My creator says that everything he made is good -- my body is something he made -- my body is good.
Further, in case there was any question, he says specifically that my body was fearfully and wonderfully made.
He also says that my body is the temple of his set-apart spirit.
If I cover my body because it is shameful, disgusting, indecent, bad, disgraceful, deplorable, despicable, contemptible, dishonorable, discreditable, reprehensible, base, ignoble, shabby, inglorious, shocking, scandalous, abominable, atrocious, appalling, vile, odious, monstrous, heinous, unspeakable, loathsome, sordid, or wicked, then I'm spitting in my creator's face.
By being comfortable in my body and in my skin, I'm acknowledging the beauty and appropriateness of his work.
It is interesting to note that only three people in the Bible get into trouble with regard to nudity -- despite the large number of nude people who are mentioned in the Bible. What's even more interesting is that no one ever got into trouble for being nude.
Wait! Why about the three people you just mentioned. Oh, they were not nude. Rather, they each had a problem with nudity. Nude people don't get into trouble for being nude in the Bible -- not once. But people who have a problem with nudity do.
Here they are:
The Arc of the Covenant was brought back to Jerusalem. King David was so excited about it that he was dancing, jumping, and spinning around in front of the Arc as it was being brought through the city back to the Temple. All he was wearing was a linen ephod. Even if he'd be standing still, it would not have covered much -- it was just a slightly long vest. The streets were lined with people who wanted to see the Arc as it was carried through town. They all also got to see King David's cock and balls flopping around as he was jumping, dancing, and twirling.
He wife didn't like it and chastised him for it when he returned to the Royal Palace. She got into trouble, not him.
***
The other Arc.
Shortly after the arc that Noah and his sons built came to a rest, Noah planted a vineyard. In due time (some number of years later), Noah harvested the grapes and made wine. He got passed out drunk on the wine and was sleeping it off nude in his tent. If a man can't be nude in his own tent, then where can he be nude. Noah's son Ham found him that way and ran to tell him brothers about it, "Oh, man, you gotta see dad passed out drunk and nude in his tent."
Noah doesn't get into trouble for being drunk, passed out, or nude. But his son gets into trouble for making a big deal about it.
***
Bathsheba, whose house was right next to the Palace, took a bath on the roof of her house. May seem odd to us, but it was common then. My guess is that the heat of the sun would warm the water. And everyone had flat roofed houses. David has a zillion wives, but he pops a boner watching Bathsheba take a bath. Orders her to be brought to his chamber where he has sex with the and gets her pregnant.
But, think about it guys, she was out there taking a bath in plain sight of the palace windows. Certainly, it must be her fault. David can hardly be blamed for being a man. Nonetheless, David gets into trouble; not Bathsheba.
~~~
The odd thing is that the more someone claims to follow the Bible, the more likely it is that they consider nudity to be sinful. But there's a huge difference between actually following the Bible and merely claiming to do so.
Replies
- RA
Jul 19, 2021I think youre both right.
Having said that, I think the church has done more to harm both people and the Faith, more than scriptures ever did. People feel the need, even in modern times to pervert the Word of God to mean whatever they want it to mean.
When I was in college a local Christian school was offered a pool and all from a local construction company that was willing to donate the materials and work. The school declined citing scripture where it was unbiblical for men and women to swim at the same pool. All these years later and I still havent found that in my own Bible.
And lets not even cite the decades of abuse and murder that is only now coming to light in the Residential Schools across Canada that were operated by the Catholic Church.
Shame and guilt arent things were really born with, its taught.
As an adult I still havent figured out why, nor have I figured out why the church is so desperate to shame and guilt people.
Seems like if it has to due with a naked human body, sexual or not, its evil.
Trust me Ive been told many times that I cannot have both Faith and be a nudist at the same time.
I simply thank these people for their kind words of harsh judgement.
Anyway thats my 2 cents worth.
CheersReactReply - CA
Jul 24, 2021I am really impressed with these thoughts on nudity and spirituality. a week ago I was having coffee with my pastor as to whether my going to a nude beach was a sin. I explained that it wasn't about sex but the wonderful experience of being free, honest with myself, and enjoying the sun, breeze, and water on my bare skin. His response was no, although for him he himself would have a problem with lust so that would be the sin. My wife is very much afraid of this freedom and I believe it is from the same source and that how could it not be lustful. She is accepting of me and I pray she can have the confidence in herself to move forward and and join me clothed to actually see what it is and hopefully free herself. Thank you for this discussion.
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