Christian naturists are Ch=ristians who practice naturism or nudism, as an ascetic nudism They consider themselves are a part of the clothes-free movement. They see no conflict between the teachings of the Bible and living their lives and worshiping God without any clothing. Organized groups of Christian naturists exist around the world. The naturist movement spans many denominations of Christianity.
Early Christian Nudists
Religious nudists use these quotations as an answer to the fundamentalist preachers who sermonize about God’s demand for clothing. For example, the Rev. Martin Wadestone, author of “Nudism and Christianity,” writes:
“Actually, in the light of the Bible, there is no sin in nudity itself but if a person uses the nudity for lustful or immoral purposes he has misused it, and this constitutes a sin. The Bible does not speak against nudity nor does it teach that the body is shameful. There is reference to shame in nudity, but this shame was produced in the mind of man, not by divine ordination.”28
This was also the belief of at least five groups in the history of Christianity: the Carpocrations, Adamites, Adamianis, Encratites, and Marcosians. Most of the historical information we have concerning the beliefs and practices of these early Christians comes to us, in fact, through the recorded criticisms and diatribes of Roman Catholic Church authorities, since these authorities have largely destroyed the writings of those they considered heretical? 1Early Christian Nudists
Christian nudist sects
Some Christian sects like Naaktloopers, Doukhobors, and Adamites used nudity in protest and for the purpose evangelizing, proselytizing.
The Adamianis existed in the second and third centuries A.D. in North Africa 2The Adamites.They were a group that hoped to regain the innocence mankind lost in the Garden of Eden and, consequently, worshiped in a state of nakedness and lived as a nudist community. It’s believed that groups of Adamianis used deserted pagan temples for their own rituals. Augustine wrote about the Adamianis and their religious way of life circa 354-450, and denounced the group for their opposition to marriage and practice of social nudity in worship. 3The Nudist Adamite Christian Sect
Some generations later, Encratites and Marcosians, who developed out of the Adamiani tradition, appeared on the scene. The Encratites were vegetarians and many, if not all, practiced nudism. In ancient Gaul (France), a Gnostic teacher named Marcus and his followers became known as Marcosians and were well established in the Rhone Valley by the third century. Irenaeus, a conservative Christian writer of the day, criticized their nudity and religious beliefs, remarking: “Marcus is regarded by these senseless and brain cracked as working miracles.” 4Therapy, Nudity & Joy
Behmianism
Christian mystic and Lutheran Protestant theologian Jakob Bohme who lived in the late 16th and early 17th century started the spiritual practice of behmianism which some consider the precursor to modern European naturism 5 Dare, Robert :Food power and community – Essay in the history of food and drink 1999 page 156 Bohme’s spiritual perspective suggested the practice of naturism or social nakedness was a return to the innocence of Adam and Eve before their corruption.
The Doukhobors were anarchist religious sect, that broke away from the Orthodox Church and form in 17th century Russia. The practiced a kind of “spiritual Christianity” that adhered to the principles of pacifism, and vegetarianism. They did not believe in government control? The “Spirit-Wrestlers.” as they were described but and Orthodox Church archbishop were often persecuted in Russia. 6 Doukhobors
Naaktloopers (naked walkers) were Anabaptist Christians who used nudity to proselytize. In the 1500s, a group of nudist anabaptists including four women ran through the streets of Amsterdam naked in an attempt to evangelize. They shouted “Woe! Woe over the world and the godless!” 7Vigils ‘n’ Sigils: Whither Protest? They were later killed for their public nudity.8Naaktlopers (Naaktloopers)
Modern Christian naturists
Christian naturists today come from all walks of life including clergy.
Reverend Bob Horrocks is an ordained Anglican member of the clergy, a practicing naturist and author of the book Uncovering the Image
Christian naturists in the United States and the United States naturist movement owe a debt to Dutch Reformed a pastor Ilsley Boone. Boone helped launch the American naturist movement in the late 1920s. Boone was vice president and then president of the American League for Physical Culture. He renamed the group the “American Sunbathing Association” (ASA), and remained its leader for 2 years. He championed several legal battles for naturism, that helped expand naturism nationwide.
In 1980 Fred Bischoff a minister founded Paradise Lakes.9 Paradise Lakes Nudist Community Founded by Minister
'Paradise Lakes Nudist Community Founded by Minister' – How ironic, or would the term be hypocritical? Or… http://t.co/66mNUXh1
— All-Nudist (@All_Nudist) October 26, 2012
Quakers a Christian religious group have some members who included nudity as a part of their expression of Christian worship. Most quakers do not usually consider themselves naturists. Historically some quakers utilized nudity in protest similar to the Doukhobors.10 THOSE NAKED QUAKERS
Some naturist venues host Christian religious services and groups. In Virginia a church called White Tail Chapel, located at the White Tail Resort, invites everyone to come to his church naked. 11 Nude Church In Virginia, White Tail Chapel, Invites You To Bare More Than Your Naked Soul (NSFW) .Websites like Naturist Christians and Christian Naturist Village are online gathering spots on the Internet for Christians
External links
Stories of Christian Naturist Experiences
Saunas and Our Christian Belief
Nudism & Christianity
Freedom Resource Ministries
Experimental Theology
Jesus His Words and Nudity
Does The Bible Condone Nudism?
Missional Lutherans
Our Sun home
Blue Ridge Christian naturist
Boyd Allen Christian naturism
Fig Leaf Forum
http://www.christiannc.com/
Can a Christian be a nudist?
References
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- 5Dare, Robert :Food power and community – Essay in the history of food and drink 1999 page 156
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