Anyone else struggle with nudism and Christianity?
I'm new to the group but I'm glad I found it. Lately I've been trying to focus more on prayer and spiritual life, so I've been removing all the negative things around me. So when I thought about nudism I was struggling with it. I agree that it is the most natural form of being a human being, it's how God made us so there should be no issues with it. I think my problem is I sometimes still find nudism to be somewhat sexual as well. I guess I wonder if that's the reason I enjoy being nude. Does anyone else feel that way at times?
I am often in the same mode set. I am a lone nudist in my home so I often feel that just to be nude with my wife in clothes is odd. I enjoy my nude time on the pool deck and around the house when I am alone. But I too often find myself start to think on the sexual level. God made us as sexual being so I also justify my thoughts that way. I believe if I am misusing that gift from God that is when I feel guilt and shame. If I am in the right God frame of mind there is no guilt
I think a big part of the issue is that it is so ingrained in people's minds in our society and especially the church that nudity is bad, but that doesn't match up with what is in the Bible. God does not say anywhere in the Bible that nudity is bad, but lust and adultery are. In fact, if you look at a lot of the stories in the Bible and put them into their cultural contexts and with a little honest thought, you will realize there are actually quite a few examples of nudity in the Bible.
Part of the other issue is, the only time most people are exposed to nudity is via porn now a days, so they associate nudity with sexuality and porn. Once you are with other people and you are all nude, it can feel sexual for a little bit the first time you experience social nudity, but that feeling quickly wears off when your mind starts to normalize it and you realize that there is nothing wrong nudity. You all have bodies, you all have flaws, but no one is judging and you realize we are all beautiful creations of a loving God. You start seeing beyond the bodies and start seeing the people in the bodies. It feels so freeing and not sexual in that context. Nudity does not mean lust. You can lust after someone in a swimsuit, which actually draws attention to those areas of the body. With social nudity, it is all just skin and people.
On the other hand, being on a site like this can be hard. You can start seeing the pictures instead of the people. Some people's photos on here are even meant to come off as sexual, especially with all the fake accounts and photo galleries. As a Christian, you definitely need to use discretion on this site. When it turns into something more than trying to network or communicate with people and you start getting drawn into the photos, that is when I start to struggle and need to log off.
I am often in the same mode set. I am a lone nudist in my home so I often feel that just to be nude with my wife in clothes is odd. I enjoy my nude time on the pool deck and around the house when I am alone. But I too often find myself start to think on the sexual level. God made us as sexual being so I also justify my thoughts that way. I believe if I am misusing that gift from God that is when I feel guilt and shame. If I am in the right God frame of mind there is no guilt
I have no problem with being nude at home while my wife is clothed.
I have sexual thoughts whether nude or clothed, but they do not dominate me.
Just found your contribution here and appreciate your honesty and reasoning. You've generated an interesting discussion from other contributors too. Personally, I've never felt particular tension between my faith and my enjoyment of being clothes-free. Perhaps that has to do with the fact that I first stripped off outside the home when I was around 9 or 10 and in the woods behind our house. Just stripped off on impulse and ran around rather wildly - all very innocent. Guess I knew I was being 'rather naughty' by the standards instilled in me, but it didn't stop me repeating the indulgence a few times after. With the advent of puberty, my perceptions must have changed, but the faith in which I had been brought up was not so puritanical as to have an overly profound effect on me.
There are definitely conflicting teachings in Christianity regarding nudity which are difficult to navigate. Jesus talked about the splendor of being naked as the lilies in the valley, dressed better than a king. The Apostle Paul on the other hand was distraught over his "thorn in my side" which seems to refer to his penis if not his general sinful flesh. I think it's warped how he dismisses Jesus' teachings. Paul also said to trust him and his teachings over what an angel might tell you directly, but I'll defer to Jesus.
I'm new to the group but I'm glad I found it. Lately I've been trying to focus more on prayer and spiritual life, so I've been removing all the negative things around me. So when I thought about nudism I was struggling with it. I agree that it is the most natural form of being a human being, it's how God made us so there should be no issues with it. I think my problem is I sometimes still find nudism to be somewhat sexual as well. I guess I wonder if that's the reason I enjoy being nude. Does anyone else feel that way at times?
The problem is shame. Shame in your nudity. Shame in your body. Shame that you are sexual. You are finding ways to mix and match your shame and if you're asking that question you definitely are not interested in nudism only as sex under cover.
I'm a Christian pastor and I've had my share of struggles with being a "congenital nudist" - I can't remember not wanting to get out of clothes! - and a lifelong person of Christian faith. But that means that I've had a life-time of growing in comfortability with my own body, and my body as a guy who's not really in shape but really loves not wearing clothes. At one time I was worried about it being naked being equated with being sexual but more and more I don't. It comes with being more mature. It also comes, I guess, with being older ... But it was helpful to have a Christian nudist friend make clear the difference between walking naked on the beach as "something sexual" and "heightened sensuality". So, yeah, sometimes it's something sexy, but usually just a comfortable thing with other folks who are also at home being naked with other people who are naked - or not naked, as the case might be. It is a matter of self-expression; it is never to be predatory or shocking or a matter of "exposure" in order to shock or offend.
You might find interesting and helpful a blog called "Aching for Eden" by a conservative Christian who calls himself Phil O. I don't always agree with him in every point he makes, but I sure like his advocacy as a Christian for the healing - the psychological and spiritual healing - of living naked as much as possible.
Allen, the Naked Badger.
You are not alone in what you are feeling. The average individual is basically nude for either bathing and sexual activities. Since most don't see others nude outsife sexual experiences, then we are 'trained' to think sexual when we go nude, even alone. It's like when guys go nude in locker rooms or spas. There is almost for sure some guy showing a good size semi from seen other nude guys. Once you get comfortable with your nudism and look past the sexual aspect of what you feel within you, nudism will be what seek to be in harmony with your believes. Just remember we were created in His image and nude. We got off track after the apple issue.
Here are three great books that will show you that there's no conflict with nudity and the Bible.
Uncovering the Image
Christian Body
Famous Fig Leaf
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