When asked about naturism (also referred to as nudism), Christians often condemn it using biblical verses to back up their claims. Rarely has any Christian ever actually researched context clues and writing method of said verses. Below are the verses most commonly used in condemnation of social naturism followed by research of each based on context clues and knowledge of how the books were written.
- He drank of the wine and became drunk and lay uncovered in his tent. (Genesis 9:21)
- And you shall not go up by steps to my altar, that your nakedness be not exposed on it. (Exodus 20:26)
- And when Moses saw that the people had broken loose (for Aaron had let them break loose, to the derision of their enemies). (Exodus 32:25)
- For the Lord humbled Judah because of Ahaz king of Israel, for he had made Judah act sinfully and had been very unfaithful to the Lord. (2 Chronicles 28:19)
- Your nakedness shall be uncovered, and your disgrace shall be seen. I will take vengeance, and I will spare no one. (Isaiah 47:3)
- Therefore, O prostitute, hear the word of the Lord: Thus says the Lord God, Because your lust was poured out and your nakedness uncovered in your whorings with your lovers, and with all your abominable idols, and because of the blood of your children that you gave to them, …(Ezekiel 16:35-36)
- When Jesus had stepped out on land, there met him a man from the city who had demons. For a long time he had worn no clothes, and he had not lived in a house but among the tombs. (Luke 8:27)
- For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. (Revelation 3:17)
- (“Behold, I am coming like a thief! Blessed is the one who stays awake, keeping his garments on, that he may not go about naked and be seen exposed!”) (Revelation 16:15)
- And the ten horns that you saw, they and the beast will hate the prostitute. They will make her desolate and naked, and devour her flesh and burn her up with fire, (Revelation 17:16)
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Gen 9:21 refers to drunken nakedness, where a drunken man shouldn’t be able to maintain a social intent around a woman. Exodus 20:26 metaphorically refers to the self-righteousness that Adam and Eve were exposed to have in seeking to ‘become as God’. Exodus 32:25 refers to idolatrous practices such as pagan worship. Pagan religious practices often include orgiastic rituals. 2 Chronicles 28:19 does not explicitly refer to nudity of any kind. Isaiah 47:3 metaphorically refers to exposing Babylon for their self righteous practices. Ezekiel 16:35-36 refers to the act of prostitution, which is sinful in nature. Luke 8:27 refers to the poor man having no food water or shelter, thus needing some form of clothing to holster his weapon. The book of Revelations is written in metaphors, and “clothes” is used in the sense of people being clothed in Christ. Revelation 3:17 refers to self-righteousness. Revelation 16:15 refers to the sixth angel stealing from the poor. Revelation 17:16 refers to the prostitute.
Again, through research of context and writing method for each book, you will find that social nudism is not condemned by God. The only place in Scripture where social nudism is condemned is within Genesis — by Adam and Eve after they learned the Serpent lied to them. This is the only occurrence where social nudity is explicitly condemned. Social nudists are not proud. They are not self-righteous. After some time in a social naturist environment, it’s like you never wore clothing. Nudist/naturist women will tell you all the time, a social nudist environment is the ONLY place where men maintain eye contact with them.
[alert type=”red”]This article is the author’s opinion and does not reflect the views of Stagger’d.[/alert]
lbartley
Even the Genesis account of Adam and Eve does NOT condemn social nudity. First of all, there were no other people around, just one married couple so definitely not a “social” thing, and secondly, the purpose of God providing them animal skins was for protection of the harsh climate they were about to go out into since being kicked out of the Garden of Eden.
MarkPartin2000
Regarding Genesis. I have read those passages many times and have come to the conclusion that what God said is most important. All of the various translations I have seen have the same main question.
When God comes to the Garden and cannot find Adam and Eve because they were hiding, he calls out to them. Adam responds that he did not come out because he was naked and afraid. Then what God asks next is very important: “WHO told you that you were naked?” (my emphasis)
So, answer the question for yourself. Who else was in the Garden with Adam and Eve? So who told them that they were naked and that they should be ashamed of being naked? Who told them that they should be ashamed of God’s most beautiful creation? Who told them that merely looking at their own bodies was sinful?
Some may say that they figured it out after they ate the fruit, but God didn’t ask “So how did you figure out you were naked?” He asked “WHO told you?” I see that as a very important distinction, and the first rhetorical question in the Bible.
It’s true that the fruit of the tree gave them a higher consciousness and, therefore, the ability to think for themselves and choose what to do. And the first thing they did was turn on God and believe what the serpent told them. – that they were naked and they should be ashamed of being naked.
Of course, many will disagree. But that’s everyone’s right to do so. Ever since Eve plucked that fruit.
Shimbo
In my opinion, I believe social nudism is totally fine at specific areas or recreational places. You know, most of us don’t want to see someone else’s business (or do we?).
Anyway, I really don’t like to talk about religion because I am an atheist, however, I am going to say that The Bible (as well as other holy books) has been misread and misinterpreted for hundreds of years for good and evil. A bit off-topic, I know, but it is what it is. ^SZ