Religion is a fine thing, but don't let it control your life.

[Prim]

Well not quite. I think they were told not to eat of the fruit. What to do. Remain subservient or partake in enlightenment and become as the gods

[Noodfellaz]

Not saying this is my opinion at all but I saw this and it made me think (and think of this thread)

[Prim]

True religion gave us nudity and freedom sadly we have added many layers to what was originally given

[Tanazz]

"It makes you think, doesn't it?"

Are you saying Christianity isn't a religion? That Christianity isn't the only religion? That there is Christianity that is the truth and then all the other religions that aren't valid? That is why I asked you to clarify, Tanazz.

"Actually, I can't teach. I don't have that ability yet"

Speaking is teaching, Elton. And you did teach. You talked about what the author of the book of Human reality stated. You are teaching us that which you learned on the topic of religion.

Bob S.

Correct, Bob, it is the truth.

[Bob S.]

"It makes you think, doesn't it?"

Are you saying Christianity isn't a religion? That Christianity isn't the only religion? That there is Christianity that is the truth and then all the other religions that aren't valid? That is why I asked you to clarify, Tanazz.

"Actually, I can't teach. I don't have that ability yet"

Speaking is teaching, Elton. And you did teach. You talked about what the author of the book of Human reality stated. You are teaching us that which you learned on the topic of religion.

Bob S.

[Tanazz]

I'm just a simple man who believes in the risen, living God of the Bible and its teachings. That's Christianity, as I know it. Anything else is a deviation that I don't believe. You or anyone else can believe what you want, that's America, so far.

[EltonJ]

"Actually, yes, I still believe that Religion could hold back someone from the truth."

Elton, what truth are you talking about? If the Eternal Truth, then they are not holding back that Truth from their adherents, they are simply teaching that which they believe in. To suggest religions hold back the truth from anyone implies there is are universal, empirical Eternal Truths and that some religions are simply not teaching them or preventing their adherents from learning about them.

As I stated above, the debate about what are the Eternal Truths is what causes the friction between the different religions. Since none of them are provable or falsifiable, you can't say anyone is holding back the truth, only teaching what they believe to be the truth.

Bob S.

Actually, I can't teach. I don't have that ability yet. I would love to discuss this further, however I haven't been given the power to teach.

[nudeyooper]

It does make me think. There are way too many divisions within Christianity to lump them together as one religion. It seems to be the case with Jews and Muslims too, but I have no first hand knowledge there.

[Tanazz]

It makes you think, doesn't it?

[Bob S.]

Please add to that statement, Tanazz, it could be taken many different ways.

[Tanazz]

Don't confuse religions with Christianity

[Bob S.]

"Actually, yes, I still believe that Religion could hold back someone from the truth."

Elton, what truth are you talking about? If the Eternal Truth, then they are not holding back that Truth from their adherents, they are simply teaching that which they believe in. To suggest religions hold back the truth from anyone implies there is are universal, empirical Eternal Truths and that some religions are simply not teaching them or preventing their adherents from learning about them.

As I stated above, the debate about what are the Eternal Truths is what causes the friction between the different religions. Since none of them are provable or falsifiable, you can't say anyone is holding back the truth, only teaching what they believe to be the truth.

Bob S.

[EltonJ]

There are about 4000 recognized religions in the world, and most of them are mutually exclusive. If one of those religions is actually right, the other 3999 religions are holding back their followers from the truth. It is much more likely that none of the 4000 religions are right, so all of them are holding back their followers from the truth.

I think all of the religions are holding people back. In the book Human Reality, the author states that not one of the religions teach the whole truth about our reality. Not even one.

[Mosquito_Bait]

Actually, yes, I still believe that Religion could hold back someone from the truth. ...

There are about 4000 recognized religions in the world, and most of them are mutually exclusive. If one of those religions is actually right, the other 3999 religions are holding back their followers from the truth. It is much more likely that none of the 4000 religions are right, so all of them are holding back their followers from the truth.

[EltonJ]

Actually, yes, I still believe that Religion could hold back someone from the truth. The bible says that the body is a temple. Jesus mentioned this analogy while he was alive. "destroy this temple, and I'll raise it up again in three days." Paul also states that the body is a temple.

Is the modesty standards of some religions irrational? Yes. I believe that the Mormon standards of modesty is irrational. Muslim standards are also just as irrational. It is possible to be nude and regard your body as a temple. The LDS temples aren't covered, in fact most of them have lighting on them so that they can be seen. So what does that mean for our own bodies? Which are temples?

I believe we are getting to intent here. Nudists enjoy being naked (at least I hope so, I enjoy it). They do it in a way that is modest. They don't do it to draw attention to themselves. People that go to clothing optional resorts often just do it because they want to. I'm pretty sure that people judge unrighteously because of their beliefs. I know I did, lots of times.

I used to think nudity was bad. Again nutured to think that way, and not by nature. I would judge other people by their state of dress, and have unreasonable fantasies. When I came to nudism as a way of being free, suddenly I was looking at nudity from a different angle. I even convinced my wife to adopt the lifestyle (and we had to explain to Jesus that we weren't doing it for pornography either). I have a poor attitude towards religion. It's my hope that everyone righteous everywhere (including Muslims, Jainists, Buddhists, and Hindus, and those of other faiths) will come to know the truth about religion and how it's holding them back.

And I hope nudists everywhere understand what a gift Freedom is, and I hope that they pass it on to the next generation.