Nudism

Nudist couple on a beach.

Nudism is the practice by groups of people (nudists) of different types of nude activities in public. Although a reference to respect for nature is added to the definition of nudism, almost all groups that define themselves as nudists simply try to freely express their right to be naked. Nudism considers that the moral prohibition of the practice of public nudity is the source of psycho-emotional problems, among which are lack of self-esteem, poor body self-image and sexual morbidity.

Definition

As an ideology, nudism is defined as:

• The perception of one's own nude and others as something natural.
• It is not sexually provocative.

Many nudist groups are beginning to fight for this ideology to be respected within the framework of Human Rights and for its practice to stop being persecuted by the legal system of each country.

The Dictionary of the Spanish language, of the Royal Spanish Academy, in its twenty-second edition, gives the following meaning for the word "nudismo":

nudism. (Del lat. nūdus, nude, e-ism). 1. m. Attitude or practice of those who maintain that complete nakedness is suitable for perfect physical and even moral balance. 2. m. Doctrine or theory that advocates it.

Royal Spanish Academy. Spanish language dictionary.

The same dictionary includes nudism as a synonym, built directly from nude and -ism, as well as stripper to name each of its practitioners.

In Spanish, the nudist movement often calls itself "naturista". However, the Dictionary of the Spanish language, of the Royal Spanish Academy, in its twenty-second edition, gives a single meaning for the word "naturism":

(Nature and -ism). 1. m. Doctrine that preconditions the use of natural agents for the conservation of health and the treatment of diseases.

Royal Spanish Academy. Spanish language dictionary.

However, the "nudist" movement, in Spanish, generally prefers to call itself with the expression "naturist". Nudism is the practice of nudity in certain public places. The definition for naturism of the International Naturist Federation, translated into Spanish by the Spanish Naturism Federation, is as follows: «Naturism is a way of living in harmony with nature, characterized by the practice of nude in common, in order to promote respect for oneself, others and the environment.

The practice of nudism is a way of life according to its defenders, recreational, cultural and educational, promoting contact with nature and under a community life, free, without religious or sexual discrimination. They defend the possibility of practicing nudism in public spaces.

Part of the nudist movement maintains that being clothed can be uncomfortable and, instead, that nudity is much more practical and that it can provide a feeling of freedom while doing any activity, except in cases where it is not appropriate, such as when it is cold or when for cultural reasons it could be considered inappropriate.

Nudism also criticizes the current aesthetic canons and advocates that all bodies have beauty. Based on this reflection, it is intended that people feel happier, particularly with their own body and not discriminated against because of its shape.

Discrimination

It is common for nudist environments to discriminate against single men to access their facilities or against same-sex couples or groups. Sometimes the card of a nudist association is required to access campsites or nudist resorts. With this arises the paradox that the nudist associations, which claim to promote nudism, claim the right to decide who and who does not have the right to practice nudism. Rather, they want to favor nudism following the family model.

Practice nudism

The usual way to practice nudity is in specific areas and within a community or group. These areas can be campsites, towns, swimming pools or beaches, among other possibilities.

Above all in private centers nudity is usually regulated, in such a way that it is usually obligatory in certain areas (except when the weather is adverse) and even prohibited in others, such as dining rooms. There is even a nudist cruise that prohibits wearing piercings in the genital organs. Nudism maintains that nudity is not sex, but they maintain prohibitions and discrimination to keep away any manifestation that reminds of sex, excluding only nudity itself.

Today, even official entities such as Turespaña collaborate with nudist centers to develop an increasingly numerous and still emerging nudist tourism, despite the fact that it also means collaborating in the discriminations based on sex that have already been pointed out.

Health of body and mind

One purpose of nudism is to promote the health of the body and mind, maintaining the same values of the Christian-Western culture. Nudism promotes optimal health through full body contact with the natural elements: Sun, water, air, and earth. They also maintain a balanced diet, such as the Mediterranean diet or the ovo-lacto-vegetarian. Additionally, they practice activities such as sauna, relaxation or yoga to achieve this health.

In the particular case of the use of swimwear, they argue that it makes some parts of the body wet for a long time. Instead, sunlight produces an antiseptic action, preventing the proliferation of bacteria and fungi. In addition, these items of clothing, which are often synthetic, make it difficult for the skin to breathe naturally.

Another of the advantages of nudism is that in babies, it improves brain development. In addition, it allows us to better understand that there is no single perfect body, but that we are all different and we must respect each other. Also, those who get more used to going naked are less sensitive to cold.

Christian nudists

Adam and Eveby Durer (1507).

Adamites formed a sect that promoted nudism

Christian nudists are Christians who practice nudism, and are a part of the nudist movement. They believe that the human body was God's greatest creation, therefore it cannot be shameful or need to be hidden. Christian naturists can be found in almost every denomination in Christendom, and they find no conflict with the teachings of the Bible and living their lives and worshiping God without clothes. However, most have various disagreements with the New Age philosophy and humanism that is common among other naturists and wish to be separated from it. This includes the absolute rejection of all forms of nature worship of all kinds.

Although in some societies traditionally considered as Catholic nudism has been frowned upon, this rejection is not related to the essence of religion but to other socio-cultural conditions that occur in said societies. Thus, for example, Saint Thomas Aquinas defined an impudent act as one that is carried out with lewd intention. Therefore, if someone undresses for the sole purpose of bathing, sunbathing or recreation, he cannot be accused of impudence.

Garden of Eden

According to Genesis, Adam and Eve lived in the Garden of Eden as spouses. Meanwhile they ate the fruit of the tree that God persuaded by the devil in the form of a serpent. Then their eyes were opened and they perceived that they were naked. Thus they gathered fig leaves to make primitive clothes to cover their sexual organs. These became insufficient very quickly and Adam and Eve hid from God among the trees.

• God to Adam (with Eve): — Who told you you were naked? (Genesis 3:11a)

Christian nudists believe it was the devil, not God, who told them they were naked. According to this line, the devil has chosen the sexual organs as the area of shame because, unlike God, he does not have the capacity to create life. Nor would it have been God's will for Adam and Eve to wear clothes, even though they sinned. However, God did not strip Adam and Eve of their fig leaves; on the contrary, he respected their free will and had made them clothes from animal skins which implies a blood sacrifice. Meanwhile, after the crucifixion of Jesus animal sacrifice became unnecessary for the expiation of sin. For these reasons, Christian nudists believe that we do not need to wear clothing (except in cold or hostile weather) and the greed for the flesh can be averted by the power of God.

Respect for people

Nudism promotes respect for people and is not defined by any political or religious option. Part of nudism also promotes social equality arguing that in many cases clothing puts up artificial barriers or hinders the relationship between people, still ensuring that naked people are more equal to each other, regardless of social class, ideology or religion. Nudism is intended to be a socially constructive and respectful philosophy with everyone. In addition, nudism expects the same respect. Up to 32 national federations are included in the International Naturist Federation (FNI/INF), which brings together more than 350,000 people and issues cards that facilitate access to different nudist vacation centers and distributes its own guide.

In Spain, the practice of nudism is currently legal, although the Supreme Court ruling of March 30, 2015 allows city councils to prohibit the practice of nudism on certain beaches.

Historically it was linked to anarchism, from a revolutionary and emancipatory perspective. Indeed, one of the main disseminators of nudism in Spain, Juan Sanxo Farrerons, who under the pseudonym Laura Brunet, published in 1931 the book Integral Nudism and edited the magazine Biofilia, is known for his affinity with anarchism.

A variant of nudism that is becoming effective in various Western countries in the XXI century is urbanism or nudism urban; They are considered to be artistic manifestations, of freedom or they are carried out to call attention to a topic or as a sign of protest (the Femen group usually performs acts with almost always partial nudity to call attention to topics or expressing complaints and claims), however, many consider such practices forms of exhibitionism using political issues as a pretext.

Respect for the environment

There are many nudists who are only nudists to "practice nudism," despite the fact that, in theory, nudists enjoy nature and act to preserve it. There are those who propose energy saving and the rational use of natural resources, and often practice the reduction, reuse and recycling of waste. They aim to achieve a sustainable society as well as preserve the environment for future generations.

Sports

Nudism also promotes the practice of sports, especially outdoors, to maintain good physical health. They ensure that with sport you get better flexibility, agility and proper functioning of the body. They emphasize that sports can be beneficial for health as long as they are done with a playful and non-competitive aspect.