Educating, encouraging and inspiring readers to embrace Naturism as a life philosophy
An Ethical Naturist is a nudist who appreciates the beauty and benefits of Nature and whose nudism is guided by a moral consciousness that incorporates some or all of the following principles and values:
That the human body is intrinsically good and graceful, a miraculous gift for life and living that is worthy of care and celebration.
That social activity free of clothes and outside in Nature (especially when combined with healthful exercise and diet) promotes a healthy mind in a healthy body imbued with a bright spirit.
That personal honesty and authenticity grow from nothing being hidden and guide Naturists to treat others in an open, friendly and respectful manner.
That shedding one’s clothes is a way to shed one’s cares and experience serenity and peace while breaking from the fast pace and complexity of modern life.
That the sensations of sun, air and water on the whole body are simply pleasing and best enjoyed without clothes.
That to walk forests, fields and shorelines in a pure, naked state awakens one’s connectedness to all creation and fosters a reverence and love for Nature.
That being clothes-free allows one to tap into the innocent joy of being naked that one experienced as a child.
That stripping away the class and power distinctions of clothes is leveling and opens egalitarian interactions and friendships that otherwise would not take place.
That shared nudity improves body self-image and the acceptance of physical diversity in others. By revealing the full range of body types, the flaws and imperfections of all bodies become commonplace, and bodily nonchalance supersedes bodily self-consciousness.
That nudity is not, in and of itself, an expression of sexual desire, interest or consent. The conflation of nudity with sex is a manifestation of ill-conceived social conditioning, and the fallacy of it is revealed and broken by Naturist culture.
That modesty is a state of mind not a state of dress. Without the concealment of “forbidden fruits” to feed prurient imagination, nudity becomes normatively de-sexualized, and modesty becomes a function of attitude and behavior, not the cloaking of body parts.
That Naturism reforms both male and female culture to a respectful balance. The well-mannered conduct and gender equity of a Naturist setting can seem radical initially, particularly to an undressed female, but it is natural and becomes mundanely normal once acclimated.
That a sense of freedom, from judgement, shame and the conformist demands of society, is experienced when one is clothes-free. Shedding the symbolic identity and public persona of one’s clothing is liberating and helps one to recognize and reclaim their authentic self.
That Naturism provides a healthy alternative to media-driven consumer culture. It offers a respite from inherently sinful corporate interests that sexualize the body and promote extreme beauty-ideals to induce desire, shame, and body dissatisfaction for a profit.
That the highest standards of good and virtuous conduct are essential to form a trusting and comfortable environment for the practice of Naturism. Respect for person and privacy are paramount and must be self-evident to all and without question.
That it is affirming to be in community with like-minded individuals that share the Naturist ethos and take joy in its practice. As a minority in society, the collective reinforcement is comforting and gratifying.
All in all, despite popular misunderstanding and taboo, the experience one has as an Ethical Naturist seems closer to the way the world should be than the way it is. Though not utopian by any means, well-managed Naturist settings offer an experience of moral community, free from the negative effects of clothes. The many testimonies of Naturists speaking of joy, peace, freedom and friendliness make evident that this practice is fundamentally good and beneficial to the human condition. To some, this truth is obvious. To others, it can be learned. To many though, it is stubbornly incomprehensible. Ultimately, Naturism must be experienced to be understood, and those that confront and move through their prejudices and fears often undergo a personal transformation that is quite positive and, in some cases, profound.