Nudity!

[xblack_x_rosesx]

I know this is a weird question to ask, but... what are the do's and don'ts of nudity? Christianically, of course.
(totally made up like... 2 new words there.)

I'm not thinking of being a nudist or anything (yet =P) but I was just curious.

For my art portfolio I was thinking what a grand contribution artistic nude shots of me would be. I adore the body (more so the female form) and sketch nudity a lot and such, but for some reason the thought of me posing nude seemed taboo. I mean, I'D be comfortable with it, but two thoughts came to mind:

1. What would my parents think o.o (in all honesty, I'd do it regardless of what they thought because they don't really understand the artistic merit of it, but I'd consider what they had to say =P)

2. WHAT WOULD GOD THINK?

But, then I thought "hey... when God made Adam and Eve he didn't cover them up- they were all free down there. It was sin that gave them humility, and thusly they covered up."
So, if God's on my side here, why is it so taboo?

Anyway, I was just wondering what yall's thoughts on the subject were. I mean, I'm probably going to end up doing it, unless there is something seriously wrong with it or if I all of a sudden grow a tumor or something, but it wouldn't be for a long while anyway.

Thanks,

Bee.

[minakichan]

The enthusiasm that this topic title has makes it sound full of awesome.

Depends on your parents, depends on your church. A lot of stuff like this is totally up to interpretation; one group of Christians will say it's A-OK, another will say you're going to hell.

That doesn't help much, does it. I say if you're not looking at these people lustfully AND you aren't causing others to lust AND you don't make people uncomfortable AND you don't feel uncomfortable AND your parents won't throw a fit, do it.

[Etoh*the*Greato]

The major things to remember with nudity are the intent of the artist and your own level of toleration for those things.

[Shao Feng-Li]

While God did create Adam and Eve nude and there was no sin in it, we live in the world post Adam's fall. And God Himself had Adam and Eve covered.

While I do know that their is nothing inherently sinful about the human body, I think that the female form can be every bit artistic and adored with clothes. One's body is for her husband, not for strangers to be looking at.

That being said, I certainly don't believe your intentions are anything sinful but I know I wouldn't pose nude for even a million dollars.

[chibiphonebooth]

i wouldn't do it, cause i've had those dreams where i go to school and i'm suddenly naked and everyone is looking at me and i'm all AHHH I'M NAKED WHAT DO I DO.

on top of it, i'm a super modest person- i wont even let my mom see me in like a bra or anything XD

ANYWAY. I'm an artist so i'm all for artistic nudity. what it boils down to is what you are comfortable with and what you are convicted of. if there is something in your heart that makes you feel kinda uneasy or concerned about it... i would just rethink motives and pray about it.

but as i said before, i'm an artist so artistic nudity doesn't bother me. in fact- in a couple weeks we are having some people come in so we can draw them nude in my art class. XD;;

[PrincessZelda]

I've been wondering this a lot myself recently. I go to an art school, and probably about half of the examples of art used in my classes are nudes.

I've always thought that, as long as it wasn't sexual, nudity in art is okay. But I'm starting to question that a little... I personally don't think it's a big deal, but some people do, and I wonder what their reasoning is.

So, then... with Adam and Eve, it they were naked, and they didn't think anything was wrong with it until they ate the fruit of the knowledge of good and evil. So, I suppose that sort of means it's not really a sin, because they didn't sin before they ate the fruit, but then what made it wrong, or made them want to cover up afterwards?

And I understand nudity can be an issue of lust. But I personally can look at a nude picture and not feel lustful in the slightest bit. But then, I know it's not really like that for everyone.

But then, knowing that nudity can cause people to lust, and then sin, is it right to create art that contains nudity, knowing that you could be causing a fellow Christian fall?

Soo, yeah... I'm really confused about this too...

[Etoh*the*Greato]

Not all Christians are gonna be at a point in their walk where they're comfortable with or capable of handling the same things as other Christians. The best thing to do when you sense conflict coming is to be respectful of the person for whom it is a temptation/issue and back off of it in their presence, I think.

[Puguni]

Whatever you do, lighting makes all the difference, I think. Poor lighting makes it look spur of the moment and Myspace-y, like, "I want everyone to see my naked body because for attention/whatever other reason."

[Sakaki Onsei]

Not all Christians are gonna be at a point in their walk where they're comfortable with or capable of handling the same things as other Christians. The best thing to do when you sense conflict coming is to be respectful of the person for whom it is a temptation/issue and back off of it in their presence, I think.

This is possibly the most perfect explanation that could be given, and it's even found in 1 Corinthians 10:27-29.

Be mindful of your audience, intended or unintended, as my old Political Science professor once said.

[Kaligraphic]

Nudity is really something that must be considered on a case by case basis. In the shower, cleaning oneself? Appropriate. Addressing the United Nations? Probably not appropriate, especially if you've got the classic "dictator's gut". It also depends quite a bit on the individual in question. For instance, I, personally, believe that ugly people would do well to be clothed more than attractive people. Not on moral grounds, mind you, but on grounds that some things are not pleasing to see. (As former U.S. President Bill Clinton found out when he started jogging in shorts, if you haven't got it, you probably shouldn't flaunt it.)



Another issue, of course, is whether it would get you arrested. I'm not up on Canadian law on the subject, but in the U.S., a girl was recently brought up on criminal charges for sending nude photos of herself to some school friends. (link and link) If the age on your profile is correct, you may want to wait a bit, just for the "what would the police think" aspect.

Also, once you're old enough that you wouldn't be risking jail, look in a mirror, and if you are ugly, don't do it. Not saying you are, but I'm not going to dig through the enormous post-your-pic thread looking for you to tell you if you're not or not. If you need help deciding, that's a question for someone local (who can see you).

[rocklobster]

It's all about intent. When it's done to glorify God, it's nudity. When it's done for anything else, it's pornography.
Or to put it more simply, The Sistine Chapel has nudity. Your average Playboy--that's porno.

[termyt]

The best advice I can give is the advice Paul gave concerning eating of "unclean" foods.

There's nothing wrong with it and it can even be very healthy and a great way to spread the gospel. However, for those who, in good conscience, have come to the conclusion that it is wrong, it is wrong for them and it is wrong for you to be a stumbling block for them.

Our culture is very conflicted, even contradictory when it comes to nudity and sexuality. I do not think that nudity and sexuality have to be linked, but they are in our culture. For that reason, I recommend that you do consider the wishes of your parents. If they are opposed beyond all reason, then it may be good for you to refrain for their sakes. Not because it is wrong or sinful, but because it will cause your parents suffering. Maybe it’s good to go ahead anyways, if you feel equally convicted and you feel you can be a good witness to them and open their eyes more to the freedom we have in Christ. That decision has to come from your knowledge of your parents and your relationship with them.

If your parents and friends have reservations, then proceed with discretion. Don’t do anything that you’d be ashamed of them seeing and share the work with them to help them understand the joy and freedom you’ve found giving Christ the glory.

[EricTheFred]

Having never possessed a body anyone else deserved to have inflicted upon them, this is a question I've never personally worried about. However, Termyt probably gave you the best advice you could get "Don't do anything you'd be ashamed of [your parents and friends] seeing."

If this is the case , then as you get older it would become something you'd be ashamed of, yourself. And that will be a vexation upon your soul whenever you kneel in prayer. You'll collect enough of them along the way if you're as human as the rest of us, without deliberately adding to them.

As a wannabe artist, I have several how-to books that among other things address the nude body, and typically the poses you see in those are not provocative. I'm not ashamed of those, and I wouldn't be ashamed of drawing such, or displaying my work if it were any good (in other words, the reason I'd be ashamed of it now has nothing to do with nudity!)

[That Dude]

Try reading Romans 14 and praying a lot about it.

Personally I don't think you should, seeing how taboo of a subject it is and how it may cause other people to stumble. Sometimes though things may not be wrong it's still best to for-go them to keep peace and help others (in this case with whatever issue one may have with nudity) even if its something you enjoy.

[Etoh*the*Greato]

You know... we had this discussion almost a year ago, and it wasn't nearly this civil or understanding. Wtg, people!

[ShiroiHikari]

I know right?

[Tsukuyomi]

You know... we had this discussion almost a year ago, and it wasn't nearly this civil or understanding. Wtg, people!

Wtg?

Haha, I saw this thread swerving towards the same direction the other thread did XD... Let's not let it go there, please

I would honestly sit down, close your eyes, and really think about it. It may sound really exciting, but that could just be one of those "Spur Of The Moment' things o.o

It's really up to you, but if you have any doubts.. the tiniest bit of doubt, I think that's something/someone trying to tell you something ^ ^

[xblack_x_rosesx]

Whatever you do, lighting makes all the difference, I think. Poor lighting makes it look spur of the moment and Myspace-y, like, "I want everyone to see my naked body because for attention/whatever other reason."

--

XD. I'd y'know... review them and such before I put them out, I'm sure. Unless I was sleep walking.

ANYWAY.

Sorry to bring up the topic again then =P. Hope it doesn't stir up some beast.
Anyway, I thought about it, prayed about it, listened to my gut, and at this point I have no beef with it. I'm not becoming a porn star or anything, and they won't be "suggestive" so that they can be used in such a way.
Its simple, it's artistic, its... BRITTANY BEING NUDE!

XP Anyway, I won't do it till I get my new camera anyway, and till I have a fer sure that I'm into University, so ya =P

Thanks yalls ^^

I'll be sure to send everyone some samples of my shots when I get around to them ;P

[xblack_x_rosesx]

Also, once you're old enough that you wouldn't be risking jail, look in a mirror, and if you are ugly, don't do it. Not saying you are, but I'm not going to dig through the enormous post-your-pic thread looking for you to tell you if you're not or not. If you need help deciding, that's a question for someone local (who can see you).

--

XD.
WELL, I wouldn't do them until I'm 18 anyway, and I certainly wouldn't be sending them to peeps from my school. I got the whole "NEVER SEND NAKED PICTURES TO YOUR BOYFRIEND BECAUSE HE'LL HOLD THEM AGAINST YOU FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE AND YOU'LL HAVE TO HAVE CHILDREN WITH HIM AND YOU'LL CRY YOURSELF TO SLEEP TILL YOU DIE BECAUSE YOU SENT NAKED PICTURES TO A HOOLIGAN!" lecture from my mother a couple years back XP.

And I don't think I'm ugly =P I have a deviant art (see link below) with pictures, but I honestly am comfortable with myself, sooo ya =P
-in cheesy voice- And that's all that counts, right? XP

[EricTheFred]

Wtg?

WTG ='Way To Go', assuming that's what you were question-marking.

[xblack_x_rosesx]

I thought he was trying to say "what the junk" except got the j and the g confused XP

[rocklobster]

Well, I got something that may not sound good to all you people. I have a theory that we'll all be naked in Heaven.

[xblack_x_rosesx]

I was under the impression we don't have bodies in heaven =P

You know, since they are flawed and we leave them behind.

I figure the form we take in heaven is beyond human comprehension- it's something we simply can't fathom.
Or something. =P

[That Dude]

Nope, there'll be bodies in heaven. The bible says that we'll have new ones. If you want I'll post the references later.

[Raiden no Kishi]

I was under the impression we don't have bodies in heaven =P

You know, since they are flawed and we leave them behind.

I figure the form we take in heaven is beyond human comprehension- it's something we simply can't fathom.
Or something. =P

Actually, my understanding was that we received perfected bodies, but that's theology.

Trust me, you'll want me to have a new body if we're going to be au naturale in heaven.

.rai//

[xblack_x_rosesx]

Yuh, I was just getting at we'll have different bodies, like, completely flawless ones.
Which is hard to envision.

[Tsukuyomi]

I'll be sure to send everyone some samples of my shots when I get around to them ]
.... XDDD

WTG ='Way To Go', assuming that's what you were question-marking.

Haha, is it bad that I thought it stood for What The Somthing that starts with a "g" XDD

[xblack_x_rosesx]

.... XDDD

-BIG GRIN-

Glad somebody got that ^_^

[Nate]

I have a feeling I should not say anything in this thread. At all.

[Kaligraphic]

I have a feeling I should not say anything in this thread. At all.

I think your presence in this thread says everything that need be said.