Is Skinny-Dipping Immoral?

[chasingmydestiny]

I'm new here, so I'll keep it short.

My problem is this: I come from a family in which I have two sisters. The three of us occasionally go skinny dipping together (keep in mind that I am a guy). In addition, it's not uncommon for one of us to go around the house in our underwear. We've done this since we were little so it was never a big deal. But there is a lady in our church who frequently talks about how immoral skinny dipping is. What do you all think? Is it immoral when it's your family? Or does it become immoral when you bring non-related people into it? Or is the lady totally crazy.

Please help me out.

 

[ReformedChapin]

I'm new here, so I'll keep it short.

My problem is this: I come from a family in which I have two sisters. The three of us occasionally go skinny dipping together (keep in mind that I am a guy). In addition, it's not uncommon for one of us to go around the house in our underwear. We've done this since we were little so it was never a big deal. But there is a lady in our church who frequently talks about how immoral skinny dipping is. What do you all think? Is it immoral when it's your family? Or does it become immoral when you bring non-related people into it? Or is the lady totally crazy.

Please help me out.

This is the weirdest thing I have ever heard, skinny dipping with your family. I can't imagine seeying members of my family naked...

 

[lilymarie]

The only person I would skinny-dip with is my husband once we are married, but even then it would have to be very secluded on a private ranch or estate or something, and also only in evening. Otherwise, my swim suit will do just fine. I've swam in lakes it's weird and slimy, so I'm not real thrilled with it in the first place.

I think it could be immoral... I'd say it might be more appropriate to put your swim suits on and still have fun without the worry about it.

 

[DailyBlessings]

No particular reason why that would be immoral- you obviously had no ill intentions, since it didn't even occur to you to wonder until somebody else told you it was a bad thing. Certainly the Bible voices no objection to "skinny-dipping". And since bathing together was common in biblical times, it would be strange if no mention was made. The woman probably just thinks that any nudity goes hand in hand with immoral behavior. Since this clearly isn't true, I'd advise you not to worry about it. Anyways, swimsuits are not very good for your health, especially in a natural environment. They collect bacteria and jellyfish polyps and who knows what else...

 

[dentonz]

No particular reason why that would be immoral- you obviously had no ill intentions, since it didn't even occur to you to wonder until somebody else told you it was a bad thing. Certainly the Bible voices no objection to "skinny-dipping". And since bathing together was common in biblical times, it would be strange if no mention was made. The woman probably just thinks that any nudity goes hand in hand with immoral behavior. Since this clearly isn't true, I'd advise you not to worry about it. Anyways, swimsuits are not very good for your health, especially in a natural environment. They collect bacteria and jellyfish polyps and who knows what else...

Read Leviticus chapter 18 and you might see why someone could possibly think this is immoral.

 

[GordonUSC]

The Bible is quite clear that God looks at the heart and it is the heart that sins. If it is with your family (which I do find a bit odd but whatever) and there is no lustful thoughts involved then it is probably not sin in and of itself. Just be careful that you do not cause others to stuble by taking your example and thinking nakedness is ok in other contexts.

 

[Blank123]

why would you want to go skinnydipping with your sisters?

the questions you need to ask yourself - is this glorifying God when you do this? Is this harming your witness in anyway?

 

[OD3]

There is nothing immoral about being naked. God didnt make you with clothes on.

 

[wmc1982]

This is the weirdest thing I have ever heard, skinny dipping with your family. I can't imagine seeying members of my family naked...

I second. I don't know what to say about this one. I guess it could possibly be ok. Pretty strange though. And why are people talking about skinny dipping in church anyway?

 

[Maccie]

And why are people talking about skinny dipping in church anyway?

I wouldn't go skinny dipping in church!

 

[NHB_MMA]

This does seem weird to me too. I guess it might be okay seeing as how there is no sexual desire between you, but in most other cases this would be one to avoid.

Obviously, most people would have no objection to this with a married couple, although I would not be surprised if the most staunch members of the "sex is for procreation only" crowd would find this to be completely inappropriate.

 

[lilymarie]

I'm new here, so I'll keep it short.

My problem is this: I come from a family in which I have two sisters. The three of us occasionally go skinny dipping together (keep in mind that I am a guy). In addition, it's not uncommon for one of us to go around the house in our underwear. We've done this since we were little so it was never a big deal. But there is a lady in our church who frequently talks about how immoral skinny dipping is. What do you all think? Is it immoral when it's your family? Or does it become immoral when you bring non-related people into it? Or is the lady totally crazy.

Please help me out.

I think there are several issues here: First you were children, you saw with child-like eyes. Now you are growing up and if you 'need' to ask if something is wrong, possibly this is now bothering you because you are not a child anymore.

As far as it being immoral in total; well, first of all I was assuming you were skinny-dipping in a PUBLIC lake. In my state we have laws that prohibit public nude swimming. However, if it's a swimming pool in one's own backyard, then it's legal and I can't judge what the world wants to do on their own property.

So I think the moral issue lies in the fact that it's illegal in my state to go around anywhere in the nude as well as no nude swimming except in very select or private communities.

So, where are you skinny-dipping publically or privately?

Also, is nude bathing of any type allowed publically in your state? If not, it's immoral and the woman in your church is not crazy. We have to follow our laws of our immediate environment as well. I have no idea where you are swimming nude or what your particular laws in your immediate area are?

So, the above issues have to be taken into consideration. We cannot be law-breakers of the land just because we feel like it.

Also, you didn't state what country you are from. So, if you are from Europe, nude bathing is more legalized there I suppose. So, in some ways this seems like a trick question unless we know the immediate laws of your environment. The internet is a virtual environment. I am not psychic and cannot see into your immediate environment nor possibly know the laws of that environment, nor can anyone else here.

So, if you are from Europe the answer could be different, etc. However, where I live, public nude swimming is against the law, except in private regulated areas only.

 

[Splayd]

This whole issue is about perspective. Nudity is NOT a sin in and of itself. Not even public nudity is a sin in and of itself. To most western ears that sounds ludicrous but consider the many cultural groups in the jungles and islands where this would be the norm and I'd hope we'd recognise that at least for them, this isn't immoral.
The issues of morality in this context depend on things like the social implications and the personal motivation. If it's not causing a stumbling block for others, not against the law, not leading you to sin or inhibiting your growth then there's no issue here. If it is doing any of those things then you need to reevaluate your position, but you seem to be indicating that this is not the case.

 

[DailyBlessings]

Read Leviticus chapter 18 and you might see why someone could possibly think this is immoral.

Ah, only if you read it in the KJV- "uncover nakedness" is just a euphemism for what the text actually says.

 

[CardinalBaseball]

This is the weirdest thing I have ever heard, skinny dipping with your family. I can't imagine seeying members of my family naked...

. . .eeww. . .

But I would say that lady is probably wrong.

 

[crazymichael]

This must be a joke, lol. Swimming nude with your sisters? Come on. That is strange.

 

[tulc]

There is nothing immoral about being naked. God didnt make you with clothes on. (emph. added)

...how do you know?
tulc(thinks he may well have been born with clothes on!)

 

[tulc]

.But there is a lady in our church who frequently talks about how immoral skinny dipping is.

...does she do this out of the blue? "Man that was a great sermon today! But don't go skinnydipping, it's wrong! See you next Sunday!" Because that seems a little...odd.
tulc(welcome to CF by the way!)

 

[Key]

I'm new here, so I'll keep it short.

My problem is this: I come from a family in which I have two sisters. The three of us occasionally go skinny dipping together (keep in mind that I am a guy).

Do you go skinny dipping, or go swimming nude?

The Concept behind Skinny Dipping to relax or gather together in the water with out clothing on with the concept of possible sexual excitement. However nudist would disagree, and state that not only is the human body a fine creation by God and that clothing is a byproduct of our shameful sinful states, (After all, Adam and Eve were naked and they felt no shame), and that socializing while naked is a great way to break down the barrier of self consciousnesses.

So I guess it depend on how and why you do it, and what is the mentality.

In addition, it's not uncommon for one of us to go around the house in our underwear.

Happens, that is the way of life in a family I guess.

We've done this since we were little so it was never a big deal. But there is a lady in our church who frequently talks about how immoral skinny dipping is.

She just brings this up?

What do you all think? Is it immoral when it's your family? Or does it become immoral when you bring non-related people into it? Or is the lady totally crazy.

Wow, what a Great Question, and if I were to just give you a simple yes or no answer, then I have not taken the time to expose you to the meat and solid food of Christianity.

It does not matter with who you “Skinny Dip” it matters the mentality behind the action, do you gather at the “Water Hole” with the idea of gazing at nude bodies while your mind fills with erotica regarding this time, or it simple appreciation of the people you are with, and the fact that you do not wear clothing makes you feel more at ease, IE: Like a Nudist has no shame for the body God has given them. And are you making poses to expose your parts, or is this just a natural way of relaxing.

What your motive is, is of greater importance then the act itself.

And that Lady is a bit off her rocker. But prudish people are a dime a dozen, and never seem to lack the breath to speak their ill of the world.

I would best to just leave her to her own opinions and such, and just drop the subject with her all together..

Please help me out.

Have I answered your Questions?

God Bless

[FONT=&quot]Key[/FONT]

 

[alms13]

I think there are several issues here: First you were children, you saw with child-like eyes. Now you are growing up and if you 'need' to ask if something is wrong, possibly this is now bothering you because you are not a child anymore.

Lily, the suggestion you seem to be making is that if you need to ask if something is wrong, it probably is. It seems that the original poster's confusion came because something he had never considered to be wrong was suddenly considered to be so by a senior member of a morally-conscious group, his church. It's natural that he should be confused and it's appropriate to ask for the opinions of others in such a context.

As far as it being immoral in total; well, first of all I was assuming you were skinny-dipping in a PUBLIC lake. In my state we have laws that prohibit public nude swimming. However, if it's a swimming pool in one's own backyard, then it's legal and I can't judge what the world wants to do on their own property.

So I think the moral issue lies in the fact that it's illegal in my state to go around anywhere in the nude as well as no nude swimming except in very select or private communities.

Also, is nude bathing of any type allowed publically in your state? If not, it's immoral and the woman in your church is not crazy. We have to follow our laws of our immediate environment as well. I have no idea where you are swimming nude or what your particular laws in your immediate area are?

In either case, the morality of the action is not defined by the law of the state. Slavery, for example was upheld through the practice of law for millennia. Legality should never be what stops us from judging the morality of a behavior (though other things, such as the shortcomings of our own moral insight, may be cause to refrain from such judging). We have many laws which are meant to protect us from morally objectionable acts, but it is never the law which truly determines whether something is right or wrong.

So, the above issues have to be taken into consideration. We cannot be law-breakers of the land just because we feel like it.

True, we cannot be law breakers simply because we feel like it. In a democracy, however, the citizenry has a responsibility to keep an eye on the kinds of laws its representatives are putting into practice. Those that legislate morality must be even more closely examined - is skinny-dipping (being unclothed and underwater in the presence of another human being) truly a morally objectionable act?

If not, we have a moral obligation to offer resistance to that law - in the form, perhaps, of non-violent civil disobedience, of which skinny-dipping, in this context, is a form - and a particularly enjoyable one, at that.