nudist church

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• TH

  

  Thomas

  Aug 17, 2009

  I have never been to a nudist church but would be interested.  There is a christian nudist group on here that may interest you.
  Thomas

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• GA

  

  gabareOriginal Poster

  Oct 16, 2009

  seeems like the church i read about no one can find it has a address but apparently someone checked it out and it wasn't there, to good to be true.

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• MI

  

  Miss_Linda

  Oct 16, 2009

  I wonder if nudism would be considered legal in a church setting what with the supposed freedom of religion and all?

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• CO

  

  Curt, or Cowboy

  Oct 16, 2009

  I doubt it.
  Constitutionally, in this country, it can't be "illegal" if it's a real tenet of an established religion, but I'm sure someone would claim "legally" that it's not a "real" religion, so.....
  "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof;"
  However, Congress has made many laws respecting religion and restricting or prohibiting the practice thereof, so the Constitution can't be counted on anyway.
  I suppose Occult witchcraft would come closest of recognized religious beliefs, though I've heard rumors of Wiccan "sky clad" rituals.
  I'm pretty sure some militant textile would find some way to bring it to court, after having everyone arrested, their children taken away, and so forth.
  Cynical ? Me ?
  On the other hand, I have attended a generic religious gathering at a resort, but that's a different thing.

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• GE

  

  Gerry-4

  Oct 16, 2009

  [quote]Linda asked: I wonder if nudism would be considered legal in a church setting what with the supposed freedom of religion and all?[/quote]  My reply: A church may make whatever rules it likes as long as they don't contravene local laws. It shouldn't be any different than for a resort, really. I don't know how it works in the U.S., but in Canada, the rule is that one is not supposed to be nude in a public place (whatever that may mean), nor in a private place exposed to public view. Therefore, is the church a private place, even if anyone from the public may enter? Given that strip clubs and the like exist, and they allow any paying customer to enter, an argument could be made that the church is a private place, and if all the curtains are closed, no one inside should be exposed to public view. It probably depends on how things work in different areas.

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• GE

  

  Gerry-4

  Oct 16, 2009

  [quote]curt said: I doubt it. Constitutionally, in this country, it can't be "illegal" if it's a real tenet of an established religion, but I'm sure someone would claim "legally" that it's not a "real" religion, so..... "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof;"  However, Congress has made many laws respecting religion and restricting or prohibiting the practice thereof, so the Constitution can't be counted on anyway.  I suppose Occult witchcraft would come closest of recognized religious beliefs, though I've heard rumors of Wiccan "sky clad" rituals.  I'm pretty sure some militant textile would find some way to bring it to court, after having everyone arrested, their children taken away, and so forth. Cynical ? Me ? On the other hand, I have attended a generic religious gathering at a resort, but that's a different thing.[/quote]  My reply: I don't think the reference was to a "Church of Nudism," but a "Nudist Church." In other words, it could be a Nudist Christian Church, in which case there would be readings of Christian texts. In the U.S.A., where Christianity is as American as apple pie, they would have a leg to stand on. Now, if a breakaway Muslim group decided to worship nude in a Mosque, they might risk more retribution from fellow Muslims than from the rest of us, if only because the mainstream Muslims have enough trouble being taken seriously anyway given the post-9/11 climate. As for militant anti-nudists causing trouble, sure, it could happen, but you don't need a church for that!

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• CO

  

  Curt, or Cowboy

  Oct 16, 2009

  [quote]I don't think the reference was to a "Church of Nudism," but a "Nudist Church." In other words, it could be a Nudist Christian Church, in which case there would be readings of Christian texts. In the U.S.A., where Christianity is as American as apple pie, they would have a leg to stand on. [/quote] You see, since nudism is not a tenet of Christianity, there might not be a leg. It could be argued that many ( most ? ) of the conventional Christian churches today, say nudism equates to sex, and is therefor a bad thing, so claiming a Christian standing could easily work against, rather than for. With the whole "God hates genitals" attitude in some circles, I have my doubts. It's an interesting question to ponder, though.

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• CA

  

  catbird

  Oct 16, 2009

  For anyone visiting this thread, there are 2 groups that might interest you.  There is a Christian nudist group and also a Christian naturist group.

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• TH

  

  Thomas

  Oct 17, 2009

  [quote]I wonder if nudism would be considered legal in a church setting what with the supposed freedom of religion and all?[/quote]    The laws on nudity were not written to restrict religion I would think.  It is further complicated by the fact that most laws limiting nudity are state laws not federal laws.  When I first saw this thread I did a search on nude churches and found one in Texas.  I checked their website and by the way they say they do things it would not be against Texas law.  If the church really exists, I don't know since I haven't been there. Thomas

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• ST

  

  Steve

  Oct 18, 2009

  Wiccans do sometimes practice "skyclad" but are - at least in the US - not given a religious pass on the public nudity laws; they need to be somewhere out of view, in accordance with state law.  In a church building or rented hall, all that's really needed is an usher at the door  - clothed! - to cue people that there's a naked event inside, or - if there's an attendee list (as there would be at a private wedding - this isn't just a procedure for nudists) - simply that there's a private event inside.  Voila - you're not publicly nude.  Might be a different story in Europe where you can't exclude people from wandering into many churches considered to be cultural sites.

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• MI

  

  Miss_Linda

  Dec 16, 2009

  [quote]has anyone been to a nudist church, i was searching internet and typed in nudist church and a few popped up, i don't mean a chapel at a nudist resort but a actually church near main street usa or elsewhere in the world. one i read about in texas you enter the church and they have a area where you disrobe and than enter the chapel nude, it  amazed me it was a good size baptist church. i wonder how i would feel being nude in a chapel and everyone including the pastor being nude. when i hike nude i always feel a religious connection. i think this would be inspiring. if they had one in my area i think i would be willing to visit.[/quote]    Maybe you could start a nudist church and be it's first defrocked priest?

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• TH

  

  Thomas

  Dec 18, 2009

  [quote]As a person who was once a licensed evangelist, and having done a start up and charter of a church it's really easy.  Most Christian churches are atonomous, meaning they don't have register with another "Christian" church to have validity.  If a group of people write a Charter, bylaws, and a mission statement and register it, you can begin a church. You don't need approval to do it.  Personally, I think it's already so difficult to find a group of nudists to agree on anything, let alone share the same religious beliefs.  This idea sounds appealing to me.  The only reason I don't preach anymore is because I lost my license due to me being a nudist.  To be able to have a venue where I could worship and preach while being nude at the same time, is extremely appealing.[/quote]  I agree lookn, and if there was one close to me, I would offer my services.  I create the screens for projecting the words to songs and prayers for a local church as well as run the sound system for their services including their praise band.

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• NA

  

  NakedBadger

  Dec 18, 2009

  Linda wrote: Maybe you could start a nudist church and be it's first defrocked priest? And Lookn4 sun wrote, "The only reason I don't preach anymore is because I lost my license due to me being a nudist.  To be able to have a venue where I could worship and preach while being nude at the same time, is extremely appealing." Actually, there are a couple of other forums that deal with this:  "Christian Naturist Village," to which I've also posted a bit, and another Christian naturist group:  another person who's committed to these groups is also a member here, I believe. There's a long and rather tawdry history of Christians who want the opportunity to be naked at worship:  back to the time of the Reformation, and even into the earlier middle ages.  Seems like there have always been Christians who have wanted to get naked, and there have always been other Christians who have wanted to beat them (us?) up for taking their (our!) clothes off.  But these groups at least offer a venue for Christians who are naturists/naturists(nudists) who are Christians to get together for worship, for communion, for conversation, for Bible study.  It's not a matter of common confessional identity or anything; there are Catholics who are nudists and nudists who are Catholics, and the same holda for Baptists.  But hey:  it's prayer and praise, supplication and adoration; and we're doing it and we're wearing nothing at the time:  In this world, can one ask for more? TheNAKED BADGERprays naked.

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• CA

  

  catbird

  Dec 19, 2009

  There is CNC (Christian Nudist Convocation).  And it was founded by one of us True Nudists.

  Last summer I was at a weekend gathering of CNC at Avalon nudist resort.  I found it to be spiritually uplifting and a friendly group of people.  During the gathering, I was nude the entire time.  Sunday morning, we had a church worship service with a sermon, guitar accompanied singing.  All those leading worship were nude.  I found that I can worship and be nude.  It was inspirational.

  For more information, message boydallen.  Boyd would be glad to hear from you, and he would send you literature if you give your street and city address.

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• NA

  

  NakedBadger

  Dec 19, 2009

  Catbird wrote, [quote]There is CNC (Christian Nudist Convocation).  And it was founded by one of us True Nudists. Last summer I was at a weekend gathering of CNC at Avalon nudist resort.  I found it to be spiritually uplifting and a friendly group of people.  During the gathering, I was nude the entire time.  Sunday morning, we had a church worship service with a sermon, guitar accompanied singing.  All those leading worship were nude.  I found that I can worship and be nude.  It was inspirational. [/quote]  This is the event I was referring to earlier.  I'd like to go to this next summer:  I will if it works into the summer schedule.  I've also worshipped while naked at White Tail Resort in Ivor, VA:  there's a chapel there with weekly Protestant services. TheNaked Badgerprays naked

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• CA

  

  catbird

  Dec 19, 2009

  [quote] [quote] [/quote]TheNaked Badgerprays naked[/quote] So do I sometimes pray naked.  Whether I am clothed or naked, I can pray.  This time of year I have tried praying naked, but I then put on clothes for warmth.  The Holy Spirit doesn't come if I am shivering.

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• JS

  

  Jack Seay

  Apr 12, 2013

  First define "church". I can think of no justification for calling any building a church. A church is an assembly of believers, and even if they assemble in a building, it doesn't make that building a church. Buildings require a lot of money that could be used to help those truly in need. Buildings require asserting power over people and their money. This has been the bane of Christianity for hundreds of years. Get rid of the buildings and you get rid of the problems they cause. That doesn't mean destroy them, just avoid them. If everyone quit going to them and quit paying for their upkeep, they would find better uses; such as warehouses and office buildings, and schools (although even schools can meet in houses or the Internet).
  An assembly of believers also requires no more than 2 people to be an assembly. And as far as God being "in the midst of them", consider that God is everywhere all the time, but most especially inside every believer all the time. Get your terminology straightened out and it will prevent a lot of wasted words.
  If you want a place to start learning about house churches, take a look at Pagan Christianity and Reimagining Church by Frank Viola.

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• BC

  

  Benjamin Chartier

  Feb 10, 2016

  A careful reading of the Genesis narrative reveals that shame over nudity came about as a result of sin, that it wasn't God's intent for man to be ashamed with our bodies at all. What alot of people don't know is that there have been nudist churches on and off through the church age,from the early Roman era through middle ages and the reformation.

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