Why is society afraid of public nudity

There are no religions who are without sin.

There are no religions who are without sin.

For religions that is something one has to view in a historical perspective. It's one of those 'you can't be right all the time' things. All organizations, groups make mistakes over time.

But what we are now seeing with ever so many religious groups and denominations, is a doubling down on the mistakes, that they don't seem to be learning any lessons about how people think and feel, about what is perceived as right or wrong. They are falling into the trap of doing the same thing again and again and expecting different results.

Maybe their theological logic compels them to keep on doing the same, but sooner or later it's going to backfire if they don't adapt and change. Any person who reads anything about history, knows that history is the story of change. Morals and customs change too, it's inevitable.

Unfortunately, backfires aren't rare when Constitutional protections are widely misunderstood and abused. I don't know if you're aware of Westboro Baptist Church here in the US. They're on a crusade against homosexuality. They blame everything bad on God's punishment for gays. They protest at soldier's funerals and other unrelated events under the umbrella of constitutional protection. It's like army ants at a picnic.

I don't know what the answer is, but much of what's happening isn't working.

Jds right you are. I'm so sick of the "moral majority" Not moral and not a majority.

The moral majority's entire argument about same sex marriage is completely spurious but strangely ongoing. Show me how same sex marriage effects anyone other than the couple and their family. Every argument I've heard is complete paranoid bullshit.

I don't know if you're aware of Westboro Baptist Church here in the US. They're on a crusade against homosexuality. They blame everything bad on God's punishment for gays. They protest at soldier's funerals and other unrelated events under the umbrella of constitutional protection. It's like army ants at a picnic.

Oh yes, certainly I know about them. They are such a bunch of whacko hated-filled lunatics that they even make the news in Belgium. And for what is essentially a sort of American fait divers at most, that's saying something ... ha ha. Not that every country doesn't have its share of nut-jobs, but these guys and gals sure do take the prize.

However, they're probably just a one man show essentially. When the old patriarch died, I think they lost much of their outrageous venom.

I'd call them a creation of the media. Over here they would never get the air time or media coverage.

You mean the morality Nazis? If one were to look hard, they would probably find plenty of skeletons in their closets as well.

The moral majority's entire argument about same sex marriage is completely spurious but strangely ongoing. Show me how same sex marriage effects anyone other than the couple and their family. Every argument I've heard is complete paranoid bullshit.

An interesting little item on the subject of same sex marriage: the bishop of Antwerp, Belgium (and presumed to be new Archbishop of Belgium soon) made a statement saying that he thinks it is high time the Church come to an update of how it approaches same sex marriage, that it should be considered an equally valid commitment as that of normal marriage and that the Church will have to accept that soon, if it wishes to retain any moral standing in society.

Now, he's not the Pope, just one bishop, but it does show that some do see the necessity of evolving with current morals and norms and not stubbornly trying to make a heroic last-stand ...

Jds4med,

I agree wholeheartedly with your comments regarding the paranoid BS about same sex marriages and homosexuality. Growing up in the fifties and sixties, homophobia was rampant, and ignorance ruled. If a male enjoyed anal play or enemas, they kept it to themselves fearing being branded as a homosexual. (although the terms being used then, were far less flattering.)

In my career field, I have friends and coworkers who are gay or lesbian, and it does not alter the respect that I have for them, one bit! Unlike a certain religion, they are not out to convert the world to their lifestyle, but want the same respect, equality, benefits, and protections under the law, that we enjoy. Is that so wrong?

Even Francis seems to have softened the church's stance on homosexuality. One of the problems in the US is that people have been conditioned to think in binaries - If same sex marriage is legalized, then MY church will be forced to perform them. Nothing could be further from the truth. The law allows, it doesn't compel anything but legal recognition.

My church welcomes them, will minister to them, but will not perform the marriage ceremony for them. Some politicians are trying to change that, but are meeting with a strong wall of resistance. Our morally bankrupt politicians have no business interfering with religious beliefs and practices, unless they are causing physical harm to others. (human sacrifices, mass suicides, etc..)

My church welcomes them, will minister to them, but will not perform the marriage ceremony for them. Some politicians are trying to change that, but are meeting with a strong wall of resistance. Our morally bankrupt politicians have no business interfering with religious beliefs and practices, unless they are causing physical harm to others. (human sacrifices, mass suicides, etc..)

The problem is that marriage is no longer a religious event, it's legal business. THAT'S how the state gets involved.

Same sex marriage IS a legal issue. It's all about matters of property and rights. We've been such a benighted country.

Same sex marriage IS a legal issue. It's all about matters of property and rights. We've been such a benighted country.

It is indeed an individual legal issue in that it effects people's lives and property. But morally it's a non issue in so far as it harms no one. Essentially it's almost the same as being offended because of someone's lack of taste in fashion or art or movies.

Now that I think of it, the previous prime minister in Belgium was openly gay. But luckily it was never an issue in politics or other matters. No one, not even the opposition ever made a play on that, nor was it unduly mentioned in the media except as a sort of fleshing out of his private life.

People seem to forget that within many of our lifetimes, interracial marriage was illegal. I see no difference.

It seems only the so called western country's like America,Australia,England etc have a thing about nudity but even then if done at nudists establishments it's ok.I can understand about total nudity in public with family's and stuff but then again in Europe it is ok for this to occur.In Asia such as Japan nude mixed bath houses happen so nothing to hide there.I think it may be the way we were bought up by the Victorian Elders before then nudity was passe.

As others have noted, the rise of the fundamentalist Christian Right is partly responsible. Then there is the rise in concern over pedophilia. None of these concerns is well founded and society would in fact be better off with accepting healthy nudity at home and in public recreation.

I don't believe anyone mentioned fundamentalist Christians before you. There was some talk about the Catholic Church. I spoke of fundamentalist religion, not specified on purpose. All fundamentalist religions share the same basic fault - considering religious dogma as fact, regardless of what they can see and what proper scientific method proves.

I don't believe anyone mentioned fundamentalist Christians before you.

Well, in spite of all, they are the loudest and most extreme in voicing their complaints and trying to enact laws and enforce teaching in accordance with their views. And being so diverse with literally thousands of denominations, there is no way of toning down with their rhetoric, they are each their own spokesman and theologian, promoting the religious dogma they prefer. There is lots of jockeying for more prominent position in politics and influencing politicians and believers and this can lead to more and more outrageous ideas and talk.

Fundamentalist Islam is making quite a splash these days and are bringing their own version of morality to more and more of the world.

In limited geography, Fundamentalist Jews are also trying and often succeeding in perverting common laws.

Fundamentalist Hasidim in Jerusalem stone women praying the the western wall.

Yup, and the ultra orthodox in NYC and NJ make their own rules as they go.

I identify with being jewish. (My father was not my mom) but I can't stand the Hasidim. Threw rocks at me for driving on shabat when I was in Jerusalem. My idea of seder is to have matzo meal pancakes and pork sausages.

I was raised very reformed Jewish. I love my kosher ham and cheese sandwiches and lobster rolls.

Seriously, I can't accept any group changing laws to meet their own preferences except by the proper means - voting.

Hasidim note: my most pressured? bodywork clients came from Brooklyn. Obviously their male/male feelings were unacceptable in their community. Their sessions were the fastest to reach orgasm. I worried, too, what options some might choose were I not available from the safety angle.

Re: gay rights, what brought marriage to Maine and elsewhere were one-on-one, neighbor-to-neighbor meetings. Low key. In kitchens and living rooms. The reality that 'I' am 'you' obvious, defusing the loudly screamed pronouncements. So the point that 'I' your neighbor want nothing more than what 'you' have also obvious, because it's said quietly and respectfully.

It all comes down to two basic things. The bloody ridiculous views of ancestors and their supposed morality, and religious extremists pushing the same thing. In view of the religious extremists, it's simply a matter of time before natural selection kicks in. You evolve and adapt, or you gradually die. If they keep spouting their high and mighty bullshit (looking at you westboro baptists) eventually they'll either quit and adapt to the changing morals and beliefs of the world, or they and their supposed religion will die out.

it all comes down to two basic things. The bloody ridiculous views of ancestors and their supposed morality, and religious extremists pushing the same thing. In view of the religious extremists, it's simply a matter of time before natural selection kicks in. You evolve and adapt, or you gradually die. If they keep spouting their high and mighty bullshit (looking at you westboro baptists) eventually they'll either quit and adapt to the changing morals and beliefs of the world, or they and their supposed religion will die out.

Unfortunately, if you look at militant Islam (not just ISIS) and the general fundamentalist Christian movement in the US, it's growing, not shrinking. They've invaded the legal system and the education system, even medicine. There's a dark future ahead, I fear.

@Jds4med, This is becoming a serious problem. Unless reasonable, intelligent people start electing officials who uphold our rights as Americans we will loose those rights to extremists.

@Jds4med, This is becoming a serious problem. Unless reasonable, intelligent people start electing officials who uphold our rights as Americans we will loose those rights to extremists.

Unfortunately, there's a growing contingent of people who want to protect their 'right' to impose their will on others - and they vote. Could be any hot button issue; religion, abortion, guns, foreign policy, etc. They already hold high office here and abroad.

As far as public nudity, I like that intimate parts of your body are reserved for those you're in a sexual relationship with. If everyone walked around nude, then it would leave nothing to the imagination, not to mention that nude dares wouldn't be any fun. I also think sexuak predators would take advantage of the situation and perpatrate crimes (I.e. they would be photographing children if they were walking around nude). However, I do agree that some of our views on nudity are too Puritanical, like exam room nudity.