’s a virgin and who’s not is everybody’s business. I used to admire celebrities like Jessica Simpson for saying that they would remain virgins until marriage, but now I think, however well-intentioned they may be, why are they volunteering this information to begin with?!? I heard that one of the Olsen twins once ended an interview when the interviewer asked if she was a virgin. I say, good for her!! I have no idea if the Olsen twins are virgins, which is as it should be. It’s none of my business.

I even think virginity rings and virginity pledges are a bit odd. There is nothing wrong with them per se, and the intention behind them is certainly good, but I just find it very strange that people think they have to make a public declaration of virginity.