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| recap1954 |
Posted - 10/27/2007 : 04:06:37 AM
my name is douglas. i live in arlington tx. by heart, ive been a nudist all my life. but i have a problem. being raised in the 'church ofChrist', i have issues. 1) i love being naked( in house,backyard,pool and whereever) 2 i haven't experianced social nudidity and i am alarmed of being nude amongst the children. i would like to know if there is anybody around my area that are willing to help me transform? thanks. douglas. ( i failed to mention that i am a single male. i have been reading many forums and i dont want to visit a resort and possibly add to the discomfort of women, and so, i am just wondering what i should do! thanks-a-lot; doug |
| 15 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| txvic |
Posted - 12/09/2007 : 08:49:40 AM
Hello Douglas. It looks like everyone has covered the religious part of your question. I too was raised in the C of C. I had all the questions and concerns you seem to have.
The best advise I have is to go out to one of the 3 resorts that are not far from you and see for yourself how wonderful it is and how misguided you fears are. I have been to the 3 resorts wets and northwest of Fort Worth and all are filled with wonderful people. As for the childern, I too had some worries about that. On my second visit to one of the resorts there was a water vollyball tournament going on. People everywhere enjoying themselves. There were childern around and I didn't notice anyone giving then a second thought. I was like a family reunion except every one was nude. |
| melissastarr |
Posted - 11/13/2007 : 5:53:59 PM
Recap1954,
Being a Christian myself, I have to add my two cents worth. And maybe that's all it's worth, but I have to add it anyway. :) I have had feelings of dilemma between nudism and Christianity and finally realized that the two can coincide quite nicely and, if I may, naturally. You see, Christinaity starts in the Old Testament where God created Adam and Eve naked and without shame. Since He created us that way in Eden, and we can pretty much agree that Eden is how God meant things to be, then we can pretty much agree that God meant for us to be nude. Secondly, nowhere in the Bible does God say that being nude is a sin. God says that amoral thinking and actions are a sin, but what is amoral about being nude? We're not doing or thinking anything wrong, just being in our natural state. If it was, by nature, doing something wrong then we would have all sorts of issues with taking a shower and such. But we don't.
In short, though I've had my dilemmas about Christianity and nudism, I've come to conclude that there is no conflict between the two. I'm hopeful that some of the reasoning you see on this page (quite good reasoning, if I may say so- bravo to those who shared!) helps you to see that. I'd love to hear your current thoughts on the issue and, if need be, address current concenrns.
Melissa
___________________________________________________________________
"Do they say that nudity and sex always go together? Well, then be careful and don't get pregnant while taking a bath." |
| nudeisntlewd |
Posted - 11/13/2007 : 3:46:25 PM
quote:
Originally posted by catbird
[quote]
Among The Body of Christ, there is an unfortunate division. On one side are those who control believers by fear of a set of rules. The other side is open to interpret the Bible as it was intended, plus an emphasis on that Jesus loves you.
This division is sometimes expressed by this joke. The mainline denominations say, "There ain't any hell", while the other side exclaims, "The hell there ain't."
Also I desire to put light on two of the most common reasons that some Christians exclude nudism.
One reason is Adam and Eve. They were afraid and they hid from God. Adam said, "I was afraid because I am naked." God asked, "Who told you that you are naked?" It was the feeling of shame of exposure that caused them to use fig leaves.
The other reason is "clothe the naked." That means donating clothing to persons who don't own any clothing because of down and out economic circumstances. Donating clothing to charities such as The Salvation Army is an example of clothing the naked.
Naturally, Catbird
Catbird,
I think you've brought up several very important points. I've taken the liberty of highlighting two areas that I'd like to give my input on. In the first, especially with regard to God asking:"Who told you...", to me hints that God was less mad at Adam, but moreso at the one who led him to feel ashamed. God didn't ask because he didn't know who. He certainly did. I think that the point was: Why are you listening to others and not me? I didn't say nudity was bad, or that you needed some kind of garments. So I think any anger from God directed at Adam was for recieving counsel elsewhere, and not because Adam was naked. And I think maybe Adam figured that out too and it was millions of others who figured out something different.
As to "clothe the naked", clothing can be a need based on the practical benefits of clothes in certain conditions. So, to me, it's a matter of providing for the physical needs of others that you can supply, that some cannot provide for themselves. Just like food and shelter.
I'd like to point out that I'm not trying to preach my personal convictions. But for those who hold similar faith or are just not sure what to think, I want to share my view or understanding. I also want people to see that there need be no conflict between Biblical faith and the freedom and enjoyment of nudity.
 |
| nudeisntlewd |
Posted - 11/13/2007 : 2:29:03 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Tuffers
Well said Pete. Oh do religious folk always seem to be so repressed?
In a word: No.
In two words: Absolutely not.
In my view, the situation is this: Amoung religious circles, people are just as uptight about what is natural as those who don't have any religious affiliation. So it follows that most people have reservations about telling those who are not nudists, because they are afraid of what others inside or outside of their faith will think.
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| TravelingMountainNudist |
Posted - 11/13/2007 : 1:59:15 PM
Than there are us non-Christen Heathen folks who rarely have issues with nudism in any setting.....
Andrew Reckeweg |
| bobbyh |
Posted - 11/11/2007 : 10:12:57 PM
I am by no means a bible thumper but if you read Genisis you will see that God created us in his image and placed us on this earth naked and unashamed of our nakedness. Just in case you are wondering I am Babtist and my wife is LDS and we have yet to have any real arguments over anything. If we do dissagree about something we talk about it and can always come to a comprimise.
HI THERE FROM BOBBY & Jennifer |
| catbird |
Posted - 10/29/2007 : 11:35:56 AM
quote:
Originally posted by Pete Knight
Not anti Christian, just anti any church that fills its followers with fear of everlasting damnation, and reads things into the bible that simply aren't there.
Christians have the right to believe without threats from church leaders, and any church leader that bans one of its congregation for being a nudist isn't acting in a very Christian manner, so is it a church worth being associated with?
Pete Knight
Among The Body of Christ, there is an unfortunate division. On one side are those who control believers by fear of a set of rules. The other side is open to interpret the Bible as it was intended, plus an emphasis on that Jesus loves you.
This division is sometimes expressed by this joke. The mainline denominations say, "There ain't any hell", while the other side exclaims, "The hell there ain't."
Also I desire to put light on two of the most common reasons that some Christians exclude nudism.
One reason is Adam and Eve. They were afraid and they hid from God. Adam said, "I was afraid because I am naked." God asked, "Who told you that you are naked?" It was the feeling of shame of exposure that caused them to use fig leaves.
The other reason is "clothe the naked." That means donating clothing to persons who don't own any clothing because of down and out economic circumstances. Donating clothing to charities such as The Salvation Army is an example of clothing the naked.
Naturally, Catbird |
| jim19452 |
Posted - 10/28/2007 : 09:04:19 AM
Douglas,
Watching a three year old, or whatever, running around naked among other nudists is one of the most convincing supports for social nudism you will see. Speak of being carefree and happy!
Read up on the subject here and elsewhere, such as www.aanr.com and view the web sites of nudist resorts. The sites provided much information.
"Enjoy yourself, its later than you think."
Best Wishes, Jim |
| agde |
Posted - 10/27/2007 : 5:34:45 PM
Since Church of Christ theology is based strictly on the New Testament, you might want to check this article, or the New Testament references in this article or check out the other threads in the religion section on this site.
Overall, the New Testament scoffs at people who think that virtue requires clothing. Jesus asks, "Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? ... Why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin; yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these." (Matthew 6:25, 28-29) The coming of Christ is seen as the antidote to the shame after the Garden of Eden -- you can either stick with the false values and debauched ways of the world, including judging people by their "raiments", or accept forgiveness and return to original Grace.
While the Church of Christ may be loathe to listen to the Vatican, the Catholic Catechism section on "modesty" can give you a good theological benchmark from which other Christian groups are normally more liberal. As mentioned in another discussion, the basic argument in the Catechism is that clothing assists by quieting in others any "risk of unhealthy curiosity" and, in oneself, by guiding "how one looks at others and behaves toward them", thus ensuring mutual dignity. The potential evil is explicitly spelled out as "moral permissiveness" (eg. lustful thought or carnal desire), not nudity.
Nothing to be scared of, Douglas, from a religious point of view.
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| Pete Knight |
Posted - 10/27/2007 : 5:02:50 PM
Not anti Christian, just anti any church that fills its followers with fear of everlasting damnation, and reads things into the bible that simply aren't there.
Christians have the right to believe without threats from church leaders, and any church leader that bans one of its congregation for being a nudist isn't acting in a very Christian manner, so is it a church worth being associated with?
Pete Knight |
| Bare Warrior |
Posted - 10/27/2007 : 4:30:28 PM
Hi Douglas,
I am sorry many of these responses are anti-Christian, which isn't the point of your request at all. Unfortunately most people who are against Christianity know very little about it and what the Bible says. They also don't understand what sin is and why Christians try to avoid sin.
There is NO conflict between being a Christian, scriptures and nudism or naturalism. Since nudism/naturalism has nothing to do with sexual perversion or immorality it is not sinful, scripturally. If you will remember David (2 Samual 6:16-23) danced naked before the Ark in front of all the people. His wife Michal despised him for embarassing her. God praised David and punished Michal by making her baren. There are other references to nudity within the bible, few are negative. Sexual perversion is another matter. There are several discussions about being modest which really refers to not showing off or dressing provocatively. Naturalism is about shedding all the falseness and pride of clothing, the sense of oneness with God's creation, not sexuality. Since everyone is nude everyone is the same, therefore modest. Bikinis are not modest, they are provocative and sexual.
Many of our hangups with nudity=sex are cultural(Victorian Age) and many Christian demoninations have incorporated those Victorian views within their doctrine. I am a baptist deacon and work hard to expose those non-biblical views.
As Jesus often said, what is in your heart? If your heart is pure you have nothing to be concerned about in your faith. On the otherhand if you are being socially nude for voyeuristic, inappropriate sexual or perverse reasons you are sinning.
There are lots of Christian, Jewish and other religious nudists. Come join us as we celebrate God's creation.
Bare Warrior
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| Pete Knight |
Posted - 10/27/2007 : 10:05:28 AM
Any religion that rules by fear is bad in my opinion, what happened to the love of Christ?
In the dark ages the Catholic church used fear and repression to control its followers, but in today's enlightened society this shouldn't be the case, perhaps that's why religion isn't practised by as many people, they prefer to hold their beliefs in seclusion.
Just a thought!
Pete Knight |
| bornnude |
Posted - 10/27/2007 : 09:07:31 AM
quote:
Originally posted by Tuffers
Well said Pete. Oh do religious folk always seem to be so repressed?
Not always... There are quite a few Christians who also identify themselves as nudists. The Church of Chirst, however, is particularly strict about many things. |
| Tuffers |
Posted - 10/27/2007 : 07:51:04 AM
Well said Pete. Oh do religious folk always seem to be so repressed? |
| Pete Knight |
Posted - 10/27/2007 : 04:55:14 AM
Hi Douglas
*** What sort of church do you belong to that fills you with feelings of guilt? Why are you afraid of being nude among children, is is the paranoid society that will live in?
*** Nudism is natural, don't let any of you god fearing friends tell you otherwise, I'm sure our bible quoter's will be able to put you right in that area, as for social naturism, its like learning to ride a bike, your own fears hold you back from doing something that comes naturally.
*** My advice is to join your national nudist organisation first (www.aanr.com) then look for your local clubs and resorts where you may find an open day or an event which allows you to visit, going alone for an appointed visit can be quite daunting so try to chose an open day!
*** Once you have your membership sorted you will find it easier to contact groups and individuals locally, and your membership card is your passport to clubs and resorts, you could also try the beaches, there are lists available on the web and a very good book on where to go can be found here --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- -> http://www.lifestyle-press.co.uk/, I'm in it so that's more than enough reason to buy it!
Enjoy!
Pete Knight |
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