18 year old Christian with questions

[Mike88]

Hi, I'm an 18 year old male from the UK who has been curious about naturism for some time, and have just recently started going around the house naked occasionally when my family are out. I've just finished college and will be going to uni at the end of this month, and so am considering going to a nudist beach near me while I have the time and the weather is holding out.

I'm not going to ask about nerves and such - sure, I'll practically having puppies if/when I go, but that's kinda the whole point. I'd like to go to get rid of my hang-ups about my body (more specifically, my small penis). Also, as a Christian I'd like to be comfortable with my body so that I won't be ashamed anymore of what God has given me.

So, finally, on to the point - if I muster the courage to go, I am concerned about etiquette and such. Are some beaches somehow disapproving of single, 18 year old males going? Am I likely to be seen as more of a voyeur than a "proper" naturist? As for religious concerns, I believe that there's nothing wrong with nudity in and of itself, however looking at women lustfully is definitely wrong. Can any fellow Christians give me advice on keeping my motives pure and preventing unnecessary eye wandering?

Any help would be appreciated.

[Mike88]

Hi, I'm an 18 year old male from the UK who has been curious about naturism for some time, and have just recently started going around the house naked occasionally when my family are out. I've just finished college and will be going to uni at the end of this month, and so am considering going to a nudist beach near me while I have the time and the weather is holding out.

I'm not going to ask about nerves and such - sure, I'll practically having puppies if/when I go, but that's kinda the whole point. I'd like to go to get rid of my hang-ups about my body (more specifically, my small penis). Also, as a Christian I'd like to be comfortable with my body so that I won't be ashamed anymore of what God has given me.

So, finally, on to the point - if I muster the courage to go, I am concerned about etiquette and such. Are some beaches somehow disapproving of single, 18 year old males going? Am I likely to be seen as more of a voyeur than a "proper" naturist? As for religious concerns, I believe that there's nothing wrong with nudity in and of itself, however looking at women lustfully is definitely wrong. Can any fellow Christians give me advice on keeping my motives pure and preventing unnecessary eye wandering?

Any help would be appreciated.

[Nude in the North]

Try imagining everyone Dressed for Church.
Just behave the same way you would in Church. Well... Don't sing any Hymns or kneal and pray, but just treat people respectfully.

And bye the way, there is a difference between looking at someone with Admiration and Lust.

You can admire someone for the condition they keep their body in without Lusting for it.

Just relax and have a good time. You will be glad you went.

Steve

[gn225]

First, welcome to the world of naturism. You'll like it here. There are a lot of Christians here, by the way, so you're not alone in that respect either.

For your first trip to the nude beach, you should just try to be, well, natural. Which is tough because you'll feel very un-natural at first, and will have a hard time remembering what you do at ordinary beaches. That's OK, it will pass in just a few minutes. After that, if you think about being naked at all, it will be with amazement at how normal it feels. For the first trip bring a book, or your iPod, or whatever you normally bring to the beach. Nobody will think anything weird about you're being 18, male, and alone. If you sit comfortably close to a group activity like a volleyball game, you might get asked to join in; but otherwise, you'll likely find interactions with others limited to a friendly wave.

And, assuming there are attractive members of the opposite sex present, you'll likely find that the "lust in your heart" problem will turn out to be not a real problem once you get used to the idea that everybody is naked. You'll be able to admire the beauty of God's handiwork the way you do at any other beach, without your thoughts wandering into unwanted paths. And, if they do, there's always prayer - God likes to hang out at nude beaches, too, and will always lend a hand if you ask.

And, you'll find nobody the least interested in the size of your penis. Soon you won't be either.

Have fun!

gn225

[BillyD]

Actually, Mike, I think that you'll find that social nudity will lead to a more healthy body image and will be advantageous to the purity you are referring to. It is the perversion of body image that is presented by the world that causes greater problems. As a Christian, keep a focus on your relationship with Christ, and then enjoy the experience. You will love it.

[carbuff]

NudinNO. and gn ,
You guys gave such great advice this guy should be on his way . How cool .
Another Christian nudist here!

[carbuff]

You too Billy DKeep up the good work ,encouragement. I like knowing I have fellow Christians here .

[hatesclothes]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Mike88:
holding out.



So, finally, on to the point - if I muster the courage to go, I am concerned about etiquette and such. Are some beaches somehow disapproving of single, 18 year old males going? Am I likely to be seen as more of a voyeur than a "proper" naturist? As for religious concerns, I believe that there's nothing wrong with nudity in and of itself, however looking at women lustfully is definitely wrong. Can any fellow Christians give me advice on keeping my motives pure and preventing unnecessary eye wandering?

Any help would be appreciated. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Two steps to enjoying nudism:
1) take clothes off
2) ENJOY!

[Fuzzy Nuts]

Your wont be seen as a gawker or voyeur if you are naked.

[nuovonudo]

Mike, as a believer I applaud your openness in coming into this forum and posing your questions. God bless you!

While I mostly agree with what everyone has been saying, I wanted to add a brief bit or two.

You don't say much about what kind of a Christian you are, or from which of the many traditions you come, but your questions bespeak a devotion that is admirable.

As an adult convert to Christianity (baptised in my 20s eighteen years ago), I've only recently begun to reconnect with my "naturist" self. CFI's website has played a big part in that re-connecting.

I have a pet theory that if--as Christianity teaches--we are restored to paradise through the saving work of Jesus Christ on the Cross, that restoration seemingly would also include what Pope John Paul II has called "original nakedness."

If you've never read John Paul's "Theology of the Body," I would highly recommend it--or perhaps even better one of the many excellent brief introductions to it, such as Mary Healy's slim volume entitled "Men and Women Are from Eden."

Even if you are not Catholic, there is much in the Theology of the Body that will resonate with not only your knowledge of Scripture but also your own life experience. My study of the TOTB over the last two years has truly revolutionized my thinking about what it means to be a man (a male person) in the world. It has truly been, for me, a Romans 12:2 phenomenon.

The TOTB is basically an extended reflection on human embodiment--why God made us male and female and what it reveals about us and about Him. The key texts that JPII considers are Genesis 1-3, Matthew 5 and Matthew 19 and Ephesians 5.

While I can't possibly do justice to what JPII has written, I do believe that he nails it when he talks about the experience of "original nakedness"-- how Adam and Eve experienced their own unclothed bodies, and each other's body, prior to the Fall.

Sounds to me like part of what you are longing for as a naturist is a return to that original innocence. More power to you! (Don't we all?)

My own experiences on a nude beach (all prior to my conversion, I grant you) were surprising in that lust became the farthest thing from my mind about 20 seconds after stripping!

At first, one is so conscious of all the OTHER naked folks that it takes one's mind off one's own state of undress. (And anything that takes one's mind off oneself is probably good from a Christian standpoint!) Then, after another short while, one becomes blissfully unaware of (or better, unpreoccupied with) the nakedness of the others. One begins simply to BE and to ENJOY nature.

(Aside: It is for this reason that I prefer the term "naturism" to the term "nudism.")

Enough of my ramblings. Please DO let us know how things go for you. And if you think of it, please pray for me! (I'll be sure to do the same for you.)

Regards,
--N

P.S. Feel free to private message me if you'd like to mention specific prayer needs.

[nuovonudo]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by gn225:
You'll be able to admire the beauty of God's handiwork the way you do at any other beach, without your thoughts wandering into unwanted paths. And, if they do, there's always prayer - God likes to hang out at nude beaches, too, and will always lend a hand if you ask. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

gn225,

What a simple and eloquent statement! You sound like someone who has reflected long and well on Genesis 2:25. I neglected to read your beautiful post before writing my own reply to Mike. Probably would have been less long-winded had I done so--might have even remained in awed silence (!) but perhaps Mike will find something valuable in what I said, too, as I am certain he will in what you said.

Just so you'll know, your post has convinced me that the time for me to put my naturist Christian beliefs into practice is LONG overdue. I haven't been on a nude or c/o beach since 1984--three years before my conversion. Since I don't live near any nude beaches, nor any single-friendly resorts, I'm gonna have to drive a bit to do so. But drive I shall, confident that the Lord indeed does approve of our nakedness as long as we are striving--with His help, of course--to be chaste.

Thanks for your contribution. While I was blessed reading all the replies to Mike, your post was a particularly beautiful expression of "original innocence" and it really touched my heart. May God reward you (cf. Heb. 11:6)!

--N.

[Mike88]

Thanks for all the replies!

Nuovonudo, I go to a protestant church that would probably be pigeon-holed into the "Happy Clappy" category, since we hardly ever have hyms and instead we have a worship band. I guess we are 'happy clappy', but as my mum says, "Jesus gives us a lot to be happy about". I was only just recently baptised on the 20th August, and have only been a Christian for just over a year.

I haven't been having any fears like "will I go to hell if I stare at the women" etc, because we are living under grace and Jesus is and will be with me each and every time I mess up. However, to try and turn away from sin I'd like to not ogle women if I can help it. I'm kinda waffling here, what I'm trying to put across is that the church I come from tries to be biblical, but that doesn't necessarily equal conservative.

[nudeonLI]

Hi Mike88, Welcome to this forum and your new experience in naturism. Many have given you great advice on how to act at a nude beach and have reinforced your concept about nudity and Christianity. I would like to address one of your other concern, your small penis. When you go to a nude beach you will see lots of other men; some will have an organ larger than yours and some will be smaller. What you will soon discover is that your body is within the norm. If it wasn't, this inherited trait would have died out thousands of year ago due to the process of natural selection. So go to the beach, act as you would at any other beach and you will soon be very comfortable with your new lifestyle.

[Rabid_Clam]

You manners at a nude beach need to be the same as at anyother beach. Nothing different there except the lack of attire. People are still people and expect the same treatment at a nude beach as any other place. Good luck and have fun!

[JohnFourtyTwo]

It's mentioned in the Bible that Jesus washed the feet of his disciples while nude and that the disciples fished in the nude also.

Please don't ask me for chapter and verse, I just remember seeing an interview with a naturist preacher and some news show that's part of one of the news stories in the member's area here, and that's a couple of the examples he spoke about concerning Christians and nudity.

[Noodie]

Hi Mike,

Short answer - no, you won't be looked upon as a voyeur or anything less than a proper naturist.

You'll probably find that you're the youngest person there. I took my first steps into naturism at age 16 (I'm 26 now) and I'm still (almost) always the youngest person at the beach.

Beachgoers do tend to mostly be single males, so I wouldn't worry about that at all. Couples are the next largest grouping, in my experience.

As far as looking at other people goes - I really don't think you'll have a problem there either. You just have to approach the situation as you would any other. It quickly feels normal to be naked and I personally feel that I'm less likely to lust over the opposite sex in a naturist environment.

It just feels natural.

I think it's easier to have the kind of feelings you're concerned about when the ladies are lying around in skimpy bikinis than it is when they're naked.

If you fancy giving it a try in more of an organised setting, and with people around your own age, then you might want to consider joining YBN, of which I am a member: Young British Naturists (http://www.ybn.org.uk/)

Being a member of something like that would also give you things to do during the winter and get you more into truly social situations - e.g. there's going to be an event held at Alton Towers on 17-19 November, during which naturists will have free reign over one of the hotels and waterparks.

If I were you, I'd get out to the beach whilst you can. The warm sunny days are going to become more scarce as we head through September - so now's really the time to see whether it's for you or not. I'm sure you'll only regret not trying it sooner!

Regards,
Michael

[gn225]

Mike -

I hope the encouraging replies will help you to feel comfortable that it will all be OK when you visit the beach. Noodie's invitation to join the YBN seems especially good advice to me; after one day at the nude beach you won't want to wait until the weather warms again to take it all off, and making new friends who share the interests (both nudist related and age relative) will make it better. Likely you'll find some Christians in the group as well.

And, Nuovonudo, thanks for your very nice comments on my earlier post. I really think that discerning the lack of a conflict between naturism and Christianity is going to turn out to be a breakthrough for you, not only in rediscovering your enjoyment of naturism (and finding it enhancing your Christian life) but in the more fundamental process of discerning right from wrong that we all often find confusing. Checked out the JPII book you mentioned on Amazon, a little pricey and at 600 pages not a light read. Maybe sometime in the future, but I'll start with the Healy book you mention. Thanks for the suggestion.

And, yes, you're right about my alias.

gn225

[Mike88]

Well yesterday, I had to take a train and a bus to get there, but I finally went. Nerves were almost not a problem at all. In fact, at first I couldn't find the nudist section of the beach and was frustrated because I was ready to strip off. I found the section, stripped off and promptly ran in to the sea for a skinny dip since that is soemthnig I've wanted to do for a long time.

While I was swimming, I saw a clothed couple walking a dog pick up my bag and shoes that I had left by the shore. For a moment my worse nightmare was coming true - someone making off with my stuff, leaving me stranded with LITERALLY nothing on me! As I frantically started swimming back towards the beach, I saw that they simply moved my stuff a few metres inland and put it down again, since the tide was coming in without me noticing. Once I had got back to my stuff I had found that it was already slightly damp, and so was grateful to the couple for stopping it from getting any worse. By this time however they were quite far away so I couldn't thank them. I was more grateful for the fact that they did this at all rather than the action itself. It meant that they were perfectly fine with what I and others on the beach were doing even if they didn't want to do the same.

Back on the beach, I rolled out my towel and had my packed luch. (Top tip: Don't put your sandwiches downwind of you, unless you find sand tasty and nutricious.) Problem was, at this point, I still had a kinda half-erection. It's hard to describe, but although I wasn't sexually aroused it was such a new experience that almost all of the time it was between flaccid and erect, sticking out at 90 degrees. I didn't feel ashamed of my body, but I kept my distance from people so as not to offend them. Like I said it wasn't fully erect, but I wanted to keep on the safe side.

During my time on the beach, I couldn't help but see plenty of bodies. I saw guys with smaller penises than mine, some bigger. Turns out I'm in fact distinctly average, if a bit only slightly smaller. Years of brainwashing from TV and magazines had given me the paranoia that I must have had a tiny penis. The stuff I've read here and elsewhere is exactly right; when you and everyone around you has got they're wobbly bits out, it just becomes the norm. In my opinion people generally look much more funny than sexy, and I include myself in that statement. I must have had the milkiest whitest skin on the beach, and no doubt the regulars spotted me a mile off as a first-timer. I didn't have anyone make any comments though, and in the atmosphere I really didn't care about my baby white skin. I felt much more comfortable there about it than I have on clothed beaches previously, before I wouldn't wear my shorts to the beach simply because I didn't want people to see my white legs.

I admit that I couldn't stop myself from stealing extra glances at some of the women, but I never stared and I didn't look at them lustfully. And like I said, it doesn't take long for boobs to simply because just another set of wobbly bits.

After spending three hours there, I had to go and catch my bus, but at that time it was getting cloudy and cooler anyway. I just wanted to walk all the way back naked, but instead I could only walk naked to the limit of the signed area, then put on only my jeans. All in all I found it a wonderful experience, and I now feel much more comfortable with my body. I wouldn't be able to strip off in front of my friends at the click of a finger, but I am no longer afraid of communal showers and changing areas. The only bad things about the trip were the weird, annoying half-erection thing that I mentioned, and the fact that I am sunburnt all down my back since I couldn't reach well enough to get suncream there.

The positives defenitely outweigh the negatives though, so as I sit here completely naked typing this, I have to thank you all for giving me the confidence to go. I would like to say though you can give me as many advantages as you like about going nude, but the one thing your birthday suit does not have is pockets. It's not as convienient listening to my mp3 player naked, but it certainly does feel more free. Again, thanks! http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/happy.gif

[Nude and Tanned]

Mike 88 I am glad you bit the bullet and tried the nude beach. I am also happy that you enjoyed the experience but, you will now be hooked as many of us here are. At your age I am not surprised that you had a semi for most of the time you were at the beach. The first time or two that you are in nature nude your body responds this way to the experience. Being nude in nature is a sensual experience and just the ocean breeze caressing your body for the first time can do this. Just let your self become accustomed to the feel of the water, wind, and sun, and soon you will be totally at ease with yourself. Now with that being said there is a certain amount of resposiblility that goes along with that semi or erection. Do not walk around wagging an erection in front of people or touch yourself. If you have one that continues just lay on your stomach or go in the water a while or try to think of things in a non-sexual way. Soon you will be able to control this reaction. I applaud you for going to the nude beach on your own at your age, it takes a bold and strong teenager to go outside the norm and do what makes you happy even if friends don't think that it may be cool. I hope you have a life time of great nude experiences ahead.

[namedun]

Congrats Mike. As for your back, I don't know about the UK, but in Canada and probably the US we've now got pump and aerosol spray sunscreen which I find works great for my back. This being said, it is always just more fun if you get someone to go with you and they can apply it for you.

[gn225]

Mike -

Thanks for sharing your experience! I'm really glad you followed through so quickly. The incident with the people who moved your clothes was a hoot! Having mustered the courage to visit a nude beach alone, your worst fear seems to come true within minutes! It will make a great story for years to come!

The "semi" is a transient problem. Soon you'll be strolling around without giving it another thought, and the other newbies on the beach will be hoping someday to achieve your confidence.

Your observation about the size of the other guy's penises was interesting. Thanks largely to the impossibly perfect bodies we see in advertisements, I suspect that the average man thinks his penis is smaller than average, and the average woman thinks her breasts are smaller than average. Nude beaches put that nonsense to rest pretty quickly, as you discovered!

Namedun's right, spray sunscreen is a decent solution but better to find a friend to apply it evenly for you. That Young British Naturist group comes to mind - and you have a great story to tell for your first get together with them.

gn225

[Pete Knight]

Hi Mike, first of all, well done for giving it a try, its even harder trying to give it up!!

I assume from your location that the beach you visited was either Holkham or Corton, your two nearest beaches, THIS (http://www.n-2.org.uk/nuff/pages/beaches/holkham.htm) is what NUFF has to say about Holkam.

Now that your hooked on naturism why not consider joining British Naturism, and membership of YBN (http://www.british-naturism.org.uk/youth/) is at no extra cost, the benefits are that you can socialise with like minded people of your own age.

There are several great clubs in your area, and membership of BN will certainly be needed if you want to visit one of them.

As some of the others mentioned, freehiking gives you that true feeling of liberation, I'd recommend it.

Pete Knight

[John Spooner]

Dear Mike.
I sent you a private message regards several points, hopefully it gets through, let me know if it does not by private e-mail.
What beach did you go to.
Regards. Stay nude.
John S.
"rsp41681@bigpond.net.au"

[Jake92]

wat type of christian r u.
jake

[P.J.]

Hi Mike,

I'm also a Christian.

At the age of 52, I've been around the block a few times.

Back when I was 18 years old, I had plenty of questions and more personal issues than I would wish on anyone, but somehow survived.

Insecurity was probably among my biggest (and most unnecessary) self-inflicted problems. Don't let that become your problem.

Now moving down to the penis-related matters, you are probably all there.

If you aren't experiencing some frightening symptoms, such as blood in the urine, you probably don't have any cause to worry.

Once the late comedian Paul Lynde was asked what should not be brought to a nudist resort and his answer was a tape measure.

If that piece of advice gets disregarded and someone measured your penis and compared it with others, you'd probably be surprised and most likely relieved that others are not as large as they think (or want others to think).

Since I'm not a health-care professional, you should take some of your concerns to the doctor.

[nudebushwalker]

All - Christians, non-Christians and undecided, alike - only need to remember the 'golden rule' (as many Americans like to call it..) :

"Do unto others ..." (before they do unto you ??)
(no .. only kidding ... <-;{ )
".. as you would have them do unto you."