Here is the Big Story we have been waiting for!
The Nashville Scene has published the story for the CNC at Cherokee Lodge!

http://www.nashvillescene.com/Stories/Cover_Story/2007/08/02/Naked_Before_God/index.shtml



Boyd Allen
"May the Lord protect our nudity from the sight of those who will not benefit, and may he allow us to be seen by those who will."

I read the lengthy article. I need to read it again, but my first impression was decidedly mixed. I have read numerous newspaper articles about nudism/naturism. Frequently they are awful. Typically when a male is writing, the text is filled with condescension and the writer's inane wit. He is at pains to let everyone know that he is above it all and would never participate in nudity with these silly people. Female writers tend to be more respectful, thoughtful and balanced. So, when I saw that the writer was female I had high hopes. Without going into a paragraph by paragraph critique, I see the story as a mixed bag.

The depiction of the religious motivation of the CNC is where I felt let down the most. The portion about descending on the lone atheist, for example, or the bit of color about the heavy breasted woman applying deoderant at the Sunday worship, the description of the preacher's robe and speaking style, or regulars staying away because the Christians were coming, (even if accurate in it's factuality) seemed to me jarring bits of trivia written in a manner that cast the whole scene into the grotesque, i.e., steriotypical Bible thumping, redneck, white trailer park trash.

I did think she did a fair job depicting naturism---for the most part. However, the line about lustng after the guitar player really was a cheap trick to undercut all the talk about the disconnect between naturism and sex.

I originally was going to give the article a C+ to B-, but the more I think about it the more offended and disrespsected I feel. I think a low C- is the most generous I could give the tone of the article in it's depiction of Christian naturism. I think she was looking down her nose with smug amusement at the "Christian naturists." I may be wrong, but I don't see this writer as our friend.

I have one caveat. This is a sample of how we are viewed from the outside. What can we learn from it that might enhance future effectiveness? Michael

I think we all felt that mixed bag feeling. But your question is:
"This is a sample of how we are viewed from the outside. What can we learn from it that might enhance future effectiveness?"

One, read between the lines. The woman herself was not in prime shape. She was overweight herself, though not grossly overweight. She too had somewhat large breasts. But she had a pretty face and was not that bad.

She could have fit in perfectly with the group...and that is what scared her. So she attacked mostly the women.

As for the group descending on the lone atheist, is not quite right. He was the one who peppered the group with questions to try to throw them off. The group eventually backed off and gave him a challenge that only he knows if he did it or not. That is to go off quietly on his own and talk to God. Either God is there or He is not. We do not have to know if he did. That he said was a fair challenge.

How do we react?
One: What can we do to get ourselves back into shape? If not, don't worry about it. She just told the world that we are NOT what they thought we were! That should be good news.

Second: The resorts need to take stock of what they are allowing to proceed in their memberships as well. Why are all these people seem to be a bunch of overweight beer drinkers? Was that how naturism started?

Third: To simply continue as we are and invite her back. Invite her to our forums, inviter and any of her readers to come join us for what is reality, not fake living. She was shocked by the reality of it all, and we were not what she was expecting at all! Good or bad.

I hope she comes to understand her personal body issues and fears. That is where we come in.

Boyd

Hey guys,

I've seen quite a variety of reactions in various forums to Elizabeth's article in the Nashville Scene - more elsewhere than here but I wanted to post here for one good reason that should become apparent a little later.

I know that some of Elizabeth's physical descriptions and some of the language used was not what we might have used and I do think some of it was purely directed to her audience as intended humor but for the most part she relayed her observations as she saw them. I don't think any of us can help being influenced by our culture, background, environment, etc and sometimes we make assumptions that are inaccurate or comments that have unintended consequences.

I stumbled across Elizabeth's blog (http://www.nashvillescene.com/blog/pitw/archives/00001839.shtml) this morning (it came up in a Google news watch that I set up) where she points out a post right here on this very forum (http://www.network54.com/Forum/83405/message/1182909623/RE-+start+saving....)that she took differently than the author of the post probably intended.

I don't know if Elizabeth will continue to check back but we perhaps have an opportunity to practice the forgiveness of Christ if any is required and to build bridges rather than burn them.

<blockquote>I don't know if Elizabeth will continue to check back but we perhaps have an opportunity to practice the forgiveness of Christ if any is required and to build bridges rather than burn them.</blockquote>

Well said John.

To practice the example of Jesus, turn the other cheek.

The thing I find interesting about this article is that, as I mentioned elsewhere, I was really only bothered by the use of "nudies" as slang referring to the people at the resort at the time.

Lets think about the story from several perspectives relevant to the CNC.

1) I am a Christian who doesn't think this sort of thing (Christian Naturism) is right.
2) I am not a Christian who doesn't think social nudity is right.
3) I am not a Christian who does think that social nudity is ok.
4) I am a Christian who does think social nudity is ok.

The news story is obviously not non-biased, it is written to "help sell papers" so caters to the audience of the paper itself.

When thinking about items 1 & 4, the article showed that
1) the CNC participants were concerned about the relationship of Christianity to nudist activities
2) the CNC participants were willing to reach out to those around them who didn't know Christ


When thinking about items 2 & 3, the article showed the typical American bias towards "This sort of thing is pretty crazy and I just don't understand it".

Was the article an endorsement of social nudity? No and in light of the current societal views, I wouldn't expect anything different. Was it a condemnation of Christian Nudity? Absolutely not. If anything we got much more fair treatment than we would in the typical church. Was it great promotion for CNC? Absolutely! While not the sort of "Rubber Stamp" approval that we always hope for, I think it showed that there are Christians who enjoy being clothes free and are also concerned about their and others relationship with God.


As far as here blog went, reading the post here and the blog.... It was a fair shot. This is a public forum and we may have crossed over a line of interpertation, even if it was accidental.

To my point, read Naked Jen's blog about this article and the event: http://www.nakedjen.com/nakedjen/2007/08/naked-before-go.html

I think it's positive in being such a long article.

Reasonably done.

Ralph
The naked gardener
God's original intent

I already read that story and enjoyed it very much. I finally know what Boyd looks like. Why were you wearing a fig leaf? LOL!

I know that there are a lot of uncomfortable feelings and some hurt that happened with that article.

I have run across 2 or 3 blogs from people going "I didn't know Christians could be nude". One was an athiest decrying the fact that his last refuge was no longer safe.

In spite of the story, God is using it I believe!