MY personal philosophy includes the fact that we are not indecent without clothing. There is nothing to be ashamed of when one is nude, it doesn't mean you are a pervert or a sex maniac, and it is in fact very natural, spiritual, and is the ultimate expression of the freedom American's hold dearest.

Yes, people have sexual thoughts sometimes while nude with others, but that is no different than when one is clothed (really!). People are sexual beings and are sexual or have sexual thoughts whether clothed or not. However, nudity is not about sexuality. It is, as I just said, about freedom and enjoying being in a natural state amongst nature and sharing that experience with others.

On the other hand, it is extremely sad that in order to be even marginally acceptable to those less enlightened, naturists and nudists have declared that all sexual behavior is taboo. Yes, this does give the people who are looking for excuses one less thing they can critisize nudists for, but to me the price is too high. If you build a lifestyle that ignores the sexual aspect of our being, then it is seriously flawed and can never truly grow or stand on it's own. It makes sex even more of a hidden, taboo thing than our neurotic society already does, and warps our natural wholesome behavior into a shameful, socially unacceptable traumatizing urge. Our bodies are designed to be pleasing to the opposite sex. acknowledging that, and the pleasurable interaction it can cause is only a good thing. True openness and freedom must include open sexuality. Naturist resorts need to require ID and check it against the Federal Sex Offenders database, and start a naturist Offenders List for those who offend others by sexually approaching kids or REPEATEDLY making UNWANTED sexual advances, comments or offers. Bear in mind that appropriate sexual advances should be allowed for, and only repeated, unwanted advances should be put on that list. It should be ok for advances to be made as long as the person making the advance is not too insistent or inappropriate.

I was tanning nude in private to avoid tan lines, then realized that there was nothing perverted or sexual about it and decided to try social nudity in an effort to overcome some of my shyness , and have been rewarded with the best spiritual experience I ever had. I was aprehensive for about 30 seconds, then felt TOTALLY at home. I love it! It is liberating and brings peace and joy to the heart. Basking in the sun always brings a smile to my face. But enough about what I say, what do others say?
Having said that, here are a few articles from others about Naturism, and my favorite Naturist site, so that you may get an idea what it is all about.
Go Natural (for women by a woman)
Grin and Bare It
Freedom and the Body
Your First Visit
Thoughts on Nudism. (A lot of good thoughts here!)
Southern Nudist Colonies (An objective look by Turner South)
Nudity In The Bible (used without permission)
Nudity In The Home (used without permission)

Check out " Nude Bathing" (One I wrote about the history of bathing in general and social nude bathing in particular) and Naturist Footsteps" under my PAPERS section off the main page
my favorite Naturism website
WARNING! If you go to this site or others like it, you will find pictures of people without clothing. If you are offended, DON'T GO. If you are looking for porn, look elsewhere. You won't find it here