Ángel
Manuel Rodríguez
In the church that I attend,
some members are discussing the issue of cosmetic surgery. Is there any
biblical guidance on this topic?
This
subject is complex and difficult to address for two main reasons. First,
there is no explicit biblical guidance that can inform a decision; and,
second, the subject is loaded with social, medical, emotional, and psychological
elements that make it difficult to evaluate the decision objectively.
Any person contemplating cosmetic surgery should get proper medical orientation
and in some cases even consult a psychologist. My observations may provide
a starting point for further reflection.
1. Effect of Sin on Our Bodies: Sin impacts not only our spiritual and moral life but
also our bodies. Our health message is an attempt to limit the inroads
of sin on our physical as well as on our mental and spiritual powers.
Therefore, fighting the negative effects of sin on our bodies is not necessarily
wrong.
There are bodily anomalies that from the medical and
aesthetic points of view may require correction (e.g., scars, burns, cleft
lips, etc.). In many cases those conditions could have a negative impact
on our self-image and on how we relate to others. A measure of psychological
well-being could be achieved through the cosmetic correction of what is
perceived or recognized to be abnormal.
2. Overcoming Social Prejudice: In some cases the success of people is limited or hindered
for the simple reason that they do not nicely fit into a particular social
understanding of what is “normal.” They possess a physical feature
that is defined as “abnormal” when compared to the more common
characteristics of the same feature in other persons. In many cases prejudice
against those individuals limits their professional advancement. Attempting
to improve one’s physical appearance in order to enhance one’s
influence may not necessarily be wrong.
3. Challenges of Cosmetic Beautification: In cases in which the body does not deviate in any significant
way from the general norm, or when changes occur because of the normal
aging process, cosmetic surgery becomes cosmetic beautification,
common in affluent societies. Here, the ethical questions
become relevant and difficult to address: What is motivating the desired
cosmetic surgery? Is the motivation compatible with your Christian values?
Is the intention to attract attention or improve sex appeal? Is the particular
physical condition perceived by the person to be so abnormal
that it is having a negative impact on the quality of life?
The financial impact of cosmetic surgery should also be taken into consideration.
4. Nature of Beauty and Cosmetic Beautification: The modern interest in physical beauty is based on a
concept of beauty that is significantly different from the biblical one.
It is based primarily on mathematical balances, proportions, and symmetry.
It is a superficial view determined by the surface of an object, its exterior
design, colorfulness, and symmetry. What does not conform to that physical
balance is considered abnormal.
But who decides what the norm is? In the western world
it would probably be the fashion, entertainment, or communication
industries.
The Bible does not ignore the attractiveness of the
physical body; however, it puts the emphasis on the dynamic dimension
of beauty and on simplicity and modesty (1 Peter 3:4). “Beautiful”
is anything or any person that functions or behaves the way it was intended
by God to function or behave (cf. Gen. 1:31). Therefore, the stress is
placed on the nature of the object and on the expression of that nature
in behavior and physical appearance.
The search for beauty is a search for our true identity
in order to live up to it. Once we realize that we are children of God
through Jesus, everything changes, including the way we think, behave,
and perceive ourselves. Interest in our physical appearance remains, but
is no longer our primary concern.
Church members should realize that in the area of appearance
we all have different
needs and concerns. What one may consider unnecessary could be extremely
important for another person (look at me; I’d like to have more hair).
In the final analysis, cosmetic beautification is a personal matter to
be decided by the individual in conversation
with God, who understands us better than anyone else does.
1/9/03
Copyright © Biblical Research Institute General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists®