"Christian Nudism!?"
Sound like an oxymoron? Some people think so. I once thought so. Now I understand the truth. People generally misunderstand and judge it before they explore the facts. People assume.
What about you? Maybe you discovered nudism and wonder about its validity, or wonder what it is about. Maybe you struggle to understand it. Maybe you found my site purely by "accident"...or is that, God's design? :)
No matter your reason, my site can help you understand nudism better. At least, I hope you find some answers here.
God says, "If anyone lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all..." - James 1:5
What Should I Expect?
Please read with an open mind. I hope my site is easy to read, fun, enjoyable, and most of all, thought-provoking. Aren't those good goals?
By all means, do think for yourself...and do be yourself. Decide for yourself what you think is best for you. In no way do I expect you to be, act, or think just like me. After all, to be yourself and have freedom to do so is the heart of nudism. You do not even have to agree with me. Now...isn't that nice?
God says, "Come now, let us reason together." - Isaiah 1:18
Non-Christian?
What! You are not a Christian? :) That is ok with me. I accept you just the same. I just hope you still take time to browse my site. I mean, in spite of the Christian twist, you might just find a tasty morsel to enjoy. So, please, do read on...
Ah-h-h...Christian Nudism...
Please understand... I took my decision very seriously (you should too). I devoted two years of my life to fervent prayer and a thorough study of the subject before I concluded that I am a nudist/naturist at heart and always was. My studies included both the Bible and plenty of non-Biblical resources. In the end, God's word proved true..."God's foolishness IS higher than man's wisdom" (1 Corinthians 1:25). And as Arthur Schopenhauer, the renowned German philosopher, once said, "All truth goes through three steps: First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Finally, it is accepted as self-evident." I now continue praying, continue studying, and continue to increase my understanding of this subject. I continue exploring with an open mind.
Jesus says, "I am The Truth... and ...you will know The Truth
and The Truth will set you free.
...So if the Son [Jesus] sets you free, you will be free indeed."
- John 8:32, 36
So What is Nudism About Anyway?
As you learn more about today's nudism (or naturism, as some call it), you realize nudists engage this lifestyle for many different reasons. This makes listing the reasons rather impossible, so lets start with the dictionary definition. The dictionary generally defines nudism as "going without clothes, especially socially, for reasons of health." Although I think this definition is a little broad, or overly generic, I think it is good.
Note that it says, "reasons of health." Whatever reason you engage nudism, I believe that reason boils down to this...to "health." While nudism actually began as a health movement (and many today do not adhere to it as a "health movement"), I think all nudists engage nudism as a matter of health. Whether you find deep meaning in it or you simply find it more comfortable or enjoyable, it boils down to health. Let me clarify...
Outsiders tend to associate sex, perversity and/or negativity with nudity, and so they associate these things with nudism, too. If you only experience nudity that way, then naturally you would make such associations. In fact, to me, under that condition, it seems inevitable. However, the truth is, nudity is not sexual, perverse, obscene, negative, etc., in and of itself, because like almost everything else (e.g. food, money, clothes, etc.), you decide how to use it, and that determines its value.
With that in mind, nudism, in my opinion, is *not* about sex, lust, loose living, loose morals, shock, exhibitionism, perversity, or even just "getting nekkid." Additionally, although nudism *is* fun and *does* feel good, nudism is more than as the saying goes, "if it feels good, do it." Again, the nudity in nudism is nothing like the sexualized, perverse and negative nudity in society. And if it is, then, to me, it is not really nudism. Otherwise, why make a distinction?
Again, nudism boils down to health, often about a healthy body, but almost always about a healthy attitude about yourself and your body, and others and their bodies. Let me offer examples... As a nudist...
- I recognize "clothes [*DO NOT*] make the man." I have confidence with myself just as I am. Clothes do not improve me.
- I recognize going nude is often more practical and realistic. Going nude often makes more sense, and is more enjoyable and healthy for you. If you ever swam nude, you understand.
- I recognize going nude helps me keep it simple. Less clothes, less concern with their upkeep. Less clothes, less concern with upholding an "image." It allows me to focus more on what really matters.
- When I go nude, I allow my body to function as designed. Skin is the largest organ of the body and it functions best and benefits most when unencumbered. When you go nude, you and every part of your body benefits, even your mind and attitude.
- I accept the functions and design of every human body as normal and therefore good, and when I go nude, I demonstrate this. Does any other animal seem ashamed, embarrassed or uncomfortable with its body or its body's functions? Shame, embarrassment and discomfort over the human body is unnatural, it is not what God or nature intended, and thus it is unhealthy.
- I accept others with a pure heart and mind. I think of others in healthy ways...this includes their bodies. And I seek to avoid judging others by mere appearances. Furthermore, when I go nude with this attitude, I demonstrate character and moral integrity. If you feel ashamed, embarrassed, uncomfortable, or think "dirty" when you go nude or when you see others nude, you demonstrate something, too...that you have insecurities or a dirty mind.
- When I go nude, I show honesty, trust, and complete openness to all who see me, whether God or others. I show I "walk in the light and the truth"...at least, as far as my body goes. I show I am "naked and not ashamed."
- When I go nude, I allow confidence to rule me, instead of fear...fear of going against society's norms, fear of others' judgments, of what others might think, say or do, etc.
- When I go nude, I show I have healthy relationships -- healthy in how I see and relate to God or nature, healthy in how I see and relate to others, and healthy in how I see and relate to myself, as well as healthy in how I want others to see and relate to me.
Lots of healthy reasons, right? And healthy is good, isn't it? In my opinion, to go nude as a nudist means all of these things and more.
So now you think...how does this relate to Christians? Well, as you see from my examples, Christians and nudists both value these ideals. Most importantly, as a (Christian) nudist, you express Christ's redemptive work. First, through your nudism, you demonstrate how God restored you to His original design found in the Garden...you demonstrate right relationships. From scripture, we clearly see social nudity was originally God's idea, ideal, or will, too. He even declared, "It is good" (Genesis 1:31). Second, your nudism serves as your worship, your act of faith, your demonstration to "the rulers and authorities in heaven" and all of creation that the Lord "triumphed over" and "made A PUBLIC DISPLAY of them" (Colossians 2:15).
Ultimately, nude by design...
"God created man is His own image ... and they were naked and felt no shame ... and God saw ALL that He had made, and it was VERY GOOD."
"EVERYTHING created by God is good and NOTHING is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving ... but woe to those who call evil good, and good evil."
Genesis 1:27, 2:25, 1:31, 1 Timothy 4:4, Isaiah 5:20 - NIV
God says, "God SAW ALL that He made, and it was very good." - Genesis 1:31
God says, "EVERYTHING created by God is good and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving..." - 1 Timothy 4:4
Jesus says, "Why do you worry about clothes? The body is MORE IMPORTANT than clothes." - Matthew 6:25-34, Luke 12:22-34
God says, "To the pure ALL THINGS are pure..." - Titus 1:15
Explore Your Reasons
Again, health is a good reason to do something, right? How about going nude? If going nude is healthy, then why would you insist on wearing clothes unnecessarily? Like nudists, there are probably many different reasons. Whatever your reason, does it boil down to health? How about what is right? Consider some examples... As a "clothes-compulsive" person...
- Maybe you see going nude as wrong or bad. Who says? After years of prayer and thorough study, God has yet to show me where He forbids it. In fact, it actually seems otherwise. The truth is, God prizes what nudism is about...honesty, truthfulness, openness, etc. Additionally, some studies reveal that going nude is actually healthy for you (since clothes are unnatural, that makes senses).
- Maybe you just "follow the crowd," doing what everyone else does without even thinking about it. Isn't that a good reason to do something? What argument do children often use with their parents? "Well, everyone else does it!" And parents usually reply, "That does not mean you should, too."
- Maybe fear is a factor...maybe you feel insecure without clothes. More on that later, but for now, is such fear and insecurity healthy? Should you feel afraid or insecure? Why? What do you have to fear?
- Maybe your reason is the same reason smokers do not do the healthier thing. You enjoy it...you prefer it...your addiction compels you...etc. Can you be addicted to clothes? Sadly, most people are, and like other addicts, most deny they even have a problem.
- Maybe you simply refuse to accept the truth. If you take moment to reflect on history, you realize this is common. People often reject the truth at first (because they fear it or don't understand it). Men even crucified the Living Truth and men still refuse to accept Him today.
Lots of unhealthy reasons. The important question is, what is your reason?
God says, "Don't go along with the crowd in doing evil [or wrong] and don't fudge your testimony in a case just to please the crowd." - Exodus 23:2 (MSG)
Jesus says, "MANY choose the easy and popular way, but that way leads to destruction." - Matthew 7:13 (paraphrased)
God says, "There is a way that SEEMS RIGHT to a man, but in the end it leads to death." - Proverbs 14:12, 16:25
God says, "...a man is a SLAVE to WHATEVER has mastered him." - 2 Peter 2:19-20
Confront Your Fear
Do you have a fear of spiders? That is Arachnophobia. Do you have a fear of heights? That is Acrophobia. Do you have a fear of confined spaces? That is Claustrophobia.
I know. Now you want to know...how does this relate to nudism? Well, fear, plain and simple. Do you have a fear of nudity? That is Gymnophobia, or Nudophobia. Or maybe you have Dishabiliophobia, a fear of undressing in front of someone. You could even have Catagelophobia, a fear of being ridiculed. Yes, all of these genuine medical conditions and more (see The Phobia List) keep people from exploring nudism for themselves.
As an aside, nudists do not have Vestiphobia, a fear of clothing, but rather nudists just prefer to use clothes only as needed. Our motto is, "Nude when possible, clothed when practical." Nudists use clothing in moderation, and not to excess the way the rest of society does.
Whatever fear or phobia you have, do you know how you overcome it? Think a moment... Yes, you confront it. Instead of trying to deny it, pretend it does not exist, or run from it, you confront it. In this case, try nudism. Try going nude more regularly. Try it with others. Ideally, try genuine nudism, i.e. try it in a genuinely nudist environment.
God says, "I did not give you a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline." - 2 Timothy 1:7
God says, "...do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him whom after destroying the body, has power to throw you into hell." - Luke 12:4-5
God says, "There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love." - 1 John 4:18
God's people say, "In God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mortal man do to me?" - Psalm 56:4, 11
God's people say, "When I am afraid, I will put my confidence in God." - Psalm 56:3
Get Real Security
Do you feel insecure when nude in another's presence? Do you feel insecure when nude -- period? Why?
Many argue that we need clothes because of sin or lust. Where do we learn such things? It is not in the Bible! Even more, Christians know Jesus alone set us free from sin and its results. Maybe someone wants us to trust in something other than Christ...anything other than Him. Maybe that someone, namely God's enemy, wants us to believe his lies. Maybe we just want control ourselves. Maybe we want to be like God, deciding for ourselves what is right or wrong.
Do you know Christ personally? Do you know He takes care of your sin and your insecurity? If so, should you rely on clothes? If you know Him personally, why can't you receive His full restoration and be "naked and not ashamed"?
If you think clothes are the answer, that they somehow help, understand this...
God says, "Do not let anyone take you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which DEPENDS ON HUMAN TRADITION AND THE BASIC PRINCIPLES OF THIS WORLD rather than ON CHRIST." - Colossians 2:8
God says, "Such regulations indeed have the appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they LACK ANY VALUE in restraining sensual indulgence." - Colossians 2:23
God says, "False teachers promise freedom, while they themselves are slaves to depravity - for a man is a slave to WHATEVER has mastered him." - 2 Peter 2:19-20
God says, "Set your mind on things above, not on earthly things." - Colossians 3:2
Jesus says, "Why do you worry about clothes? The body is MORE IMPORTANT than clothes." - Matthew 6:25-34 and Luke 12:22-34
God says, "Do you not know that YOUR BODY is the temple of God's Holy Spirit, who is in you? You are not your own; you were bought with a price. Therefore, honor God WITH YOUR BODY." - 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
God says, "The ONLY THING that counts is faith expressing itself though love." - Galatians 5:6
Okay. Lets avoid opposite extremes, too. I mean, some nudists are so fanatical that they think nudism is some kind of cure all...some kind of salvation. While nudism has many benefits, often being more practical, sensible and healthy, salvation is again found only in Jesus Christ. While I believe social nudity is good, healthy, etc., even God's idea and will, again, I believe only Christ provides true salvation.
God says, "I resolve to know nothing, except Jesus Christ and
His death on the cross." - 1 Corinthians 2:2
"If anybody preaches a gospel other than salvation through Christ, let
him be eternally condemned!" - Galatians 1:8-9
Keep Your Perspective
You may prefer to wear clothes or go nude. You may prefer to hide or rid yourself of those "filthy rags of righteousness." You may prefer your manmade apparel or to reveal God's handiwork. Whichever you choose, God says, "seek first My kingdom." This means you love Him and others more than anything else. This means you accept others...even when agreement seems impossible. With this in mind, lets agree to find the truth together. Lets go together and try to find "common ground."
God says, "All of you clothe yourselves with humility toward one another because, 'God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.'" - 1 Peter 5:5
God says, "Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover up for evil desires; live as servants of God. Show proper respect to everyone..." - 1 Peter 2:16-17
I Have Good News
Nudism is good; nudism is good for you. Clothing is good, too...when you use it properly. Both have value. Both have purpose. Whatever you choose, be a "seeker." Seek the Truth. Seek all truth with an open mind. Again, lets seek it together.
God says, "Test everything. Hold on to the GOOD." - 1 Thessalonians 5:21
Most importantly, understand the ultimate "Good News." God knows you and loves you, in spite of you, and He wants you to know and love Him. He loves you unconditionally and wants you to know Him personally. Have you ever simply asked Him to show Himself to you? Are you afraid He just might? :)
God says, "This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins." - 1 John 4:10
God says, "...if you CONFESS with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and BELIEVE in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." - Romans 10:9
God's people say, "...we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in him and he in God." - 1 John 4:15
Want more?
You are in luck! Explore my other pages for more reading material, links to other sits, etc...
- Reading Material
- Read plenty from others, and myself. Besides many links to articles of others, it includes my Bible studies and articles (some having been published), information about me (my history, practices, etc.), quotes related to nudism/naturism, book reviews, etc. Of special interest, see my "Reluctant Spouse" page.
- Links
- Enjoy sites like mine. You will find many links to other sites.
- Web Rings
- Explore other nudist/naturist sites in the "rings."
Lots of good material, so please feel free to explore more... [ Reading Material ] [ Links ] [ Web Rings ]
One more thing... Whether you agree or disagree, I'd love to hear from you, so please feel free to sign my guestbook or email me. THANKS!
