Why is nudity offensive?

[Rev.Ross]

Welshman,
I am not a nudist, but realize that nudity in itself and in many cases is not wrong. The human body is not pornographic. It is what we have in our hearts that turns something good into something not good. David has a lot of lust he could not or would not control. Bathsheba did nothing wrong to take a bath as she did. It was not what David saw that caused him to sin. It was what was in his heart.

That being said, I have had to be nude a few times to be examined by a female physician and she did a thorough exam- testicles, penis and prostate and all. I am not embarrassed by this in any way, as there was no lust in my heart. She was very professional and did her job completely and efficiently. She did not take her time to stare at me.

There have been a few times where I have bathed women in a hospice situation per their request. I just did this, and did not stare. I just made sure their body was clean-genitals and all. I did not lust. I was at a childbirth once and the lady was totally nude. I did not find this sinful in any way, and rejoiced when the new life came into this world it was all beautiful, including her nude body giving birth.

When I was younger, 35 years ago, I went to nude beaches a few times. The first time I admit I was excited, then I got there and just saw ordinary people nude-swimming, sunning, playing volleyball. This was not a situation where people were staring or trying to have affairs. It was just people naked as God made them, having good clean fun. After a few minutes, what I saw became normal. It did not arouse lust in my heart or cause me to sin. I don't go to nude beaches now. I f I were in Europe and some people were nude on the beach, I would not care or stare. Nudity is just normal. Lust is what we bring to it, because our culture has connected sex with nudity. Nudity does not always mean sex. A naked body just is as God made it. I am faithful to my wife, and I love her naked body.
Blessings, Rev.Ross

 

[MacFall]

Then, Welshman (or anyone else who still believes that nudity is sinful) I'm sure you can easily show us the clear meaning of obvious verses in scripture which clearly condemn it. Go ahead. Protip - when you are demonstrating the meaning of a verse, you have to provide contextual evidence that contradicts that presented or presumed by your opponent - otherwise you're just making assertions. And appeals to tradition don't count. Especially since the taboo on nudity is a fairly modern invention of Western society.

Also, you'll need to explain how, since Christian nudists who marry have a far lower divorce rate than other groups of Christians, nudism could possibly be more sinful than the alternative.

 

[Rev.Ross]

Dear Jam,
I think it might do you some good to go to a nude beach and see some naked men and learn to treat that as normal. God created the nude human body and it is good. The lust is what we may have in our hearts. I am not saying you are bad. All of us have had those thoughts at times. Just learn that nudity is not evil, and just because you see a naked man does not mean you have to want sex with him. Some good coed nude experiences might help you curb your lust. Blessings, Rev. Ross

 

[jamandcrumpets]

Sorry, but I don't think nudity is sinful - I recognize that the lust in is my heart. I am only human.... But the thought of going to a nudist beach made me have a good ole laugh... Really not my cup of tea just pointing out that lust is real and it's out there - and all that's said and done, I really love the thought of nudity only being between me and the man that I love... Its really special and private and just for us (thinking ahead here! Lol)... I don't mind nudists, but I'd be upset if I had to be forced to join in or be confronted with it daily.... X

 

[CaliforniaJosiah]

.


I think nudity is offensive when....


1. It's culturally and situationally inappropriate

2. The person isn't attractive ("cover up! PLEASE!!!!")




.

 

[.Iona.]

2. The person isn't attractive ("cover up! PLEASE!!!!")

.

That's another problem. Who gets to decide who is attractive, and why should someone not be treated equally because some people might not find them as attractive?

I never agree with people who say they want something to be more acceptable, yet only for those they choose.

 

[127.0.0.1]

Why is nudity offensive?

In Europe it's not.

Probably depends on what you're looking at.

 

[Niels]

Nudity isn't offensive in and of itself, but the meanings that people associate with it can be.

 

[dayhiker]

I think if we see people that are nude and learn to accept them as they are it would create society that is more considerate of each other. We'd all be on a more even playing field, ya some would look erally good when young, but we would know its just a few decades till that wasn't going to be true.

 

[welshman]

No, no...please do not try and switch meanings by what we are defining "nudity".

The term which we define it as...no I agree with you...the naked body is not sinful. No-one in their right mind would say it is. However, aside from exceptional circumstances such as having to care for someone's personal hygiene at work, examination at the doctors etc and of course between husband and wife..."nudity" in public is, I believe regarded as a sin and shown as a symbol of shame in the Bible.

I asked those who support public nudity to show me through scripture; verses that support it or have something positive to say about it (that it edifies us as believers for example).

You also gave a few conditions upon which I could or could not use a verse of scripture. One of which was "tradition" (that it does not count). One begs the question, did Christ walk around in the nude? I could be here all day quoting verses, but the bottom line is that we should look to Jesus Christ as being our final example. As far as I know, he was not a nudist. Infact, the only time he was stripped of his garments (which was a sign of shame) was when He was dying on the cross for us.

I mean this is in all humility...without trying to start a slanging match.

Where are all the verses supporting it?

Then, Welshman (or anyone else who still believes that nudity is sinful) I'm sure you can easily show us the clear meaning of obvious verses in scripture which clearly condemn it. Go ahead. Protip - when you are demonstrating the meaning of a verse, you have to provide contextual evidence that contradicts that presented or presumed by your opponent - otherwise you're just making assertions. And appeals to tradition don't count. Especially since the taboo on nudity is a fairly modern invention of Western society.

Also, you'll need to explain how, since Christian nudists who marry have a far lower divorce rate than other groups of Christians, nudism could possibly be more sinful than the alternative.

 

[omegadk1]

I'm not offeneded by nudity, but I am certanly turned on by the female body.... things would become very distracting if we did not wear close. ;-)

God did however make our first clothing for us, because of our shame - not because nudity is wrong.

I also think, because we are fallen, The majority of humans would not have the ability to keep "Naked" social interactions pure. cloths seem to ensure that we stay more focused. Nudity = Sex. Look at our culture. As we become more sexualized, the clothing becomes smaller, showing more skin.

Sex = good
nudity = good
sex &/or nudity + sin = bad idea

 

[MacFall]

Where are all the verses supporting it?

I don't know of any.

So what? I also don't know of any verses supporting science fiction. That's not going to stop me from making writing science fiction my trade.

 

[MacFall]

I also think, because we are fallen, The majority of humans would not have the ability to keep "Naked" social interactions pure. cloths seem to ensure that we stay more focused.

Except that they don't.

A layer of clothing never stopped me from thinking about what lay beneath it while I had that problem. Once I got rid of the juvenile idea that there was something inherently sexual about boobs and vaginas, I stopped thinking sexual thoughts about them. And then as before, it didn't make any difference whether they were covered or not. What makes the difference is whether the person baring them has sexual intent. And as I discovered, the potential for lust is significantly decreased when one stops ascribing sexual intent to people who don't have any at the moment.

If society has the idea that "nudity = sex" then that's a problem that society desperately needs to change.

 

[from scratch]

I'm not offeneded by nudity, but I am certanly turned on by the female body.... things would become very distracting if we did not wear close. ;-)

God did however make our first clothing for us, because of our shame - not because nudity is wrong.

I also think, because we are fallen, The majority of humans would not have the ability to keep "Naked" social interactions pure. cloths seem to ensure that we stay more focused. Nudity = Sex. Look at our culture. As we become more sexualized, the clothing becomes smaller, showing more skin.

Sex = good
nudity = good
sex &/or nudity + sin = bad idea

Hmmm! Interesting thread. Especially as it relates to the religious community.

I think there would be less distraction if we were to witness more nudity in our society and public places. It would be common. I see the problem with the provoctively dressed. It entices really because of our normal expectations.

God didn't design the first clothing. Adam and Eve did. And it was an effort to hide. That is exactly what we do with clothing these days. A relationship changes drasticly with or after observing full nudity.

No this really became more pronounced with victorian dressing styles. Even furnaiture legs were covered to the floor.

We're very conditioned to our surroundings.

 

[from scratch]

That's another problem. Who gets to decide who is attractive, and why should someone not be treated equally because some people might not find them as attractive?

I never agree with people who say they want something to be more acceptable, yet only for those they choose.

That gets into vanity which is another issue altogether. Ifin ya ain't proud of your body do something about it. If it is a medical issue accept it.

 

[from scratch]

In Europe it's not.

Probably depends on what you're looking at.

Not what but why.

 

[from scratch]

No, no...please do not try and switch meanings by what we are defining "nudity".

The term which we define it as...no I agree with you...the naked body is not sinful. No-one in their right mind would say it is. However, aside from exceptional circumstances such as having to care for someone's personal hygiene at work, examination at the doctors etc and of course between husband and wife..."nudity" in public is, I believe regarded as a sin and shown as a symbol of shame in the Bible.

I asked those who support public nudity to show me through scripture; verses that support it or have something positive to say about it (that it edifies us as believers for example).

You also gave a few conditions upon which I could or could not use a verse of scripture. One of which was "tradition" (that it does not count). One begs the question, did Christ walk around in the nude? I could be here all day quoting verses, but the bottom line is that we should look to Jesus Christ as being our final example. As far as I know, he was not a nudist. Infact, the only time he was stripped of his garments (which was a sign of shame) was when He was dying on the cross for us.

I mean this is in all humility...without trying to start a slanging match.

Where are all the verses supporting it?

There are 2 other instances where Jesus was publically nude - Baptism (mikveh or mikvah) by John and the washing of the disciples feet dressed as a slave/servant.

 

[.Iona.]

Ifin ya ain't proud of your body do something about it. If it is a medical issue accept it.

I agree. If you're nit happy, try and change. However, the comment made wasn't about someone disliking their own body, but someone not wanting to see another nude if they find them unattractive, whilst seemingly being fine with seeing others nude. More prejudice than vanity in my mind.

But, yes. That's a dlight different train of thought, sorry for derailing!

 

[omegadk1]

Except that they don't.

A layer of clothing never stopped me from thinking about what lay beneath it while I had that problem. Once I got rid of the juvenile idea that there was something inherently sexual about boobs and vaginas, I stopped thinking sexual thoughts about them. And then as before, it didn't make any difference whether they were covered or not. What makes the difference is whether the person baring them has sexual intent. And as I discovered, the potential for lust is significantly decreased when one stops ascribing sexual intent to people who don't have any at the moment.

If society has the idea that "nudity = sex" then that's a problem that society desperately needs to change.

Agreed, there is a problem with society and the "nudity = sex". that is the problem, we are fallen and we should do our best to support and love each other. The answer however, is not telling people to get over it and we should all be naked. Nor is the answer that if I am ok with it, then everyone else should be. Just as there is nothing wrong with nudity, there is nothing wrong with clothing... clothes can actually be quite fun and stylish. (fun to wear, and fun to take off of my wife )

 

[mjmcmillan]

It depends on where the nudity is taking place. Supposing I ever marry again, I don't think I'd have a big problem if my wife wanted to run around inside the house nude all the time. Once the doors are closed and the shades are pulled, what you do in your house (as long as it doesn't violate the laws) is your business.

Outside the house it's another matter. Most of us don't live in naturist colonies, and for those of us who live in higher latitudes clothes become necessary for reasons apart from modesty anyway. Go outside in your birthday suit in my neighborhood and I can guarantee the police will show interest in your activities. Indecent exposure and all that kind of thing.