Christianity and nudity....?

Question

Don't get me wrong, I am far from being a nudist, and if you knew what I looked like, you would know why.

Anyway, I know many Christians are opposed to nudity because it is "immoral". They don't like nude beaches, they don't like it in movies.

Now, assuming we mean pure nudity and NOT pornography (that is, nudity to incite lustful thoughts), wouldn't it seem like nudity, at least from a biblical standpoint, is a good thing?

After all, think abotu Adam and Eve. When they lived with just God, they were perfectly OK with being nude. However, when satan intervened, they became ashamed of their nakedness.

So doesn't it seem that being ashamed of nudity is a product of satan, and the way God wants us to be is open about our bodies?

Answer 1

I am a Christian, and feel that the human body is a beautiful gift from God in all its various shapes, forms and sizes. There is no shame in the nude human form. I don't have a problem with nudity or nudism, and never have.

Answer 2

The Christian rule of thumb about nudity is guided more by Romans 14 than other passages.

When Paul was penning 13 books of the New Testament, nudity was very common in the Roman empire and it is never condemned in the New Testament.

In fact, people exercised in the nude back then, and sporting events were conducted in the nude. Paul mentions "racing" several times as an example, and never wastes 5 words condemning the nudity that went hand-in-hand with it.

Paul talks about Timothy being circumcised and Titus not being circumcised and such a thing having an impact on their testimony with the Jews. Circumcision was big deal to Jews, it was a big deal to new Christians (Christianity started as a Jewish sect), because with the way they lived and interacted, they would be seeing each others' penises. This ocured, yet, it's never condemned.



Here's an answer that I wrote to someone who asked about modesty. The same principles apply:



Modesty standards depend a lot on your immediate social environment. The "modesty" passage in 2 Timothy 2 is actually referring to ostentaciousness in the context, not sensuality in dressing.

I am a naturist. So when I am able, I prefer not to wear anything. However, I'm smart enough to figure out that this isn't always exceptable depending on who I'm around.

If I go to a church where women wear only skirts and dresses, I comply, and I use common sense. I don't find the tightest dress I can, nor do I choose one with a slit all the way up to my butt, etc...

Some of my missionary friends in Africa relate to me that our modesty standards don't really work over there.

When the Bible was written, public nudity was common place. It was socially exceptable. Paul even had Timothy circumcised so others wouldn't ridicule him for being half Greek. How would they know? Exercise in the gymnasiums was conducted in the nude. Public baths were in the nude. Races were in the nude, thus the gist of Heb. 12:1.

All this being said, nudity is not culturally excepted in the U. S. but it is in other places. I don't recommend flaunting your own personal beliefs and making a statement with how you look in front of people who don't want to see it. I believe in common sense conformity as long as it doesn't violate your own conscience or cause someone else to stumble.

Setting rules for clothing is legalistic and will effectively inoculate Christians from serving Christ in Spirit and in Truth. They'll start to try to prove how holy they are by how much better they follow the rules than the next person.

I used to go to a church where there were set standards for clothing. I used to have all sorts of "scripture" to back it up too. Thank God that he has taught me those scriptures more clearly now, and has gotten me out of that cult.

I recommend applying the principles of Romans 14 to the clothing issue.

Answer 3

When Adam and Eve sinned, that's when "hell" seemed to break lose. That's when supposedly sin was created. All the animals started killing each other, Adam and Eve were ashamed of their nudity, and they started eating animals too. So I guess, nudity would just be a thing of sin.



However, I am not a Christian, and don't find nudity immoral. At times, I may find it disgusting or trashy. But most of the time, I find the human body beautiful not shameful.

Answer 4

There is nothing wrong with nudity. The problem I think most Christians have is the lust that is associated with nudity. If people could walk around without clothing and not lust after one another than it would be fine. But movies that portray nudity those are for a sexual purpose and therefore considered immoral.

Answer 5

We are not opposed to nudity. It is the problems of lust that usually come with being naked. Anyway, there are nudist Christians you know.



This day in age it would be hard(no pun intended) to seperate sexuality from nakedness. But being 'nude' is not a sin or immoral, if it were we couldn't even take a bath or have sex with our wives, you get the idea.

Answer 6

I agree that there is nothing wrong with being nude as pointed out by yourself and many others that is how GOD intented things from the beginning of creation. So there is nothing wrong with it on a personal bases. The thing that people have a problem with is when people express their own personnel beliefs in a way that others are uncomfortable with. For example: Bob Arctor is walking to the mailbox nude lol his neighbors may have a problem with that. So out of respect to others and their beliefs you should keep your nudity to yourself or within a community that have the same beliefs as your own. Who knows maybe someday when wickedness is removed and things are returned to GOD's original plan we may all be nude and not have a problem with it.

Answer 7

I think the big taboo came when nudity and sexuality became interchangable words. (they're not, they have different definitions, but in some people's minds those words can be used interchangably). What began as a prohibition against sexuality outside of procreation became generalised to a prohibition against nudity outside of procreation.



I would actually take Satan out of the equation - it's the belief that nudity should be shameful that has made it so. When people accept that belief, they make it so.

Answer 8

yes, before the evil one took over and perverted our minds nudity was a good thing. It is no longer the case. Being ashamed is now our natural state.



and by the way, what kind of nudity doesn't incite lust? Some minds are so perverted these days that even and ankle, a wrist or a knee incites lust. Where in this world would a woman be able to walk around naked and not have men lusting? I think you're underestimating the evil in this world.

Answer 9

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Answer 10

"Judge not, lest ye be judged yourself" -- Jesus (Matt 7:1)



I'm a Christian, but I'm also a nudist. So coming from both sides if I had to dissect this as simply as possible I would start with that quote.



Those who judge, feel judged. And Christians (admittedly) are some of the most judgmental people around. Which would lead to to explain why most Christians have a real issue with their own nudity and with nudity in general.



Indeed the Bible has nothing to say for or against non-sexual nudity (trust me, I've looked again and again). Modesty, sure, but modesty relative. If everybody is clothed, you are vainl for being naked. If everybody is naked, you are vain for wearing clothes. "Modesty" simply means not drawing attention to one's self.



It is easy to judge something than to accept it. To accept something you have to unwrap it, and try to understand it, to get to know it. It is a lot easier to just point a finger and say "that's wrong, that's immoral" while hiding safely behind a wall of judgement.



Remember the pharisees? They were good at judging.



Remember Jesus? He was good at being judged.....by them.



If Jesus existed in this century, he would have been a hippie. And ironically the Christians would have pointed their fingers and judged him too. ;)



So to answer your question.....it goes beyond simple nudity. God wants us to embrace His grace, to live free in His spirit. (Romans 6, Galatians 5)



We are not our clothes, we are not our bodies, we are God's creation, beautiful and perfect in His eyes (just not eachothers' ).

Answer 11

Sorry, but Satan had little to do with Adam and Eve being ashamed, as God created the tree of knowledge of good and evil. Satan had nothing to do with defining what was evil (i.e. creating evil), nor did he create the tree.



Consider that both God and Adam and Eve were ok with nudity which apparently was evil before they ate the fruit but afterwards they weren't. However, they also had no clue that disobeying was wrong either, and yet they were punished for it.

Answer 12

All shame, guilt, lust, etc are a product of satan. Adam and eve had no reason to be ashamed. Until, the fall.





I know that we are told that we will receive a robe that is pure white, so I would say the nudity is over.

Answer 13

I tried to tell my roommate I have no problem with her walking around nude if she wants. I don't really see the difference between doing that and walking around in a t-shirt and panties. How is that much more modest than just being nude?

Answer 14

Excellent point... we struggle against all other consequences of the original sin: sickness, our fall from grace, fellowship with God, etc. Shame about our bodies, if it is a consequence of original sin, should not be accepted as our "normal" state. It should, like all other consequences of sin, be something against which we struggle until we find perfection in Christ.

Answer 15

If we are bothered by it, we shouldn't do it. For those who are not bothered by it, then they might want to. The laws of the land are ample on this, at least here in the US, so I am not worried about nude or not nude. It's not even an issue with me.

Answer 16

but then again, they weren't ashamed because they didn't know they were naked...





personally, I agree with you. As long as it's not obscene or pornographic, I don't have a problem with nudity. (unless of course it's a really hairy guy or my mother. I never wish to see either)



lost.eu/21618

Answer 17

There is no sin being nude in my opinion. If being nude fuels you to sin, then it should be avoided.



I am a very strong Christian and I see beauty in the nude human form.



But for most people nudity will remain taboo because society has made it that way.

Answer 18

your premise is well stated and the fact is that we were created to be without clothing, so the ones who are offended are offended, and you cant change that.



clothing is the sin covering for our bodies, a rememberance of having disobeyed God.



in the same way animals are unclothed, we were intended to be.



good question! a star for you

Answer 19

There's nothing wrong with nudity in it's original pure form. However, most civilizations today are too uncivilized for it. Most of our minds have become too polluted.

Answer 20

I don't know. It's pretty rare that guys can look at nudity without it invoking lustful thoughts. Males are visually stimulated.

Answer 21

Genesis Chapter 3

7And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and THEY sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.



21Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them



also provides the obvious contrast between MANKIND'S futile attempt at covering their own sin, and GOD providing a blood sacrifice to to cover their sin.....

Answer 22

I think the human body is actually beautiful and should be embraced but I was raised that way. I was always taught that the human body is nothing to be ashamed of.

Answer 23

"Anyway, I know many Christians are opposed to nudity because it is "immoral". ...

My Answer, they've never been there... some of those bodies need to stay clothed and would not get a monk aroused!

Answer 24

If she's hot, regular nudity will inspire lustful thoughts - or at least that's my goal when I'm looking at it.

Answer 25

G O D gave them coats of skins....satan TOLD them they were naked.....



Dont confuse modesty and chastity with shame

Answer 26

For shame! Yea shall hide the naughty bits - for they are unclean and rather naughty!

Answer 27

It's mostly an American phenomenon, not a Christian one.



Blame the soccer moms, imo

Answer 28

I understand where you are coming from...gulp...but I have a few neighbors across the way that are painful to see at present...I don't want to see any more!!!!

Answer 29

If nudity is so wrong and immoral, why are we born naked?

Answer 30

Darn right! Damn be Satan! I denounce Satan now and walk naked to get the mail!

Answer 31

I thought you'd never ask. Yes, I want to see you nekkid!

Answer 32

agreed

we were born naked

adam and eve were naked

Answer 33

no



A man and a women can be naked and have no shame but not unmarried people

Answer 34

sure with all the phycotic nuts and perverts running around lets all strip naked

Answer 35

no