The "impressions" we portray.

[BankRobber]

Just logged on to the message boards section of the site, and read the posts in the "New Naturists" area. I had wanted to post an encouraging message for those curious about nudism, and tell of my wife's and my first experiences to help 'newbies' take the first plunge. I find what appears to be an ongoing exchange between a testy homosexual and someone else, a "you gotta be in my club and an activist like us" post, and a general sense of exclusionism. Are we really giving "New Naturists" the correct impression of the "real" nudists/naturists? Does what the message board say to new naturists promote what the lifestyle is all about? I think not.
Homosexuals, please take it elsewhere.
"Club evangelists", please remember that most people are turned off by feeling that they must be "in the in crowd" to be accepted.
Lets be what we are, just regular decent people who like to enjoy the liberation from life's "baggage" and the freedom of nudity.

[BankRobber]

Just logged on to the message boards section of the site, and read the posts in the "New Naturists" area. I had wanted to post an encouraging message for those curious about nudism, and tell of my wife's and my first experiences to help 'newbies' take the first plunge. I find what appears to be an ongoing exchange between a testy homosexual and someone else, a "you gotta be in my club and an activist like us" post, and a general sense of exclusionism. Are we really giving "New Naturists" the correct impression of the "real" nudists/naturists? Does what the message board say to new naturists promote what the lifestyle is all about? I think not.
Homosexuals, please take it elsewhere.
"Club evangelists", please remember that most people are turned off by feeling that they must be "in the in crowd" to be accepted.
Lets be what we are, just regular decent people who like to enjoy the liberation from life's "baggage" and the freedom of nudity.

[Rik]

Hi BankRobber and welcome,

There are nearly 4000 registered users on this discussion board so there's bound to be a few people who discuss things you don't like. Just do like the rest of us and ignore them but please post your 'newbie' experiences as there are a lot of people out there who would benefit from hearing them.

As you say "Lets be what we are" but let's let others be what they are.

Rik

[Bartamus]

Rik: Your last post speaks well for the INA forum
and we the moderators agree completely.

[florida-david]

i would like to disagree with the exclusionary feelings of the first post. why MUST naturists exclude homosexuals? though i am happily married, i find nothing wrong with homosexuals, clothed or not. i think you are putting your own beliefs ahead of the naturist cause when you exclude people based on your personal prejudice. there is a thread about tattoos and jewelry that i stopped following because it too was getting exclusionary. if we keep excluding people based on some personal nonsence, pretty soon there will be no-one left on this site and the textiles will have won.

let's each do our own things, but include people when possible /infopop/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif .

[Bob S.]

I find it a bit ironic that someone with the name "BankRobber" is talking about giving first impressions. /infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

How about giving some specific examples of what discussions you are referring to ie. suject titles, so we know exactly what you are referring to?

And you know, if you have any problems with any messages, you are free to contact the moderators with any of your concerns.

Bob S.

[barelybob]

I find it interesting that anyone thinks we should exclude homosexuals. Personally, I don't understand homosexuality. My youngest daughter has a homosexual relationship which I have accepted (her partner is a fine person). I just wish she would be as accepting of my naturism. Prejudices can be difficult to overcome. /infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

[Frank R]

Again, I fail to see what the disagreement is all about. If all homosexuals were nudist or no homosexuals were nudists, then it might (just might) be worth discussing. People do not have to agree with 100% of what a person says or believes to be on the same side. People who are nudist or help to advance the nudist /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif beliefs I believe are on the same team I am. Frankly, I don't really care what else they may or may not believe. /infopop/emoticons/icon_confused.gif They aren't asking me and I am not asking them to agree with everything else they or I believe. You can't win games fighting with your team mates. Let's just remember that (hopefully) all nudist are on the same team and leave it at that. /infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

[brainyguy9999]

After reading and re-reading his post, I don't think he was telling all homosexuals to go to another site. He said:

>>"I find what appears to be an ongoing exchange between a testy homosexual and someone else ...
Homosexuals, please take it elsewhere."

I think he is directing that to homosexuals who go to a nudist board to promote homosexuality in a dogmatic way with no regard for the feelings of others. He also addressed other individuals by saying:

>>""Club evangelists", please remember that most people are turned off by feeling that they must be "in the in crowd" to be accepted."

So I feel he is addressing the people who are also very dogmatic when they push their religious or personal views in a forceful or in a "like it or leave the board" attitude.

Bankrobber: You also said:

>>"Lets be what we are, just regular decent people who like to enjoy the liberation from life's "baggage" and the freedom of nudity."

Although you may wish (as do I) that nudists are all decent and like to leave behind "life's baggage", we aren't all that way. Because nudists are a cross-section of society, nudists also include people that are mean, prejudiced, racist, perverted, back-stabbers, liars, cheats, and down right nasty people.

But I like to believe that, like the rest of society, the honest, caring, carefree, friendly, open-minded, wonderful people far outnumber the bad apples.

Maybe his wording led to some mis-interpretations of his post. Or maybe I mis-interpreted the post. Hopefully Bankrobber will clear it up.

I agree that we need positive posts whenever we can. I'd like to see more of them. I'd also like to read about your wife and your nudist experiences.

bg

[Vin]

I admit to having the same interpretation of BankRobber's post as the majority (to this point). A statement like "Homosexuals, please take it elsewhere" as a standalone paragraph is emphatic enough. But it is followed very closely by "Lets be what we are, just regular decent people...." The implication is certainly that homosexuals are not decent people.

I also find it ironic that someone with a handle like "BankRobber" is, apparently, lecturing on morality and impressions.

Perhaps BankRobber would care to explain?