HISTORY OF NUDISM

The history of nudism goes back many centuries. I will try to touch lightly on some of the time lines and other significant factors. It will be an overview of the renewal of social nudity during the times of the early Greeks to modern European and American cultures.

In the early times before Judeo-Christian-Moslem concepts were brought about, most of the tropical and temperate climates of the world were nothing more than one big nudist colony. The Greeks and Romans lived in a society of "clothing when necessary", frame of mind. Bathing, as well as sports, was enjoyed in the nude, as witnessed by the early olympic games in Greece. The term Gymnos, Greek for naked, was how these athletes competed. They also trained nude in their respective sports. With the demise of the ancient civilizations and the beginning of a religion that stressed the sinfulness of sensuality, nudism was on the decline. Body shame was on the rise.

A 16th century Christian group of Puritans strongly opposed the religious tolerance of the Church of England. With their exile to New England, they became the non pleasure, morality enforcing nude people associated with puritanism. They were so afraid of the lust that they refrained from bathing, because in their eyes, it promoted nudity. Many religions that are outraged at nudity avoid the fact that Jesus was naked at his baptism.

In Europe, the Renaissance period had risen the awareness of body acceptance in the field of art. As the Renaissance progressed, America remained in a mindset of religiously reinforced ideas that would dictate cultural morality for centuries. There were some so called, "radical thinkers", including Henry David Thoreau and Benjamin Franklin. They found benefits in their daily naked walks, or as they were called, "air baths", but they were in the minority.

By the turn of the twentieth century, mainland England was far more advanced and tolerant of the nude body than the Unites States. Many classic Family Home Nudism works of art considered masterpieces in England, were banned in the United States. One such work of art was "September Morn", a painting of a nude bather. This work was banned by The New York Society for the Suppression of Vice and its leader, Anthony Comstock.

While the U.S. was banning art work of naked bathers, the first nudists were freeing themselves of Victorian era prudence and bathing naked in Lubeck, Germany at Freilichtpark (free light park). (1903-1981). They stressed a healthy naked lifestyle. It included daily exercise, a spartan like outdoor living, and vegetarian diets. By 1929, immigrant Germans and visiting Germans brought this lifestyle to America. After some arrests, there was a favorable court ruling in New York allowing social nudity between men and women, without being lewd. For the first time in America, the concept of social nudism got national attention.

The National Nudist Conference was formed in America in 1933. It later became the American Sunbathing Association. By the mid 1930's there were approximately eighty nudist camps across America. Most of these nudist camps still followed the philosophy of nudism as a healthy regiment. Many organized, "landed clubs", were very selective of who could become members.

The rebellious outspoken flower children of the 1960's were not about to hide the open acceptance of nudity. The new free spirit of, "make love not war", attitude was based on an honest public nudity body acceptance. The only question was, why not be open about it. Acceptance of the nude body was the natural attitude of this generation. They experienced the freedom of being nude at the beach and in streams, as well as at home. Sometimes called "The Free Beach Movement", the 1970 philosophy of open nudism would later be coined Naturism.

Because of the overbearing religious beliefs in America, Europeans have enjoyed more personal freedoms than Americans. For many years European tourist beaches have enjoyed a topree environment for women. Nude beaches are not uncommon in many parts of Europe.

Modern nudism began in Germany and France. A nudist resort city on the Mediterranean, Cap d' Agde, now exists in France. California's Nudity in general has become acceptable in Denmark and The Netherlands. There have been many public nudist activities in both countries. All but two of Denmark's beaches are clothing optional.

The Naturist Society was formed in America to provide information and support for naturist and nudist groups in the country. The Naturist Action Committee is a monitoring and support group that supports the rights of early nudists and naturists nationwide. One of its goals is to protect our rights from the closed and narrow minded fanatics that do not understand the theory of our lifestyle.

Nationwide opinion polls taken in the years of 1983 and 1990 show that 72% of Americans polled approve of designated clothing optional beaches. To this date, roughly 30 million Americans have had some form of mixed social nudity. Other polls show that some 73% of Americans have skinny dipped with the opposite sex in their life.

The research and views within this document are that of the author. If you have any corrections, additions, or would like to contribute, feel free to send it to me. Corrections and constructive criticism are always welcome.

INFORMATION ABOUT NUDISM AND ITS HISTORY

I'D RATHER BE NUDE AND NATURAL

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Miami Nude Beach Nudity, Please Read!

There's something liberating about the antic of being naked.  The freedom.  The exhilaration.  The lack of pocket lint.  Unfortunately, for most people the notion of nudity requires some rationale - no matter how silly that rationale may be.  Streaking across a football field. Skinny-dipping in a lake.  Mooning for the camera.  Photocopying your butt.  Playing naked Twister.  Flashing a nun after sixth-period class, hoping she didn't recognize you and isn't at this instant phoning your parents.  For most people, it's all about the naughty thrill of getting caught or exposing a private part.  But not for all.  No, for many it's perfectly routine, as normal and natural as, say, kissing hands or shaking a baby.

Nude beaches are the perfect denominators for these two groups, the puritans and the pure exhibitionists, the fakirs and the non-fakers. Think of it as a big game of strip poker where everybody has crappy hands.  The thing to remember is that nude sunbathing isn't about sex or exhibitionism - we'll leave that to the nudist colonies and Courtney Love.  Nude sunbathing is about elation and free-spiritedness (and avoiding wedgies and ugly tan lines).

I've made the trek to No Clothes Land many a time.  I've dropped trou in Europe, where it's no big deal - heck, even the Royal Family has displayed a boob or two (not counting Prince Charles).  Black's Beach in San Diego is world famous for nude sun worshipping.  And, of course, here in Miami, we have Haulover Beach.

One of the misconceptions about nudity is that every human body is beautiful (Right).  The key to inoffensive nude sunbathing is to do just that - sunbathe.  Do not play volleyball in the buff.  No grilling or barbecuing.  Even if your Playgirl's Mr. January, do not perform an oil and air filter change on your auto while naked.  An watch the jogging - you could poke somebody's eye out.

Nude beachgoers often have their social cliques and routines.  They picnic and fraternize, and they love to mingle.  Zoiks.  These people who sashay up and down the beach wearing nothing but a smile and a spare tire are the same folks you find in the receiving line at a wedding wielding a business card and a can of Binaca.

When I venture to Haulover, I stick close to my blanket or hit the water.  I don’t wander about.  It’s like you want to work the room, but there’s no place to put your hands and no appropriate place to hang your Walkman.  (Plus, you feel like you’ve gone to a party and everyone’s wearing the same thing.)  Personally, I happen to like being naked. It’s never bothered me.  I often get home from work, disrobe, and sit naked on my couch eating cereal.  (Did I just cross the line of too much information?)  Some people are uncomfortable naked.  I’m not.  What I do have a problem with, however, is being ugly and naked.  Statistics show that the number of people who enjoy nude sunbathing is proportionate to those who should put something on.  Like a tarp.  Or one of those tents that they use when they’re debugging a house.  That one of the reasons why I prefer the sanctity of my blanket.  I can feign sleep (or death, if necessary) should some naked old man approach me and start to discuss today’s undertow as he squats liberally in front of me.

Sunscreen:  I’d be remiss if I didn’t stress the importance of proper protection.  Those regions that rarely see the light of day are the first to succumb to the sun’s deadly rays.  Hence, watch your behind, or your buns will be toast.  As for – how do I say this politely – garnishing your weenie, yes, your little buddy needs sunblock, but remember, you’re in public.  There a fine line between safety and pleasure when applying lotion to Mr. Happy.  I’ve seen guys go at it like they’re greasing a fire pole.  So take it easy.  Don't make things hard on yourself.

When it comes to accessories, there are certain things you should and should not bring to a nude beach.  Telescopes and binoculars are definite no-nos.  You may think of this as a ball game, but I’m sure the Red Sox would beg to differ.  Likewise with a camcorder – carrying a video camera at a nude beach is the pervert’s equivalent of driving by a schoolyard with a van full of candy.  As for ready, avoid books with titles like Justice of the Piece.  Stick to Field and Stream, Reader’s Digest or the Gideon Bible.  Sunglasses are a must.  If you’re gonna ogle, at least do it behind your Maui Jims.

As for your random beach bump-ins, there are obvious encounters. Besides bodies that you’d rather not see naked, piercings are immensely popular.  Popular, I surmise, because they’re in places that wouldn’t necessarily be exposed at Publix (unless you shop at the new one by the bay).  I’ve seen nipples that look like parachute rip cords.

And below the belt, I’ve seen piercings that made me recoil.  (Come to think of it, I’ve seen coils down there, too.)  And little napkin rings.  And something called a Prince Albert.  I’ve seen less metal at a gun show.  And shaving.  Hmmmm.  Apparently trimming the hedges has become all the rage.  Some folks go for the close cropping; others like it smooth.  I haven’t seen topiary this creative since I was at the Botanical Gardens.

Nude sunbathing can be a kick, an exciting way to liven up an otherwise dull day at the beach.  For the ladies, it means being able to wear a sundress without worrying about unsightly strap lines.  For the guys, it means there’s no need to adjust the boys: it’s a wind sock now.  For all of us it means an escape, a break from our daily worries and cares, a moment’s freedom where less is so much more – except when it comes to that sunscreen.