Christian Naturists
Christian Naturists is a group for those who put Jesus Christ as first and foremost in their life.
- created by Former User
Does your church know that you are a nudist?
Return to DiscussionsMy denomination is very conservative, but the people and local Pastors in general adhere to traditional Lurtheran beliefs of Grace and tolernance. Taking a biblical position we are to do in Rome as the romans do, that all things are lawful, but not all expedient and so often conflicted to admit being nudists and Christians.
What say you? How do you deal with it?
My pastor (priest) know that we are nudist. Got remarried ( lost my wife of 38 years about two years ago) last April by our priest and he asked where we met. So I told him that we met on nudistfriends.com and he has no problem with us being nudst as long as we don't bring scandel into the church, Probably most church members don't know but some probably do for we have a club sticker on our car window.
My pastor (priest) know that we are nudist. ... he has no problem with us being nudst as long as we don't bring scandel into the church, Probably most church members don't know but some probably do for we have a club sticker on our car window.
Nudrus, 'hard to believe it has already been two years, but it looks like God has blessed you with another fine woman for the next segment of your life. I am not at all surprised at your priest's response particularly after the writings and preachings of the late Pope John Paul II on the subject of simple nudity. I have not heard what the current Pope has to say on the topic, however, I have heard that he is essentially a carbon copy of John Paul.
BTW, I was elated that Pope Benedict put Nancy Pelosi in her place yesterday. The Vatican released the statement, "His Holiness took the opportunity to speak of the requirements of the natural moral law and the Church's consistent teaching on the dignity of human life from conception to natural death which enjoins all Catholics, and especially legislators, jurists and those responsible for the common good of society, to work in cooperation with all men and women of good will in creating a just system of laws capable of protecting human life at all stages of its development," The Pope would not allow any photos to be taken, lest they be used out of context to imply that he was supporting Pelosi's pro-abortion stance.
I belong to 2 Church's one in Michigan & one in Texas. I'm on a leadership board in both.
In TX I have not told anyone that I am a nudist. They are way more conservative here than up north. It is possible they could find me on the nude beach a few miles from here on South Padre Island. That could be a problem for me. In Michigan a few of my friends in church know that I like to go to Turtle Lake Resort. I have never had a discouraging word from anyone about it. While at Turtle Lake I have sat in the hot tube with 2 ministers of the same denomination that I am.
I don't think God cares if I like to be nude. It's not what you wear on the outside it's what what you feel on the inside that counts.
Sholom
Rickpat
Personally, I have a feeling that, come the Judgement Seat of Christ (wherein our works will be judged) a lot of people will be beet-red with embarrassment.... and it won't be about nakedness (their own, or rather the lack thereof), but because of the utterly terrible way they treated others when they found out those others were nudists.
I have not long been a naturalist and have only been naked here at home and at a friend's place (who is also a naturalist). I am slowly becoming more confident with my decision, but it is a slow process. I wouldn't dream of telling anyone at my current church because if you don't fit into the little box they want to put everyone in, then you are shunned. I am currently in the process of church-hunting and would love to find one that accepts me for who I am.
The thing to look for in a church is whether they emphasize a set of rules or a relationship with The Lord. God loves you as you are, unconditionally, as a free gift. But still I would be careful about whether to tell them that you are a nudist.
Good question and my answer is, "No they don't unfortunately." It's a shame but that's the way it is at the moment. I don't think many of them would be too upset, but don't feel it's worth upsetting even 1 or 2 just to tell more about my own lifestyle. If it becomes important then I trust that I would be honest and open about it all. However, there are more important things to focus on for now. If any Christian naturists want to discuss this more with me, please feel free, as I am interested in others' views. It's just not something it feels right to bring up at Church at the moment, that's all.
It boils down to that most church members are like the population in general. They believe that nudity = sex. Hence they think think of the commandment, "Thou shalt not commit adultery." This is true even in the liberal mainline denominations. It is for this reason that I have not told my fellow parishioners.
In other words, they have not been enlightened, like we have been. Nudity does not equal sex. In fact, nudity can be worshipful, feeling the sun and breeze on your bare skin..
Having read through this entire thread, I'm forced to wonder...
Why ?
Although I know of no passage anywhere in The Bible, doctrin, or even dogma, that dictates what a man is to wear, or not wear, or whether to wear anything at all, ( and I may be in error on that ) I see no need to put it in the church buliten anymore than whether one wears a yellow shirt, or green pants, or polka dotted under wear, or what was had for lunch last Tuesday.
I can think of no reason whatever that the church, the congregation, or a pastor would need to know UNLESS it may affect church business.
To me, it's no different than shedding social adornments. The membership at your local nudist club need not know what you do for a living, what you had for dinner, whether your textiles are polyester or silk, or where or if you attend service. Why then is there any question of whether to volunteer information to your church that is not asked, and may very well be disruptive ? Why jeapordize whatever opportunity you might have had to do good work by disclosing information unnecessarily ?
If one feels a need to disclose ones private life in church, then perhaps one should re-evaluate BOTH.
In my humble opinion...
Curt