There is the male counterpart...the body building contest(I know there are those for women too, but to make a point)...it's all about the body. Although the body builders don't need to have attractive faces, like the beauty contests.
But, as far as beauty contests go..I don't see anything spiritual about it. Does anybody know why it was started in the first place? And what does it say about the women that participate? I know that Sandra Bullock portrayed an heroic image about it, but really what does it do for mankind?
Now if there was a contest about intelligent and caring women in the world, then that would be reasonable. Or how about Orthodox women(and men for that matter) who compete in a contest to be the most outstanding Orthodox or Christian, for that matter?
Wouldn't we then sit there and think how ridiculous it is to compete to be the best Orthodox or Christian(in general terms)? So when it comes down to it, in my mind, beauty contests are frivolous and devoid of spiritual context. I know, I know...there are many things we do in our lives that are frivolous, but to base a contest on beauty is like paying an athlete millions of dollars to play a game. It's all about money which cannot be taken with us when we die, anyways. So if they want to do that, so be it. Maybe they will use the money to help others. That would be great....to help others based on the face and body that God gave them or the athletic talent.
As far as the online arguement goes...the internet is just another form of communication, like letters, telephone, fax or face to face; people will always be comfronted by strife, in every form of communication; because strife can only exist where there is communication between two people or more. The point is to have mind-set of consideration, decency and self-control.
PS...Since when do Orthodox hierarchs bless the participation in beauty contests? That...I think, is out of line.
