Whenever the topic of nudity among males in such settings as locker rooms, gym showers, etc. comes up in these forums (as it often does), it is commonly reported that the practice is declining rapidly among the younger generation in the USA. It is stated that many of our youth now routinely avoid the gym showers at school, and that it's largely the older men who parade nude around locker rooms at public gyms. These reports often precipitate posts blaming this newfound American modesty or neo-Puritanism on Christians, the religious right, etc. As a Christian, I beg to differ in this post. Your comments will then be welcome.
Those who know the Bible know that Jesus, right after the Last Supper with twelve other males, "laid aside his garments," girded Himself with a towel, washed the disciples' feet, and dried them with the towel (John 13:4-5). After His resurrection, His burial clothes were found left in the tomb (Luke 24:12; John 20:6). Peter fished naked with six other disciples (John 21:7), which was then the custom for fishermen in boats. In the Old Testament, the prophet Isaiah went nude in public for three years as a sign from God (Isaiah 20:2-3). There are other examples, but I spare you.
So, in the Bible, nudity is innocent enough under appropriate circumstances. The modern problem occurs when people confuse innocent nudity with sexuality. Fifty years ago, most boys grew up with brothers, and they learned about the male body from one another. American males were used to nudity with others in locker rooms, gym showers, college dorms, the military, swimming, etc. Being naked with the guys was a "guy thing." There was virtually no sexuality in the media then, so there was no reason to confuse nudity with sexuality.
Today, everything is totally different. Most boys are either only children or only sons, so they don't have brothers. Many don't even have a father in the home. They are left to learn about the male body and being a man from the media, which present a warped view designed to sell things--often sex itself. Sexuality is everywhere today, and innocent nudity is increasingly rare. Any boy who can reach a computer can find porn, and adolescent males undoubtedly find their share--both heterosexual and homosexual. The constant media messages are these: (1) Nudity equals sex. (2) Nudity with other males is gay. (3) You just don't measure up!
Can it be any wonder that today's teen males are increasingly loath to be naked in one another's presence? There are very few male bastions left in American society--not even the military--and "guy things" just aren't politically correct anymore. It is truly a sad state!
Now, I will admit that some well-meaning American Christians are stuck on a Victorian view of nudity, although it is not Biblical. I do not believe for a second, though, that those folks have nearly as much influence on the vast majority of modern adolescent males as do the media. There have never been any Christian or other right-wing crusades to close down locker rooms, gym showers, menâs dorms, the military, and other places where men used to be men together. In fact, what most of you might call the self-righteous excesses of the Victorian element are typically in reaction to the excesses of the highly secular and anti-religious media. Additionally, the social and political forces acting against traditional masculine identity, bonding, and âguy thingsâ have come from the left, not from the right (religious or otherwise).
What think you?
Those who know the Bible know that Jesus, right after the Last Supper with twelve other males, "laid aside his garments," girded Himself with a towel, washed the disciples' feet, and dried them with the towel (John 13:4-5). After His resurrection, His burial clothes were found left in the tomb (Luke 24:12; John 20:6). Peter fished naked with six other disciples (John 21:7), which was then the custom for fishermen in boats. In the Old Testament, the prophet Isaiah went nude in public for three years as a sign from God (Isaiah 20:2-3). There are other examples, but I spare you.
So, in the Bible, nudity is innocent enough under appropriate circumstances. The modern problem occurs when people confuse innocent nudity with sexuality. Fifty years ago, most boys grew up with brothers, and they learned about the male body from one another. American males were used to nudity with others in locker rooms, gym showers, college dorms, the military, swimming, etc. Being naked with the guys was a "guy thing." There was virtually no sexuality in the media then, so there was no reason to confuse nudity with sexuality.
Today, everything is totally different. Most boys are either only children or only sons, so they don't have brothers. Many don't even have a father in the home. They are left to learn about the male body and being a man from the media, which present a warped view designed to sell things--often sex itself. Sexuality is everywhere today, and innocent nudity is increasingly rare. Any boy who can reach a computer can find porn, and adolescent males undoubtedly find their share--both heterosexual and homosexual. The constant media messages are these: (1) Nudity equals sex. (2) Nudity with other males is gay. (3) You just don't measure up!
Can it be any wonder that today's teen males are increasingly loath to be naked in one another's presence? There are very few male bastions left in American society--not even the military--and "guy things" just aren't politically correct anymore. It is truly a sad state!
Now, I will admit that some well-meaning American Christians are stuck on a Victorian view of nudity, although it is not Biblical. I do not believe for a second, though, that those folks have nearly as much influence on the vast majority of modern adolescent males as do the media. There have never been any Christian or other right-wing crusades to close down locker rooms, gym showers, menâs dorms, the military, and other places where men used to be men together. In fact, what most of you might call the self-righteous excesses of the Victorian element are typically in reaction to the excesses of the highly secular and anti-religious media. Additionally, the social and political forces acting against traditional masculine identity, bonding, and âguy thingsâ have come from the left, not from the right (religious or otherwise).
What think you?
