Aren't Christianity and Nudism/Naturism completely at odds with each other? Isn't the term 'Christian Nudist' an oxymoron?

Why should they be?

Christianity is following the teachings of Jesus Christ. When someone in Jesus' time asked what was really important, Jesus, the very founder of Christianity, answered to love God and to love each other. He also said that the rest of scripture (the Law and Prophets) hung on these two things. (See Matthew 22:35-40 for the full account.)

Search as you might, and you will not find anywhere that Jesus taught we have to wear clothing. In fact, as part of the Godhead, Jesus had a hand in putting Adam and Eve here 'naked and unashamed' (see Genesis chapter 2 and 3). It's significant to note that when God replaced Adam's and Eve's fig leaves with substantial, durable clothing, He never told them they had to wear them all the time!

Nudism is the practice of going without clothing for reasons of comfort and practicality, coupled with the belief that there is nothing inherently shameful about the human body. Naturism is nudism practiced in natural, outdoor settings, often coupled with physical activities such as swimming, hiking, or non-contact sports such as volleyball, horseshoes, etc.

You can eat tomatoes and you can ride bicycles. The two activities are not mutually exclusive. In fact, one can enhance the other - eating tomatoes is healthy, and good health can help make bicycle riding more enjoyable. Bicycle riding can improve a person's appetite, perhaps resulting in more tomatoes being eaten.

Similarly, enjoying nature the way God designed us to live (naked and unashamed) can most definitely draw us closer to our Creator. Being in close fellowship with our creator God will help us to appreciate the wonderful bodies He has gifted us with.

True Christianity and true nudism definitely complement each other. It's sad that serious misconceptions have crept in over time. Many Christians assume nudists engage in immoral behavior, and many nudists believe Christianity is about following arcane rules. Both are incredibly wrong!

Jesus came so we could have abundant life (John 10:10-11). By accepting his sacrificial death on the cross, we receive forgiveness for all our sin! How liberating is that!? All we have to do is deliberately accept His forgiveness, and we'll never have to worry about standing before God and being judged for all our wrongdoings. If we truly accept Jesus' forgiveness and follow his teachings to love God and each other, we won't want to do wrong any more! (Sure, we'll slip up and make mistakes, but we have forgiveness!).

Jesus never commanded us to wear clothes all the time, but He did teach that we shouldn't knowingly offend people (Matthew 18:6-7). In the 'civilized world', a great many people, Christian and non-Christian alike, are offended by simple nudity (to a greater or lesser degree, depending on the culture). So you probably won't find a dedicated Christian jogging nude through your neighborhood, or shopping nude at Wal Mart.

But since nudists aren't offended by nudity, you probably do have some real Christians frequenting your local nudist resort or established nude beach.

(I say real Christians to distinguish them from those who call themselves Christians without following Jesus Christ's teachings. In His day, Jesus had harsh words for those of the religious establishment who cared more for burdensome human traditions than God's actual commands (Matthew 23:23).)

Ironically, I have found from personal experience that true Christians and most nudists are the most friendly, open people I have met. Both groups highly value other people (even if they've just met), and both groups have nothing to hide. Both groups tend to be generous and caring.

It's tragic that through gross misconception, both groups are often antagonistic toward each other. If each group really understood what the other was about, it would be a 'match made in Heaven'.

Keep in mind that mainstream 'modern' society as a whole is not generally very cordial toward nudism. It shouldn't be such a total surprise that mainstream Christianity isn't either. Fortunately, you can enjoy all the benefits and be a Christian nudist yourself, whether the mainstreams of these groups ever come together or not.

I am!

The Naturist Christian Website is a good place to meet with real Christian Naturists

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