Naturism and Christian practice
Naturism and Christianity have long and complex history. Naturism is practiced by Christian naturists as an ascetic nudism.
Nudity and the Bible
The Christian sacred text (Bible) has depictions of nudity that may be interpreted differently. Author Jim Cunningham has written extensively about role of nudity in the Christian sacred text called the Bible. His book Nudity & Christianity is often cited by Christian naturists as the definitive interpretation of biblical nudity.
No matter what your religious persuasion is, all naturists believe the body is inherently decent,” … “I see the body as not only decent but in the image of God and the very temple of the Holy Spirit.1 Blind Catholic Author Uses Bible to Back up Nakedness in ‘Nudity & Christianity’
Early Christianity and nudity
Early Christians had diverse views of public nudity. It was not uncommon for men to work naked but nudity but public nudity by women was frowned on. Early Christian baptism including that of Jesus are believed to performed nude. 2Baptism and Nudity.
Christian sects
At least five groups in the history of Christianity, practiced a kind of ascetic nudism: The Christian sects Carpocrations, Adamites, Adamianis, Encratites, Aquarii and Marcosians, all practiced social nudity (nudity in public and private locations). 3 Encyclopedia of Social Deviance (pp.471-472) Chapter: Nudism
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? 4Early Christian Nudists
Modern scholarship and theological views on Christian nudity
Pope John II in his book Love and Responsibility wrote about the compatibility between simple nudity and the Roman Catholic Church’s teachings on modesty.
Unchanged:
Sexual modesty cannot then in any simple way be identified with the use of clothing, nor shamelessness with the absence of clothing and total or partial nakedness. There are circumstances in which nakedness is not immodest. .. Nakedness as such is not to be equated with physical shamelessness. Immodesty is present only when nakedness plays a negative role with regard to the value of the person … The human body is not in itself shamefu4 nor for the same reasons are sensual reactions, and human sensuality in general. Shamelessness (just like shame and modesty) is a function of the interior of a person.
modern Christian religious naturism
Christian naturists today come from all walks of life including clergy. There are a number of ministers and priests in the contemporary nudist movement. The modern nudist movement was largely organized by ordained religious leaders. These religious leaders used as their justification the many parts of the Judaic-Christian Bible which speak of accepting the human body without shame (such as references to those apostles who were fishermen, naked at their work).
- Reverend Bob Horrocks – Horrocks is an ordained Anglican member of the clergy, a practicing naturist and author of the book Uncovering the Image
- Ilsley Boone – 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.
- Fred Bischoff – In 1980 Bischoff a minister founded Paradise Lakes.5 Paradise Lakes Nudist Community Founded by Minister
Protestant naturism
Non-denominational services are the most common among Protestant Christian naturists. Several naturist resorts have chapels on their grounds that host regular worship services during the summer months. English:
In Virginia a church called White Tail Chapel, located at the White Tail Resort. The pastor Allan Parker, invites everyone to come to his church naked. 6 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. Annual Christian Nudist Convocations are held regionally in the United State and in the UK.
individual Christian religious naturism
A Christian expression of ascetic nudism has re-emerged in the Christian community.
A Christian evangelical couple, following the example of Old Testament prophets offer online video teachings naked as the Naked Apostles 7 The Naked Apostles
A christian naturist developed a Christian Naturist Manifesto following the format of the 95 theses of Martin Luther.8 The Personal Manifesto of a Christian Naturist
A person who goes by the online name mudwalker discusses Christianity, naturism and rewilding on his YouTube channel 9 Mudwalkers
Additional external resources
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?
see also: naked quakers; Doukhobors, Adamites
References
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- 3Encyclopedia of Social Deviance (pp.471-472) Chapter: Nudism
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