November 23, 2007
Christian Nudism
Christian nudism is a flourishing movement which has taken root in recent years. While there have always been nudists who were Christians, there are now many websites, groups, and even locations dedicated to the idea that Christianity is quite compatible with nudism. Of course the Bible has been interpreted through the ages to say what leaders at the time wanted it to say, and sometimes what were considered “Christian” principles were not actually biblical in origin at all. Many Christian nudists now point out that there is no commandment in the Bible that says it is wrong to be nude, in front of others, or otherwise. In fact, some of the mentions of “shame” in association with nudity in the Bible should be taken in cultural context. Nudity was more of a symbol of poverty or humility than immorality (with possible exception for things such as the Israelites-and-golden-calf episode). In fact, the association of immorality with nudity seems to have been made by medieval church leaders, who of course did many other things to supress people’s pusuit of happiness in life. American Christianity seems to have often associated nudity with immorality, with sexual meaning assumed, though this varies by religious sect and even region of the country.
Even the story of the Garden of Eden implies that nudity should be idealized as a part of a state of paradise.
Not many Christians know that there was an unusual Christian sect, the Adamites, that flourished in North Africa through the 4th century AD (with similar, later revivals in Europe) that practiced nudism. Perhaps it is the earliest known western case of nudism as a conscious movement to be nude.
Christian nudism helps the nudism as a whole, to maintain a non-sexual, disciplined, well-principled image. And whatever the future of Christian nudism, it’s sure to add some balance to some beliefs that had become biased with agenda-driven interpretations though the ages.
More to See
Christian naturism on Wikipedia - A great article that about covers it all.
The Naturist-Christians Organization
Fig Leaf Forum - “For Christian nudists and naturists”.
Christian Nudist… at Our Sun Home
Christian Nudist Convocation
Boyd Allen’s Christian Naturism
Christian Nudist Sites List
passionate about god and the truth. i have heard about adamites .i wish to know more and more of you all. i am excited not because of nudism but the godly way of living and adoring the way it pleases god.
There is only one blatantly stated commandment against nudity, and that is in the Old Testament, and commands not to approach the altar naked. Jewish purification customs stated that for forty days after a woman gave birth, she was unclean, and ritual baths were embedded in temple steps for the purpose of purification baths, meaning that people, for ritualistic purposes, bathed publicly, well into New Testament times.