Nude beaches?

[Art321]

So I guess Jesus was wrong when he told us in the Our Father to pray that we are not lead into temptation. This is flawed because we have the stain of original sin and concupiscence to fall. Temptation should only be faced if it cannot be avoided or in the process of doing good; ie someone in the healthcare industry seeing someone naked, but for the sake of doing some good. Christ knew we are weak and that is why he tells us to avoid temptation to sin. Should guys then go to strip clubs so they can “become hardened for the fight”? The way we become strong and avoid sin is through prayer, the sacraments, and being not lead into temptation in the first place (and then only if necessary when doing some good). You will not find an example of the saints (when leading a saintly life) rushing off to find temptation. Aquinas himself used a burning embers to keep back a harlot in a room he was locked in by his family to tempt him.

You will not find modern living saints in our midst at nude beaches, strip clubs, brothels, ect. You will find them going to mass, frequenting confession, in prayer, at adoration, fulfilling their duties to their spouse or kids or giving themselves totally to Christ as a priest or sister or brother ect. If you truly want to be the soldier you speak off you need to arm yourself with the sacraments and prayer and then go do things to show your faith like missionary work or prayer in front of an abortion mill or volunteer at your church to teach ccd ect. These and countless more are real examples of working with Christ and the angels to turn the tide against the evil one; not going to a nude beach yourself and being nude to be the cause of sin for others and this in no way helps you to put on the armor of Christ to avoid sin when tempted in the future; only grace (which God freely gives, not earned on our own) can do this which comes from the sacraments, and prayer, and performing good deeds.

Great post! Couldn’t of said it better myself!

 

[I_Seek_2]

So I guess Jesus was wrong when he told us in the Our Father to pray that we are not lead into temptation. This is flawed because we have the stain of original sin and concupiscence to fall. Temptation should only be faced if it cannot be avoided or in the process of doing good; ie someone in the healthcare industry seeing someone naked, but for the sake of doing some good. Christ knew we are weak and that is why he tells us to avoid temptation to sin. Should guys then go to strip clubs so they can “become hardened for the fight”? The way we become strong and avoid sin is through prayer, the sacraments, and being not lead into temptation in the first place (and then only if necessary when doing some good). You will not find an example of the saints (when leading a saintly life) rushing off to find temptation. Aquinas himself used a burning embers to keep back a harlot in a room he was locked in by his family to tempt him.

You will not find modern living saints in our midst at nude beaches, strip clubs, brothels, ect. You will find them going to mass, frequenting confession, in prayer, at adoration, fulfilling their duties to their spouse or kids or giving themselves totally to Christ as a priest or sister or brother ect. If you truly want to be the soldier you speak off you need to arm yourself with the sacraments and prayer and then go do things to show your faith like missionary work or prayer in front of an abortion mill or volunteer at your church to teach ccd ect. These and countless more are real examples of working with Christ and the angels to turn the tide against the evil one; not going to a nude beach yourself and being nude to be the cause of sin for others and this in no way helps you to put on the armor of Christ to avoid sin when tempted in the future; only grace (which God freely gives, not earned on our own) can do this which comes from the sacraments, and prayer, and performing good deeds.

Yes it may be better to to these things, but i was trying to show how we aren’t like a fortress and more like soldiers. Like soldiers in battle we shouldn’t fear it. It would be better to face it with all of those thing you mentioned. Yes Jesus said we are week, so that should give us incentive to become stronger. Of course original sin makes us imperfect but should we stop seeking perfection? And Jesus himself went out into the desert to be tested by the devil.

 

[CB_Catholic]

Yes it may be better to to these things, but i was trying to show how we aren’t like a fortress and more like soldiers. Like soldiers in battle we shouldn’t fear it. It would be better to face it with all of those thing you mentioned. Yes Jesus said we are week, so that should give us incentive to become stronger. Of course original sin makes us imperfect but should we stop seeking perfection? And Jesus himself went out into the desert to be tested by the devil.

Jesus was led into the desert by the Holy Spirit to be tested, and during the forty days he fasted and prayed. This was an act of God, led by God for God’s purpose, and the prayer and fasting gave Him the strength to overcome the temptation. There is a world of difference in being led by God, and personally seeking out temptation on one’s own voilition to seek perfection. The latter is an act of human will, not God’s will, and can be dangerous. Any temptation a Christian faces is permitted by God for His reasons, and we are given the graces to overcome the temptation by God, if we choose to use them. To deliberately seek out temptation against God’s will is unaccompanied by such graces. We face what God permits, we do not put ourselves into potentially sinful situations, in fact we are to avoid them.

There are plenty of other ways to seek perfection without putting ourselves into potentially sinful situations, prayer and fasting being among them, and attempting to conform ourselves to God’s will in every aspect of our lives.

 

[LittleOne1]

Jesus was led into the desert by the Holy Spirit to be tested, and during the forty days he fasted and prayed. This was an act of God, led by God for God’s purpose, and the prayer and fasting gave Him the strength to overcome the temptation. There is a world of difference in being led by God, and personally seeking out temptation on one’s own voilition to seek perfection. The latter is an act of human will, not God’s will, and can be dangerous. Any temptation a Christian faces is permitted by God for His reasons, and we are given the graces to overcome the temptation by God, if we choose to use them. To deliberately seek out temptation against God’s will is unaccompanied by such graces. We face what God permits, we do not put ourselves into potentially sinful situations, in fact we are to avoid them.

There are plenty of other ways to seek perfection without putting ourselves into potentially sinful situations, prayer and fasting being among them, and attempting to conform ourselves to God’s will in every aspect of our lives.

Thanks Carolyn, and also it is a sin to place oneself in occasion of sin without a just cause as well as an act of pride to say I am going to do this and stand up to the devil; the devil is not someone we can take on our own and to seek out temptation is exactly that. Also by visiting these places and partaking in their activities does nothing to discourage, it only encourage the existence of these places!!

 

[PrayHarder]

Yes it may be better to to these things, but i was trying to show how we aren’t like a fortress and more like soldiers.

I think both analogies are correct. Or to be more specific, perhaps our souls can be thought of as a fortress – something that needs to be protected from sin and evil. While our human bodies are the actual soldiers – engaged in a spiritual combat. To further the analogy, soldiers need to use tactics and prudence to survive. A soldier who just rushes blindly into a fire fight without any weapons or armor won’t last very long. The same goes with our souls and rushing blindly into temptation and sin by going to a nude beach.

We can make many different analogies to describe the same thing. After all, Jesus describes the Kingdom of Heaven like a mustard seed, a treasure hidden in a field, a wedding feast, etc. I don’t think any one of those is more correct than the other.

In closing, fortress or soldier, the point is to keep your soul safe from sin in this world.

 

[mdgspencer]

I think this shows what St. Paul said, “bad company corrupts good morals” (1Cor 15:33)
You are letting yourself be fooled. I was just reflecting today that I have considered myself very intelligent, but God is far more intelligent. St. Paul said a woman should dress modestly (1 Tim 2:9). Not dressing at all in view of this seems quite a joke. Don’t think you know more than God.

 

[opal]

Hey,
I know this is old but I just want to have my say I think you should go. There is nothing wrong with nudity; God made our bodies and He made them beautiful. Many people at nude beaches feel this way. Contrary to popular belief, nude beaches are not about sex or lust. A person who is a nudist isn’t a sex addict. They are just people who believe the body is beautiful, and would rather enjoy their beach experience unclothed.

Nudism, or going to a nude beach, or anything along those lines, isn’t a matter of modesty in my opinion. God’s creation is beautiful; should we cover up all the trees in the world, and uncover them only on special occaisons, simply because they’re pretty? Of course not. I think it’s the same deal with our bodies. I would wear clothes in normal public places, of course, out of respect for people who would rather not see naked people. But nude beaches are just a place where nudity is accepted. It’s not about showing off your body, either. People off all ages, weights, races, etc. go to nude beaches simply to soak up some rays in their bodies’ natural state. We were all born naked, you know.

Also in many countries, particularly in Europe, nudity at normal public beaches, pools, etc. is quite normal and accepted. Honestly, there is nothing sinful about it.

 

[PrayHarder]

Also in many countries, particularly in Europe, nudity at normal public beaches, pools, etc. is quite normal and accepted. Honestly, there is nothing sinful about it.

You are trying to deduce morality from the norms of society. That is a very slippery and dangerous slope. Just because something is accepted doesn’t make it right.

 

[Bluegoat]

You know, I am not particularly against nudity. I think oftentimes nudity is a cultural thing - in many places public nudity can be perfectly normal and acceptable in the right context. In some places, beaches are almost always nude. In others public baths (usually single gender) are the norm. Here, people often feel uncomfortable with nudity in single gender change rooms. In some places, men and women wear only small breech clothes, or nothing, all the time.

In all of these places and situations, nudity is not erotic, but just “normal”. (And yes, a few people may still find themselves attracted to others in these situations, but that is not really because of the fact that there is nudity -these are the same people that might have trouble in a room full of clothed people.

However, I think this particular situation raises a few questions for me.

One is the fact that it is a private beach. If it were simply the local culture that public bathing is nude, why do they have a private beach for nude bathing? (I could imagine that if it is a tourist area, it could be to get away from people who come to gawk at the “natives”.) OTOH, if it is more like a “nudist” beach, that is not quite the same, it is a rather self-conscious kind of nudity, and more likely I think to be problematic in practical ways.

Also, why do you think your friend, and you, might be interested? After all, it isn’t your cultural expectation to swim nude at the beach. Do you want to just experience another culture (in which case the type of beach it is may be an issue)? Do you find the North American understanding of the body is skewed and are looking for another way of thinking about it? Is it just a kind of tourist experience for the novelty and thrill (not perhaps very thoutful of the other people)? Do you just like swimming in the buff?

Which isn’t to say that your motives might not be be just fine, but it would be good to think about what they really are, since there are likely lots of conventional places to swim.

 

[Jermosh]

There is nothing wrong with nudity, I myself find woman in long sleeved sweaters with long blouses and tennis shoes more arousing then a woman in the nude.

 

[fabricdragon]

ok… i am NOT a theologian, but i am a former member of several nude groups, and a Catholic convert…

i wouldnt go

you see… nudity isnt the problem in and of itself, and you are right… its wonderful and fun and more comfortable than a bathing suit…
but

1. this is a mixed sex beach
2. it is a beach , not an enclosed room or anything

in a mixed gender environment like this… you are going to have several problems AS a Catholic (or Religious observant of almost any kind)

Scandal. “uh huh” just like a Catholic, they say they are all pure and holy and then they run off to anude beach the instant you turn your back…" just consider the things i have heard about Catholics whenever any prominant Catholic is caught with his pants doen… you are NOT going to set an example of Christian /Catholic/ Pure /Chaste behavior by going to a nude beach.

Setting an example your going to this beach could lead others to think this is how Catholics behave… remember how SHOCKED you were that your friend, a “good girl” went there? uh huh… and you are going because of HER example… does she mean any harm? probably not, but now you are thinking of going… so more people will start assuming that “its ok, these good girls are going. i can go too…”

Leading others into Temptation. (for some people its a short walk…)
i used to be a go go dancer. (yup) and one of the things i had to face was this: even though i NEVER did anything with these men, even though i was totally committed to my husband… i was being an object of lust FOR THEM deliberately…and that was wrong. (i wasnt a Catholic then either, but i digress…)
you dont want to be part of having anyone have “lust for you in his heart” by displaying yourself to them. you cant be held responsible if you didnt do anything and they STILL lust for you… but if you participate its neither chaste, nor modest

modesty
look it up in the Catechism, but revealing that which out to only be seen by your husband to a beach full of men is… not modest.

and then we have other problems
video cameras… camera phones, boats with telescopic lenses…i assure you there are webpages out there that specialize in photos of people who didn’t know they were being photographed
hwo could they prevent anyone from taking pictures of you? do they take your cell phone? search your bag? i dont think so…
and what about the boats and the hills? if its known to be a “private nude beach” i assure you there WILL be people trying to get pictures.

if you truly want to have the beneficial experiences of nudity, without the issues… find a gender segregated sauna. i had a LOVELY time at one in Baden Baden Germany…

 

[Paul1961]

Just to address the concern expressed about photographs and the internet. The issue for most people is worry of being identified.

First
Wear a hat. Big floppy, baseball, or visor… it doesn’t matter. It will protect you from the sun and obscure your facial features from most angles.

Second
Sunglasses

With sunglasses and a hat, you are ready for the beach and no one would be able to identify you.

Don’t forget the sunblock. You certainly don’t want to get a sunburn

 

[DaveBj]

Would you post a nude picture of yourself on this thread?

I didn’t think so. Expand and extrapolate.

DaveBj

 

[OraLabora]

This reminds me of a joke.

Your house catches fire while you’re in the shower and you have to race out buck naked to escape the flames.

What part of your body do you cover up?

Answer: your face, so nobody will recognize you in the newspaper or on the TV news!

And if someone DOES recognize you even with your face covered, it’s time to go to confession

Seriously, I would avoid a nude beach. Strikes me as a little undignified to go around in public without any clothes on; not much better than tootling around the hospital with your IV pole with one of those silly gowns with your butt hanging out. And in my case, if I went around naked in public, it would definitely be an offense against charity to subject others to that…

Although some great art has been nude…

 

[DaveBj]

This reminds me of a joke.

Your house catches fire while you’re in the shower and you have to race out buck naked to escape the flames.

What part of your body do you cover up?

Answer: your face, so nobody will recognize you in the newspaper or on the TV news!

And if someone DOES recognize you even with your face covered, it’s time to go to confession

Seriously, I would avoid a nude beach. Strikes me as a little undignified to go around in public without any clothes on; not much better than tootling around the hospital with your IV pole with one of those silly gowns with your butt hanging out. And in my case, if I went around naked in public, it would definitely be an offense against charity to subject others to that…

Although some great art has been nude…

Me too. Way me too.

DaveBj

 

[PrayHarder]

With sunglasses and a hat, you are ready for the beach and no one would be able to identify you.

Yeah, you’re sure to fool God that way!

 

[LlMABEAN]

Hey Kristin,
I will try to put this in a positive light then the simple “NO you are absolutely wrong and will suffer enternal damnation for this.”
Your body is a temple; first and foremost a temple of the Holy Spirit. You also have to consider that if God does call you to marry, he made you for your husband and not for others who have no business looking at you (doctors and stuff excluded because that is for a noble purpose). These men on their honeymoons might not hit you up, but you offer another occasion of sin by being naked there because they lust with their eyes (and you will never know this), but you have a responsibility to be modest for them because you offer more temptation. Also how can you predict single men (or unfaithful married men for that matter) will not hit on you? Ultimately the positive I want to give you for avoiding this is that the beauty of your body is not meant for any man, but your husband if God calls you to marriage because this is a unique personal gift meant for him. Would you do this if you were married and how would it make your husband feel if you went with some friend to a nude beach? Most likely jealous. If you wouldn’t do this during your marriage (be naked at some nude beach for all types of men to see) why would it be should you do it before you are marriage. Save the beauty of your body from men who will lust after you in their hearts and instead for a real man who will love you as a person because the promise to love honor and respect you all the days of your life and your future children (God willing). Think of the positive idea of your body as a gift you can save for your future husband and not for other guys to oodle in their hearts over and use you in their minds.

You said that even though the men may be married they may lust over her. This could be the same if she was wearing a bikini,swimsuit or just normal clothes. I think it would not be a sin to go to a nude beach. I know that at nude beaches they don’t allow any sexual things.
Also if men do get aroused they are asked to leave the beach!
God Bless!

 

[DaveBj]

You said that even though the men may be married they may lust over her. This could be the same if she was wearing a bikini,swimsuit or just normal clothes. I think it would not be a sin to go to a nude beach. I know that at nude beaches they don’t allow any sexual things.
Also if men do get aroused they are asked to leave the beach!
God Bless!

Old thread. I don’t care, but there are some who do.

 

[Ignatius]

. She says when she was there a few years ago she went with her cousin to a private nude beach. Her cousin has a membership to it. She loved it and really wants to go back.

I wear a purity ring and swear to myself not to have any sexual contact in any way before marriage.

So, how is running around naked on a beach in front of other people going to strengthen your commitment to purity?

It isn’t. Cancel the trip and do something becoming a young woman who wears a purity ring.

 

[DaveBj]

So, how is running around naked on a beach in front of other people going to strengthen your commitment to purity?

It isn’t. Cancel the trip and do something becoming a young woman who wears a purity ring.

Cancel the trip? You’re a little late with that advice. The OP is 5 years old.