Is it a Sin to Watch "Naked and Afraid?"

[Belshazzar]

I came across this show recently while flipping through the channels, and was a little shocked at what I saw (not that I should have been, really. I figured it would only be a matter of time before nudity would appear on standard cable). Anyway, this is a “reality show” depicting a male and a female who are to survive in the wilderness in some remote location for roughly 1 month with only 1 provision allowed for each of them (frying pan, flashlight, e.g.) and they are to construct their own shelter, kill their food to eat and basically live off the land with nothing, including their clothes. These are typically men and women who are married and have children and yet they sleep side-by side in the buff with their survival mate. I have made a resolution to avoid watching this show because I feel it draws me into the near occasion of sin.

Not that I have felt sexually charged after watching it. But I’m sure most guys out there aren’t watching this to learn survival skills. Should I even bother mentioning this in the confessional next time?

 

[MarcoPolo]

…I feel it draws me into the near occasion of sin.

Not that I have felt sexually charged after watching it. But I’m sure most guys out there aren’t watching this to learn survival skills. Should I even bother mentioning this in the confessional next time?

You should mention it if you feel you crossed the line of lust in watching the show. Or you could just mention it exactly as you have here.

 

[PaulfromIowa]

In as much as wasting valuable time is a sin, yes this show is totally sinful.

 

[DavidFilmer]

There’s a reason why the title of the show is “NAKED and afraid.”

It’s not the fear that attracts viewers.

 

[stewstew03]

…
Not that I have felt sexually charged after watching it. But I’m sure most guys out there aren’t watching this to learn survival skills. Should I even bother mentioning this in the confessional next time?

I’ve seen the show and actually do find their survival skills pretty amazing. The show is in no way erotic, nor does it appeal to prurient interests. It would be akin to viewing Michelangelo’s David and thinking you need to rush to confession post haste…

 

[frizzgrig]

The show doesn’t really have any redeeming qualities in my opinion, but unless you are watching it to catch a lustful glance at a obscured/pixelated unclothed human body (or some other sinful wish) I’m not sure I would classify it as a sin to watch it. It is not much different than coming across a National Geographic show about a tribe somewhere that doesn’t wear clothing (the National Geographic show might be worse according to some people since they do not usually bother to obscure the genitals).

Your confessor or spiritual adviser would be in a better position to speak to the sinfulness or lack thereof for your particular situation.

 

[Memaw]

I’ve seen the show and actually do find their survival skills pretty amazing. The show is in no way erotic, nor does it appeal to prurient interests. It would be akin to viewing Michelangelo’s David and thinking you need to rush to confession post haste…

Don’t kid yourself, they are producing this show for a reason, to break decency rules!! The couple could use their skills just the same if they were clothed. In fact maybe more people would pay attention to their skills and not their rear ends if they were dressed. If I couldn’t find something better to watch then I would shut off my TV. I do not support reality shows of any kind. God Bless, Memaw

 

[stewstew03]

Don’t kid yourself, they are producing this show for a reason, to break decency rules!! The couple could use their skills just the same if they were clothed. In fact maybe more people would pay attention to their skills and not their rear ends if they were dressed. If I couldn’t find something better to watch then I would shut off my TV. I do not support reality shows of any kind. God Bless, Memaw

To be clear, I wouldn’t care one bit if they cancelled this show. But I did happen to catch an episode and didn’t find anything objectionable or indecent about it. The “naked” part is being exposed to the elements, and participants usually find leaves or other materials to cover up.

 

[Bruised_Reed]

I came across this show recently while flipping through the channels, and was a little shocked at what I saw (not that I should have been, really. I figured it would only be a matter of time before nudity would appear on standard cable).(…)

Don’t kid yourself, they are producing this show for a reason, to break decency rules!!(…)

Don’t kid yourself. Nudity has been shown on television in many parts of Europe for decades. They are not influenced by puritanical mores as is the US. The exception here would be PBS.

 

[Memaw]

To be clear, I wouldn’t care one bit if they cancelled this show. But I did happen to catch an episode and didn’t find anything objectionable or indecent about it. The “naked” part is being exposed to the elements, and participants usually find leaves or other materials to cover up.

God clothed Adam and Eve after the Fall so that should tell us something! I’m sure they were afraid but not naked. God Bless, Memaw

 

[Memaw]

Don’t kid yourself. Nudity has been shown on television in many parts of Europe for decades. They are not influenced by puritanical mores as is the US. The exception here would be PBS.

And look where they are today and we’re not to far behind them. God Bless, Memaw

 

[Bruised_Reed]

God clothed Adam and Eve after the Fall so that should tell us something! I’m sure they were afraid but not naked. God Bless, Memaw

Where do you get the idea God clothed Adam and Eve? Why would God do that?

 

[Bruised_Reed]

And look where they are today and we’re not to far behind them. God Bless, Memaw

And where exactly are they today? It isn’t just in the last few years that nudity has been shown. I’m not saying that it all the way back to the invention of the television, but probably not far off. Again, they weren’t influenced by prudery, a quality that is not a virtue.

 

[mikekle]

I’ve seen the show and actually do find their survival skills pretty amazing. The show is in no way erotic, nor does it appeal to prurient interests. It would be akin to viewing Michelangelo’s David and thinking you need to rush to confession post haste…

Well, as strange as it may seem, there are plenty of people in todays world, that actually think the statue of david should be covered up!!! I cant believe it either, but Ive even seen it censored when shown on TV…all I can say is WOW, the devil sure has a tight grip on this world (especially in the US).

Whats worse about this, these people claim to be good people and think they are doing the ‘right’ thing, by censoring it, or shielding their kids eyes around such art, etc. depraved world is all I can say!

 

[Memaw]

And where exactly are they today? It isn’t just in the last few years that nudity has been shown. I’m not saying that it all the way back to the invention of the television, but probably not far off. Again, they weren’t influenced by prudery, a quality that is not a virtue.

What were they influenced by??? Certainly not modesty, a quality that is a Virtue! God Bless, Memaw

 

[Bruised_Reed]

What were they influenced by??? Certainly not modesty, a quality that is a Virtue! God Bless, Memaw

Telling a story, perhaps? There is nudity is films in the US; most of the time it’s used for prurient reasons and in others it adds authenticity to the story. Same as in Europe, etc.

 

[Memaw]

Telling a story, perhaps? There is nudity is films in the US; most of the time it’s used for prurient reasons and in others it adds authenticity to the story. Same as in Europe, etc.

So we have to be naked to be authentic, huh??? God help us. God Bless, Memaw

 

[Bruised_Reed]

So we have to be naked to be authentic, huh??? God help us. God Bless, Memaw

I understand you disagree with me but it’s kind of insulting to respond with something that is a distortion of what I said and suggests I implied something I didn’t. Also, I think you know exactly what I’m talking about and have to resort to making me sound like I’m stupid. I was going to suggest you try again but I will go ahead and respond to your comment.

No, I didn’t say we have to be naked to be authentic.

First of all, “we”? Who is “we”? You and I, randomly, or what? I honestly don’t know to whom you are referring.

When I was referring to authenticity I was making the point that not all nudity was meant for titillation and that appropriate nudity can give a scene more impact. An example is “Schindler’s List.” The nudity did make the scene more real and gave the audience who had a sanitized view of the atrocities of the Nazis. Nazis tortured and killed there prisoners in a variety of ways but first stripped them of anything that made them individuals including their clothing but also shaved their hair, took their glasses (this in particular bothers me; I can imagine how difficult it would be to not be able to see well what was going on). How humiliating to be naked in front of strange men, how disorienting it must have been. There last moments alive were spent being degraded.

Another example is a brief moment in “The Passion of the Christ” at the end showing Jesus’ resurrection we see a naked hip, partial buttock and thigh. Resurrection + nakedness = True God and True Man.

 

[Memaw]

I understand you disagree with me but it’s kind of insulting to respond with something that is a distortion of what I said and suggests I implied something I didn’t. Also, I think you know exactly what I’m talking about and have to resort to making me sound like I’m stupid. I was going to suggest you try again but I will go ahead and respond to your comment.

No, I didn’t say we have to be naked to be authentic.

First of all, “we”? Who is “we”? You and I, randomly, or what? I honestly don’t know to whom you are referring.

When I was referring to authenticity I was making the point that not all nudity was meant for titillation and that appropriate nudity can give a scene more impact. An example is “Schindler’s List.” The nudity did make the scene more real and gave the audience who had a sanitized view of the atrocities of the Nazis. Nazis tortured and killed there prisoners in a variety of ways but first stripped them of anything that made them individuals including their clothing but also shaved their hair, took their glasses (this in particular bothers me; I can imagine how difficult it would be to not be able to see well what was going on). How humiliating to be naked in front of strange men, how disorienting it must have been. There last moments alive were spent being degraded.

Another example is a brief moment in “The Passion of the Christ” at the end showing Jesus’ resurrection we see a naked hip, partial buttock and thigh. Resurrection + nakedness = True God and True Man.

You did say it adds authenticity to the story! Did I ever use the word stupid?? Are you implying something I didn’t?? I think its insulting that people, (WE), need to be entertained by that kind of programing. Indicates how far down our society has gone.

Please let’s don’t compare “Schindler’s List” or “The Passion of The Christ” to “Naked and Afraid”. I think that is an insult to both. I do give you credit for more intelligence than that!, God Bless, Memaw