Social Nudism (Teachings of the Orthodox Church)

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And if thy hand cause thee to stumble, cut it off: it is good for thee to enter into life maimed, rather than having thy two hands to go into hell, into the unquenchable fire. where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. And if thy foot cause thee to stumble, cut it off: it is good for thee to enter into life halt, rather than having thy two feet to be cast into hell, where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. And if thine eye cause thee to stumble, cast it out: it is good for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell; where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.

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	Social Nudism (Teachings of the Orthodox Church)

QUESTION:

What is the position of Orthodoxy on its followers practicing social nudism?

ANSWER:

While to my knowledge the Orthodox Church surely has never issued any kind of formal or official position on social nudism, it is my opinion that the Church would take a dim view on anything that might prove to be a temptation -- and surely nudism, social or otherwise, could indeed prove to be a temptation to many persons.

Certainly the Church does not see the human body, clothed or otherwise, as something evil in and of itself; however, the body, like all else given to us by God, is to be used for those things which are profitable for our souls and our salvation and for our edification and the edification of others and, as such, should not be used in any way that could lead one into temptation.

I am not sure that social nudism is necessarily spiritually profitable or edifying. Hence, it would be my opinion that the Church would not offer a blessing to such practices.

Published in January 2011.

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