Christian naturism

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Baptism (mikveh) of Jesus, Bordone, Giotto 1276-1336
Baptism (mikveh) of Jesus, Bordone, Giotto 1276-1336

Christian naturists are Christians who practice naturism or nudism, and are a part of the clothes-free movement. They can be found in almost all branches and denominations of Christianity, and find no conflict between the teachings of the Bible and living their lives and worshiping God without any clothing. However, most have various disagreements with New Age and humanist philosophy which is common among other naturists and wish to be separated from it. This includes a total rejection of nature worship of any sort.

Contents

[edit] Foundation

The following beliefs highlight the greatest differences of Christian naturism relative to their clothed counterparts. However, they account for only a small fraction of what Christian naturists believe in totality. See the Wikipedia article on Christianity for an extensive summation of the Christian faith, as well as individual Wikipedia articles of any specific denomination of interest (Baptist, Catholicism, LDS Church, etc.) Some Christian naturists have no denomination, but nevertheless consider themselves Protestant.

[edit] The Garden of Eden

Adam and Eve, by Albrecht Dürer (1507).
Adam and Eve, by Albrecht Dürer (1507).

Christian naturists see in the story of Adam and Eve and the Garden of Eden a model for their beliefs. When Adam and Eve were created and placed in the Garden of Eden by God, they were both naked and "they felt no shame". (Genesis 2:25) During this time, they were living without sin, and in the state that God had intended them to be. Even before Eve's creation, God had warned Adam "...but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die."[1]

In chapter 3,[2] first Eve, then Adam, eat the forbidden fruit in defiance of God's command, persuaded by the devil in the form of a serpent. Immediately realizing that they are naked, the couple sew fig leaves together as coverings. Shortly thereafter, upon hearing the sound of God walking in the garden, they both hide themselves in the trees. God then asks Adam where he is located. In spite of the fig leaves, Adam replies that he is afraid because of his nakedness. God queries Adam, "Who told you that you were naked?" The implication, as Christian naturists see it, is that their shame was not of God; nor would the fig leaves cover this shame, regardless of their genitals being covered. God was displeased not only by their disobedience of having eaten the forbidden fruit, but also with their subsequent attempt to cover up their bodies. In addition, God gives priority to this question by asking it first, before any discussion regarding the fruit.

Since Adam and Eve's nudity was within a marriage context, and no other humans existed on the planet at the time, the coverings attempted to hide their sin by hiding from God -- not each other. As the next chapter begins with the couple having sexual relations, they obviously saw each other nude subsequent to the fall of mankind. Having thus sinned, and no longer living nude by their own accord, God expelled them from the Garden of Eden. He also made garments from animal skins to replace the fig leaves. Christian naturists believe this was for protection from the harsher elements outside of the garden, and implied that sin requires a blood sacrifice. There is no mention that Adam and Eve should be ashamed of their bodies.

As Jesus Christ is the blood sacrifice of Christians under the New Testament, Christian naturists believe there is no need to wear clothes as a covering of sin, nor for any other reason, except protection from the elements.

[edit] Other scripture

Painting showing Christ unashamed to be naked, being without sin. The Virgin Mary is with her mother. Caravaggio 1573-1610
Painting showing Christ unashamed to be naked, being without sin. The Virgin Mary is with her mother. Caravaggio 1573-1610

I Samuel 19:24 He (Saul) stripped off his robes and also prophesied in Samuel's presence. He lay that way all that day and night. This is why people say, "Is Saul also among the prophets?" [3]

2 Samuel 11 While King David was rebuked by God for his lust for Bathsheba (a married woman), nothing was said about her nude bathing.[4]

Isaiah 20:2 The Lord says to Isaiah: "Take off the sackcloth from your body and the sandals from your feet." And he did so, going around stripped and barefoot. [5]

John 19:23-24 Christ, who is sinless, allows Himself to be publicly crucified completely naked on the cross in front of his mother and friends demonstrating that public nudity is not a sin. "When the soldiers crucified Jesus, they took his clothes, ... "Let's not tear [the undergarment]," they said to one another. "Let's decide by lot who will get it...." [6] Many paintings and movies depict Christ's crucifixion with Him wearing a loin cloth, but this is neither consistent with scripture nor with the normal method of a Roman crucifixion.

Gospel of Thomas Although no major Christian group accepts this book as canonical or authoritative, the possibility exists that the following conversation took place between Jesus and his disciples:

His disciples asked, When will you become revealed to us and when shall we see you? Jesus answered, When you disrobe without being ashamed and take up your garments and place them under your feet like little children and tread on them, then will you see the son of the Living One, and you will not be afraid.

[edit] Clothing begets violence

Christian naturists believe violence, rape, even genocide is due to the lack of social, non-sexualized nudity. This began with Cain killing Abel and continues throughout history to the present day. While victims were not necessarily Christian, it demonstrates the evil of imposing mandatory dress by decree. Many nude cultures have been enslaved by clothed cultures, such as the Africans shipped to work in the Americas, as well as the indigenous people already living there. Also, the Aztecs required its citizens to wear clothing, but enslaved others who did not. Much more recently, the civil war in Sudan has brought the naturist Dinka and Nuer tribes in contact with the Arabic north who have killed and enslaved them. The Middle East is currently in conflict while the world's most strict dress codes are imposed upon its citizens. Also, modern-day gang violence is closely related to its member's clothing.

When a nation suddenly prohibits social nudity, it becomes more militant, violent, and genocidal. Late 19th to 20th century examples include Stalinist communism (1924-1953) which was against public nude bathing, as was Nazi Germany (1933-1945). Estimates are 60 million killed by Stalin and 15 million by Hitler. The peaceful Edo (Tokugawa) period (1603-1867) of Japanese history allowed mixed public baths and public nudity until the Meiji restoration outlawed it (ignored in some rural areas). This was closely followed by Japan's takeover of Korea and Okinawa (1870s), the Far East Russian Empire (1904), then parts of China, and eventually much of Asia and the Pacific in World War II (1937-1945). Meanwhile, the Chinese New Life Movement (1934) under Chiang Kai-shek also passed laws against public nudity. Later, as China became communist (1949), Mao Zedong himself issued orders against men bathing around women. An estimated 38 million people were executed under three decades of Mao's rule.

[edit] Summary of general beliefs

  • The human body was God's final and greatest earthly creation. Requiring the body to be covered rivals the legalism of the Pharisees. Many people have been deceived into thinking that their clothing keeps them from sin, when in fact, the opposite is true.
  • Although the word "naturism" may in some contexts refer to nature worship, Christian naturists reject this as idolatry, which is forbidden per the Ten Commandments and elsewhere in the Bible. It is the creator, not the creation, that should be worshiped. Also, it is too late to be concerned about the semantics of the word "naturism;" other Christian terms such as "Easter" have a non-Christian origin.
  • Social nudity and Christianity have been practiced together by singles and families for as long as Christianity has been in existence.[7] Being nude is a wholesome way of life, and acceptable state of dress which was never condemned by God in the Bible.
  • Much of the origin of repressive attitudes toward nudity is traced to the political setting of the early church and church-state, and not the teachings of Christ Himself. Modern decency laws forbidding nudity are more relevant to the Victorian era than the Biblical era.
  • In previous centuries, racism and anti-nudity attitudes were often linked closely together, as many people of European descent wanted nothing to do with the "naked savages of the jungle."[8] Those living nude with darker skin were thought to be a separate creation deemed unworthy of salvation. Clothing and skin color became all-important factors in judging a person's wealth and social status, often in a prideful manner. Though much has since changed (e.g. racial integration, multiculturalism, etc.), many Christians still refuse to accept any lifestyle involving nudity.
  • Crucifixions were usually done with the victim naked. There is no evidence that Jesus' crucifixion was anything but ordinary. The wrapping around His lower part is a concession to our modern-day clothed society.
  • Nudity and sexuality do not go hand-in-hand, and any inappropriate sexual conduct (including lust) is against God's word.[9] Christians who cannot comprehend nudity without sexuality may have been deprived of any opportunity to do so in their upbringing.[10]
  • Sexual decadence such as pornography and pedophilia (paedophilia) is the direct result of a lack of exposure to nudity in childhood. This is most likely to occur when combined with other factors such as extreme parental attitudes (e.g. body shame) and social isolation. Christian naturists strongly encourage fellowship with other believers, and abhor body shame. Those who were raised their entire lives within Christian naturism should not have any temptation to engage in such behaviors.
  • Instead of allowing pornographers to define the body for us, and then create a virtue of modesty to fit that false definition, Christians should assert God's definition as found in Scripture and Church Tradition.[11] Rather than preventing sin, clothing is worn due to one's own insecurity, pride, shame, lack of trust, worthlessness, feelings of guilt, need to hide, fear of rejection, and of others taking advantage.
  • Although "openness" and "loving people for who they are" are common concepts throughout Christianity, they are especially emphasized in Christian Naturism though "body acceptance." Having a perfect body as the world sees fit is totally unimportant for both males and females of all ages. Psychiatric conditions such as anorexia do not occur among those raised in Christian Naturism.[12]
  • The question asked by God in Genesis 3:11, "Who told you that you were naked?" needs to be answered by those who feel compelled to be clothed. (No reply by Adam and Eve was ever recorded, as they focused solely on God's next question of eating from the forbidden tree.) God never commends Adam and Eve for their self-discovery of being able to hide their bodies with fig leaves.

If parents forbid their children to be seen nude in public, generally such a prohibition begins just before or about the same time as the age of accountability. The exact age and circumstances may vary by denomination and culture. Quite the opposite of what Christian naturists believe, non-naturists (whether Christian or not), may feel that if children were to see others nude and be seen nude themselves, that is precisely what would cost them their innocence.[13] See also the article: Nudity and children.

[edit] Where nudity is forbidden

Despite the aforementioned beliefs, there are three areas in which Christian naturists may feel nudity is condemned by the Bible:[14]

  • Where it is forced on a person against their will. (e.g. prisoners)
  • When associated directly with sin, orgies, Paganism, temple prostitution, and the like. This also includes exhibitionism and indecent exposure. In particular, situations in which a person has completely undressed causing surprise to those not expecting such an encounter. (Many feel indecent exposure laws are overly broad, though "surprise" should always be avoided.)
  • Where people are suffering from the lack of food, clothing, and shelter. The need for clothing could be due to a cold climate, hostile environment, or cultural necessity.

[edit] Denominations

Globe icon
 This article or section deals primarily with the United States and does not represent a worldwide view of the subject.
Please improve this article or discuss the issue on the talk page.

[edit] Catholics and Protestants

Chapel at Cherokee Lodge
Chapel at Cherokee Lodge

Non-denominational services are the most common among Protestant Christian naturists. Often someone's home or a portion of a secular naturist resort is used (with permission). Several resorts have chapels on their grounds for the purpose of providing worship services.[15] Three annual Christian Nudist Convocations are held regionally during the summer months at a naturist resort.[16]

At most of the Farm and Wilderness Camps in the state of Vermont, campers are free to wear what they want at the waterfronts. This includes skinny dipping after a discussion on body acceptance, and respecting others choices.[17] Each day, campers and staff participate in "silent meetings" based on the Quaker practice of "Meeting for Worship."[18] All of the camps live the values inherent in Quaker philosophy,[19] but are in no way affiliated with the denomination, being open to people of all beliefs.
Note: The Religious Society of Friends (colloquially known as Quakers) as a whole does not encourage nudity.

[edit] LDS naturists

LDS naturists are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (colloquially known as "Mormons") who practice naturism or nudism, and are part of the clothes-free movement. Like other Christian Naturists, LDS Naturists have accepted casting aside their clothing as a wholesome state of dress for recreation; a state that is believed not to be condemned of God. A growing number of active members of the LDS religion consider themselves naturist.

Like other Christian naturists, LDS naturists reject the Gnostic teaching that the Body is evil and the Spirit is good (see History below). Rather, the spirit is good and that the body is sacred is the accepted belief. Although for the LDS naturist, this fact is supported by revelation, both modern and ancient.[20] Both Christian naturists and Latter-day Saints believe that the body is created in the image of God. For the LDS naturist, however, this belief is further supported by modern scripture as well as ancient Scripture. For instance, in Ether 3:16[21], the Lord tells the brother of Jared that His spirit body is identical to His physical body, and He created man after the image of His Spirit body. See also Moses 2:27 [22] and Genesis 1:27 [23]. However, there are a few differences. Unlike their Protestant and Catholic Christian brothers and sisters, LDS naturists do not believe in the ideas of Original Sin. This is because of the Second Article of Faith of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which states: "We believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam's transgression." [24] Also, LDS naturists pursue chaste naturism and nudism because they believe it is good, and it is chaste. This is in accordance with the thirteenth article of faith, which states that Latter-day Saints believe in being honest, true, and chaste and they should seek after all things which is virtuous, lovely, and of good report. [25]

It should be noted that like their clothed counterparts, most non-LDS Christian naturists do not accept the Book of Mormon and other LDS-exclusive teachings. Likewise, LDS naturists do not accept all the beliefs of the Catholic and mainline Protestant churches. However, some social and recreational contact may occur between LDS and non-LDS Christian naturists.

[edit] Criticism

At this time, no documented, official criticism of Christian naturism is known to exist within the Christian community (except historically, see History section below). Several well-known organizations which specialize in new religious movements such as the Watchman Fellowship, Bob Larson Ministries, and the (John) Ankerberg Theological Research Institute have, to date, taken no position. The following section summarizes the views of low-ranking church officials and laymen, and should be viewed as preliminary and possibly incomplete.

By far, the most frequent biblical argument against Christian naturism is that if God approved of people being nude, He would not have clothed Adam and Eve after they sinned, thus making it a reminder to man that we had in fact sinned. [26] The counter-argument is since clothes stand for sin, Christians need not wear them. Adam and Eve had already clothed themselves upon sinning, and God merely replaced the fig leaves with animal skins. (That is, granting them free will, but demonstrating sin requires a blood sacrifice.) Another counter-argument is that because God knew of the harsh conditions outside of the garden, He fashioned the garments to serve as protection.

Due to cultural tendencies to equate nudity with sex, many Christian groups and denominations are not supportive of naturism and nudism. Such groups may feel that the temptation of lust is just too difficult. However, as Christian naturists point out, lust can occur even though the subject is fully dressed. In addition, naturists believe that certain types of revealing clothing (such as bikinis) actually make lust more likely when compared to being nude. This is largely due to the ability of the mind to mentally "fill in the blanks." Likewise, they don't believe the "do not cause your brother to sin" [27] argument applies to the naturist lifestyle, as naturism is generally practiced in the presence of others who would not be caused to sin.

Others feel the Scriptures (on which accurate tradition is based) make no reference to the Christian faith indulging in nudism to prevent lust. In 1 Corinthians 11, Paul speaks of the need for women to wear a head covering. However, it only applies to prayer and prophecy, and says nothing about covering the rest of the human body. Conversely, according to the passage, men must not have their heads covered. This due to Christ being the head, image, and glory of every man; while the head of a woman is man, which is her glory. [28]; Today, many Western churches which are not naturist don't require women to cover their heads in church.

In the Book of 1 Timothy, Paul urged the women in the Christian church to dress modestly, with "decency and propriety".[29] Critics contend it is in contrast to the beliefs of Christian naturism that the apostle urges them to dress at all. Christian Naturists counter that Paul was disallowing outlandish and/or expensive clothing (which is prohibited in Christian Naturism as well), and not referring to those who choose not to dress. Also, the Bible never speaks of both lust and clothing in proximity to one another.

Other criticism, while it may or may not oppose naturism per se, is concerned that it will hinder witnessing, divide spouses, promote secrecy to prevent embarrassment, excommunication, etc.[30] As a result, some Christian naturists are isolated from other Christians and their churches. In their effort to find fellowship, many have formed local fellowships, while others are still accepted by their own church groups even though they are known as naturists.[31]

  • In May 2002, a pastor in southern California was terminated due to his Christian Naturism beliefs. The church was affiliated with the Grace Gospel Fellowship and Grace Bible College.[32]
  • Tektonics, a Christian apologetics website, has a somewhat scholarly critique of nudism/naturism (Note that it is in response to the fringe group Liberated Christians, and not Christian Naturism).[2]

[edit] History

3rd c. baptism, St. Calixte Catacomb
3rd c. baptism, St. Calixte Catacomb

[edit] Ancient

Originally Jewish mikvahs, and later, Christian baptisms [34] baptized people completely naked. This even included mass baptisms involving men, women, and children. It signified their being restored to man's original condition, and having their shame removed. Others claim that children were baptized first, then men, then women, all separately.

Due to a common lack of inside plumbing, public bathing was a common practice through the time of Jesus and still occurs today in certain cultures. Whole families were together at the public bath -- including Christians. Jesus even preached frequently at the public baths in Jerusalem ([35]; John 5:1-7).

Some historic religious sects, both Christian and syncretist, have made nudism a general practice. Probably the most well-known of these were the Adamites, though some of their beliefs were contrary to orthodox Christianity. The post-resurrection belief of the unclothed body being evil or sinful may originate in Platonic Asceticism (founded largely on the works of ancient Greek philosopher Plato) which was adopted and passed down by "Christian" Platonists in early church history. Platonism is a dualistic theology which proposes a realm of forms to include, on the one hand, "pure ideas", which are good; and, on the other hand, "matter", which is evil. When applied to humans, the soul is necessarily good, and the body is necessarily evil. Therefore, according to this philosophy, our "evil" bodies must be covered by clothing. Christian naturists reject such notions as unbiblical.

During the Middle Ages, there were a great deal of wars between Christians and Muslims with civilians also caught up in the conflicts. Christians were probably somewhat (though not totally) influenced by the hijab (Islamic dress code), which was passed on to future generations. Under the rules established by the hijab, even males are not allowed to see each other nude.

[edit] Modern

By the middle of the 19th century, Queen Victoria had come to power in the United Kingdom. The queen's influence was legendary, even spreading to other areas of Europe and America, which were outside of the British Empire. (Her ancestors were mainly German.) Due to previous sexual and other scandals of her predecessors in the House of Hanover, Queen Victoria placed a strong emphasis on her idea of morality and family values. For the first time, burgeoning middle classes could begin to identify with the reigning king or queen. At this point, it became quite unacceptable to be seen nude in public for whatever reason. Missionaries even brought clothing to various indigenous peoples who lived nude in humid, tropical climates. After her death in 1901, naturism and nudism began to emerge in northern Germany, and gradually spread elsewhere.

In the United States, the Christian naturism movement (which was the first naturism movement of any sort in the U.S.) began in the late 1920s. This occurred at nearly the same time as the start of the Great Depression, under the leadership of former New Jersey Dutch Reformed minister Ilsley Boone. Initially, he was vice president of the American League for Physical Culture. By October 1931, Boone had taken over as president, and renamed the club as the "American Sunbathing Association" (ASA). Soon, naturism began expanding nationwide.

In Rome, Pope Pius XI strongly condemned the naturism movement throughout the early 1930s, calling it "paganly immodest." This prompted the head of the New York Legion of Decency, former New York Catholic Governor Alfred E. Smith, to try to outlaw all nudism. A recent court ruling had declared private social nudity to be legal per current law. Eventually, their efforts failed in the state legislature.[36] After Boone's passing in the 1960's, the ASA became more secular, along with American society in general. In 1995, the ASA was renamed as the American Association for Nude Recreation (AANR), which currently has its headquarters in Florida.

Until the Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA) converted to co-ed facilities in the early 1960s, men and boys, including the swimming instructors, swam in a state of complete nakedness. Nylon was a relatively new invention at that time, and allowing cotton or wool swimsuits in the pool would clog up the filtration system. The word gymnasium means to train in the nude. This is derived from the standard practice of athletes who used to train and compete without any clothing (though it originates from pre-Christian Greece).

Pope John Paul II began his papacy in 1978, becoming the first non-Italian pope in four and a half centuries. His views on naturism differed substantially from that of his predecessors. Authoring the book Love and Responsibility (1981), he wrote: Nakedness itself is not immodest... Immodesty is present only when nakedness plays a negative role with regard to the value of the person, when its aim is to arouse concupiscence, as a result of which the person is put in the position of an object for enjoyment.

With the beginning of the modern internet in the mid-1990's, Christian Naturism became much more organized in the U.S. than ever before. Annual Christian Nudist Convocations began early in the decade of the 2000's.

[edit] External links

[edit] Issues and debate

[edit] Catholic, Protestant, and Non-Denominational

The following are links to the "Nudity & Religion" section of secular websites:

[edit] LDS

[edit] See also

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ BibleGateway.com - Passage Lookup: Genesis 2
  2. ^ BibleGateway.com - Passage Lookup: Genesis 3
  3. ^ BibleGateway.com - Passage Lookup: 1 Samuel 19
  4. ^ BibleGateway.com - Passage Lookup: 2 samuel 11
  5. ^ BibleGateway.com - Passage Lookup: Isaiah 20
  6. ^ [1]
  7. ^ Catholic Encyclopedia: Adamites
  8. ^ The Psychology of Racism
  9. ^ CNC
  10. ^ Family Skinnydippers
  11. ^ Jim C. Cunningham, Nudity & Christianity, AuthorHouse, 2006
  12. ^ http://www.jou.ufl.edu/pubs/onb/S06/nudists.shtm Next of Skin]
  13. ^ Christian Naturism by Boyd Allen
  14. ^ Jeff Rockel "The Bible, Society and Nudity: A study of social nudity from a Biblical and secular perspective"
  15. ^ http://cherokee-lodge.com/Amen.htm
  16. ^ CNC
  17. ^ http://www.farmandwilderness.org/summer-and-family-camps/camp-faq Are there any practices or policies I should be aware of?: Freedom to be Yourself
  18. ^ http://www.farmandwilderness.org/about/faqs What is Quaker “Silent Meeting”?
  19. ^ F&W History | Farm and Wilderness
  20. ^ Moses 6
  21. ^ Ether 3
  22. ^ Moses 2
  23. ^ Genesis 1
  24. ^ Articles of Faith 1
  25. ^ Articles of Faith 1
  26. ^ Frequently Asked Questions about nudity
  27. ^ BibleGateway.com - Passage Lookup: 1 Corinthians 8:9
  28. ^ BibleGateway.com - Passage Lookup: 1 Corinthians 11
  29. ^ 1 Timothy 2:9 New International Version
  30. ^ Naked for Christ? Christian Nudism
  31. ^ Nudism - Christian nudism, nudism & religion
  32. ^ Persecuted for Good Nudity - Christians and Nudity
  33. ^ Fig Leaf Forum - Debate Introduction
  34. ^ This article appeared in a past The Tree of Life Magazine
  35. ^ BibleGateway.com: Search for a Bible passage in over 35 languages and 50 versions
  36. ^ Pope on Nudism
Nudity Portal
v • d • e
Nudity & related topics
General topics
Social nudity
Nude recreation
In art
Body image
Sexualized concepts