Nudism.
You may think that this post on nudism is of no interest to you. But trust me when I say that it will be. Be prepared! Right now nudism is being strongly promoted and is becoming an extremely popular ‘trend’ and sadly, amongst Christians, and is yet more evidence of moral decline as in the days of Noah.
If you mix in Christian circles, one day the topic will crop up and you will be drawn into a discussion on nudism, and will most likely be in the company of one who will challenge you that the Bible has nothing to say against it.
Because I know all of the reasons that ‘Christian nudists’ give for there being no harm in nudism and also how adamant they are that there is nothing against it in the Bible, is the reason for this post.
When I opened an International Christian Centre in Spain there was a derelict camp-site up the road. One day it was re-opened as a nudist camp. Some of the nudists were professing Christians and attended our services (fully clothed I add). During coffee after the service I learned a lot from nudists about nudism! They would also challenge me on how there was nothing whatsoever in the Bible against it and that there was nothing wrong in nudism and is how we were created, which always proved to me that they simply didn’t read the Bible…
Because Scripture is against being naked in front of others – big time! I have shown Christian nudists countless Scriptures from both Old Testament & New Testament (because they say the Old Testament doesn’t count!) that shows without doubt that nakedness in front of anyone other than a spouse is a shameful, demeaning, undignified, humiliating state to be in – even in front of other family members. But they shrug it off because it’s something they don’t want to give up, or cannot give up. That’s why I believe that nudism can become an addiction like any other that once it starts it’s hard to stop.
I even receive letters via my Christian Agony Aunt column on the subject, and here is just one of them…
Dear Christian Agony Aunt.
Hello
I’m wondering if you can be of some help. We are young Christians. We’ve made friends with couples in our church and quite by chance found out they are nudists. They have asked us to go to the nudist camp with them. I want to try it but my husband is against it. Surely it’s natural to be naked? But my hubby says it’s wrong for Christians to see each other undressed. Our friends keep trying to prove they are right and my husband wrong. They have asked us not to tell anyone else in the church they are nudist because the church will probably reject them. They’re nice couples with kids and say there’s nothing in the Bible against nakedness and seem respectable people who are faithful to their spouses and say they are not hurting anyone.
I’d like to know if there is anything in the bible that says nudism is wrong because they are adamant that there isn’t.
Sincerely, Mrs J. recently married ANNON’s PLEASE.
My reply…
Dear Mrs J, I admire how you have sought advice from a Christian source rather than a secular one which shows you want Biblical truth on the matter and Scripture does tell us to seek advice before making any important decision to save us from many a mistake, “Prepare plans by consultation” (Proverbs 20:18).
I am only addressing this subject to ‘Christian nudists’ because those who don’t profess to be a Christian won’t care what the Bible says.
What nudists say:
1. Nudists say it does no harm to children: They say their children love feeling free and see it as natural. Maybe they do when they are small & innocent, but as they get older their view changes. They then get embarrassed and ashamed that their parents are naked and don’t want their friends to know because the parents of their friends won’t allow their children to visit that friend’s home. So it separates.
2. Nudists say it is natural: Lots of things are natural, like personal body functions, intimate relations, but we don’t do them in public. It was natural to be naked once upon a time! But that was prior to Adam & Eve’s sin, and afterwards, it was God who required them to be covered up, and it was God Himself who even made the clothes for them! “Adam said ‘I heard the sound of you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked. The Lord God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife, and clothed them” (Genesis 3:10, 21).
3. Nudism involves deception and separates from fellowship: Nudists have begged me not tell their church that they go to nudist colonies as it could be detrimental to their membership or leadership! Christian nudists take great care to keep it from their church/fellowship that they are nudists knowing they will be ostracised. They say ‘it isn’t lying’ we just don’t say.’ But it isn’t long before it does turn into lying when sooner or later they have to keep inventing where they went for a weekend, or when talking about their ‘holiday’ and having to ‘brief’ their children on what and what not to say! And when lies are told often enough, they become a habit like any other habit, then after a while conviction stops (a ‘seared’ conscience). Nudists have had to hop from one church to another when it was discovered they were nudists, then their true talents are wasted. For example, a talented, singer, a Sunday School teacher, a musician, will not be considered for ministry within the church if a nudist.
4. Nudism attracts perverts: Whatever nudists say to the contrary, 40% of nudists admit to being swingers. Nudists have admitted to me that they look at someone’s body first not their face, so it is a very carnal ‘pastime/hobby.’ And make no mistake… the ‘not-too-pretty’ bodies are mocked and gossiped about! And the very pretty ones are lusted after because everyone who goes to a nudist camp is not ‘pure in heart’ like they claim. I know of families who are exposing their daughters and sons to people who go there especially to see naked children, yet these innocent children are totally unaware they are being leered at… until they get a little older and wiser that is!
5. Nudists say: ‘We never get sexually aroused.’ Naked bodies cause sexual arousal, and many nudists have admitted to me that it happens all the time.
6. Nudists say that if someone is against nudism it is because they are prudes! The dictionary definition for the opposite of prude is ‘vice.‘ Prude means: virtuous; principles; proper; modest, “Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies” (Proverbs 31:10). Trotting around naked in front of others is not being virtuous.
7. Nudists say that the Old Testament doesn’t count: Although the OT is jammed packed with verses against being naked, so is the New Testament, and here are just a few of them…
“I am coming like a thief. Blessed is he who stays awake and keeps his clothes on, so that he will not walk about naked and men will not see his shame” (Revelation 16:15).
“Naked and You clothed me” (Matthew 25:36).
“When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his garment for he was naked” (John 21:7).
“We groan longing to be clothed with our dwelling from heaven, inasmuch as we, having put it on, will not be found naked” (2 Corinthians 5:3).
“These will hate the harlot, and will make her desolate and naked…” (Revelation 17:16).
“Naked and You clothed me” (Matthew 25:36).
“Your nakedness will be uncovered; your shame will be exposed” (Isaiah 47:3).
It’s clear by these next Scriptures that even relatives should not be naked in front of one another…
“None of you shall approach any blood relative to uncover their nakedness; You shall not uncover the nakedness of your father/mother she is your mother. The nakedness of your sister, daughter-in-law, father’s relative/aunt… You shall not uncover the nakedness of a woman and of her daughter… it is lewdness (Lit, wickedness)” Leviticus 18.
“Aaron had made them naked unto their shame among their enemies” (Exodus 32:25).
The Bible has a lot to say about carnality. The word ‘carnal ‘comes from the Greek word sarkikos meaning flesh, and nothing can be more carnal/fleshly than being naked in front of others. God’s word says ‘to be carnally minded is death.’
Although the Bible is silent on many subjects nakedness certainly isn’t one of them! And we either want to obey God’s word or we don’t. God created us with choice and the choice is entirely ours.
The Bible says we should be imitators of Christ and that we should follow Christ’s example – and He was clothed, except for the shame of the cross due to His love for us.
Being a nudist is the opposite of everything the Bible stands for. The following Scriptures show there cannot be any such thing as a ‘Christian nudist.’
“Be Holy in your behaviour” (1 Peter 1:16).
“Those who are in the flesh (carnal) cannot please God” (Romans 8:7).
“Be imitators of God” (Ephesians 5:5). This word imitate is: to copy, to mimic.
“The flesh sets its desire against the Spirit (Galatians 5:17).
It has made some nudists angry with me when I say there are lines to be drawn in a Christian’s life. Yet according to God’s word there is to be some difference between a Christian and a non-Christian (I am not speaking of ‘earning Salvation. Salvation is a gift from God, but behaviour that is pleasing to the Lord is something else).
The Word of God is there to live by, if we really want to that is. “Be very careful what you do, for the Lord our God will have no part in unrighteousness” (2 Chronicles 19:7). And it is not ‘righteous’ or holy or becoming to be undressed in front of others when It was God Himself who INVENTED clothing!
Nakedness in the Scripture is always portrayed in an extremely negative light and as an embarrassing, unholy, sad, and degrading state to be in. In the New Testament the only ones to go about naked were those who had lost their mind! Mad people! After they were cured the first thing they wanted was to be covered up!
I am pleased to say, that some nudists have been convinced through Scripture of the sin of nudism and have found the strength and courage in the Lord to give it up (that is how I know all of the negative reasons why they did so). I hope and pray that someone reading this will soak in these Scriptures that prove that nudism is a sin and will have the courage and strength in the Lord to give it up too.
God’s word is not there to make us miserable. It’s there to guide us on how to live for our own happiness sake and well-being.
“Blessed is the one who stays awake and keeps his CLOTHES ON, so that he will not be found naked NAKED” (Revelation 16:15).
“When we are CLOTHED we will not be found NAKED” (2 Corinthians 5:2).
God bless,
Christine.
