Why is public nudity condemned by Christians but not by the Bible Christians follow?

[rcouple]

I'm wondering why anyone would WANT to be nude in public, in front of non-family?


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I wonder why a person would perform dangerous stunts while recording themselves, or wear the type of clothing they wear when it is clear that is not the right choice but then again why does it matter what I think as long as they are not harming me in anyway. I usually don't make any comment at all and let each of us go along our merry ways. I have never thought that disciplining kids in public was a good thing, but as long as no one is being armed, I feel I have no right to try to impose my personal beliefs on them.
However, to answer your question, enjoying the warm sun on my naked body the way God originally intended us to live (in the Garden) is a feeling not equaled by having the body covered. If you gave someone a very valuable gift and that someone had it covered with a rag the next time you visited them, what would your reaction be?

 

[Albion]

I wonder why a person would perform dangerous stunts while recording themselves, or wear the type of clothing they wear when it is clear that is not the right choice but then again why does it matter what I think as long as they are not harming me in anyway.

Not exactly the same issue that you started us off, though, is it? We're supposed to be investigating the matter of going about naked in public; and, more specifically, what the Bible's attitude towards that practice is.

However, to answer your question, enjoying the warm sun on my naked body the way God originally intended us to live (in the Garden) is a feeling not equaled by having the body covered.

How is it that "enjoying the warm sun on [your] naked body" requires you to walk around, etc. in the company of a lot of strangers and do it much longer than anyone would normally sunbathe?

You are contending for public nakedness as a routine part of one's daily life.

If you gave someone a very valuable gift and that someone had it covered with a rag the next time you visited them, what would your reaction be?

Hard to say. Let's talk about which valuable gifts are covered with rags after we've finished discussing going naked in public.

And by the way, God created Adam and Eve naked, but that ended when they rebelled against God. Therefore, you are arguing that it's right for us to appear in public (and there weren't any other people when Adam and Eve were naked) under conditions that have not existed since "the Fall."

 

[Josiah]

However, to answer your question, enjoying the warm sun on my naked body the way God originally intended us to live (in the Garden) is a feeling not equaled by having the body covered.

But why in front of others? That was my question....

 

[rcouple]

But why in front of others? That was my question....

It doesn't have to be in front of other, but why is it such a big issue for others to share public areas with the nudists?
Believe me, a nudist can pick an extremely remote area to go naked and it will not take long before the CLOTHED people are attracted to that same remote area. So, is that the blame of the naked or the clothed?
Similarly, I would direct your attention to the number of views to this thread. I would assume that I am the only nudist on this forum, so the curiosity seems to be coming from the CLOTHED population of the forum.

 

[Albion]

It doesn't have to be in front of other, but why is it such a big issue for others to share public areas with the nudists?
Believe me, a nudist can pick an extremely remote area to go naked and it will not take long before the CLOTHED people are attracted to that same remote area. So, is that the blame of the naked or the clothed?

My personal opinion is that it doesn't matter who shows up first. It's the event, the action, that we're talking about and which makes all the difference.

You addressed the matter with reference to the Bible, meaning that it's a question of morals and of being naked in public. And as you know, nudists generally create special camps, etc. in which to be naked in a crowd, so I don't think that the issue you raised about outsiders horning in on the nudists is even relevant.

Similarly, I would direct your attention to the number of views to this thread. I would assume that I am the only nudist on this forum, so the curiosity seems to be coming from the CLOTHED population of the forum.

You created the discussion, not those people. Presumably, then, you wanted to talk about it with any and all readers. How about turning to some other topic that you are interested in but which doesn't include nudism??

 

[Stravinsk]

It doesn't have to be in front of other, but why is it such a big issue for others to share public areas with the nudists?
Believe me, a nudist can pick an extremely remote area to go naked and it will not take long before the CLOTHED people are attracted to that same remote area. So, is that the blame of the naked or the clothed?
Similarly, I would direct your attention to the number of views to this thread. I would assume that I am the only nudist on this forum, so the curiosity seems to be coming from the CLOTHED population of the forum.

By George, you've nailed it! CLOTHED people subconsciously want to be nude, that's why they look at nudist themed threads and perv on nudist remote areas! Not because there are far greater numbers of them and passionate nudists are something of a rarity. No no. They are secretly obeying the nude within. Blast these confounded coverings, why can't I be free!!!!!

LOL.

I don't know about anyone else, but I have lived near a beach the better part of my life and have never sought out a nudist area, and have never been interested in doing so. Adam and Eve, being in their original form prior to getting kicked from the garden, probably had admirable bodies and pure intentions. I'd be hard pressed to say that for the general populace.

 

[rcouple]

By George, you've nailed it! CLOTHED people subconsciously want to be nude, that's why they look at nudist themed threads and perv on nudist remote areas! Not because there are far greater numbers of them and passionate nudists are something of a rarity. No no. They are secretly obeying the nude within. Blast these confounded coverings, why can't I be free!!!!!

LOL.

I don't know about anyone else, but I have lived near a beach the better part of my life and have never sought out a nudist area, and have never been interested in doing so. Adam and Eve, being in their original form prior to getting kicked from the garden, probably had admirable bodies and pure intentions. I'd be hard pressed to say that for the general populace.

you are missing the point of nudity if you think it has anything to do with admirable bodies and any intention (pure or unpure).

 

[Josiah]

By George, you've nailed it! CLOTHED people subconsciously want to be nude, that's why they look at nudist themed threads and perv on nudist remote areas! Not because there are far greater numbers of them and passionate nudists are something of a rarity. No no. They are secretly obeying the nude within. Blast these confounded coverings, why can't I be free!!!!!

LOL

I don't know about anyone else, but I have lived near a beach the better part of my life and have never sought out a nudist area, and have never been interested in doing so. Adam and Eve, being in their original form prior to getting kicked from the garden, probably had admirable bodies and pure intentions. I'd be hard pressed to say that for the general populace.

In The People's Republic of California, there are (a few) nudist beaches - but they are not popular. I've never visited one, nor have ANY desire to do so. I read one time a "report" of one who altogether by accident came upon one and said the only nudes there were old, fat women and men. And it was "not pretty'" LOL

I was active in the BSA through my childhood and teen years, and RARELY bathed with other boy scouts (Factoid: Boy Scouts are not known for taking frequent baths...). But this was about being forced to bathe - not nudity, and any adult scoutmaster made a point of NOT viewing us. And as a teen, I was on a swim team and again, nudity was briefly involved as we changed and showered but this had NOTHING to do with nudity, it had to do with changing and getting rid of chlorine. And again, no adults were present. Occasionally, nudity is required - but it happens because it's required, not desired. BIG difference.

As for Adam and Eve.... um.... they were husband and wife... and likely obeying God's command to them to be "fruitful" (if you follow me).



.

 

[Messy]

LOL





In The People's Republic of California, there are (a few) nudist beaches - but they are not popular. I've never visited one, nor have ANY desire to do so. I read one time a "report" of one who altogether by accident came upon one and said the only nudes there were old, fat women and men. And it was "not pretty'" LOL

I was active in the BSA through my childhood and teen years, and RARELY bathed with other boy scouts (Factoid: Boy Scouts are not known for taking frequent baths...). But this was about being forced to bathe - not nudity, and any adult scoutmaster made a point of NOT viewing us. And as a teen, I was on a swim team and again, nudity was briefly involved as we changed and showered but this had NOTHING to do with nudity, it had to do with changing and getting rid of chlorine. And again, no adults were present. Occasionally, nudity is required - but it happens because it's required, not desired. BIG difference.

As for Adam and Eve.... um.... they were husband and wife... and likely obeying God's command to them to be "fruitful" (if you follow me).



.

But if they hadn't sinned, we'd all walk around naked. At least one good thing that came from the fall. Clothes.

 

[rcouple]

LOL





In The People's Republic of California, there are (a few) nudist beaches - but they are not popular. I've never visited one, nor have ANY desire to do so. I read one time a "report" of one who altogether by accident came upon one and said the only nudes there were old, fat women and men. And it was "not pretty'" LOL

I was active in the BSA through my childhood and teen years, and RARELY bathed with other boy scouts (Factoid: Boy Scouts are not known for taking frequent baths...). But this was about being forced to bathe - not nudity, and any adult scoutmaster made a point of NOT viewing us. And as a teen, I was on a swim team and again, nudity was briefly involved as we changed and showered but this had NOTHING to do with nudity, it had to do with changing and getting rid of chlorine. And again, no adults were present. Occasionally, nudity is required - but it happens because it's required, not desired. BIG difference.

As for Adam and Eve.... um.... they were husband and wife... and likely obeying God's command to them to be "fruitful" (if you follow me).



.

you "clothing required" group are really concerned about what another person looks like. To me that seems to be more concerning to God than being naked and not caring what the other person looks like.

So you are saying the husband and wife should only be naked in front of each other while having sex? Otherwise, it is sinful?

 

[Albion]

you "clothing required" group are really concerned about what another person looks like. To me that seems to be more concerning to God than being naked and not caring what the other person looks like.

So you are saying the husband and wife should only be naked in front of each other while having sex? Otherwise, it is sinful?

I hate to say it, but throwing up all these false narratives and trying to make out that modesty is wrong (or worse) isn't helping a bit.

Let's just admit that the rest of us are not going to be persuaded that the Bible is silent on the subject of public nakedness--and therefore can by some peculiar logic be thought of as approving of the practice--and move along to another topic.

 

[Messy]

I hate to say it, but throwing up all these false narratives and trying to make out that modesty is wrong (or worse) isn't helping a bit.

Let's just admit that the rest of us are not going to be persuaded that the Bible is silent on the subject of public nakedness--and therefore can by some peculiar logic be thought of as approving of the practice--and move along to another topic.

It was okay for Isaiah as a prophetic sign.

at the same time the Lord spoke by Isaiah the son of Amoz, saying, “Go, and remove the sackcloth from your [b]body, and take your sandals off your feet.” And he did so, walking naked and barefoot.

3 Then the Lord said, “Just as My servant Isaiah has walked naked and barefoot three years for a sign and a wonder against Egypt and Ethiopia, 4 so shall the king of Assyria lead away the Egyptians as prisoners and the Ethiopians as captives, young and old, naked and barefoot, with their buttocks uncovered, to the shame of Egypt.

 

[Albion]

It was okay for Isaiah as a prophetic sign.

There appears to be widespread agreement among Bible commentators that this reference was not meant to say that the person was without any clothing at all.

Rather, it refers to going about without the person's outer garment and what it represented (prophet's sackcloth or royal robes, for example). It does not mean that the person was completely naked.

4 so shall the king of Assyria lead away the Egyptians as prisoners and the Ethiopians as captives, young and old, naked and barefoot, with their buttocks uncovered, to the shame of Egypt.

And here we are told about a shameful condition, prisoners being forced by their captors to go uncovered. That would be similar to the treatment given concentration camp prisoners during World War II. In neither case does the event described have anything whatsoever to do with what we've been discussing here.

 

[Stravinsk]

[Image deleted by staff for the integrity of the site]

Did the OP post a pic of themselves nude? lol

 

[Messy]

There appears to be widespread agreement among Bible commentators that this reference was not meant to say that the person was without any clothing at all.

Rather, it refers to going about without the person's outer garment and what it represented (prophet's sackcloth or royal robes, for example). It does not mean that the person was completely naked.

And here we are told about a shameful condition, prisoners being forced by their captors to go uncovered. That would be similar to the treatment given concentration camp prisoners during World War II. In neither case does the event described have anything whatsoever to do with what we've been discussing here.

Yes it was shameful. Corrie ten Boom had to be naked in a concentration camp and she thought of Jesus, who carried our shame. But how anyone can think the Bible is fine with casual nakedness for adults baffles me, cause in Leviticus, if they saw whoever's nakedness, they had to be killed. And Noah. His grandson got cursed, cause his dad saw his own dad naked, but maybe it's a eufemism for having sex.

 

[Lamb]

Did the OP post a pic of themselves nude? lol

No, but it was revealing enough that we didn't need it here on the site.

 

[rcouple]

I hate to say it, but throwing up all these false narratives and trying to make out that modesty is wrong (or worse) isn't helping a bit.

Let's just admit that the rest of us are not going to be persuaded that the Bible is silent on the subject of public nakedness--and therefore can by some peculiar logic be thought of as approving of the practice--and move along to another topic.

yes you are correct. Let's just get back to the original purpose of the thread. Can you refer to a verse than directly condemns the practice of public nudity? Why is one of the most treasured possessions of the Christian Community a naked statue of David?

 

[rcouple]

There appears to be widespread agreement among Bible commentators that this reference was not meant to say that the person was without any clothing at all.

Rather, it refers to going about without the person's outer garment and what it represented (prophet's sackcloth or royal robes, for example). It does not mean that the person was completely naked.

And here we are told about a shameful condition, prisoners being forced by their captors to go uncovered. That would be similar to the treatment given concentration camp prisoners during World War II. In neither case does the event described have anything whatsoever to do with what we've been discussing here.

I also would agree that forcing someone to be naked against their wishes and in conditions that require the use of clothing to protect the body is very wrong.

 

[Albion]

yes you are correct. Let's just get back to the original purpose of the thread. Can you refer to a verse than directly condemns the practice of public nudity? Why is one of the most treasured possessions of the Christian Community a naked statue of David?

Well, we have already referred you to several such verses and debunked several attempts on your part to make various passages in the Bible be approving of public nudity when, in fact, they do not do that. So, we have no need to revisit all of those earlier posts.

The "treasured possession" you refer to is a piece of secular art that is reflective of a secular trend of the time that emphasized pride in one's body. The fact that the figure is nude catches everyone's attention, but the detailing of the arms, legs, the look in the eyes, and all the other physical features are what this type of art emphasized, not the idea of going naked.

That movement arose in opposition to the deep spirituality characteristic of the Gothic era, not as a part of it.

Also, the artwork you are referring to was not created for display in a church, although it does represent a personage we know from the Old Testament. And there is nothing in Scripture which indicates that David himself was a nudist!

 

[tango]

yes you are correct. Let's just get back to the original purpose of the thread. Can you refer to a verse than directly condemns the practice of public nudity? Why is one of the most treasured possessions of the Christian Community a naked statue of David?

For what it's worth I don't think there is anything that inherently prohibits public nudity, other than in settings where it would not be expected.

To be required to walk through the streets naked would be humiliating for most people. It's not expected and not desired. I see Scriptural references to being naked as being a humiliating experience, being naked in a time and place where nudity would not only be unexpected but also shameful. They certainly don't give the impression of someone willingly undressing on a sunny beach in order to get that coveted all-over tan, with or without other similarly undressed people present.

On the other hand if you choose to share a space with other people who don't wish to wear clothes, I personally don't see anything wrong with it or anything that would specifically say "no, don't be doing that". I don't personally get why you'd want to do such a thing but then there are lots of things that I don't personally get that other people like. Obviously what I personally get isn't an arbiter of whether something is acceptable or not.