Introduction
A painter doesn't show you the underside of his painting. What would be the point? While everyone likes a pretty picture, I am not here simply to paint a pretty picture. Although I say a lot of positive things about naturism/nudism, hoping to paint a positive (yet honest) picture, I think, in this case, we should consider the whole picture. In this case, it is important, if not critical. Understanding the positive aspects of naturism/nudism is good and important, but we should all take time to honestly consider the bad aspects as well.
What I am getting at is the fact that, while nudism generally has a positive and healthy affect on those who engage in it properly, as with every good thing, some people do misuse it. Some people have unhealthy reasons for being involved in it. Of course, as with anything else, these people are the ones who end up ruining it for everyone else -- or at the very least, make nudism look bad. This is why it is critical you understand these negative aspects.
Sexual Predators
True nudists separate nudity from sex, that is, for them, nudity does not equal sex. Nudists may disagree on many things, but nearly every nudist agrees with this one. While nudists continually make this distinction, some so-called nudists indulge in their sexual perversity, even taking advantage of the innocent.
I am talking about predators, pedophiles or child molesters. Such people are dangerous in a clothed environment, and within a clothing optional environment, such people may prove even more dangerous if we're safe. In general, children are already rather naive and trusting, and a nudist child learns to be even more trusting and open (because these are important components of nudism). Since children tend to trust and that can get them into a dangerous situation, we must be diligent to watch them carefully and teach them how to be safe.
Whether you're in a clothed environment or not, children need lots of supervision. For anyone with kids, that's a no brainer. In a clothing optional environment, children might need a little more supervision. If you have a child, I encourage you to pay close attention to who associates with your child, as well as how others associate with them. If you have any doubts, or feel any concern, do what you must to protect your child. The important thing is, you realize predators can be anywhere, and that any environment can be dangerous when a sexual predator lurks nearby.
Something else to consider is, not only is the clothing optional environment in deed healthy for children and not only do children take to it rather naturally, but a nudist child may also have an advantage. When children learn to be open and honest, they may feel alarmed when a predator comes at them with a "hush-hush" attitude. When their abusers tells them to hide, this may (and should) sound an alarm and make them wary. Additionally, since openness is the norm, they might feel more inclined to tell, instead of hide. Additionally, since nudists separate nudity from sex, children might recognize the difference more easily. Either way, the bottom line is, we must be diligent to watch and protect our children as carefully as we can, whether in a clothing optional environment or not.
More Than Just "Feels Good"
Again, true nudists separate nudity from sex, but there are those who engage in nudism simply based on the idea that "if it feels good, do it." The problem with this kind of attitude is that it goes against the primary purpose of nudism. Nudism is not merely about feeling good or doing whatever you want, but rather it seeks to demonstrate healthy attitudes about others and ourselves, especially our bodies. While I believe wearing clothes should be optional, I do not think it should give anyone a license to be irresponsible or immoral i.e. to "do whatever feels good." Personally, if you use nudity simply for pleasure, then you are no better off than the "clothes compulsive" people, because that is their primary reason, too. As it is, clothing optional environments and a clothing optional attitude should promote the good and health of all involved. After all, true freedom requires responsibility, and those who use their freedom irresponsibly, for their own "feel good" attitude, show their level of maturity.
Good Reasons
Now someone may say I have offered good reasons not to participate in social nudity, but we must think logically here. We must keep in mind that naturism is generally healthy and family-oriented, and people always pervert and/or misuse every good thing (even the clothes that non-naturists so prize). More importantly, continually believing and teaching that our nude bodies are somehow indecent, and that we should therefore hide them, only serves to further promote perversity and misuse. With such attitudes, every person who goes nude, even for reasons of health, is deemed a criminal or at least considered wrong, weird, etc. The truth is, some nudity is good, and actually more than most people think. Chaste nudity is often overwhelmingly good.
In spite of these truths, some people do use nudism to fulfill their perversions. Many of these people claim nudism, but in my opinion, they are not genuine nudists. At the very least, such people do not adhere to nudism's original ideals of health and wholesomeness.
With all of this in mind, we should stand our ground and continue to use nudity correctly, not allowing the perverts and abusers to make it bad for everyone else. We should stand up for the truth. We should stand against other people's misuse, and we should do this for the good of all.
While some Christians think we should not be involved in nudism because some misuse it and while some misunderstand nudism, my goal as a Christian nudist is to keep on proclaiming the truth, and not back down simply because others have the wrong ideas. While I do not support anyone's misuse of nudism, I do seek to reach out to all with the truths I understand. I think the argument that we not be involved makes no sense. Simply apply such a logic any other scenario and you will see my point...
Should we avoid wearing clothes because some people misuse them, or simply avoid those people who do? Keep in mind, the majority does misuse clothing. How about knives? Some people misuse knives, stabbing and killing others. Should we avoid using knives correctly then? How about food? Many people misuse food. Should we stop eating then? Maybe you are a Christian and if so, do we give up on Christ and Christianity because some misuse it? Do we give up on them? Christ didn't! In fact, let us follow Christ's example. As the Word says, "Lets not become weary in doing good" (Galatians 6:9) and "Overcome evil with good" (Romans 12:21).
One fellow Christian nudist argued, "typing the word 'nudist' into a search engine on the Internet will return a list of porno sites." I answer, so what? So would typing in the word breast, penis, and a thousand other words. I ask, what if I was doing research on breast cancer, or prostrate cancer, or...? Does that mean I should avoid doing searches using those words, too? Maybe I should even stop referring to the various body parts by their appropriate names. I hope you see my point and see how ridiculous such logic is.
Consider this... What if Columbus decided to listen to those who tried to tell him that the world was flat? He knew he was right and set out to prove it. Others even thought Jesus was crazy, demon possessed, a sinner, etc. and He chose not to listen to them. He knew better. He chose to live a radically different life, one that does not conform to the standards of this world but the standards of truth.
One thing I know is, Christ commanded us, "Go into ALL the world and preach the Good News to ALL creation" (Mark 16:15). As a Christian, I am in this world, but I am not of it. That means I can be in this world but not like it. God calls every believer to minister to (or serve) others, even when those others sin and/or misunderstand, and so minister I shall.
All scriptures NIV unless otherwise noted.