Nudism/Naturism FAQ
Christian Nudism/Naturism FAQ
Isn't social nudism contrary
to the Bible?
Many who have extensively
studied the Bible concerning these matters have found that it does not
prohibit moral conduct like that practiced by most social nudists and naturists
(see "The Bible,
Nakedness And The Christian Nudist" for a brief synopsis of relevant
passages). Those wishing to learn more will find additional material about
nakedness from a Biblical standpoint in the Articles
and Resources areas of this Web site. Newsletter
subscribers can also log in above to access an online forum dedicated to
the discussion of Scripture as it relates to social nudism/naturism.
Are there really Christian
nudists?
Yes — lots of them! Christian
nudism is thriving. Positive mainline press coverage in the past few years
along with a growing Internet presence has ignited interest as never before.
Christian nudists are finding more and better ways to contact each other
and network together. Some small regional groups have formed and there
have even been national gatherings.
Can you tell me if there
are other Christian nudists in my area?
Fig Leaf Forum's circulation
among Christian nudists is constantly growing. The newsletter now has subscribers
in almost every region of the United States and Canada as well as in several
other countries around the world (view the subscriber
map). Many subscribers use Fig
Leaf Forum Contact (this newsletter's fellowship service) to communicate
with other Christian nudists in their area and beyond.
Are there any Christian
nudist fellowship groups near where I live?
There are now more than enough
Fig Leaf Forum subscribers in many areas of North America to support small
fellowship groups. Several active groups and gatherings are listed in Fig
Leaf Forum Contact, this newsletter's fellowship service.
Do you have a list of
Christian nudist parks?
Christian owned or operated
nudist parks and resorts do exist in North America, but they are few in
number and none serve Christian nudists exclusively. Most Christian nudists
enjoy the use of secular parks, the majority of which are family-oriented
and well-run. You can find a listing of resorts affiliated with The Federation
of Canadian Naturists (FCN) and The American Association for Nude Recreation
(AANR) at:
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Visiting secular resorts
offers Christian nudists the added opportunity to be "salt and light" to
those around them, and they are often blessed with chances to share the
Gospel with fellow nudists who are willing to receive it.
General Nudism/Naturism FAQ
Courtesy of The Federation of Canadian Naturists (FCN)Why be nude?
Many naturists would answer,
"Why not be nude?" Why would you wear clothing while swimming? You don't
wear clothing in the bath or shower. Naturists are not against clothing.
Rather, we believe that you should dress only when appropriate. Being nude
feels good. It makes people feel free. It takes away artificial inhibitions
that were forced upon us after we were born. Naturists believe in body
acceptance. Most report feeling less self-conscious on a nude beach than
on a traditional clothed beach. The body parts which we cover are arbitrary.
It has been suggested that we cover the genital area because of its sexual
nature. However, a quick survey of your day would show that this area is
used for non-sexual purposes the most of the time. In fact, equally sexual
body parts are your lips, yet we do not have any problems walking around
with our lips exposed!
Isn't nudity offensive?
Naturists are obviously not
offended by nudity. What about others? There is no question that some people
find nudity offensive. However, why they should be offended is debatable.
Their reaction is often closer to confusion or embarrassment. One could
just as easily be offended by the colour of a person's clothing. In a free
society, people should be free to do what they want except under certain
conditions, such as causing others harm. It is difficult to understand
how looking at the human body may harm anyone. One intent of naturism nonetheless
is not to offend. Most naturist organizations are working to identify areas
where naturists may enjoy being nude without bothering anyone.
What is the difference
between a nudist and a naturist?
Depending on whom you ask,
there could be no difference. In Europe, the term naturist is the most
common, with nudist being the older term. In North America, some people
use the two words interchangeably. Others define two different philosophies
which have nudity in common. Those who find a difference define naturists
as closer to nature and more interested in free beaches, and nudists as
people who practice nudity more in an urban club setting. Not all people
who practice naturism/nudism like the labels. They don't see themselves
as different from anyone else. As well, not all nude people at a free beach
or club espouse the naturist/nudist philosophy.
Isn't nudity sexual?
Most of the people who visit
a naturist club/beach for the first time are surprised by the lack of sexuality.
Some expect a sexually-charged atmosphere, since in North America we see
others nude in sexual situations such as love scenes in movies, in magazines
and in videos. However, the link between nudity and sexuality is arbitrary.
In Victorian times, to see a woman's knees was very sexual because they
were supposed to be hidden all the time. We expose some parts of our bodies
which are as sexual as those which we hide. Our lips, for example, are
probably as involved in sexuality as our genital areas, yet people walk
around exposing their lips without causing mass arousal.
You will probably find that
suggestively clothed people are more arousing than completely nude people.
It can be more sexual to wear a bathing suit which subtly hides and emphasizes
certain parts of the body. That nudity implies sexuality is the biggest
misconception that naturists have to fight. As a result, you may find them
to be over-sensitive to it. This is not to say that naturists are against
sexuality. They just believe, like most of society, that there is an appropriate
time and place for it. It also means that there is nothing wrong with finding
a person attractive, whether he or she is nude or not.
Aren't all naturists/nudists
exhibitionists?
Exhibitionists expose themselves
primarily to shock others. Exhibitionism does not occur in naturism. Exhibitionists
find no thrill in naturist environments because of the lack of overt sexuality
and their inability to shock anyone. Naturists just want to be nude. If
they like to be with others, it's because humans are social creatures.
Is being nude illegal?
This varies greatly by jurisdiction.
In Germany you will find people legally sunbathing nude in city parks.
In Denmark, all but two beaches are clothing-optional (that is to say,
nudity is permitted). In most western jurisdictions (including Canada)
it is legal to be nude on private property so long as you can't be seen
by others outside the property. Consequently, all naturist clubs are legal.
It's the many public, clothing-optional
beaches which need further discussion. There are many traditionally clothing-optional
beaches in Canada which are not being challenged by the authorities. In
Canada, the courts have determined that "mere nude sunbathing is not of
sufficient moral turpitude to support a charge for doing an indecent act"
(R. v. Beaupré, 1971, British Columbia Supreme Court). General public
nudity is illegal under Section 174 of the Criminal Code, but the courts
have found that "this offence is not aimed at conduct such as swimming
nude at an isolated beach, even where the accused misjudges the loneliness
of the beach" (R. v. Benolkin, 1977, Saskatchewan Court of Queen's Bench).
In December 1996, a female
former University of Guelph student was acquitted of a charge of indecency
for walking topfree in public. The Ontario Court of Appeal overturned her
conviction because "there was nothing degrading or dehumanizing in what
the appellant did. The scope of her activity was limited and was entirely
non-commercial. No one who was offended was forced to continue looking
at her. [The court] cannot conclude that what the appellant did exceeded
the community standard of tolerance when all of the relevant circumstances
are taken into account."
Doesn't nudity violate
religious beliefs?
Many naturists are religious
people and find no contradiction between their beliefs and nudity. Some
Christian naturists worship in the nude. Some naturists feel closer to
God when they are nude in nature. Directives against nudity are generally
not part of the basic philosophy of a religion. Rather, they are added
to the religion out of fear that nudity will lead to indiscriminate sexual
activity. Naturism shows that this fear is groundless (see "Isn't nudity
sexual?" above). The Old Testament tells us that God created man and woman
in His own image and they were naked. It's difficult to see how God's image
is shameful or obscene. Indeed, the Bible does not condemn nudity itself.
What is the difference
between a club and a CO beach?
Clothing-optional (CO) beaches
are public areas which have become nude through use by naturists. Clubs
are private grounds which are owned either by individuals or by the members.
They are private businesses.
Will I have to undress
right away?
No. Naturists understand
that you cannot shed years of socialization as soon as you arrive. Most
clubs allow visitors to remain dressed at first. You may feel pressure
to undress. That feeling is probably self-induced by the fact that you're
the only fully dressed person within sight. Funny, isn't it, to be uncomfortable
because you are dressed? In most clubs it's not appropriate to swim with
a bathing suit. On naturist beaches there is no expectation that you need
to undress since they are clothing-optional. If you are clothed and appear
to be gawking you may be approached by others. Taking off your clothes
helps allay suspicion.
Do I have to be nude all
the time?
No. Naturists prefer to be
nude but dress when appropriate. Clothes keep us warm in cold weather and
protect us when doing dangerous work. We just don't believe that clothes
exist to hide our bodies. In private clubs the rules vary on when dressing
is appropriate. In some clubs people are nude all the time. In others you
may find that people dress for dinner.
How do I act when talking
to others?
It's often difficult for
new people to know where to look. To a naturist there is no difference
between being dressed or nude. Try to act as you normally would. It's okay
to look. Out of curiosity you may initially look longer at others' genitals
and breasts. Just don't stare. In time you'll be less curious about these
areas and concentrate again on the face and eyes.
Do I have to join something
to visit?
CO beaches are public and
thus do not require membership. Most clubs will allow you two or three
visits before you must decide to join. Members of one club are usually
allowed to visit other clubs as many times as they want without joining,
for an extra daily fee.
How do I find a club or
beach?
There are many sources of
information. Most naturist organizations, like The
Federation of Canadian Naturists, sell guides which list beaches and
clubs. Different locations are often reviewed in the organization's magazine.
There are travel agents which specialize in naturist travel. The Internet
has also become a large resource of information for naturists.
What if I meet someone
I know?
They are there too, just
as nude as you are. They are probably very comfortable with naturism since
they have probably been there before. They'll probably be happy to see
you. Just think, you've discovered a mutual interest!
Are single people welcome?
All CO beaches and most clubs
welcome singles. However, many clubs try to maintain a balance between
the sexes. Check ahead for a club's policy.
What should I take with
me?
The same things you would
take when going to the beach (except a bathing suit!): a hat, sunscreen,
sunglasses, two towels (one to sit on), a chair or mattress, something
to read, and something to play with (volleyball, Frisbee, etc.). When visiting
a club, you will probably need some money. On a CO beach, you may need
water and food since there may not be places to buy anything.
What about naturist etiquette?
Generally, the same common-sense
guidelines for behaviour apply in the naturist world as in the clothed
world. Be polite and respect the rights of others. When visiting a club,
make sure you understand the rules specific to that club.
- Gawking is impolite. It is OK to look but always rude to stare (particularly with binoculars or through a camera).
- For sanitary reasons, sit on a towel when using public seats or benches.
- Respect the environment. Stay out of dunes or other environmentally sensitive areas. We can lose access to CO areas by damaging the environment.
- Help keep the area clean. In clubs, use the trash cans. On CO beaches, bring your own trash bag. Leave the beach cleaner than when you arrived.
- Get dressed when leaving established nude areas. Naturists are not trying to offend anyone.
- Follow all parking regulations and other posted rules.
- Do not engage in overt sexual activity.
- Respect the property of others.
- Get the permission of subjects before taking pictures. In clubs, check out club rules on photography before bringing out your camera.
- Respect the privacy of others. Many people come to enjoy nature and don't want to be disturbed. It is good to be friendly, but take your cues from their response and body language.
- Speak up for standards. If you see people who are violating the accepted standards, please explain to them clearly and politely just how they are violating the rules and what the proper behaviour is.
What if I get an erection?
This is the most common concern
among men. However, we do not know of anyone who actually had an erection
on their first visit. The combination of the non-sexual environment and
the unfamiliarity of a first-time visit serves to minimize the issue. An
erection is a natural part of life. Naturists realize this and will not
take offence as long as it is not being flaunted. If an erection does occur,
a strategically placed towel, a dip in a cool pool or rolling over on your
stomach will take care of it.
What do I do if I am menstruating?
Generally, women do the same
thing in the naturist world as they do in the clothed world. Many use a
tampon. If they prefer, they wear shorts or bikini bottoms. Menstruation
is a normal part of being a woman and one which naturists understand.
I don't have a good body.
What if I don't want others to see me nude?
The concept of the perfect
body is a myth. We believe that the stress caused by the unrealistic expectations
of society is very damaging. Naturists practice body acceptance. When you
visit a naturist environment you'll find all types of bodies in all shapes,
sizes, ages and colours — many of them with the signs of a full life.
Isn't it dangerous to
expose myself to so much sun?
The removal of a skimpy bathing
suit does little to increase your exposure to the sun, but people exposed
to the sun should be careful when they enjoy the outdoors. Some evidence
is suggesting that moderate sun exposure is good for you.
Won't nudity take away
intimacy with my partner and desensitize us to sexuality?
Sexuality is in the mind.
It's an artificial form of sexuality that causes a person to be aroused
merely by seeing a body part which one does not normally see. Attraction
doesn't depend on whether people are nude or not. In fact, you'll probably
find them more attractive if they are wearing suggestive clothing. We believe
that naturists have healthier sexuality since they are more comfortable
with themselves and their bodies. Naturists can enjoy the sexual act with
their partner without feeling self-conscious about their nudity.
Is naturism good for children?
Anyone who has observed children
knows that they are enthusiastic naturists. We have never seen young children
who are self-conscious when nude. In fact, you may observe them squeal
with delight when they're allowed to run around nude. It's only in their
later years that they're pressured into being self-conscious and adopt
older people's phobias about the body. We believe that it's healthier for
children to grow up comfortable with their own bodies. We don't think there
is any advantage in teaching them to be ashamed and embarrassed by certain
parts of their bodies.
Is naturism safe for children?
It's clear that being dressed
has not kept children safe. The best thing we can do is teach our children
the confidence to speak up when people do things which make them uncomfortable.
If they are not ashamed of their bodies, they're much more likely to tell
their parents when someone does things to them that they don't like. Whether
nude or clothed, children should know that being touched in certain ways
is wrong. Although good parenting is by far the most important factor in
raising children, naturism helps to promote their confidence and understanding
about their bodies.
Don't children get confused
as to when and where they can be nude?
Everyone has to teach children
when and where it is acceptable to be nude. Naturists simply have more
places where it's acceptable. Unlike non-naturists, we don't teach our
children that nudity is wrong. We teach them that some people aren't comfortable
with nudity and that sometimes we need to dress for practical reasons (like
the weather, for example).
General Nudism/Naturism FAQ source:
http://www.fcn.ca/FCNFAQ.html
Copyright © 1997-2004 The Federation of Canadian Naturists
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