Taboo

[QuakerBear]

I'm a little upset by how many people on this discusion have said they cover up because their bodies aren't good to look at. What Rot! You are beautiful, every body is beautiful. The culture of beauty is just a scam and it's one that you can choose not to be sucked in by.

As you've probably guessed from the name I'm a Quaker. What you can't see is that I'm making moves towards being Plain. Some Friends who are Plain look just like Amish, others just wear sensible shoes and clothes in dark colours with no paterns. I've found it really liberating to not have to buy my personality in a clothes shop or to spend time conforming. I don't wear make up anymore and I don't look hideous. I don't have to slap paint on my face to conform or to make myself feel like I resemble a human being. The same goes for being naked, God made you how you are and unless you're going to start telling The Big Guy that he's bodged the job, you need to reconsider yourself and see how perfect, beautiful and great your body is.

You really are beautiful, really, just the way you are. It's so important to see that and not to let the media or other people or your own hang ups tell you otherwise. Having said that I also find I stick to seats in summer so wear clothes at least down to my knees

End of rant.

[Martin]

alleluia!

[chadspad]

I agree totally that everyone is beautiful but I personally would not want to look at everyone walking about with no clothes on. I sunbathe nude with my hubby and have many friends that do the same but I would not want to go to a party where all of those people were standing around with nothing on. Prudish Im not, its just not my cup of tea.

[the.fee.fairy]

I'm in agreement too. Althouh others might say i'm beautiful, i disagree, and would feel pretty uncomfortable being nakey in public. I'd also feel uncomfortable talking to other nakey people. it just not me.

[fenwoman]

will the green movement actually manage to shift the taboo about nudity/nakedness??
Why does society force us to wear clothes, often unnecessarily?
In the height of summer, what could be more daft than sitting in a hot metal box, and wearing clothes......(and probably switching on air-conditioning to counter the heat), and as for wearing clothing to sunbathe and go swimming.................
Fortunes could be saved on clothing, clothes washing, air conditioning could be switched off..........
Discuss!

Well us ladies have it easier I think. In very very hot weather I wear a loose fitting pure cotton hippy type dress with nothing underneath. Thin shoulder straps make it very cool as it is billowy. I don't have and never would have air con and I never sunbathe as skin cancer never really appealed to me, plus, if it is hot, why on earth would anyone want to lay out in it and get hotter? No, under the arbour with the japanese ivy over it, nice and shady with a glass of ginger beer and a book until the sun goes down, for me.

Besides, going nekkid might be ok for young slim things but do you really want to be faced with some of the very large young women you see about nowadays, bending over the chiller cabinet in the supermarket? Or what about some of the supersized chaps with massive big beer bellies and covered in hair <shudder>, or old ladies like myself. Not a pretty sight at all.

[Mandyz]

I'm in agreement that clothes are not intrinsically a Green issue. Neither are they wholly about image - although they can be used that way. They are very practical. As stated, they keep you from sunburns and sticking to furniture in the summer, keep you warm in winter, but also keep you from washing everything you sit on after 'bodily fluids' (sweat or otherwise) touch them. And then there are issues of STDs...
If we really had a naked society in this modern age - it would be a society equally obsessed with hygiene and sanitization for health reasons. And there go the possible Green benefits of reduced washing.

Clothes can also be used as equalizers. If naked was the norm - then all the people with 'abnormalities' that can be hidden now are exposed. Accepting nakedness and even accepting God's creation of the body doesn't mean we'd also accept things which are not the norm.
Menstruating women would stand out for example - now everyone would know you are menstruating, and while you may not be embarassed by this fact, it doesn't mean you want to announce it either. (If only because people will treat you differently.)
The same of course applies to anyone with bladder problems and so forth as mentioned already. All of a sudden they stand out because they have to wear something.

Every summer I attend a special camp that happens to be at a UU campground that happens to have a private clothing-optional beach. In fact, the entire area is technically clothing optional except the dining hall and the clothing-required beach across the pond. One of the best parts of camp for me is being naked at the beach or walking the labyrinth there. There are all forms of beautiful bodies there - make and female, old and young. All are respectful of the naked body and, like me, are enjoying this opportunity to just be.
By which I mean to say I'm not a prude :)
And temperature permitting I walk nearly or all naked at home - more window coverings would make this easier...
But I have no interest in promoting nakedness everywhere!

[QuakerBear]

I agree with many of the points on here:

1. Nakedness is not necessarily a green issue.
2. Clothes are very practical (hot weather, cold weather, wet weather etc.)
3. Clothes are also very useful for making a point e.g. modest (Opps just typed Moses! Great lets all be Moses, but back to the point) clothing can be quite a rebellion.

But what I hate is looking in the mirror and feeling bad, or ugly, or ashamed or that I need to hide, either my body under clothes or myself within a crowd. No one should feel like that, it's not necessary. I know I do judge people by their appearance but I'm really trying not to and it seems like I am breaking the habit which can only be a good thing.

This kind of change of heart/way of thinking can have relevence for the 'Green Movement'. I have many relatives, friends and aquantances who are scared of being seen to be different. Like I was as a teenager. They don't have the confidence to stand out or do their own thing which means they will continue to be trapped by a consumer/throw away society.

I suppose what I'm trying to say, rather long windedly, is that if more people had confidence in themselves, they would find it easier to opt out and go green without fear of criticism.

Dag nam it, I just did another rant didn't I?

[Martin]

nothing wrong with a good rant - I reckon it's good for the soul!
Having frequented some naturist beaches, the sight of the old/infirm/scarred is of no consequence - if they're brown and happy, what difference does/should it make?
And to answer a couple of points raised - many naturists carry a small towel to sit on, and sport a small bag suspended round the neck containing, cash/keys/credit card/ ciggies/lighter
I think its a shame that people with naturist tendencies should have to set themselves apart as a "clique" - I've no interest at all in "clubs" and the like - they often attract the very dubious........just the right to get brown all over on public beaches would be nice! (even if they have to offer "clothes optional" areas)
The daftest thing of all is that as I understand the law, a woman is quite ok to sunbathe nude, but if a bloke does it, it's illegal!

[ina]

Personally, I'd hate being naked. Maybe that's why I've chosen to live in Scotland. Hardly got out of my woolly jumpers this "summer"... And now it's usually two jumpers.

[Martin]

takes all sorts!
Wild horses wouldn't drag me into the permafrost of Scotland,- having to be dressed all the time! (that, clegs and bagpipes!) - and as I don't have a taste for battered deep fried Mars bars, I think I'll stay down here!

[ina]

Not at all prejudiced, are you!

[the.fee.fairy]

I've been thinking about the nakey options...

The thing is, i've got large thighs that like to give me friction burns, so...i think i'll stay clothed for now...

[ina]

The thing is, i've got large thighs that like to give me friction burns, so...i think i'll stay clothed for now...

I know the problem - even wearing a skirt (in times when I still did that occasionally) in summer was hell...

[mrsflibble]

I know it's not in the nakedness ethos, but Evans do a wonderful thing called comfort shorts. fabby for chubbly thighs.

[the.fee.fairy]

I have leggings!