Plea #34: The history of clothing and its relationship with our society is a longer thread to unravel than it may at first seem.
A common question among children is, "Why must I wear pants, while the animals outside don't?" And while some parents may initially think this answer to be straightforward, most quickly discover the question's seemingly simple appearance is deceiving.
Why *do* we wear clothes?
Why is it unacceptable for us to be naked when we are equipped with parts, no different from the wild things that skitter through the brush, uninhibited?
While I can't definitively say what the real difference is myself, I *can* tell you when this attitude toward clothing is believed to have begun and how it was initially justified.
The history of clothing goes all the way back to our ancient ancestors, often referred to as "Cave Dwellers."
Scientists believe that prior to entering the underground, humanity lived a brief period in which they only wore what was essential.
They didn't wear clothes to be modest, like we do today, but rather, only wore them to stay warm and protect against skin irritation.
Though this all changed when they retreated into The Great Mountain.
Now, what specifically *happened* during this period is notoriously unclear and endlessly debated, but what we know for a fact is that it was during this time that culture shifted to a more "modest" one, regarding apparel expectations.
People began dressing and covering up, not out of necessity, but as a result of the religion at the time.
It's believed that any members who refused to follow these newly established norms were banished from the mountain, and most likely died as a result.
Those who remained did so clothed, and so continued the tradition to this very day, that all people who possess "God-Given Intellect" shall keep their parts private.
While we abandoned many traditions from the cavernous culture of our past, this practice in particular remains to this day, and shows no signs of changing anytime soon.
So you'd better get comfortable... But not TOO comfortable :P

Thank you for reading!
Next week, we'll discuss the historical significance of 'The Fallen Man', and try to pin down why its common interpretations vary so drastically from one another.
Until then, stay curious, stay nuanced, and goodbye :)