NOTE: A friend requested this. Please feel free to copy, borrow, or suggest changes. Modify it to suit your purposes.
Please do not attribute it to me or the Naktiv site; I have personal reasons for maintaining limited privacy and do not wish to invite unfriendly public scrutiny or potential hackers to the site.
Best wishes for promoting body acceptance and nude recreation!
Title: Petition for Accommodation of Naturism
Target: Local/Regional Legislative Body (Council, Board, etc.)
Petition:
It is well known that the earliest humans existed in the nude. Indeed, all humans are born nude, and many cultures today, both primitive and modern, both sophisticated as well as those more simplistic in nature, appreciate and tolerate the undraped human figure.
Additionally, millions of medical professionals train in their professions to examine the human body in various stages of undress, with a positive outcome on both individual and community health. It is also true that children are not offended by being nude or seeing others nude until taught to feel shame by an older person.
The perceived harm, then, of seeing the nude human body is the fear that such sight will lead to inappropriate acts by the nude person or others. This perception is highly flawed, in that it presumes that people are immune to self-control. It is equivalent to saying one cannot see a diamond displayed in a jewelry store because he/she will be compelled to steal it. If we lived in fear of the relatively few jewel thieves, we would never wear jewelry. To mandate that the human body be always hidden under garments is like requiring gems to be covered by bandages. Bad acts of a few should not restrict freedom of the rest of society, or even a smaller portion.
There are those then, who choose to take offense at seeing another unclothed person. Since humans naturally procreate, largely undressed, birth and bathe their undressed children, it is proof that simply seeing another nude human body causes no harm. Society tolerates much that some deem offensive but which causes no real injury. This is the essence of liberty and freedom of expression.
Naturists believe that clothes are often useful, such as a work uniform, or even necessary, such as for protection from the elements. Naturists also believe that there is nothing inherently wrong with the human body, but rather that every human body is unique and beautiful in its own right, and each person's complete mind, body and soul has dignity. To cast shame on the body is to deny self-worth.
Nudism has been demonstrated to provide mental health benefits, such as relaxation, reduced stress, body acceptance, and can promote physical health and hygiene as well. Naturists enjoy the sensation of enjoying the natural environment much like anyone does while swimming or sunning, except that their experience is not interrupted by a fabric barrier. They simply wear their skin suit rather than a swimsuit. Just like everyone else, they wear clothes when appropriate and they don't tolerate inappropriate behavior. They respect others just as they request the same.
Since nudism has many benefits, and no real harm, we, the undersigned, respectfully request that designate as clothing optional or nudist area, for the benefit and enjoyment of nude recreation. All other laws and ordinances remain applicable.
Signed,
ALTERNATIVE ENDING: Since nudism has many benefits, and no real harm, we, the undersigned, respectfully request that amend* ordinance to allow for the benefit and enjoyment of nude recreation at . All other laws and ordinances remain applicable.
*2nd ALTERNATIVE: repeal ordinance prohibiting nude recreation. All other laws and ordinances remain applicable.
Good points, Don and Bob! I tried to address it to answer a couple most common and broad objections of a theoretically opposed audience. Most legislative authorities where nudity is banned, would deny that nudism is a right, so I tried to disarm the objections. But I'm all for any approach that achieves result! There are probably many good ways to argue for naturism. If you find one that succeeds, please share it with the Naktiv site!
Clothed, not nude, is "normal" to most of the world. Nudity is a departure from normal for most people because that is what they were taught. First you have to remind people that nude is our natural state. Then educate them that clothes are not always needed and nudity is not harmful or offensive as they were taught. Then explain the benefits of not wearing clothes. You have to get people to decide that being nude is normal and a choice that people should have. Some "in power" may already feel that way in places. Most will not see it as a fundamental right. I think you did a great job on the petition.
I admire their efforts. This petition assumes that clothing is the normal condition and that being "nude" is a deliberate act. It argues that the deliberate act of being nude may not be harmful, but it assumes it is a departure from normal. It also does not assert that human bodies and choice of clothing or not clothing is a fundamental human right of all citizens. The overall effect is more negative than necessary.
Nudists need to start with an assumption that basic human rights are being taken away by forced control of our bodies by corporations, or governments. The natural state of being is unencumbered by layers of dirty laundry. We should stop using negative invoking words like "nude" in our argument entirely.
A friend requested this. Please feel free to copy, borrow, or suggest changes. Modify it to suit your purposes.
Please do not attribute it to me or the Naktiv site; I have personal reasons for maintaining limited privacy and do not wish to invite unfriendly public scrutiny or potential hackers to the site.
Best wishes for promoting body acceptance and nude recreation!