Christian Nudists

As for erections in public, they do happen, most I can't remember seeing on all weekend at the resort, so generally its not a problem. There were several guys in their 20-30s and even they didn't have a problem.

dayhiker said:

As for erections in public, they do happen, most I can't remember seeing on all weekend at the resort, so generally its not a problem. There were several guys in their 20-30s and even they didn't have a problem.

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Hey, has there ever been an instance in which a nudist gets attacked by a violent stray dog or something? Maybe a swarm of bees?

I do get being naked though. Especially during the perfect temperatures and winds that just make your skin and entire self feel refreshed and "good." I'm not so sure about the whole nudist colony thing though. But being out alone living on a wide open stretch of land where no one is around for miles. And you can just walk out on to your back or front porch or yard entirely naked--I get that.

Being male you know how it can be in hot, humid summers wearing underwear and trousers. It's fine but it does turn a certain area into a de facto sauna. Which leads to buying medicated powder or over-the-counter creams to deal with irritations and rashes. It does not take a rocket scientist to figure out that in a certain sense this is not healthy per se.

On the other hand... clothing comes with so many other benefits. I can't lie. I do like clothing too. And jewelry.

You know what bothers me the most? Humidity in my shoes? I end up taking of my shoes frequently to let my feet air out.

Cloud ... I think you get exactly what clothes should be for, to help us be more comfortable. I'm clearly not going to out in the nude to shovel the snow off my driveway!

dayhiker said:

Cloud ... I think you get exactly what clothes should be for, to help us be more comfortable. I'm clearly not going to out in the nude to shovel the snow off my driveway!

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Well, this is good to know, dayhiker. Hate to see you lose your toes to frostbite.

Hey, wasn't "skinny dipping" a more prevalent thing during the 1800s? I think there was some guy known for painting a bunch of boys and men in rural America skinny dipping in lakes back in the 1800s?

dayhiker said:

Well, from my reading of the the places where shame and nudity are talked about in the same context, most are referring to the shame of not able able to defend and protect women and children from being captured, raped and sold into slavery. The 2nd use is being naked of righteousness because on ones sin.
The prophets were known to bring God's word when naked. God asked Isaiah to prophesy naked and he did so for 3 yrs.

I just spent the weekend at a nudist resort. Good time playing pickle ball, new game I'd never heard of or played before. Hanging out at the pool and talking with people.

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Again, though, that's just in a shameful context. God wanted Isaiah to illustrate the shame that was eminent and how people would soon be taken into captivity. Nothing about being proud to be naked. There is also sins being exposed--some verses talk about sin being exposed and people being ashamed when they are spiritually naked. This isn't to say that nudity is inherently sinful, I just feel like God does not want or need us all to be naked. I see nothing wrong with clothes, judging from all of the nudists who are only naked at resorts and at home, nudity just doesn't seem practical. I would want to walk naked on hot pavement, or on a dirty grocery store floor, even if it was socially acceptable. Can't there be a balance between clothed modesty and a healthy understanding of nudity? I sure didn't get that growing up.

cloud .. there have always been people that enjoyed their body the way God created then and swimming is high on the list. Wikipedia has some info on that.

grandvizier1006 said:

Again, though, that's just in a shameful context. God wanted Isaiah to illustrate the shame that was eminent and how people would soon be taken into captivity. Nothing about being proud to be naked. There is also sins being exposed--some verses talk about sin being exposed and people being ashamed when they are spiritually naked. This isn't to say that nudity is inherently sinful, I just feel like God does not want or need us all to be naked. I see nothing wrong with clothes, judging from all of the nudists who are only naked at resorts and at home, nudity just doesn't seem practical. I would want to walk naked on hot pavement, or on a dirty grocery store floor, even if it was socially acceptable. Can't there be a balance between clothed modesty and a healthy understanding of nudity? I sure didn't get that growing up.

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Yes, that is exactly what I'm saying by referring to Isaiah.
Ya, wouldn't be wise to be naked when its not healthy, so cooks at nudist resorts wear clothes.

dayhiker said:

Yes, that is exactly what I'm saying by referring to Isaiah.
Ya, wouldn't be wise to be naked when its not healthy, so cooks at nudist resorts wear clothes.

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But see, the bible depicts nudity as a bad thing that you don't want to happen to you. Representing poverty, captivity, and shame. Not freedom or health. If I'm not mistaken, nudism isn't so popular in third world countries. Maybe children will run around naked in the streets, or swim naked, but that doesn't necessarily make them practicing nudists, since I'm pretty sure that's kind of a voluntary thing. Not bashing your naked life or anything, I just don't think it's what Jesus expects of His followers. Plus I don't want to create a rift between my family by having a secret nudist life. Maybe that's fine when you're single and your parents are dead, but not me.

And how many nudists, in proportion to all of them, are Christians anyway? And how is nudism really that much of a lifestyle if you only do it when it's convenient?

OBEY said:

This may be strange to most people, but I would almost always rather be completely nude, especially in nature. I'm 27 and I've been somewhat of a closet nudist for the last 10 years of my life. Theres nothing sexual about it for me, it just makes me feel happy and free. I'm never naked in front of anyone who is offended by it. It's usually just my wife and close friends who aren't bothered by nudity.

My question is, do you think there's something wrong with me? Is this sinful behavior, or do you find nothing wrong with it? Thanks.

Joel

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There is nothing wrong with it. Most Americans conflate nudity with sex, and that is a shame, because it need not be so. In many European countries, people are casual about nudity and that is why topless/nude beaches proliferate. Unfortunately, when Americans attend these beaches, they sexualize the nudity and it becomes a different kind of atmosphere.

Keep on doing what you do and what works out for your wife and you.

I was stunned to see this headline. More stunned to see the first couple posts and then some... I guess I've never considered a Christian to choose what sinful behaviors he could keep... And to backpack this kind of shamelessness into their Christian walk.

Genesis 3:7

Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked. And they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loincloths.

John 21:7

That disciple whom Jesus loved therefore said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment, for he was stripped for work, and threw himself into the sea.

Isaiah 47:3

Your nakedness shall be uncovered, and your disgrace shall be seen. I will take vengeance, and I will spare no one.

Exodus 20:26

And you shall not go up by steps to my altar, that your nakedness be not exposed on it.’

Luke 8:27

When Jesus had stepped out on land, there met him a man from the city who had demons. For a long time he had worn no clothes, and he had not lived in a house but among the tombs.

Mark 5:15

And they came to Jesus and saw the demon-possessed man, the one who had had the legion, sitting there, clothed and in his right mind, and they were afraid.

Revelation 16:15

(“Behold, I am coming like a thief! Blessed is the one who stays awake, keeping his garments on, that he may not go about naked and be seen exposed!”)

Habakkuk 2:15

“Woe to him who makes his neighbors drink— you pour out your wrath and make them drunk, in order to gaze at their nakedness!

Revelation 3:18

I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see.

Revelation 3:17

For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.

Genesis 9:22

And Ham, the father of Canaan, saw the nakedness of his father and told his two brothers outside.

Genesis 3:21
And the Lord God made for Adam and for his wife garments of skins and clothed them.

Genesis 3:10
And he said, “I heard the sound of you in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked, and I hid myself.”

Leviticus 18:6-18

“None of you shall approach any one of his close relatives to uncover nakedness. I am the Lord. You shall not uncover the nakedness of your father, which is the nakedness of your mother; she is your mother, you shall not uncover her nakedness. You shall not uncover the nakedness of your father's wife; it is your father's nakedness. You shall not uncover the nakedness of your sister, your father's daughter or your mother's daughter, whether brought up in the family or in another home. You shall not uncover the nakedness of your son's daughter or of your daughter's daughter, for their nakedness is your own nakedness. ...

Genesis 9:22-23
And Ham, the father of Canaan, saw the nakedness of his father and told his two brothers outside. Then Shem and Japheth took a garment, laid it on both their shoulders, and walked backward and covered the nakedness of their father. Their faces were turned backward, and they did not see their father's nakedness.

DaveW-Ohev said:

What denomination?

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Baptist (yes, Baptist!)

Nudity isn't sinful, otherwise we would all be sinning to take a shower.

I have found politics and geography plays a greater role in this discussion than religion. Conservative North American's do tend to view nudism/nudity as being more sexual or immoral, whereas European's (liberal or conservative) tend to be fine with it (pretty much as Hetta said). Croatia has had nude beaches long before most liberal EU countries even, and that's a fairly conservative/catholic country.

I'm personally split on the issue as I do believe there are grey areas when it concerns nudity.

SuperCloud said:

Hey, wasn't "skinny dipping" a more prevalent thing during the 1800s? I think there was some guy known for painting a bunch of boys and men in rural America skinny dipping in lakes back in the 1800s?

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It wasn't that long ago. My mom was a country girl who was born in 1911 and grew up in a house without electricity or indoor plumbing. The first swimsuit she ever had was when she moved to Chicago in 1929.

Until about 1970, many high school P.E. classes and the YMCA required men and boys to swim nude.

grandvizier1006 said:

But see, the bible depicts nudity as a bad thing that you don't want to happen to you. Representing poverty, captivity, and shame. Not freedom or health. If I'm not mistaken, nudism isn't so popular in third world countries. Maybe children will run around naked in the streets, or swim naked, but that doesn't necessarily make them practicing nudists, since I'm pretty sure that's kind of a voluntary thing. Not bashing your naked life or anything, I just don't think it's what Jesus expects of His followers. Plus I don't want to create a rift between my family by having a secret nudist life. Maybe that's fine when you're single and your parents are dead, but not me.

And how many nudists, in proportion to all of them, are Christians anyway? And how is nudism really that much of a lifestyle if you only do it when it's convenient?

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In the Bible, it's the poverty, captivity and shame you should avoid, not the nudity.

Indeed, nudism isn't popular in third-world countries; it's an indication of poverty there.
The children running around or swimming nude can't afford clothes.

I've known thousands of nudists during the 40+ years that I've been one;
most Christians are not nudists, but most nudists in the USA are Christians, and many are conservative.

Darkhorse said:

In the Bible, it's the poverty, captivity and shame you should avoid, not the nudity.

Indeed, nudism isn't popular in third-world countries; it's an indication of poverty there.
The children running around or swimming nude can't afford clothes.

I've known thousands of nudists during the 40+ years that I've been one;
most Christians are not nudists, but most nudists in the USA are Christians, and many are conservative.

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See, to me that just means there's no biblical basis. You just do it because you like it. I guess I might just be too urban for that sort of thing.

Why do you think that is? I assumed most nudists were pagans, most likely, if they had a religion at all.

grandvizier1006 said:

See, to me that just means there's no biblical basis. You just do it because you like it. I guess I might just be too urban for that sort of thing.

Why do you think that is? I assumed most nudists were pagans, most likely, if they had a religion at all.

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There's no Biblical basis for eating ice cream either, but I sure do like it!

You're not alone. Probably most people would be surprised by the prevalence of Christian nudists, since so many associate nudity with sex, and Christians have a reputation for being strict about sex. But, of all people, Christians should be liberated by Jesus' death on the cross to experience the original innocence of Eden, to see the world with a changed mind (Romans 12:2), and to live in it as new creations in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17).

Nowhere in the Bible does God command people to wear clothes, other than the priests when conducting worship. He commands us to avoid adultery and lust, but those happen to people with or without clothes, and are no more likely with nude people. I know that's very difficult for guys to believe if they haven't experienced it, but...you might check out naturist-christians.org

Darkhorse said:

There's no Biblical basis for eating ice cream either, but I sure do like it!

You're not alone. Probably most people would be surprised by the prevalence of Christian nudists, since so many associate nudity with sex, and Christians have a reputation for being strict about sex. But, of all people, Christians should be liberated by Jesus' death on the cross to experience the original innocence of Eden, to see the world with a changed mind (Romans 12:2), and to live in it as new creations in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17).

Nowhere in the Bible does God command people to wear clothes, other than the priests when conducting worship. He commands us to avoid adultery and lust, but those happen to people with or without clothes, and are no more likely with nude people. I know that's very difficult for guys to believe if they haven't experienced it, but...you might check out naturist-christians.org

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Thanks, but I think it would take a long time for me to understand the proper context of nudity. remember that I'm post-sexual revolution, so it's difficult for me to understand.

Darkhorse said:

It wasn't that long ago. My mom was a country girl who was born in 1911 and grew up in a house without electricity or indoor plumbing. The first swimsuit she ever had was when she moved to Chicago in 1929.

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LOL. Speak for yourself, Old Timer.

Until about 1970, many high school P.E. classes and the YMCA required men and boys to swim nude.

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Now that I had no idea about. Interesting.

I know in high school our boys locker room--used for gym class too--had open showers. The big wide room type with several showers heads. Do they even still make high school showers like that any more?

At first I was a a bit scared to strip naked and shower with other boys. I did it but silently in my mind I was pretty scared. Over time it was no longer a big deal though.

You showered like that in the Marine Corps, too, except the Corps was more homophobic. By the time I was leaving the Corps they were installing individual shower curtains in the Marine barracks on the Naval base I was on. Then again... when I was in boot camp we were still washing our clothing by hand, outdoors. Now they use washing machines and dryers. So, things change.

grandvizier1006 said:

Thanks, but I think it would take a long time for me to understand the proper context of nudity. remember that I'm post-sexual revolution, so it's difficult for me to understand.

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There's nothing wrong with wearing clothes.

I grew up right in the middle of the sexual revolution. It started in the 1960s but didn't take hold in the general population until the 1970s.

I'm not trying to convert you, but if you went to a nude venue (one with other nude people) and took all your clothes off, I think you would understand it in a few minutes.

My first visit to a nude beach was in 1978 (I was 24). I had seen pictures of people stretched out nude on the sand, completely uncovered, and I thought it would be an erotic experience. When I got there, it was sexually charged and erotic for about 10 minutes, but that feeling faded away because nothing sexual was happening - just people enjoying a beach. Some were completely nude, some of the ladies had half a suit on, and some people wore conventional suits. It was very enjoyable to frolic around without a restrictive, wet, dripping suit on, and it was great to enjoy the full beauty of the nude women, but...it was not sexual. It was actually much better than I expected, especially in a spiritual way, being connected with the beach, the ocean, the people there, and with God in a mysteriously new way.