Imagine if you will that this blog wasn’t about naturism, but about camping and backpacking. In my theoretical camping blog I’d write about my travels, offer advice, discuss issues within the camping/backpacking community, and show you pictures of my trips. No one would get upset about pictures of Yosemite or the Grand Canyon. But in reality my blog isn’t about camping, but nude recreation and the naturist lifestyle.
Since its early days, naturism has been portraying the nude human body in photography. In fact, it was nudist magazines that set the legal precedent for nude images to be published. Up until 1958, it was illegal for nudist magazines to be mailed by the U.S. Postal Service. In SUNSHINE BOOK COMPANY v. SUMMERFIELD, The U.S. District Court of Columbia ruled that nudist magazines could be mailed. This decision also created the precedent for Playboy and other magazines to be published.
The nude human body is the core of our lifestyle, it’s what defines our philosophy and our outlook. And when discussing our way of living, how can we describe it? Sure I can drone on forever about nude recreation in words and sentences. However, nothing describes who we are or what we believe than a picture. Many of my readers recall that my own foray into naturism began by seeing images of non-sexual nudity. Naturist photos act like ambassadors to non-naturists, demonstrating what nude recreation is like.
Seeing nude photos helps eliminate equating nudity only with sexual activity. For the vast majority of Americans, nudity is akin to sexual activity. Movies, TV, and the internet teach us that mere nudity is only erotic. Seeing non-sexual nudity is the first step to removing society’s warped conditioning.
Nude photos also fosters body acceptance. I used to hate how my body looked. I thought I wasn’t the “ideal” body, or a body fit to be a naturist. But seeing many different people nude has changed my outlook. I have finally learned to accept myself, and accept others.
Now I’m not naïve, I know that our lifestyle attracts the wrong people. It’s a sad fact. Our photos can be exploited by some really sick and warped minds. Case in point: naturist photos used to show pictures of entire families, but now because of a few perverts, no naturist in their right minds would allow photos of their children to be posted online. Another sad fact is that the term “naturism” has been hijacked by the porn industry. But this isn’t the fault of naturism or nude recreation. Blaming naturists for having their photos exploited is like blaming a woman for being sexually assaulted because she was wearing a risqué dress. The accountability should be placed on the victimizer and not the victim. I’m not going to stop being a naturist because of a few losers.
Nude photos are a part of naturism. Nudity is part of the naturist experience, but the biggest part of the naturist lifestyle is what takes place between the ears and not the legs. Nude photos serve only as an example of what naturist activities are. There is nothing shameful about the naked human body. The only “shameful” part of nudity is those who exploit it for the wrong reasons.
Reblogged this on barefootnudist.
That an excellent post this is and so absolutely correct. Photos of nudists in social situations really do demonstrate how normal and healthy nudism really is
Thanks
Reblogged this on simplenaturist.
Loved it. Well done, and reposted to internationalyn.org with thanks!
-Danee
Thanks! Keep up the good work!
Fantastic post. If you permit I will reblog this on my site and also translate it into a Dutch version. Hope to hear from you (via a reply or so)!
The same argument must apply to photos with children. Without them, any activity may be perceived as for adults only. Fortunately, many families realize this and don’t have a fear of photos of their children, who are raised knowing how to handle the eventualities.
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love it
I agree excellent post and I love it too. Some websites like The Fig Leaf Forum have said this and Nudist Groups on Yahoo and Facebook.
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Reblogged this on Naturalian's Blog and commented:
We should not be prudes,show ourselves nude!
Excellent post. As with many things in life, the more common things become the less sensational they are. Keep up the great writing.
I’m reposting on my blog: http://lookingatbothsidesnow.wordpress.com
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I totally agree with the author of this piece that photo’s are part of this experience and like anything they will get used and abused by some but overall I think it’s important not to go all 911 over the minority of abusers and to keep nude pictures whenever possible on our profiles and posted online carefully but in a way that states we our are what we are and you might just enjoy it yourself it you gave it half a chance!
Nice blog, never understood why people are shocked by nudity, everyone has a naked body. Hopefully it will soon be as common as seeing a car.
Reblogged this on Penis's Nudist Life.
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Reblogged this on clothes free life and commented:
Good thoughts good read