Okay, I was going to post this yesterday, but I had already spent too much time reading all the other posts.

Somewhere in there the discussion was brought up about whether or not most Christian nudists are open about being such. I believe this to be a topic which this board CAN address freely, more than some other recent ones. So...

On the one hand is the feeling that most of us are open about who and what we are; the other side says that very few of us are. After thinking about it for a while, I found a third option, which I feel describes me best.

I don't hide who I am, but I don't flaunt it too much, either. If somebody asks me a question or the subject comes up, I tell them. Rarely, however, do go out of my way to label myself as a Christian Nudist. I just isn't that relevant to most discussions.

Being a Christian and being a nudist are both aspects of my personality that are very important to me. However, I don't always have to reveal all of myself to everyone that I meet. Carla said "Not everyone can eat the meat that I do." That's a very good reason for restraint, and said better than I would have been able to. We need to be carefull who we "out" ourselves to, both for our sakes and for theres. By discussing the various aspects of "me" I can help educate others about how I see things- key them in a bit to my world view. But, I don't have to hit everyone with everything at once. Baby steps! Build the relationship first, so you know how best to approach someone later if you feel the urge.

Someone pointed out that this view seemed like keeping a secret, that not proclaiming to be a nudist is less than open. Maybe. There are many I know who don't make open claim about there being nudists. Fine. But, being open dosn't mean telling EVERYTHING. I taught sexuality in Sunday School without batting an eye, but without discussing my own personnal life. Was I being less than open? I don't think so.

Last thing (I promise ). About churches not being open to naturism. Of course they aren't!! Why not? WE haven't explained ourselves for one thing. Not "coming out" personally, but educating the public in general. The media screams "SEX!!" about any nudity, and what have we done about it? Nothing. As a social group, we're too quiet. We only respond. No going out and trying to promote how we feel, especially as Christians. Too afraid of the reaction, maybe? Dunno. I've actually been to several nude church services, and found them to be quite wonderfull. Too bad nudity in general public would be out... modesty means proper dress in proper situations, remember?

Anyway, I've rambled enough for tonight.

God Bless
Kevin

Lots of good thoughts here.

I didn't respond to the earlier posts, but I thought that those who thought the only options are to be open or secret were missing the obvious middle ground: one's private life.

My view is that a secret life is generally a bad thing. We tend to be secretive about those things of which we are ashamed; maintaining those practices in secret is likely to be emotionally and spiritually harmful.

But every healthy person has a private life, aspects of themselves that they reveal in appropriate situations but don't introduce where the information would be inappropriate. There's a whole raft of news about me that I don't volunteer except in certain situations. I don't mention my medical symptoms when I'm volunteering in community service activities, but my doctor and close family and friends know about them. I don't volunteer my financial situation, except to my financial advisor and one or two others who are extremely close.

I'm not in any manner ashamed of the fact that I avoid clothes as much as possible, but I don't typically volunteer that information either. I work in a field that is very sensitive to controversy; survival requires discretion. However I never have, and never would, dance around direct questions.

My practice of naturism certainly isn't a secret. All of my family and nearly all of our close friends know. It's part of my private life.

----

Concerning churches, I have a real burden that so few churches do anything useful or helpful about the issues of body shame and sick sexuality that are so much of our culture. In many instances churches add to the problems rather than helping, and people end up further crippled spiritually and emotionally as a result. I believe that family naturism, so beautifully modeled by some of our families here, would be healing and nurturing to many people. But in what church could that idea be put forward? What pastor could keep his/her job after promoting it?

I have my work life, I have my family life , I have my spiritaul life and I have my social life! All of these overlap to some degree, however aspects of each are ofen separate from the others and are irrelavant in some situations so they don't warrant a mention. I don't deny any aspect of my life but some times some people do not know what I do other than the aspect in which they know me.

This is normal for most people!! This is not having secrets, it is "a time for every purpose under heavan."
Tevita

Your last paragraph about churches not doing anything about body shame, etc. is really, really true. It's a taboo subject for Bible classes; it seems.

I don't hide what I am at church, but I don't promote it either. I'm waiting to be asked or if the subject comes up. The last time it came up was a lady at church remarked about my tan and wondered how I did it. I said, "I just go naked." She grinned and went away.

Almost all my friends and a lot of church members know to make an appointment and not to just drop by my place. I dress for appointees unless they tell me that nudity is okay. Only one neighbor has ever really come out and told me that. Most have said they don't see any problem with my being nude but don't come by unannounced.

Ralph
The naked gardener
God's original intent

Ah Gee Ralph---

Can't I come by unannounced?

Any of you guys can just drop by. I'm at the end of Ivy Farm Drive, off Barracks Farm Road, which is off Garth Road just west of Oakencroft Winery.

Ralph
The naked gardener
God's original intent

... Luvnaturism, Tevita, Ralph. Excellent points, all. Now I know I'm not ALL wrong about how I feel.

And thanks, Spunky, for the laugh. We need that around here.

God Bless
Kevin

Thanks Kevin for getting this board back on topic. That is exactly what this board is about. (See why I picked him?)

What he is saying here (like he really needs explaining) is that when we are confronted, or asked about naturism, we should be honest. Sometimes a simple "yes" will suffice. We often explain more than we need to. (diarrhea of the mouth)

My pastor and fellow Christian members at my church don't explain their sex life to me or how much alcohol, if they drink alcohol, or anything else of their private lives. But I'm sure if I asked them, they may look at me funny, but they'll at least say "Yes" or "no" or "None of your business".

But they won't lie about it or come up with a string of excuses or explainations, nor will they volunteer any information. They certainly won't answer any questions that wasn't asked.

I put naturism on that same category.

'Nuff sed

Boyd