Christian Nudists

[Sketcher]

Then don’t do it...? Your life, your choice. My life, my choice. Funny how that works....

I don't. And when you became a Christian, it ceased to be your life. We as Christians are called to be modest. Please explain how public nudity is in any sense modest.

 

[Cactus Jack]

No, there is nothing to be afraid of.

What would you rather do? Go around wearing Type 4 body armor because there are a few crazies out there that might hurt you?
Likewise, should we quit enjoying life as nudists because of the few crazies that are out there and the fear the non-nudists have of them?

 

[Cactus Jack]

I don't. And when you became a Christian, it ceased to be your life. We as Christians are called to be modest. Please explain how public nudity is in any sense modest.

Then don’t do it if you wish to be modest. Your life, your choice.
My life, my choice.

 

[Sketcher]

Then don’t do it if you wish to be modest. Your life, your choice.
My life, my choice.

And you will have to answer to God for your choice. But if it is somehow modest, you can help enlighten us who don't believe it is modest by explaining why it is modest, and how it stands up to scrutiny. If you are right, this is your chance to help the church by doing this.

 

[Darkhorse]

But if it is somehow modest, you can help enlighten us who don't believe it is modest by explaining why it is modest, and how it stands up to scrutiny. If you are right, this is your chance to help the church by doing this.

I have half-joked earlier about having to be "modest" about my old, flabby body (can't be proud of it), but regarding modesty as decorum and not promoting sexual temptation, non-sexual nudity IS quite modest. By "non-sexual" I mean that people are going about their regular activities of life appropriate for the location (swimming, housecleaning, gardening, exercising, eating, talking with friends, etc.) as they usually do, but with little or no clothing.

Unless one has experienced and participated in non-sexual social nudity, this is very difficult for people (especially guys) to understand or believe, but it's true. When you walk through a group of nudists, you don't see aroused genitals, even on the teenage males. Why? Because it's not an arousing situation. Our society has us so conditioned to the "nudity is sexual" meme that, like Pavlov's dogs, we can't imagine a bell ringing without food being present.

Judging from your posts, you will never experience it, but you don't have to take my word for it. There are plenty of books, articles and blogs by nudists (including Christians) who will attest to the non-sexual nature of enjoying life without clothes, regardless of having both sexes present.

Of course, if people are doing sexual things with each other, the atmosphere will become "immodest" very quickly. Sex clubs and swinger clubs do exist, but such people are not true nudists. True nudists have no problem with sex, but it's not their focus, and not their reason for being nude.

Modesty - or the lack of it - is in the heart, not the clothes.

 

[Sketcher]

I have half-joked earlier about having to be "modest" about my old, flabby body (can't be proud of it), but regarding modesty as decorum and not promoting sexual temptation, non-sexual nudity IS quite modest. By "non-sexual" I mean that people are going about their regular activities of life appropriate for the location (swimming, housecleaning, gardening, exercising, eating, talking with friends, etc.) as they usually do, but with little or no clothing.

Unless one has experienced and participated in non-sexual social nudity, this is very difficult for people (especially guys) to understand or believe, but it's true. When you walk through a group of nudists, you don't see aroused genitals, even on the teenage males. Why? Because it's not an arousing situation. Our society has us so conditioned to the "nudity is sexual" meme that, like Pavlov's dogs, we can't imagine a bell ringing without food being present.

Judging from your posts, you will never experience it, but you don't have to take my word for it. There are plenty of books, articles and blogs by nudists (including Christians) who will attest to the non-sexual nature of enjoying life without clothes, regardless of having both sexes present.

Of course, if people are doing sexual things with each other, the atmosphere will become "immodest" very quickly. Sex clubs and swinger clubs do exist, but such people are not true nudists. True nudists have no problem with sex, but it's not their focus, and not their reason for being nude.

Modesty - or the lack of it - is in the heart, not the clothes.

I'm not restricting modesty to a sexual thing here. You can wear very expensive clothing from neck to toe and be immodest. If you own a big, beautiful house, you can invite people over regularly, to show it off - that's immodest. To me, public nudism is in the same category as those things - showing off what you've got without a real need to do so. I understand that in all likelihood that it's not an arousing situation - I've taken life drawing classes in college, that was not arousing at all. I'm not uptight about nudity in a proper situation such as that. In that setting, adding clothing can take away from the purpose of the class, which is to learn to draw human anatomy. There's a need there. I don't see how public nudity on the other hand, fills any legitimate need. And where it is needless, that is where the pride can come in.

 

[Eudaimonist]

And you will have to answer to God for your choice.

What do you think God's response would be?


eudaimonia,

Mark

 

[Eudaimonist]

To me, public nudism is in the same category as those things - showing off what you've got without a real need to do so.

But it isn't that. Nudism is not about "showing off", as if one is saying to others: "Look at me! Look at MEEE!"

Most nudists aren't even particularly good looking. They don't have much to show off.

I don't see how public nudity on the other hand, fills any legitimate need.

No, I imagine that you don't. I'd ask nudists about that. They can tell you what needs nudism fulfills.


eudaimonia,

Mark

 

[Dave-W]

We feel guilty because of what's the catch? We still think we need to pay a price for our forgiveness.We don't trust that JESUS took care of it once and for all.

Garrison Keilor talked about a new church in town (Lake Wobegon) called "The Gospel Warehouse." It was a place where "You will pay less for your sins." He went on to say that it never really caught on and eventually had to close; because Minnesotans did not want to pay less for their sins, they wanted to pay MORE.

His was a humorous take on the subject but it is true. We do that.

Those of us snared in legalism want to pay more for our sins and do not properly understand the sacrifice of Our Lord which took all of that off the table. And that is probably all of us at one time or another.

 

[Dave-W]

When you walk through a group of nudists, you don't see aroused genitals, even on the teenage males.

I seriously doubt that. As a teen male I was aroused almost all the time.

 

[toramei]

Seems as we run off in many directions for the answer to nudity.In the garden of Eden GOD asked a question of Adam " WHO TOLD YOU THAT YOU WERE NAKED ? "

 

[Eudaimonist]

I seriously doubt that. As a teen male I was aroused almost all the time.

You may have been, but I can confirm what Darkhorse has said. One just doesn't see that. Perhaps being a nudist helps one to learn how to suppress an erection.


eudaimonia,

Mark

 

[Dave-W]

In the garden of Eden GOD asked a question of Adam " WHO TOLD YOU THAT YOU WERE NAKED ? "

Meaning that the source of factual information can make it just as wrong as a lie.

 

[seekingsolace]

I have seen men walking around nudist beaches with erections. Not to mention an apparent 'etiquette' handbook. I am not familiar with the intricacies, nor do I want to be. Claims of persons not viewing others that way is a falsehood. You may not, yet cannot speak on behalf of the whole.

The point is: if you are purposely acting in a way that can lead others to temptation, you are guilty also. Christians should be showing a certain level of modesty in the way they act and dress.

 

[Eudaimonist]

I have seen men walking around nudist beaches with erections.

You could be talking about those few perverts that nude beaches sometimes attract. I doubt that those are nudists.


eudaimonia,

Mark

 

[seekingsolace]

You could be talking about those few perverts that nude beaches sometimes attract. I doubt that those are nudists.

They certainly weren't wearing any clothes

 

[Eudaimonist]

They certainly weren't wearing any clothes

Maybe so, but they sound like gawkers, not serious nudists.


eudaimonia,

Mark

 

[Dave-W]

Maybe so, but they sound like gawkers, not serious nudists.

OK - raging hard-on = gawker pervert; limp **** = normal nudist. Got it.

 

[Darkhorse]

I'm not restricting modesty to a sexual thing here. You can wear very expensive clothing from neck to toe and be immodest. If you own a big, beautiful house, you can invite people over regularly, to show it off - that's immodest. To me, public nudism is in the same category as those things - showing off what you've got without a real need to do so. I understand that in all likelihood that it's not an arousing situation - I've taken life drawing classes in college, that was not arousing at all. I'm not uptight about nudity in a proper situation such as that. In that setting, adding clothing can take away from the purpose of the class, which is to learn to draw human anatomy. There's a need there. I don't see how public nudity on the other hand, fills any legitimate need. And where it is needless, that is where the pride can come in.

Wow - your understanding is light-years ahead of the usual Christian anti-nudist.

I agree with your interpretation of "modesty" (humility, not boasting or showing off) and believe it's the correct Biblical interpretation.

I also agree that boastful and self-centered pride is to be avoided; the Bible shows pride to be a great destroyer.

Where I differ is the idea that "unnecessary" nudity is a source of boastful pride, and that it serves no useful purpose.

For most people, nudity is a state of ultimate humility and unpretentiousness, which is one reason it makes social interaction easier, especially between strangers. It's part of our shared humanity, and emphasizes what we have in common, rather than what sets us apart. Clothes have historically distinguished the wealthy and powerful people from the commoners, and have reflected one's rank and social standing in society. We see this today in "label envy" which prices worn-out jeans at $200 or more in fashonable stores, while new $10 jeans at Wal-Mart are looked down on.

What is more unnecessary than a swimsuit? Swimming nude is much more enjoyable and efficient. A nude person dries off quickly after leaving the water, while a swimsuit keeps its wearer wet and cold, dripping everywhere. Clothes make hot humid weather a miserable experience; it's no coincidence that nudism is most popular in the southern states near the Gulf.

Other than supermodels, athletes, and bodybuilders, people rarely feel boastful pride about their bodies; the opposite is usually true, especially for women who feel totally inadequate if they are larger than size 3. When they see groups of other typical women (who are larger than size 3), they relax and begin to appreciate their inherent beauty (this was my wife's experience).

As a 61-year-old guy who looks like Archie Bunker, what to I have to boast about? Male physique? Hardly. An impressive male "package"? No way. So what do I get out of nudity?

1) tactile benefits: freedom of movement, ventilation, comfort, flexibility, lack of confinement

2) social benefits: commonality with others, easier interactions with both friends and strangers

3) spiritual benefits: an increased awareness of God and reverence for His creation


Why are so many art subjects nudes? Because it's the fundamental person, the way we really are.

Why are we born nude? Maybe God's trying to tell us something...

 

[Dave-W]

Why are we born nude? Maybe God's trying to tell us something...

Probably that we are born in sin.