205ARGUE

201. The Bible calls for purity of heart. Anyone who thinks it is impossible to be pure of heart while nude
is ignorant of the realities of nudism, and anyone who believes that it is wrong even for the pure of heart to be nude
has fallen into legalism, a vice which St. Paul repeatedly denounces. 293
St. Paul writes: "See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which
depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ. . . . Since you died with
Christ to the basic principles of the world, why, as though you still belonged to it, do you submit to its rules: 'Do not
handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!'? These are all destined to perish with use, because they are based on human
commands and teachings. Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship,
their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence.
. . . Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness,
humility, gentleness, and patience." (Colossians 2:8, 20-23; 3:12)
202. Clothes-compulsiveness creates an unwholesome schism between one's spirit and body. A Christian
morality should deal with the person as a whole, healing both spirit and body.
Christ.
203. Nudity has often been used in the Christian tradition as symbolic of renouncing the world to follow
Margaret Miles writes: "In the thirteenth century, Saint Bernard of Clairvoux popularized the idea of nudity
as symbolic imitation of Christ; it took Saint Francis to act out this metaphor. Francis announced his betrothal to
Lady Poverty [i.e. his renunciation of material possessions] by publicly stripping off his clothing and flinging it at
the feet of his protesting father" and the local bishop. 294 Several Christian sects have practiced nudity as part of
their faith, including the German Brethren of the Free Spirit, in the thirteenth century; the Picards, in fifteenth
century France; and, most famously, the Adamites, in the early fifteenth century Netherlands. 295
204. Many other faiths also support nudity, both historically and in current practice.
For example, the "Digambar" or "sky-clad" monks of Digambar Jainism have gone completely naked as
part of their ascetic tradition for 2500 years, though nudity is rare in the dominant Hindu religion. Many other
(males-only) Hindu religious orders also practice ritualistic nudity or near-nudity, as they have for hundreds or
thousands of years. Tribal Hindus held an annual nude worship service attracting 100,000 in Chandragutti, India
until 1987, when it was stopped by the police, in reaction to violence which had erupted the previous year when
social workers tried to force clothing on the participants. 296
Personal experience supports Naturism.
205. One of the most important arguments in support of nudism is personal experience. Personal
testimonies in favor of nudism are too numerous to mention. 297 Based on my own experience, I find nudists to be
more friendly, open-minded, considerate, respectful, and sharing than non-nudists in general. Their children are
more active, and healthier, both physically and mentally. None of these testimonies, of course, compares to personal
experience. A single visit to a nudist park or a nude beach will not cause permanent harm to anyone. On the other
hand, it may change your life. Experience the freedom for yourself!
Endnotes
Special Thanks