Naked pictures to spouse

[Debora123]

Hey, if you think you should be the morality police in people’s marriage, you take a much more hardcore stance than the Church takes.

I personally do not understand the very negative, unhealthy perspective of viewing one’s spouse wearing his/her birthday suit that is prevalent in this thread. But to each their own…

If my wife sent me such a picture, I’d simply smile; it’d make my day. That’s all. Nothing unhealthy or appalling about that.

 

[Greg_N]

Hey, if you think you should be the morality police in people’s marriage, you take-blah blah

Heard it all before brother.
Natural law, Theology of the body etc. > It’s all there in black and white I’m just communicating the point.

Lol, I’m assuming you’re a guy, given the name “greg”… therefore I am confused as to why you’re asking me why seeing your spouse naked is different from seeing them clothed.

It shouldn’t be something I have to explain.

Of course there’s a difference (though it shouldn’t have anything to do with me being male, unless you’re trying to imply something? lol).

I really do believe the distinction you make between the two is the crux of the issue here. Sending a fully clothed image to your spouse would be fine right? So what caused you to speculate as to whether or not it’s immoral to send a nude image?
Come on, you can answer this, throw your dog a bone.

 

[TheWarriorMonk]

Heard it all before brother.
Natural law, Theology of the body etc. > It’s all there in black and white I’m just communicating the point.

Which parts discuss spouses viewing each other in their birthday suits in the highly negative manner that you put forth?

Hint: It doesn’t…it’s your personal opinion.

 

[Greg_N]

Which parts discuss spouses viewing each other in their birthday suits in the highly negative manner that you put forth?

Umm, I was referring to theology of the body in general, but I’ll throw you some direct JPII quotes if I plan to continue this discourse (PM). The point I’m trying to make is that man entered the world with an ethos to his body, which is meant for self-gift in love. This is crucial for the theology of the body. The nuptial meaning of the body allows us to know who man and woman are and should be, and therefore how he/she should mold there activity.This line of thinking leads into the point I’m trying to make, but I will wait until Debbie responds to my question before I elaborate on this theme any further.

 

[Debora123]

Heard it all before brother.
Natural law, Theology of the body etc. > It’s all there in black and white I’m just communicating the point.

TOB says no such thing.

Pet peeve: When personal opinions become proclaimed as infallible truths. Not much else to say about that.

Of course there’s a difference (though it shouldn’t have anything to do with me being male, unless you’re trying to imply something? lol).

I really do believe the distinction you make between the two is the crux of the issue here. Sending a fully clothed image to your spouse would be fine right? So what caused you to speculate as to whether or not it’s immoral to send a nude image?
Come on, you can answer this, throw your dog a bone.

I didn’t speculate on whether it would be immoral. I already believed it not to be. I started this thread bc I was curious to hear other’s opinions on the matter and I thought it’d be an interesting discussion. Which it has been. So thanks for your participation.

 

[clem456]

Which parts discuss spouses viewing each other in their birthday suits in the highly negative manner that you put forth?

Hint: It doesn’t…it’s your personal opinion.

Hint:

The opinion being expressed here is yours…that Theology of the Body has a negative viewpoint. It has a positive viewpoint.
It has the viewpoint of Scripture and Church teaching.
Purity, modesty, chastity, respect for sexuality, those things are beautiful.

Before anyone dipsutes about these things, have you actually read this teaching? which is from a Pope, who is also considered one of the greatest philosphers to ever live? If you haven’t, there isn’t much to discuss, and the ideas should not be dismissed out of hand as they have been here. .
The relevant chapters are 60-63, refering to the human body as represented in artistic expression. That’s not limited to great works of art in museums, but to the use of the human body as an object, whether for private or public use.

 

[Debora123]

Hint:

The opinion being expressed here is yours…that Theology of the Body has a negative viewpoint.

He wasn’t saying that TOB has a negative view point. He was saying that TOB DOESN’T have the negative view point being portrayed here, as some claim.

That’s why he said this:

Which parts discuss spouses viewing each other in their birthday suits in the highly negative manner that you put forth?

Hint: It doesn’t…it’s your personal opinion.

 

[TheWarriorMonk]

This line of thinking leads into the point I’m trying to make,

Hence my comment it’s your personal opinion.

My pet peeve: Wrongful application of concepts.

What applies to, say, the unmarried does not necessarily apply to the married.

Obviously, within marriage the Church has defined a few basic “rules of conduct,” but they are actually very few in number. In fact, I was surprised at how wrong I was about certain subjects when I started learning about them. As far as the topic under discussion goes, it’s simply a choice between husband and wife. If they are comfortable with it, have a blast. If not, don’t do it. But it would be improper to attempt to impose one’s own personal choice on another’s personal choice, or call it wrong.

 

[Debora123]

It has the viewpoint of Scripture and Church teaching.
Purity, modesty, chastity, respect for sexuality, those things are beautiful.

The idea that a wife sending her husband a picture of herself nude automatically violates those things, in and of itself, is your opinion. And I believe it comes across as a negative view of the body and of marital sexuality.

Think about it. Sending my husband a picture of myself wearing no clothes is Impure? Immodest? Unchaste? Disrespectful to sexuality?? I don’t think it is.

Seems pretty negative to me.

 

[clem456]

The idea that a wife sending her husband a picture of herself nude automatically violates those things, in and of itself, is your opinion. And I believe it comes across as a negative view of the body and of marital sexuality.

Think about it. Sending my husband a picture of myself wearing no clothes is Impure? Immodest? Unchaste? Disrespectful to sexuality?? I don’t think it is.

Seems pretty negative to me.

It’s interesting that somehow you heard me say the words “automatically violates” when in fact I and others have taken pains not to pretend to pass judgement on YOU, as we cannot anyway… You asked a question, you got answers, you dismiss the answers you don’t like as opinions.

It’s also interesting that you consider Church documents to be my opinion. If I posted about my experience in my life I expressed it as such. I never said that my experience is yours, did I? Theology of the Body is not my opinion.

It’s also interesting that you consider the Church’s teaching on sexuality to be negative. That is a common issue especially in our culture. The Church’s teaching is not negative.
The Church speaks about modesty, purity, chastity in a positive way, as these are the way to fulfilment in a marriage.

You make your own decisions as a mature adult.

 

[Debora123]

It’s interesting that somehow you heard me say the words “automatically violates” when in fact I and others have taken pains not to pretend to pass judgement on YOU, as we cannot anyway… You asked a question, you got answers, you dismiss the answers you don’t like as opinions.

But Clem, what you’re saying is making it sound like you don’t just believe that it these pictures could possibly lead to sin if the recipient chooses to behave sinfully. You’re making it sound like they are already automatically wrong and impure in the first place. In and of themselves. Which, well, IS an opinion.

So I guess I still don’t understand exactly where you stand.

If all you’re saying is that caution must be taken to make sure the husband receiving these isn’t going to react in a sinful manner, than I agree completely. But that’s not what it sounds like you’re saying.

 

[Debora123]

It’s also interesting that you consider Church documents to be my opinion. If I posted about my experience in my life I expressed it as such. I never said that my experience is yours, did I? Theology of the Body is not my opinion.

I still don’t understand what Church document you are talking about that states that it is sinful, impure, unchaste, and disrespectful for spouses to see each other nude in private photos amongst themselves. I also don’t understand where TOB fits into all of this.

At this point I’m more confused as ever on where you stand, because on the paragraph right before this one, you made it sound like you never meant to say such action would automatically be sinful. Now here, you’re alluding that it’s Church document that they are? What??

 

[Debora123]

It’s also interesting that you consider the Church’s teaching on sexuality to be negative. That is a common issue especially in our culture. The Church’s teaching is not negative.
The Church speaks about modesty, purity, chastity in a positive way, as these are the way to fulfilment in a marriage.

You make your own decisions as a mature adult.

Please state where in the name of all holiness I ever said that I consider the Church’s teaching on sexuality to be negative. That is completely untrue, and I don’t see where I even alluded to that, or where you even could have misunderstood me. I’m sorry, but some of these things you’re saying about me, and your own contradictions are very bizarre.

 

[clem456]

Please talk to your priest. This is a fruitless discussion.

 

[Debora123]

Please talk to your priest. This is a fruitless discussion.

I thought it was an interesting discussion. I got various different opinions and various different view points. Some I agreed with, others I did not, and others were partially so.

Though your last post, no offense, made no sense whatsoever.

 

[zzz]

Please state where in the name of all holiness I ever said that I consider the Church’s teaching on sexuality to be negative. That is completely untrue, and I don’t see where I even alluded to that, or where you even could have misunderstood me. I’m sorry, but some of these things you’re saying abl me, and your own contradictions are very bizarre.

 

[mtbender]

Hi bender,

I don’t know if you’re male of female, but if you’re married, isn’t the sight of your spouse pleasing to your eye?

Don’t you enjoy/appreciate looking at your loved one?

In short, it’s just fun. It helps us deal with the separation by giving us something to look forward to each day. Kind of like taking a bad situation and getting something fun and special out of it.

First, I am a married father of 5 (6 is due in April). I have experienced the extended separations that military life brings. With that background, I will offer my opinion…

I very much enjoy the beauty of my wife. With that said, I believe the same things can be achieved through a picture of her fully clothed, or even holding our children. She will be just as beautiful with her clothes on…

As the husband, I would almost be offended. What does it say about how she thinks I view her? Perhaps that my wife thought she had to be naked in those pictures for me to appreciate her beauty or to make me want to hurry home to her. That would tell me I am doing something wrong as her husband. My wife doesn’t need to send me nude pictures while I am away to make me feel good or to want to hurry home…

To me it would sexualize a moment when it isn’t necessary – almost detracting from the beauty and sweetness that exists just in the fact that she is making time in her chaotic day for me.

I am not implying anything about your relationship, just offering my perspective…

 

[AnneTeresa]

I agree with Clem–talk to your priest. You seem unwilling to consider the issue of prudence --or any other viewpoint than your own (and I think you already made a decision on this before you ever posted the question) and have an answer for everyone instead of seriously considering what they are saying (if it doesn’t agree with you) – and so this is a waste of time.

WHY you consider sending nude pix to be “just fun” and “making something fun and special out of a bad situation” is something you should prayerfully think about. IMO Also, I suggest you consider what mtbender had to say… he makes some wise points.

Finally, in regards to your comment of it being “weird” why people would wonder why you did this… hmm, I think that’s telling. We are trying to get you to seriously look at your own motives and you don’t seem willing to do that. I recognize that attitude from things I’ve fought against myself. Oh well, I wish you the best.

 

[CatholicFireman]

I think the only problem I’d have was fear of hacking.

So Debora, did hubby ship out to the AF?

 

[The_Bucket]

Debora,

I think at this point the back and forth have pretty much hit their logical conclusions. I basically concur with nearly everyone here: It’s not morally wrong, it’s potentially imprudent, it probably won’t result in any kind of objectification on the part of your husband, nudity between spouses need not be seen as anything super serious. It’s just our bodies as God made them! They are dignified clothed or not. They should be treated with respect but not as fragile objects that can be desecrated with the slightest untoward action or thought.

At any rate, I don’t know that anyone is judging you for thinking that this is morally OK. I don’t think they are. I would hope you likewise don’t judge those who are saying it’s imprudent or potentially opens up a very slight crack for your husband to lust as having an unhealthy view of sex.

Sexuality in marriage is a great thing. What you’ve proposed is not inherently unchaste but could open the door for abuses. Those who think it imprudent for various reasons are not wrong to think that either.