This question came in through Teens-4-Christ: I was wondering if the Bible says anything about a Christian being a cheerleader in a public school.

That’s a great question.  There are many issues we face in our daily walk that are not directly addressed in the Word of God.  When we face these issues, how do we determine what is the appropriate, Godly, choice?  Cheerleading is one of those issues that is not directly addressed in the Bible.  In other words, the Bible does not clearly come out and say, “Thou shalt not be a cheerleader, nor allow your child to be a part of a cheerleading team.”  However, there are some clear principles in the Word of God we can use to determine if cheerleading is an appropriate activity. 

We will look at a number of passages from the Word of God which apply to cheerleading.  For the purpose of this article, we will use 1 Tim 2:9-11 as the primary passage to determine the Christian’s attitude toward cheerleading. 

1Tim 2:9 In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; (10) But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works. (11) Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection.

 The key issue with cheerleaders is modesty.  This passage is telling the ladies they should adorn themselves in modest apparel.  Many people look at this passage and use it to describe the clothing a lady should wear.  Yes, a lady will dress in a way which does not attract attention to her body.  Clothing is not the primary principle we need to glean from this passage (though we will deal with that in a moment).  Being adorned in modesty is far more than the clothes you wear.  An immodest woman is using her clothing as well as her attitude and actions to scream “look at me.”  This is what cheerleading has become.  It is impossible to have a modest attitude and be a cheerleader.   Second, we must consider the clothing of the cheerleader.  Yes, it is possible for a cheerleader to be completely covered.  There are cheerleaders in Christian schools who wear culottes.  Even in culottes, if a cheerleader is jumping and tumbling, she will still reveal her body.   This issue is magnified in the public school cheerleader.  The clothing of the public school cheerleader has the sole purpose of revealing as much of her body as possible.  When a woman uses her body as a tool to attract men, she is no better than a harlot.

Third, with the modern cheerleaders, “cheering” is more about moving the body and dancing than anything else.  The cheerleader is seeking to draw attention to herself.  Again, this comes back to an issue of modesty and chastity.  A young lady who has a desire in her heart to please the Lord will not put her body on exhibition for multitudes to watch.  The difference between a cheerleader on the side of the field and a stripper is on stage only a small amount of cloth.    This issue of modesty is compounded by the use of the world’s music in the dance. Worldly music encourages sensual dance but also encourages many other ungodly activities. 

Fourth, there is the attitude of the cheerleader.  When a girl becomes a cheerleader, she almost always becomes very vain and very proud in her attitude.  She is proud of her accomplishment of becoming a part of the elite.  Yes, we all know the cheerleader squad is viewed to be the elite group of girls in the school.  They are viewed to be the most socially acceptable; their position on the social ladder is one to be desired by some.  When a girl is awarded a position on a cheerleader squad, she is given a trophy of accomplishment.  She has attained that social position.   Along with the attitude, there are other social expectations.  The cheerleader is a part of the elite and she must act the part.  In all likelihood, she will attend all the parties. Even if she does not act like the typical cheerleader, many will assume she does. We are commanded to “…abstain from all appearances of evil.”  (1 Thes 5:22).  If someone thinks she is a part of these other activities, she is guilty.

Because the cheerleader is a part of a close-knit team, her closest friends are likely fellow cheerleaders.  Should we be best friends with people who are unsaved? NO. 

2Co 6:14-18 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? (15) And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? (16) And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. (17) Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, (18) And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

The believer should not have close relationships with unbelievers.  The Word of God is quite clear about this.  Aside from the command not to yoke-up with unbelievers, God continues by instructing us, saying: “Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.”  God is making a clear contrast.  If you want to be considered one of HIS children, if you want to consider HIM as your father, you MUST come out from the world and be separate from the world.  In other words, if you are walking in the world, God is saying that you are not his child.  This begs the question of whether God would allow one of His children to actually be a cheerleader. 

Finally, I believe cheerleading is a very sad commentary on any parent, and especially a father.  That father is allowing his daughter to put herself on display and violate the principles of modesty we discussed here.  The father who allows his daughter to be a cheerleader is allowing her to participate, openly, in sensuality.  That father needs to realize that he is the head of the home and that he is responsible for the protection of his children. 

What is even sadder is the father who allows his daughter to be a cheerleader, then looks upon her as a trophy.  Instead of teaching her that she is a prize for God, that she should preserve her body for her husband, he allows her to put her body on display for thousands. Jesus said that whoever should look on a woman and lust after her has committed adultery with her in his heart.  The father of a cheerleader is teaching his daughter that it is okay to be an object for men to look at.

All this is to answer your question.  When we look for an answer, the Bible is clear.  There is always an answer for the questions of life.  We need only look for them.  In this case, the Bible is clearly against young ladies being cheerleaders.  In my opinion, the pastor who allows this in his church and the father who permits it in his home are both in serious danger of judgment from the Lord.