Greetings.  I came across your website and I’d like to share my story.  I have been a naturist for 3 years now, but prior to becoming a naturist I STRUGGLED with the Biblical Christian perspective involving nudity.  See, I received my Bible Theology Degree back in 1999.  I struggled with the "good nudity" vs. “bad nudity" issue for about 5 years prior to receiving my degree.  Anyhow, to make a long story short, I really believe Christians can learn a lot from nudism – especially in the realms of community, celebrating individuality, and just understanding one another as human beings. 

I believe these are what Christ desired for us.  We are social creatures and desire intimate (non-sexual) connection with other humans.  Also, you are correct about the "lust factor". The epidemic of pornography would be greatly reduced if Christians would engage in social nudity.  This forbidden issue of nudity creates an insecurity of one’s own body and sexual nature.  Lewd behavior, sexual aggression and insecurity evolve and that is what I believe fuels the pornography industry.  But during our recent recession the pornography industry was still working at a major dollar profit – when all others were losing their jobs. The pornography industry was essentially providing all who seek nudity..."bad nudity".  People were seeking nudity and intimacy to relieve their stress, but seeking it out in all the wrong places.  I believe I read that in 1998 80% of oversea missionaries struggled with Internet pornography.  I think the number has now risen to above 90%. 

Back at School in 1998, when we first turned on our T1 Connection on for our school's Internet over 450 computer ports were shut down the first week because of Internet pornography.  This is an epidemic. No wonder Christian organizations are fighting to close nudist resorts and beaches.  It is deemed that nudity is simply illicit sex.  This belief is not only incorrect; it creates an unhealthy view of the image of God.  God calls the body “good” yet Christians say it is “bad.”

As one who has struggled with pornography for years, nudism saved my sanity. I've attended counseling sessions, had accountability partners, confessed to colleagues and professors and prayed with pastors and missionaries.  But, I have to say; the only success over my addiction was when I became a nudist.  I saw the innocence of simple non-sexual nudity.  Something switched in my mind and I was then able to realize the purity and goodness of our nakedness.  Nudity doesn't equal sex.  Women are not sex objects, they are just women.  Men may hold powerful positions in their careers, but they look the same as other men.  I was able to see the true humanity between men and women.  Not only were there no textile barriers, there were no social barriers.  I was able to connect with another human being, both men and women, on a deeply intimate level.  I was fulfilled and found something deeply intimate that I had been longing for from the church.  Now to me, pornographic movies, strip clubs, massage parlors are all irrelevant.  First, they do not provide true intimacy of love and sex established with a spouse.  They only provide a deceptive false shadow.  Secondly, they ignore the gift of social intimacy found in "Good Nudity".

Another thing that I’ve learned thanks to “good nudity” found in naturism is that just because I see a naked woman that doesn't mean I have to automatically be sexually attracted to her.  With the differentiation of Good vs. Bad Nudity I've been able to enjoy my wife in a proper context, i.e. I love her for herself and not just because I am attracted to her body.  Before when I saw a naked woman I was immediately sexually attracted to her.  In fact, I remember when I was dating my girlfriend in High School.  Once I saw her cleavage I needed to have sex with her.  Because of the conditioning of our society, cleavage was sexual and was seen as foreplay in my mind.  Therefore I acted upon my urges.  Now I am able to hold a conversation with naked women without sexual urges and am able to focus my sexual desires towards my wife lovingly and beautifully.  I wouldn't want to share my sexuality with anyone other than my wife.  Thank you for your article, you put a name on what I have experienced in my life – Good Nudity.