Reading in the bath

[Xandria]

Well, you wouldn’t talk to your parents (or anyone) when you were naked, so is it really appropriate to talk to God while naked?

Sure, why not? God created your body and sees you every moment of your life anyway, whether you’re naked at the time or not. Then you might as well say a few words to him if sth. is on your mind.

 

[SarahR]

I prefer to think of Christ as sometimes sweaty and dirty as were all the men of the day in the area, calloused hands too.

I also see nothing wrong with reading or praying in the bathroom (short ejaculatory prayers are wonderful for mommies, since shutting the bathroom door mysteriously signals the young children to start fighting!)

 

[PatrickJT914]

Wonderful post and I totally agree! I read the Bible or other spiritual books all the time while in the bathtub and also pray there. Sometimes the Rosary, sometimes freely to God, about everything, about what I just read and what goes on in my head and heart. I cannot see anything wrong with it. A bath is my favorite way to end the day before going to bed so I cannot think of anything better to do there than pray.

Danke Xandria, may I ask you if you are a Mr.(Herr)/Mrs.(Frau)/ Miss (Fraulein)? Because I would like to address you in the proper manner. And besides I have pocket-sized Berlitz German for travellers book. I bought it when I used to work at Universal Studios Hollywood. I did so, to help out the German guests who struggled with some basic English. And make them feel more welcomed. But I also tried doing that for the Japanese, French, Chinese, Italian, Spanish (plenty of bilinqual speakers at work), Greek. Unfortunately I’m not the late Pope John Paul II or even Pope Benedict XVI who are or were able to speak multi- languages and have working knowledge of others. So, needless to say that idea didn’t work.

Now back to the topic. I’m glad that is how you relax and pray. But my only concern is that when people are relaxing in the bath. They might get TOO relaxed and fall asleep. It’s kind of a sickening sound to hear when a bible, favorite prayer (book) or a wooden beaded rosary falls into the water.:bigyikes: :doh2: :crying:
Another thing to remember that Roman crucifixion victims were further disrespected and humiliated by being naked on the cross. So Jesus was more than likely given the same treatment. But artists and sculptors covered him up with a rope and lioncloth.

 

[PatriciaGabriel]

I think it’s a great idea to pray in the bath. I’m not sure it’s the most reverent thing to read a spiritual book in the bath. Reading means you’re purposefully choosing to do that there…praying we should do always. I’m not sure if my thoughts are coming out clearly in regard to this…let me try again.

We need to clean ourselves, and we always should have some time of leisure (perhaps some people find this by taking a bath). During this time, we should never separate ourselves from God, so of course we should continue to be in union with him and pray during this time.

However, if we are choosing to spend time in a particular spiritual activity (such as reading), we should choose the most reverent and respectful way to do this.

However, though, I find nothing wrong with reading in the bath, so if one chooses to do so, why would I say it’s better to read something secular than spiritual? Of course it probably is many times more fruitful to read something spiritual. So in a sense, I do think it is okay.

I think my conclusion is that it’s whatever you are lead to do by the Holy Spirit.

Strange but interesting question!

 

[stuart12]

theres nothing at all wrong with it. what better way to spend some ‘wasted’ time by filling it with something extremely valuable? so if you are lying in the bath, and you think of God suddently, thats inappropriate and blasphemous then, since it is in the ‘wrong’ situation? nonsense. use your time well.

 

[Xandria]

Danke Xandria, may I ask you if you are a Mr.(Herr)/Mrs.(Frau)/ Miss (Fraulein)? Because I would like to address you in the proper manner. And besides I have pocket-sized Berlitz German for travellers book. I bought it when I used to work at Universal Studios Hollywood. I did so, to help out the German guests who struggled with some basic English. And make them feel more welcomed. But I also tried doing that for the Japanese, French, Chinese, Italian, Spanish (plenty of bilinqual speakers at work), Greek. Unfortunately I’m not the late Pope John Paul II or even Pope Benedict XVI who are or were able to speak multi- languages and have working knowledge of others. So, needless to say that idea didn’t work.

Hi Patrick!

I’m a Miss although the German term Fräulein is so old fashioned that it is not in use anymore. Thank God, it’s just dreadful! :bigyikes: Luckily all those forms don’t apply to the internet anyway.

Now back to the topic. I’m glad that is how you relax and pray. But my only concern is that when people are relaxing in the bath. They might get TOO relaxed and fall asleep. It’s kind of a sickening sound to hear when a bible, favorite prayer (book) or a wooden beaded rosary falls into the water.

For me, at least, that is so not an issue. Since I’m an insomniac I’m lucky if I sleep in a bed. But when I pray there I don’t use a good rosary in the tub, just one of those cheap little plastic ones.

Another thing to remember that Roman crucifixion victims were further disrespected and humiliated by being naked on the cross. So Jesus was more than likely given the same treatment. But artists and sculptors covered him up with a rope and lioncloth.

As horrible as that was, it was a perversion of an otherwise natural thing. I mean, God sees you every moment of your life anyway, whether naked or not, and he created your body. So why not just talk to him if sth is on your mind that moment.

 

[PatrickJT914]

Hi Xandria,
Thank you for responding. I apologize and I stand corrected. :blushing:

Hi Patrick!
I’m a Miss although the German term Fräulein is so old fashioned that it is not in use anymore. Thank God, it’s just dreadful! :bigyikes: Luckily all those forms don’t apply to the internet anyway.

Here in the States we don’t use Miss either, due to the feminists Ms has replaced both Miss and sometimes Mrs.

For me, at least, that is so not an issue. Since I’m an insomniac I’m lucky if I sleep in a bed. But when I pray there I don’t use a good rosary in the tub, just one of those cheap little plastic ones.

I’m glad for you that is not an issue. But I’m not glad for you that you are an insomniac. I hope you don’t any problems from that condition.:hypno: Your using the cheap plastic ones is a good and intelligent decision.

As horrible as that was, it was a perversion of an otherwise natural thing. I mean, God sees you every moment of your life anyway, whether naked or not, and he created your body. So why not just talk to him if sth is on your mind that moment.

I agree with you 100%. I have a question to ask of you. Is it true that Europeans don’t have such a hang up about their bodies? Americans seem to be bothered with that concept.:tsktsk: If that is true, why do you think that is?

I hope you don’t mind if I say Auf Wiedersehen, Xandria

Now try and get some sleep:

 

[m134e5]

Sometimes I read while taking a bath because I have no distractions there. But would it be disrespectful to read something spiritual or even the bible while taking a bath? I don’t want to offend God, but its the easiest place for me to do reading without getting distracted

Sorry for the weird question!

It isn’t disrespectful to read in the tub, but don’t say nobody warned you when you drop your book and ruin it.

 

[Biblioassistant]

I prefer to think of Christ as sometimes sweaty and dirty as were all the men of the day in the area, calloused hands too

Yes indeed:thumbsup: As St. Paul says, he was a man like us in all except sin.

 

[stuart12]

i think we have a few candidates to become puritans here. am glad that the common sense consensus has been reached.

the human body was created by God, and anyway its not like wearing clothes blocks God’s sight.

 

[Neil_Anthony]

Another reason I asked this question is that when we go to mass, they say that we should dress nicely to show respect for God. But taking a bath is the complete opposite.

Some people insist on kneeling while praying. What’s the opposite of kneeling? Maybe its lying back in a hot bath?

If this is fine, if you were a priest saying mass alone, would you maybe say mass in the tub? It’s nice and relaxing, and you could put a little altar beside the tub. Or would you pray the divine office in the tub? This could get taken too far I think.

 

[Pro_Domina]

2 things:

The ones that started depicting the Divine Child naked were of the Renasaince. They argued that Our Lord was without sin and that He knew everything anyways. Well we know the fruits of the Renasaince and that St. Pius X ordered the covering of all the nude images in the Vatican.

Another thing is, though I can’t remember the saint, but I know the commentary, is that when praying, the body must not be in a super relaxed position, because that is contrary to having the mind elevated to God, since we are one being and not two, animal and spiritual. So there goes for prayer.
Another thing is that even in the most prosaic things of life should have a supernatural reason in the end, no doubt. But for this very reason, we need to have pscychogical distance from some of the very prosaic things. Nakedness has no exception to any person. But that does not mean we should dwell and remain in it further than neccesary. It is not morally avisable either, as it is much easier to fall into vanity and impurity.

And remember what St. Ignatius taught. Agere contra! You have an inclination of laziness or a touch more pleasure in relaxing, then do the opposite. The stairs seem long, go by twos!

 

[beckycmarie]

I wish I could find the article I read recently that talks about profanity, and how most bad words have to do with our bodies, bodily functions, or the sexual act. The author of that article said this is a symptom of how disconnected we have become, due to the fall, from God’s plan for our bodies. The body, especially the naked body, has become something “dirty.”

Now I would not advocate praying in the nude for the sake of praying nude. But the duties of our state in life will have us bathing and showering, so do we need to try to leave God outside the bathroom door by thinking that praying in the shower or spiritual reading in the tub are somehow wrong? Do we really need to act like Adam and Eve in the garden and go diving behind the bushes lest God see us naked? As someone pointed out earlier, it’s not like clothes block God’s vision. Perhaps when it comes to praying in the shower, it’s we who have the hangup, not God.

A little reading:
The New Language
A crash course in ‘theology of the body’
by Christopher West

 

[Pro_Domina]

Do you like to hang out with donkies?

Saint Francis called the body Brother Donkey.

I am not saying that they are evil, disguisting or anything of the sort. I am saying that it is the animal part of us, so it should only be given attention to in relation to your spiritual life. If you eat, it should be because God wants you to be healthy to better serve Him. If you sleep, it is because you need to be at your best. But these things cannot be over valued or even valued outside a supernatural consideration. When you shower, it is not to remain like that longer than neccesary. First because it is not moral acceptable, second because it ultmately lacks objectiveness, which to its final consequences means sanctity is not your ultimate goal.

Can you think about God, certainly. Can you pray, certainly.
Should you sit and instruct yourself in a most animalistic state or even say your daily prayers? NO!​

And to immagine Our Lord as a dirty communist worker is indicative of concept of God and of yourself you have and about the whole order of the Universe

If ordinary men are able to behave, regardless of their condition, but much more those higher in hierarchy. with astounding dignity, what about a man who is also Divine?

Just look at a photograph of the Venerable Pierre Toussaint.
Now could you immagine Our Lord as that dirty egalitarian druggie that Mel Gibson showed in the Passion.

If you can, then that is a reason why the punishments of Fatima have to come and why Purgatory exists. Mentalities need to be changed.

 

[brigid12]

I certainly don’t think there’s any reason not to (unless you plan on sinning in the bathtub) as long as you can be sure not to drop and ruin the book.

 

[Just_wondering]

I think the situation in the OP is fine - wanting to read a religious book in the bathtub (or even on the toilet). God knows that you want to spend more time contemplating Him, and this is time when you can concentrate. If you ONLY prayed while using the bathroom, that would suggest that you weren’t willing to devote any time to God and God alone. However, if you’re using the time to get ideas, learn more, or prepare in some other way to use the information in the rest of your life, I think it’s time well-spent, and I can’t imagine God objecting or thinking it’s impious.

 

[beckycmarie]

Do you like to hang out with donkies?

Saint Francis called the body Brother Donkey.

I am not saying that they are evil, disguisting or anything of the sort. I am saying that it is the animal part of us, so it should only be given attention to in relation to your spiritual life. If you eat, it should be because God wants you to be healthy to better serve Him. If you sleep, it is because you need to be at your best. But these things cannot be over valued or even valued outside a supernatural consideration. When you shower, it is not to remain like that longer than neccesary. First because it is not moral acceptable, second because it ultmately lacks objectiveness, which to its final consequences means sanctity is not your ultimate goal.

Can you think about God, certainly. Can you pray, certainly.
Should you sit and instruct yourself in a most animalistic state or even say your daily prayers? NO!

The bolded part is confusing to me because you contradict yourself.

We don’t have an animal part. We are all human, and we were meant to have both bodies and souls for eternity. Death puts us in the unnatural condition of being separated from our bodies. Fortunately, we will receive glorified bodies at the Final Judgment.

 

[VivienneJ]

Well, you wouldn’t talk to your parents (or anyone) when you were naked, so is it really appropriate to talk to God while naked?

And even worse, what if there was a bible verse about Mary and you were prompted to ask for her intercession. Surely you wouldn’t talk to Mary while taking a bath.

Hmm, my DD and I talk to each other when we’re in the bath
BUT the OP didn’t ask if it was okay to talk (pray) in the bath (although I see no reason why you can’t), the OP asked if it was okay to read spiritual books in the bath, well, a book is just a book. No reason not to read a novel, a text book, a report, a spiritual book, a magazine in the bath, just, as many have said, don’t drop it, paper and water = bad combination

 

[Pro_Domina]

Adam and Eve “hid” from God when they lost the light of innocence as described by Bl. Anne Catherine, though as others have said it is not public revelation, but then again nor is Fatima or anything afrer the the first century.

So if they hid, why do you want to consider nakedness a wonderful oportunity to pray. They hid precisely from talking to God. It is not that they could “hide” from God.

St. Augustine also said that that they did not realize *yet *that it is better to cover up. De gratia Christi et de peccato originali covers that. Their eyes would have eventually open to that, though not by sin as occured

 

[Pro_Domina]

In response to such a low revelation by the other poster,

I remind you that marriage is not a total loosening of modesty between the spouses. First off,because it has no legitamate reason, and we only have the rights to do things in relation to the purposes that God established in the Divine Order of the Universe. Second, it can lead to an abuse of the unitive purpose of the matrimonial act, because pleasure, however legitamate, becomes an end.

And most of the saints I know limited themselves to child-bearing.
While the obligation does not exist, the first obligation is the 1st Commandment. That means not giving ANYTHING an inch more worth than it should, and all in relation to God.

And in practice, not in theory.