Regarding the article that describes attitudes toward nudity in ancient Greece...
The general public should know that public nudity has not always been harshly condemned throughout Western history. This article offers conclusive proof that European culture has, in times past, accomodated non-sexual public nudity.
It should lead the reader to consider the possibility we could have this same attitude of openess today.
However, the article juxtaposes what the writer calls a healthy "pagan" attitude about nudity with a "shameful" Hebrew attitude about nudity. I have read evidence of some prudishness in Hebrew culture, but this does not mean that the Word of God teaches prudishness. The Old Testament records the story of the Jews, including some grievous errors and it emphatically does NOT command us to follow all that the Chosen People have done.
Christians reading about social nudity for the first time would not be persuaded to choose paganism over Christianity simply because the author says we should.
The truth is, in this instance, the "pagan" Greeks had a more godly attitude about nudity than most Jews did. But that subtilty would be lost on most readers.
One should not be forced to choose between God and naturism, that is respect for the human body as God gave it (nude). In fact, approval of nudity is more harmonious with the Christian faith than prudishness. But the simple biblical truth about our bodies is encrusted with generations of false man-made doctrine that promotes shame. It will take a lot of time and perserverence in scripture to overcome these falsehoods.
I agree that the article was only helpful to a degree. The ancient Greeks were more liberal than we, or even than many other ancient societies, but even they did not fully accept the naked human body in all contexts.
However, I wonder about the "Hebrew prudishness" the article mentions. Trailscout, you said you have read corroborating evidence for this. How strong is this evidence? It might explain the way the nude has been generally scorned among Muslims and in China. (Japanese people used to accept nudity for bathing, and Indians who embraced Tantra became very body-friendly, but these are exceptions. Indonesia and the Philippines, from what I have heard, are mixed, with the dominant culture, a mix of Muslim and Chinese influence with a Spanish overlay in the Philippines, being rather prudish but the non-assimilated tribal cultures in the outer islands displaying a much freer attitude.)
Ancient Israel:
Hebrew "prudishness" is a relative term.
I have read accounts of strong Jewish aversion to participating nude in athletic events circa the time of the Macedonian occupation of Palestine (about a century prior to the coming of Messiah Jesus).
However, Jews of that day (and prior centuries) tolerated all sorts of nonsexual public nudity that would shock and outrage modern America. Just read the gospels and Old Testament for examples.
South Asia and the Far East had little contact with Israel in Bible times, but since you raised the question:
India:
Certain monks among the Jain Religion of India practiced nudity as a means of abandoning literally all material possessions. A few still do, but western influence in India has led to one sect of Jains to now wear simple white robes instead. Look up "Jains" on Wikipedia for more details.
Philippines:
Muslim influence in the Philippines is largely confined to the southern island of Mindanao.
The Spanish culture had a strong influence in most towns and cities elsewhere. Since the 1930's America has exerted a very strong cultural influence in the Philippines too.
Filipinos with complete or partial Chinese ancestry tend to occupy positions of high social status in the Philippines. They are not as prudish as Americans, but not as open as the rural people.
There have been tribes in remote areas that are habitually nude or nearly nude. I do not know how many continue to enjoy freedom from clothing or if they have succumbed to Western influence. The story of the Tasaday was sensationalized for the media. They are a real tribe and enjoy a life of frequent partial nudity, but had more exposure to Western life than the news media implied.
The vast majority of rural Filipinos are somewhat westernized, but I don't know much about them other than that.
