Ideas

Resist the TSA?

Observers discuss whether Christians should resist airport body scans and pat-downs.

Discussion Starter: Modesty

The Transportation Security Administration modified screening of its airline passengers, introducing “backscatter” x-ray machines that can see beneath passengers’ clothing. Those who opted out received an “enhanced patdown.” The government insisted the procedures are necessary to prevent terrorism, but many, including some Christian leaders, called upon passengers to resist

“We [the members of BarlowGirl] have chosen to opt out every time. As a woman concerned about modesty, I don’t believe anyone, not even the government, has the right to see my body. We need to feel safe without our privacy being violated.”

Alyssa Barlow, musician and modesty advocate

“I recommend that people eliminate all discretionary air travel and tell the airline each time they choose not to fly because of the security procedures. That’s what in the end won the Montgomery Bus Boycott—economic pressure.”

Richard Land, president, SBC Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission

“The only effective resistance is to scorn the shame of nudity by preemptively undressing completely prior to the scan. But as Christians are habituated to the moral constraints of modesty, the most effective resistance will most likely come from non-Christians.”

Read Mercer Schuchardt, associate communications professor, Wheaton College

“Whether convicted to object or submit, we must treat all with kindness—our fellow passengers and the agents who are equally uncomfortable. Emotions focused on personal wrongs can only detract from our common cause of preventing another terrorist attack.”

Penny Nance, CEO, Concerned Women for America

“We get into these situations because we make snap judgments about technology instead of thinking things through. It is a red herring to ask whether Christians should resist or not; the issue is much larger. Christians are not engaging thoughtfully enough with technology.”

Rosie Perera, faith and technology columnist

“We are commanded to love our neighbors. This requires that we take responsibility and do our part to ensure their safety. The new screening measures are a small price to pay to prevent future acts of mass murder.”

Joe Carter, online editor,

First Things

Copyright © 2011 Christianity Today. Click for reprint information.

Related Elsewhere:

Previous topics for discussion included when life begins, whether Christians should denounce believers who vilify others, Christians must pray in public forums using Jesus’ name, whether they have a responsibility to have children, whether churches should increase their 2011 operating budgets, a Protestant-less Supreme Court, Mother’s Day worship, incorporating churches, whether evangelicals are doing a good job at racial integration, whether Christians should leave the American Medical Association, the most significant change in Christianity over the past decade, whether the Supreme Court should rule that memorial crosses are secular, multisite campuses vs. church plants, and whether Christians shouldfast during Ramadan with Muslims.

Also in this issue

The CT archives are a rich treasure of biblical wisdom and insight from our past. Some things we would say differently today, and some stances we've changed. But overall, we're amazed at how relevant so much of this content is. We trust that you'll find it a helpful resource.

Cover Story

Chasing Methuselah

Unreasonable Doubt

How to Teach Sex

Review

The Center of the Good News

Changing Forever How You Think

Wilson's Bookmarks

The Enduring Church

Filling the Dad Gap

Review

Luminous Slice of China

Connoisseur for Christ: Roberta Green Ahmanson

Books to Note

News

'Chilling Verdict'

News

Bhutan Budges

Flunking Pew's Pop Quiz

News

Generic Christian U.

The Meaning of Business

Give to Street People?

Excerpt

Wise Stewards

My Top 5 Books on Poetry for the Soul

Editorial

Cracks in the Crystal Cathedral

News

Go Figure

Sudan's Politics of Prayer

News

Constructing Peace

The Rush to Reconcile

Readers Write

News

A Developing Nation Inside the U.S.

A God-Sized Food Bank

News

CIA Releases Missionary Plane Shooting Report, Church Bolts over ELCA Agricultural Proposal & More

Stay Young! Live Longer!

News

Top 10 News Stories of 2010

News

Boarding Bust: Schools for Missionary Kids See Lower Attendance

Interview: Condoleezza Rice's Faith Context for Foreign Policy

View issue

Our Latest

News

Northern Seminary Presidential Installation Goes Awry

It’s unclear whether Joy Moore resigned her leadership at the suburban Chicago school.

News

How Abortion Pills Change the Fight for Life

Texas pregnancy centers adjust their services as women increasingly access mifepristone by mail.

‘The Chosen Adventures’ Educates Our Smallest Bible Scholars

The animated spinoff on the adult show is a heady attempt to disciple kids on the life of Jesus.

Review

Suffering Comes in Many Forms. So Does Theodicy.

Scripture attests to God’s distinct plans to wipe individual tears from individual eyes.

The Bulletin

Hamas Crackdown, Rural Hospitals, and Why Brides Wear White

Hamas punishes political enemies, the importance of rural hospitals, and how purity culture influences modern weddings.

Naomi Raine Isn’t Playing Games

The founding member of Maverick City Music is releasing new songs as a solo artist with an impressive roster of guests.

News

Shrinking Palestinian Christian Population Wary of Cease-Fire

“As people, we can live together … because this is what Jesus asked us to do.”

Apple PodcastsDown ArrowDown ArrowDown Arrowarrow_left_altLeft ArrowLeft ArrowRight ArrowRight ArrowRight Arrowarrow_up_altUp ArrowUp ArrowAvailable at Amazoncaret-downCloseCloseEmailEmailExpandExpandExternalExternalFacebookfacebook-squareGiftGiftGooglegoogleGoogle KeephamburgerInstagraminstagram-squareLinkLinklinkedin-squareListenListenListenChristianity TodayCT Creative Studio Logologo_orgMegaphoneMenuMenupausePinterestPlayPlayPocketPodcastRSSRSSSaveSaveSaveSearchSearchsearchSpotifyStitcherTelegramTable of ContentsTable of Contentstwitter-squareWhatsAppXYouTubeYouTube