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Naturist History - Churches react to ClothesFree event at Water Park
Naturist History - We are very sorry to say that Freedom Days 2004 has been canceled. INA (now CFI) and Wild Water Adventures have jointly agreed to not have the event. We thank Wild Water Adventures for all of their support and acceptance. We have sold admissions tickets from all over the world, Japan, Australia, UK, Croatia, etc. We gave full refunds Monday, 5-24-2004. The added business for hotels and restaurants would have helped the local economy.
Local churches and citizens said they would boycott the water park if we rented it. See ABC News story here. Pastor G. L. Johnson from People's Church in Fresno said on CBS's Channel 47 he would contact all the churches in the valley to boycott the water park if our event happened.
Pastor Doug Ainley from the Valley Christian Center explained, "We will withhold financial support of the water park. If that's what it takes to uphold the community, holding to values and systems that we hold, then that's the route we take." Ainley says the bible teaches nudity is to be confined to the relationship between a man and a woman in holy marriage ... and that alone. But many other pastors who have contacted us disagree when it come to non-sexual nudity. Many of our members are Christian and believe in the bible's statement about being naked an unashamed. See positive response from a pastor here. We have never had problems like this before at any of our events.
A poll on Channel 47 says 78% of people support Wild Water Adventures' decision to make its facility available to us. But Channel 47's website calling our event "Girls Gone Wild" on the front page didn't help. Our events are family oriented and not associated in any way with "Girls Gone Wild".
Many of our members are Christian and believe in the bible's statement about being naked an unashamed. Strong family and naturist values promote body acceptance and a good self image for all ages. The more people see non-sexual nudity, the less they associate it with lust.
Here is a copy of an email we got. I am posting it here with permission. This pastor said since not everyone in his Fellowship understands, he wanted his name removed although he is increasingly being open about it, right now might not be the best time:
Here is a copy of an email we got. I am posting it here with permission. This pastor said since not everyone in his Fellowship understands, he wanted his name removed although he is increasingly being open about it, right now might not be the best time.
Dear Corky,
I was very disappointed in the news about the event being canceled... especially on why the event was canceled.
As a pastor, it distresses me that other pastors and Christians wish to distort the Bible to prohibit activities which the Scriptures does not prohibit. In our congregation, we teach that it is okay to have our own personal convictions, but unless specifically spelled out in Scripture, we should not try to force our own personal convictions on others. We are supposed to be more interested in leading people to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ rather than trying to force personal convictions. The Holy Spirit leads each of us according to His will to what He has in purpose for our lives. Not all of us fit into a single mold.
My condolences to you. I hope and trust the over zealous activity of a few well meaning but WRONG people claiming faith in Christ will not leave an overly bitter taste in your mouth.
I know a lot of time and effort has been expendd in planning for this event. My prayers are with you as you pick up the pieces and plan your next event.
Pastor from a Baptist Church
(Name and location deleted for security)
PS Yes, my family are active nudists!
We do not force our values on others, we highly respect the values of others but if we can't congregate and rent private property, out of public view on a normally closed weekend, without a few forcing their ways on us, we are not living in a very free society. Education is the answer.
We did sign a contract that allowed the park to back out if there was a negative community response.
Corky Stanton
CFI Staff
http://www.clothesfree.com
Local churches and citizens said they would boycott the water park if we rented it. See ABC News story here. Pastor G. L. Johnson from People's Church in Fresno said on CBS's Channel 47 he would contact all the churches in the valley to boycott the water park if our event happened.
Pastor Doug Ainley from the Valley Christian Center explained, "We will withhold financial support of the water park. If that's what it takes to uphold the community, holding to values and systems that we hold, then that's the route we take." Ainley says the bible teaches nudity is to be confined to the relationship between a man and a woman in holy marriage ... and that alone. But many other pastors who have contacted us disagree when it come to non-sexual nudity. Many of our members are Christian and believe in the bible's statement about being naked an unashamed. See positive response from a pastor here. We have never had problems like this before at any of our events.
A poll on Channel 47 says 78% of people support Wild Water Adventures' decision to make its facility available to us. But Channel 47's website calling our event "Girls Gone Wild" on the front page didn't help. Our events are family oriented and not associated in any way with "Girls Gone Wild".
Many of our members are Christian and believe in the bible's statement about being naked an unashamed. Strong family and naturist values promote body acceptance and a good self image for all ages. The more people see non-sexual nudity, the less they associate it with lust.
Here is a copy of an email we got. I am posting it here with permission. This pastor said since not everyone in his Fellowship understands, he wanted his name removed although he is increasingly being open about it, right now might not be the best time:
Here is a copy of an email we got. I am posting it here with permission. This pastor said since not everyone in his Fellowship understands, he wanted his name removed although he is increasingly being open about it, right now might not be the best time.
Dear Corky,
I was very disappointed in the news about the event being canceled... especially on why the event was canceled.
As a pastor, it distresses me that other pastors and Christians wish to distort the Bible to prohibit activities which the Scriptures does not prohibit. In our congregation, we teach that it is okay to have our own personal convictions, but unless specifically spelled out in Scripture, we should not try to force our own personal convictions on others. We are supposed to be more interested in leading people to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ rather than trying to force personal convictions. The Holy Spirit leads each of us according to His will to what He has in purpose for our lives. Not all of us fit into a single mold.
My condolences to you. I hope and trust the over zealous activity of a few well meaning but WRONG people claiming faith in Christ will not leave an overly bitter taste in your mouth.
I know a lot of time and effort has been expendd in planning for this event. My prayers are with you as you pick up the pieces and plan your next event.
Pastor from a Baptist Church
(Name and location deleted for security)
PS Yes, my family are active nudists!
We do not force our values on others, we highly respect the values of others but if we can't congregate and rent private property, out of public view on a normally closed weekend, without a few forcing their ways on us, we are not living in a very free society. Education is the answer.
We did sign a contract that allowed the park to back out if there was a negative community response.
Corky Stanton
CFI Staff
http://www.clothesfree.com
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