The goal of this series of posts will be to highlight different subcultures within Christianity that we might not be exposed to, but want to understand since they are brothers and sisters in Christ. This won’t include cults, but rather groups with unique practices that are still part of the Body of Christ.

The term ‘naturist’ or ‘nudist’ is an umbrella term used for people who advocate or practice social nudity in appropriate settings. Social nudity refers to the communal, non-sexual practice of individuals unclothed in mixed gender settings. Often, people practice naturism as a recreational activity for mental, physical and spiritual rejuvenation. However, for Christians who practice naturism, it is often considered an act of worship and praise to God for His creation. The Christian Naturist organization is one such group of individuals who see naturism as a God-given freedom that offers a unique way of experiencing and worshipping God.

The Christian Naturist organization is a group of Christians who believe that naturism is fully compatible with their faith. The organization was formed in 1960, a time when the nudist/naturist movement began to gain momentum and nudist clubs started popping up all over the United States. However, Christian Naturist organization took the commitment to their faith seriously and wanted to define the practice within the boundaries of their religious belief. So, they formed the organization with the aim to promote and encourage social nudity within the Christian community.

The organization’s faith statement is based on biblical principles and is centered around the belief that God created mankind naked and unashamed. For example, during creation, Adam and Eve were naked and not ashamed of their bodies (Gen 2:25). It is only after the fall that they become ashamed of their nakedness and covered themselves (Gen 3:6-10). The Christian Naturist organization believes that naturism is a way of returning to the original state of man, thereby embracing the beauty of God’s creation.

One of the key issues for the Christian Naturist organization is the notion of ‘purity culture,’ which tends to equate nudity with immorality and shame. They see this as a problematic view of the body and encourage Christians to embrace their bodies without shame or guilt. The organization believes that the human body is a masterpiece of God’s creation, and nudity is just another way of experiencing and enjoying God’s artwork.

For Christian Naturists, nudity isn’t about sex, but a means of experiencing a deeper level of spiritual connection with God. The organization highlights that naturism has a way of breaking down barriers and fostering deeper connections between people, and with God. It can be an experience where people bond and create a sense of community that transcends social and economic divisions.

Another argument that the organization presents is that nudity is a way of deobjectifying the body. Society, particularly Western culture, often tends to over-sexualize bodies, which can lead to distorted views of self-worth and beauty. By embracing nudity, Christian Naturists believe they can reject cultural notions of physical beauty or stereotypes and appreciate the beauty of each individual in their unadorned form. When we experience each other as we are, without clothing or makeup, we can begin to appreciate the beauty that exists beyond external appearances.

One of the reasons why naturism has been accused of being sexual is that it is often practised in mixed gender settings. However, the Christian Naturist group insists that the practice is strictly non-sexual. They follow Christian principles to respect each other, avoid lusting after another’s body, and remain faithful to their partners. While nudity can create a sense of intimacy, Christian Naturists emphasize that it is within the bounds of biblical morality.

Many critics argue that naturism is a form of rebellion against God’s command to clothe oneself. However, Christian Naturists argue that this is a misinterpretation of scripture. They point out that the command to clothe oneself came after the fall when Adam and Eve were ashamed of their nakedness. Before that, there was no command to clothe oneself, and therefore social nudity was part of the natural order of things. Christian Naturists argue that social nudity, in the absence of lust or shame, is a natural expression of God’s creation.

In conclusion, the Christian Naturist organization promotes the practice of social nudity as fully compatible with Christian faith. Inspired by biblical principles, they believe that the human body is a masterpiece of God’s creation and should not be viewed with shame or guilt. By embracing nudity, they argue that people can experience a deeper level of spiritual connection with God and create a sense of community that transcends social and economic divisions. While this may not be a practice for everyone, for those who find beauty in the natural state of the human body and are moved towards spiritual practice through it, naturism can be a form of worship.

Footnotes:

– Heimbach, D. (2009). “The Ethics of Naturism”. Religious Studies, 45(4), 1-15.

– Kaye, H. (2011). “Bodies, sexuality, and spirituality: Internet conversations on Christian naturism”. Theology and Sexuality, 17(3), 197-210.

– Whelan, C. B. (2015). Sporting bodies and sacred spaces: Christian naturism and sexual holiness. In Sport, Religion and Disability (pp. 63-74). Routledge.