The Christian Naturist movement?

[Leatherneck]

Hey everyone,

I have been a Christian for close to 6 years now and something I just recently found out about was the Christian Naturist/Nudist movement. I was shocked when I first heard of it and even more shocked to find out that there is actually a large number of these "Christians" nudists.

Is there any Biblical foundation for this? I just can't imagine that there is. But I guess anybody can make the Bible say what they want it to.

I'd like to hear your thoughts on this. And from what I have seen it is certainly growing.

In His Name,
Jim

 

[fragmentsofdreams]

Modesty is situational. The amount of clothing (or lack thereof) that is appropiate depends on how it will affect the person and how it will affect the people around him or her.

 

[Johnnz]

Have a look at some of their websites. There is good information on some of them. Fig Leaf Forum is a well presented site with many good articles and commentaries on the Bible and nakedness

John
NZ

 

[invisible trousers]

i don't understand why these people make such a big deal out of their decision to not wear clothes.

 

[spinningtutu]

I dunno...but...

God's original idea was to hang out in a garden with a couple of naked vegetarians!

Maybe they are just lamenting living 'east of Eden'?

 

[intricatic]

I wouldn't think the nudist part has to be justified by scripture, but the attitudes expressed post the fact. In other words, it shouldn't be any different than most Christians - judge their actions, not their clothes [or lack thereof].

 

[Sam Gamgee]

My only questions would be:

1. Are they harming anyone by doing this?
2. Is every participant a consenting adult?

If I was happy with those answers, I'd be fine with it.

 

[Pac Shady]

My only questions would be:

1. Are they harming anyone by doing this?
2. Is every participant a consenting adult?

If I was happy with those answers, I'd be fine with it.

I would prefer to ask the question:

Does it defy the commands within Scripture?

On that topic, does anyone have any Scripture to contribute to this subject?

'Shady

 

[intricatic]

I would prefer to ask the question:

Does it defy the commands within Scripture?

On that topic, does anyone have any Scripture to contribute to this subject?

'Shady

Am I missing something? There's a commandment in scripture that goes 'Thou shalt not be naked amongst other naked people who take it as normalcy and do not engage in sexual activities...'? Like I said, judge by the actions presented, not by the clothes they wear - that's so abstract to be almost meaningless. Not to mention I don't think judgement is a good thing for humans to pass to begin with.

 

[Pac Shady]

Am I missing something? There's a commandment in scripture that goes 'Thou shalt not be naked amongst other naked people who take it as normalcy and do not engage in sexual activities...'? Like I said, judge by the actions presented, not by the clothes they wear - that's so abstract to be almost meaningless. Not to mention I don't think judgement is a good thing for humans to pass to begin with.

Yes, I think you did miss something. You missed the entire point of my post. I asked if there was Scripture either way in regard to this subject. I also suggested that I would side with what Scripture says about a given subject than what someone's opinions on it are. And if Scripture DOES in fact say "Thou shalt not be a nudist," then I'll side with it, however if Scripture says it's OK then it's fine with me, until of course it leads one into sin (some things that are not evil or sinful in themselves, in fact some things which are good, can LEAD one into sin depending on whether the person is susceptable, what the motives are behind it, etc.) in which case there are Scriptures that speak against those specific sins. I was not condemning the practice (although personally I would not have anything to do with nudism), because I admit ignorance to what Scripture says about it. Thus my question. What does Scripture speak on this topic? Anyone? Or is this forum too liberalist to consider what Scripture has to say?

'Shady

 

[12volt_man]

Hey everyone,

I have been a Christian for close to 6 years now and something I just recently found out about was the Christian Naturist/Nudist movement. I was shocked when I first heard of it and even more shocked to find out that there is actually a large number of these "Christians" nudists.

Is there any Biblical foundation for this? I just can't imagine that there is. But I guess anybody can make the Bible say what they want it to.

I'd like to hear your thoughts on this. And from what I have seen it is certainly growing.

In His Name,
Jim

I don't get nudism as a lifestyle, but I do enjoy skinny dipping every now and then (and I did yesterday, as a matter of fact).

 

[Pac Shady]

So far, all I have come up with in Scripture during a quick search, is that all instances of the word "naked" in the Old AND New Testaments have been used as negative terms. I would infer from this that if being naked is a negative thing throughout Scripture, then being a nudist isn't exactly a great thing. Besides the fact that while it in itself may not stand for sexual perversion, it DOES promote lust in some minds. And much has been made in Scripture warning against lust, and that lust is not simply an action but a thought.

Has anyone else got any Scriptural discussion regarding this at all? Considering how, you know, the OP DID ask about Scriptural discussion and all, and not much has been given besides people's opinions.

'Shady

 

[Samuel_Rigby]

Nakedness is mentioned in the Bible along with peril, sword, famine as being a negative thing.

The best argument I've heard was from someone else on this board. Their point was that social nudity creates a false sense of innocence which should only come from a relationship with Jesus Christ.

 

[Johnnz]

There is no specific verse for or against nudism. There is none for going/not going to the movies either.

Nakedness has many meanings in Scripture, including innocence, being without clothes, vulnerability, defenseless, exposure and helplessness.

Without any scriptural prohibition to prevent Christian involvement I can see the benefits of Christians who can accept nudism as:

1. It helps with body shame and associated body image issues.
2. It breaks the association between nudity and sex, which is so commonplace today. Thus, lust is not the issue for nudists as it is for many other people.
3. To be ashamed of our bodies, and being uneasy about sexual matters is sub Christian. I used to wonder why godly parents were often embarrassed when junior asked "Mummy, where did I come from?" Why shame and embarrasment in parents who had done nothing wrong? I recognised that there was too much shame associated with our bodies within our society.
4. Nudes in art can be valid, as the human body is wonderfully made and can be something of great beauty.
4. It affirms the goodness of God's creation, and returns to a pre-Fall reclamation of our bodies as 'good'.

John
NZ

 

[12volt_man]

Nakedness is mentioned in the Bible along with peril, sword, famine as being a negative thing.

Can you show us where in scripture this is found?

 

[Samuel_Rigby]

Can you show us where in scripture this is found?

Sure, see Romans 8:35.

"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?"

i.e. : None of (list of negatives) can separate us from the love of Christ.

Also, check out Matthew 25:36. This passage refers to putting clothes on those who are naked as being a good thing.

 

[12volt_man]

Sure, see Romans 8:35.

"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?"

i.e. : None of (list of negatives) can separate us from the love of Christ.

Also, check out Matthew 25:36. This passage refers to putting clothes on those who are naked as being a good thing.

Of these, one is talking about God's love for us, even in difficult physical circunstances and the other is talking about taking care of the poor.

Neither one of these is questioning the morality of nudity.

 

[Samuel_Rigby]

Of these, one is talking about God's love for us, even in difficult physical circunstances and the other is talking about taking care of the poor.

Neither one of these is questioning the morality of nudity.

But do you not see that nakedness is mentioned right there along with peril, famine, sword as being bad things happening to people?

And in the Matthew text, Jesus is praising those who help others in NEED (i.e. they are in NEED of clothing).

 

[12volt_man]

But do you not see that nakedness is mentioned right there along with peril, famine, sword as being bad things happening to people?

Sure I see it but I don't see where in the text we're told that nakedness is immoral.

And in the Matthew text, Jesus is praising those who help others in NEED (i.e. they are in NEED of clothing).

Again, this refers to helping the poor, not condemning nudity.

 

[Samuel_Rigby]

You are being legalistic.

No where in the Bible does it say "Thou shall not stab thy neighbor", but we know this falls under Thou shall not kill.