Nudity more accepted before Christianity

[rainforests1]

Going by what I have read, the Ancient Egyptians and Greeks accepted nudity well. Many Indian tribes didn't have a problem with nudity. It's primarily with modern religion that the human body has been looked at the way it is. Why? Do you think it's religious reasons only, or are there other reasons?

 

[Clueless Git]

I think clothes are a plot by the porn industry to sell more porn.

Like who would buy porn if everyone were walking around with their porny-bits on free show everyday?

Wouldn't mind betting that the first nudey-doodles on cave walls date back to just shortly after the first loin cloth was invented.

 

[das_nut]

I don't recall massive widespread nudity in the bible in the Old Testament.

I think this premise may be flawed.

 

[rainforests1]

I think this premise may be flawed.

My brother has studied Pagan history a lot, so I get some information from him. If you can show me all of these Pagan societies that looked at the body the way we do today, I'd love to hear it. It may be the reason Christians decided to do the opposite. If the Pagans support it, it must be wrong.

 

[Clueless Git]

I don't recall massive widespread nudity in the bible in the Old Testament.

I think this premise may be flawed.

New premise: Nudity more accepted before clothes came along.

 

[das_nut]

My brother has studied Pagan history a lot, so I get some information from him. If you can show me all of these Pagan societies that looked at the body the way we do today, I'd love to hear it. It may be the reason Christians decided to do the opposite. If the Pagans support it, it must be wrong.

As far as I can tell, proto- and early Judaism had a nudity taboo. Islam also seems to have a nudity taboo.

It could be that in the climate of the Middle East, clothes made more sense than going nude. Such behavior became codified into the culture and religion. While in other parts of the world, various factors caused nudity to be more acceptable.

 

[kazyeeqen]

As far as I can tell, proto- and early Judaism had a nudity taboo. Islam also seems to have a nudity taboo.

It could be that in the climate of the Middle East, clothes made more sense than going nude. Such behavior became codified into the culture and religion. While in other parts of the world, various factors caused nudity to be more acceptable.

Indeed.

But I do wish we could just get over it already.

 

[Blobbenstein]

people would tut and shout 'put the belly away, fatso!', if I took off my shirt.

I think only the beautiful people would be allowed to go naked.

 

[Blobbenstein]

Stephen Gough (born c. 1959), also known as Steve Gough and the Naked Rambler, is an activist, and a British former Royal Marine.[1] In 2003-2004, he walked the length of Great Britain naked. He did it again in 2005-2006, but was arrested in England and in Scotland. He subsequently spent six years in prison, having been repeatedly rearrested for public nudity within a short period, each time he was released. He spent most of his sentences in Saughton and Perth prisons, in Scotland.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_Gough

 

[rainforests1]

As far as I can tell, proto- and early Judaism had a nudity taboo. Islam also seems to have a nudity taboo.

It could be that in the climate of the Middle East, clothes made more sense than going nude. Such behavior became codified into the culture and religion. While in other parts of the world, various factors caused nudity to be more acceptable.

So, it's basically religious reasons? "Nudity is wrong because my religion told me so." I thought it's very hot in the Middle East today, so wouldn't clothes make less sense rather than more?

The sad thing is, if we worried more about the major problems(overpopulation, fish being eaten at a very unsustainable rate, etc.) that tend to get ignored and focused less time on the minor "problems"(nudity and sex are two of them) we'd be much better off. It's just sad to me.

 

[kibbleforlola]

So, it's basically religious reasons? "Nudity is wrong because my religion told me so." I thought it's very hot in the Middle East today, so wouldn't clothes make less sense rather than more?

The sad thing is, if we worried more about the major problems(overpopulation, fish being eaten at a very unsustainable rate, etc.) that tend to get ignored and focused less time on the minor "problems"(nudity and sex are two of them) we'd be much better off. It's just sad to me.

No, clothes make more sense. More protection from the sun, ventilation provided by fabrics like cotton help keep you cool. May also be why the old testament warns against mixed fabric clothing. As someone who has spent time in the middle east, loose, baggy, cotton clothing is your best bet.

Also, you need to define what you mean by "pagan".

 

[nigel1]

So, it's basically religious reasons? "Nudity is wrong because my religion told me so." I thought it's very hot in the Middle East today, so wouldn't clothes make less sense rather than more?

The sad thing is, if we worried more about the major problems(overpopulation, fish being eaten at a very unsustainable rate, etc.) that tend to get ignored and focused less time on the minor "problems"(nudity and sex are two of them) we'd be much better off. It's just sad to me.

Your posts read like you are trying very hard to be angry about something.

 

[Pirate]

I would agree that this appears to be making an issue out of nothing.

Years ago it was shocking to show your ankles. Sometimes trends change and various things just become acceptable and unacceptable. I think it's unfair to pin this particular thing on christians.

For the record, I'm wearing clothes right now and I'm an athiest.

 

[beancounter]

Those dang Christians ruin everything!

 

[Mischief]

I would agree that this appears to be making an issue out of nothing.

Years ago it was shocking to show your ankles. Sometimes trends change and various things just become acceptable and unacceptable. I think it's unfair to pin this particular thing on christians.

For the record, I'm wearing clothes right now and I'm an athiest.

I agree 100%. (And I am also a clothes-wearing atheist.)

 

[Ann Chovie]

people would tut and shout 'put the belly away, fatso!', if I took off my shirt.

I think only the beautiful people would be allowed to go naked.

I am with you on this one..I consider it my civic duty to keep myself fully clothed even when showering

 

[das_nut]

So, it's basically religious reasons? "Nudity is wrong because my religion told me so." I thought it's very hot in the Middle East today, so wouldn't clothes make less sense rather than more?

You completely confused my intent.

There are suggestions that beneficial cultural behaviors obtain religious significance. If wearing clothes makes more sense than not wearing clothes in a region, then nudity becomes the exception, rather than the rule. Since it is the exception, it can gain religious significance to not be nude.

KibbleforLola explained why clothes make more sense than running around in the hot desert heat, so I'll skip that point.

 

[peacefulveglady]

IN the beginning with Adam and Eve they were all naked then they first sinned and then God made them feel ashamed its in Genesis but I am not debating this. I think the Christians in this country and nation is also prudes wanting to be covered all the time. Being covered all the time is not healthy and your body needs to breathe some point.
There are some Christian Churches out there that are in full support of nudity having Bible studies in the nude and preaching in the nude, look it up you will be suprised. There was a national geo special a few years back I believe that showed some of this.
As somewhat a Christian myself I am in full support of nudity if its done in a motive that will not harm anyone. There is nothing wrong with nudity unless your exposing yourself in front of children. I do believe some areas of this planet you need to have clothes to protect yourself but if your laying on a beach or some place like that you should be able to shuck off the clothes if you want too..

 

[rainforests1]

No, clothes make more sense. More protection from the sun, ventilation provided by fabrics like cotton help keep you cool. May also be why the old testament warns against mixed fabric clothing. As someone who has spent time in the middle east, loose, baggy, cotton clothing is your best bet.

Also, you need to define what you mean by "pagan".

If it's 100 degrees outside why would a person be better off with clothing? Did they constantly wear clothing before Islam came along? If not, it's probably religious reasons. It may be the sunscreen that causes cancer rather than the sun, so I don't see why they'd need protection from the sun. Pagans are a religious group, so I didn't think there's more than one definition.

 

[rainforests1]

I think it's unfair to pin this particular thing on christians.

Human history is hundreds of thousands of years old. Prior to Christianity, when did any human societies have a strong hatred of the human body the way we do today? If it didn't happen, it's probably the religion.