In a forum posting about finding a nudist church, a member named Linda asked: I wonder if nudism would be considered legal in a church setting what with the supposed freedom of religion and all?
A member named curt said he doubts it since being nude is not a real religion, not a tenet of an established religion. He also wonders if textile militants might cause trouble, leading to arrests and the taking away of children.
Here is the essence of my reply to both: 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.
I don't think the reference was to a "Church of Nudism," but to 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!
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of SocialCO Media, LLC or True NudistsA member named curt said he doubts it since being nude is not a real religion, not a tenet of an established religion. He also wonders if textile militants might cause trouble, leading to arrests and the taking away of children.
Here is the essence of my reply to both: 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.
I don't think the reference was to a "Church of Nudism," but to 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!