Do any of you have any information about nude baptisms? They were supposed to be practiced way back before the middle ages. I wish church's would go back to nude baptisms. Until then here is a nice picture.

See my BACN Home Page and click on "Nude Baptisms" for more links.

Boyd

Byzantine rite Catholics use nude baptisms.. truly where we should be...

viking

Viking,

I share your sentiment, so let's take this question to the next step:
How do we make this dream a reality?

Nude baptisms occurred in the context of a society that generally did not regard situational nudity as an opportunity for lewd gawking or inherently pandering to prurient interests.

After all, fishermen were nude in many quarters of the Roman world, including Galilee. Likewise in much of the early years of the church, coed nude bathing occurred at many public baths throughout the Empire and Christians were regulars there too, with no hint of scandal.

So that was then and this is now. We all know the extent of paranoia about nudity, the prudishness and excessive legalism that besets American Christendom. We know the lecherous attitude about simple nudity that is widespread in American society at large.

So what pastor would suddenly demand that all candidates for baptism parade nude down to the water in front of all people who happen to be in the sanctuary that moment?
Can you imagine the crowds of hooligans that nude baptisms would draw? (Assuming that outraged congregants didn't fire the pastor on the spot for suggesting such "gross indecency".

I am not such a cynic that I believe our prudish society cannot change. Continental Europe and Scandinavia have seen a remarkable transformation in the past few generations.

So I am saying, let's transform society to accept the body in its natural state. Then nude baptism will be a small natural next step, not an impossible leap.

I won't write an entire "how to" essay here, but let me hit a few highlights:
1. Naturism needs to be a lot more interactive and proactive in reaching mainstream American society.

2. Naturism needs to be vigilent to keep their family-first orientation. Mainstream America will not accept Naturism if it does not shun the bawdy naturist venues.

3. There needs to be a movement to lead evangelical Christianity away from body shame, prudishness and legalism overall. You must attack the root cause, the legalism and neo-Gnosticism that engenders revulsion against the natural human condition.
Our nude bodies are made in God's image. We must restore respect for it in the church!

4. Christians who are naturist need to break our isolation and come to the defense of those of us who suffer persecution. Some of us will chose to live in naturist communities, some in textile communities but we must create a network. Boyd is hard at work in forging those ties with his forum and with CNC's praise and fellowship gatherings. Maybe one day there will even be Christian naturist communities and churches that officially endorse naturism for their members.

It is a special grace from God to be able to enjoy our bodies as God intended al natural.. not all can have this ....

I am currently a naturist at amy apartment 24/7... but when I leave I am textile clad... but with wonderful naturism results...
I am up to 10 degrees warmer than weather would dictate for clothes.. that means no coat for most of the colder times of the year...

My business mgr and I conduct our daily business natural as well. What a life stress free...