Christianity and Nudism
Christianity and social nudism are not mutually exclusive. Many nudist clubs and resorts even have chapel services.
Christian nudists are Christians who practice social nudism. They do not see any conflict between the teachings of the Bible and living their lives and worshiping God without any clothing, believing that covering the body leads to its sexualization. Thus, the common notion that nudity and sexuality go hand-in-hand is seen as a worldly point of view. The Christian definition of the human body should be separate, distinct, and non-materialistic. If clothing truly controlled lust and immoral sexual activity, then these would not be occurring to any great extent.
Many Christian naturists have very little disagreement with the core beliefs of long-established churches, and may even be a member. They feel the error of obligatory dress is cultural, rather than anything related to salvation.
Organized Christian naturism exists in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Brazil. Public rules of conduct are similar to those of family-oriented nudist resorts. Any inappropriate sexual activity is considered to be against God's Word. Most Christian nudists do not accept New Age and humanist philosophies which occr in some parts of social nudism.
(Above adapted from the Wikipedia article on Christian Naturism)
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16)
There are quite a few scriptures that relate to nudity. Here's a few.
- Genesis 2:25 "And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed."
- 1 Samuel 19:24 "And he (Saul) stripped off his clothes also, and prophesied before Samuel in like manner, and lay down naked all that day and all that night. Wherefore they say, Is Saul also among the prophets?"
- Matthew 6:25 "Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?"
- Luke 12:22-23: "And he said unto his disciples, Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on. The life is more than meat, and the body is more than raiment"
photo courtesy Jeffrey Bowman
Nudist clubs with chapels
- Bluebonnet Park, Alvord, Texas
- Cedar Waters Village, Nottingham, New Hampshire
- Cherokee Lodge, Crossville, Tennessee
- Glen Eden, Corona, California
- Lake Como Resort, Lutz Florida
- White Tail Resort, Ivor, Virginia
- White Thorn Lodge, Darlington, Pennsylvania
Social Nudism and Christianity are no mutually exclcusive!