Another Look at Public Nudity

Originally posted by calihan_12
our culture and society has been raised on these ultra christian views on whats "right" and whats "wrong".

What about countries all over the world that are not Christian or even religious at all but have state mandated atheism? It's not just about religion, guys. Or being a prude. Clothing is universal in the civilized world and even the majority of third world countries.

People were wearing clothes for thousands of years before Christianity came along. Come on, Guys. If anything, this 'Christian nation' wears less clothing than previous generations.

I think American modesty stems from Christian heritage but we aren't the whole world, past and present.

Originally posted by AshleyD

Originally posted by calihan_12
our culture and society has been raised on these ultra christian views on whats "right" and whats "wrong".

What about countries all over the world that are not Christian or even religious at all but have state mandated atheism? It's not just about religion, guys. Or being a prude. Clothing is universal in the civilized world and even the majority of third world countries.

People were wearing clothes for thousands of years before Christianity came along. Come on, Guys. If anything, this 'Christian nation' wears less clothing than previous generations.

I think American modesty stems from Christian heritage but we aren't the whole world, past and present.

well heres the thing... most of the world is in fact christian, or muslim, or whatever religion they may be, most of the world is religious. i mean what about the tribes in africa or south america who do not wear clothes? they dont seem to have any mainstream religion, and they dont judge anyone who doesnt wear clothes

reply to post by AshleyD

Again, I'm not saying nudists are going to use the public as their restroom. Earlier I equated it with people having to keep their undergarments on while trying on bathing suits or lingerie.

HAVE to?? .. Do you hold hands with the fitting room moderator? I would suggest you thoroughly wash such things when you get home after buying them. I would bet not all ladies have such social couth..

I'm talking about the residue or accidental leaks. Not intentional relief or suddenly all of our bodies go nuts the second we get our clothes off.

I've seriously never laughed this hard reading a thread on ATS.....

Maybe I have and maybe I liked it. My lips are sealed and I'm trying hard not to bring up my personal feelings on it because that would only lead to personal anecdotes.

Common Ashley, I'll tell if you tell! It would matter very much if you were a closet nudist and didn't agree with nudism in public.. we are just trying to defend the rights of hypothetical non-existent nudist after all.

But again, you're nitpicking to find differences in an effort to defend your position.

I am not! .. Smoking in a plane was banned because it was a fire hazard, wayyyy back before they even talked about second hand smoke. But look, we are digressing..

prayer in school, smoking in public, FCC censoring profanity, etc.

Prayer in school is illegal because PUBLIC schools are funded by tax payers dollars.. separation of church and state, the state cannot support one religion over another. you can pray, just not as a class or on school time. Banning smoking in public, especially private businesses is disgustingly unconstitutional imo, and I do not nor ever have smoked (that we can discuss) and the FCC censoring profanity?

Well lets talk about this then miss Ashley.

We can't show nipples, hooha's and whatsits on TV .. that's gross and offensive. We can't say **** **** *** ***** or ***** on TV because someone might get offended at the naughty words... But we do show realistic, detailed, close up and focused images of mutilated, beaten, distorted, bodies of extreme crimes of the most graphic nature.. I mean bloody gore you once only dreamed of seeing a horror film is average prime time TV.

Now call me crazy, but I would rather my child (which I don't have) to see a naked man or woman cussing up a storm than to see a single dead body in HD right before bed time.

Does the FCC care?

Is it about decency? Hell no.


***EDIT to add several words that magically vanished while typing making several sentences not make any sense

[edit on 8/19/2009 by Rockpuck]

reply to post by Rockpuck


You're actually wrong. It's all about context. You can show nudity on television in non-sexual settings, such as on National Geographic.

Too bad everyone seems to be a nymphomaniac and all nudity has to be offensive or sexual.

reply to post by ravenshadow13


Right.. "educational" format where it's a part of a cultural custom.....

I am talking about ABC, CBS, NBC prime time television. They show some grotesque and disturbing things on there, far, far worse than nudity. However nudity in any form is considered "bad" on the prime time channels. National Geographic not included.

Originally posted by ravenshadow13
reply to post by Rockpuck

 

You're actually wrong. It's all about context. You can show nudity on television in non-sexual settings, such as on National Geographic.

Too bad everyone seems to be a nymphomaniac and all nudity has to be offensive or sexual.

In the spirit of that censorship standard, nudity in public should be ok, but not sex in public. That makes more sense to me, and I could support a law banning public sexual acts, but allowing free roaming nudists!

well sex and nudity are two very different things. i think if everyone got so used to see naked people everyday it would know longer be viewed as an erotic thing... and i highly doubt people would get turned on and be having sex everywhere you looked.

its something you would have to be raised with. you cant just overnight say "alright everyone, feel free to run naked in the streets" because if you went about it like that, things really would go out of hand. we have to be slowly conditioned for it.

reply to post by calihan_12


Well I totally agree, and I propose we start the desensitization process with your avatar! I suppose I am shooting holes in my own argument by suggesting I would enjoy some forms of nudity. Dam!

Really though, those eyes, glasses, and lips should be as illegal as most peoples naked parts!

[edit on 19-8-2009 by getreadyalready]

reply to post by getreadyalready


Take all the fun outa being a nudist why don't you....

reply to post by calihan_12


Who ever said our prudish sense of nudity stems from puritan christian beliefs, they are right. In Europe nudity is far more acceptable, and in some countries is on normal television.

Sex it's self is of course porno graphic. But I don't see why something you would see in a normal R-rated movie is any worse then the mutilated bodies on CSI type shows.

its something you would have to be raised with. you cant just overnight say "alright everyone, feel free to run naked in the streets" because if you went about it like that, things really would go out of hand. we have to be slowly conditioned for it.

Agreed.

reply to post by calihan_12


But in this case it's the opposite. The town had allowed for public nudity, and once it started showing up, people went "Well, that's legally weird. I don't like that. Change the law."

So in this case they're moving AWAY from it instead of TOWARDS it.

reply to post by getreadyalready


You dirty old man ... ATS is the only message board I have been to that has been successful at keeping x-rated material from popping up... even to pop up and be taken down. Quite an achievement for the Internet.

yeah its interesting because ive met many many europeans, particularly french, and boy are they not shy. but thats how they are raised, to not be ashamed of nudity or sexuality.

its a normal thing there. people can be in gorgeous fashionable clothing, and then youll see someone naked, and to them its not out of the blue or distracting.

reply to post by ravenshadow13


From my understanding of the OP, only a very few people worried about tourism, not nudity, changed the law. Being in power has that perk. Sounded like the majority of the people where against it. And notice the council didn't change the law, it only set limits so that tourist wouldn't see the local crazy nudist.

reply to post by calihan_12


....French people...

hey now, the french arent so bad. to be honest, the ones ive met have been some of the nicest people ive known. of course, you have to give it a little time as with most foreigners, they need to feel like they can trust you and form a bond with you and once that happens, they open up to you and are wonderful.

it just takes a little time, thats all

reply to post by Rockpuck


"so that tourist wouldn't see the local crazy nudist."

Why crazy?

I don't get it.

reply to post by calihan_12


Well the French people I have met have been cold and distant, or way, way to open. There is of course my two favorite French moments. Both at disney world, different years. Ironic. One was standing in line for a ride and a French family walks over to the big water fountain, strips buck naked and jumps in, wading around while the line is staring like "what the hell just happened" .. obviously getting naked isn't a problem for the French (as I have also seen on many beaches) .. or I should say wasn't a problem until security had to come and fish a whole naked french family out of the fountain.

The other was standing in line for a ride when a French family cut in line, big time.. rest of the line start arguing with them, and my dad thought it best to just knock the Frenchman out. During Vietnam, he served in France for a while and I think returned home more scared than those in the Jungle.

But it goes to show how differently different cultures perceive nudity. Some think it's not such a bad thing, others much more prudish. Sadly, America was founded by English puritans.

reply to post by ravenshadow13


A definition for crazy can be being out of the ordinary.. thus the Nudist was Crazy.

oh man, that would be quite a sight to see a family of named frenchmen in a fountain at disney world. i can just imagine all the terrified children screaming

Here's a "did you know" .. It's legal for women to walk around topless in New York City... Not an old law either, 1992 was the ruling.

naturistaction.org...

Google search of nudist laws in American cities.