I have been looking at this topic 

https://www.anaturistworld.com/forums/topic/71/telling-others-that-you-are-a-naturist

and considering the thoughts of this topic

https://www.anaturistworld.com/forums/topic/98/what-core-rules-should-exist-for-naturists-clubs

and it has made me think that we need a universal recognised interpretation of naturism that can be used in creating the rules for clubs and also make life easier for those who struggle to tell family and friends about naturism. After all it can seem a little embarrassing anyway we really don't need the added confusion  of "what is naturism?" thrown in. 

When I was a child I thought I knew what naturism was - it seemed rather simple - it was spending time naked on a beach or at a campsite. If someone had told me they were a naturist I may have found it a bit funny, and have thought that seems scary or daring - but I would have understood and not questioned any other aspect of their behaviour. 

Today though we have "adult only" venues and events all over the place - they seem more prolific than family friendly ones - this may not yet be the case but it can certainly seem that way - and this adds a lot of confusion. We also have libertine venues and clubs that have become associated with naturism in many people's minds. We also have the internet and the misuse of nudity and naturism there is doing huge amount of harm.

Then there is the fact that some use other terms like "nudism" and some don't like using terms at all. This leads to greater confusion as people try and work out what is the difference in these words and why some people want to reject all words. What has "naturism" done to deserve being distanced from - is what some will ask? After all it should be seen as a descriptive word. "I like going jogging" is not confusing and you don't have people say "I do not want to be described as a "jogger" even though they like taking part in that activity. 

So my thought is that before we can expect the world to consider naturism they need to know what it is. 

I would like to explore that here and maybe come up with a fully rounded definition. One that captures what it is and what it isn't, one that recognises the various philosophies that some people may find in naturism but one that primarily recognises the joy and fun of being a naturist.

A short definition followed by a more detailed appreciation of the core ideas and values of naturism - that will inspire everyone to see exactly what naturism is - and if they do not want to try it themselves they can at least appreciate it and understand it and primarily understand that under the clothes we are all naturists at heart.  

Help me find the ideal detailed description for naturism in this topic that would work to explain naturism if used on all naturist bodies and websites all over the world.  The floor is yours....

Here are few definitions for a start:

Naturism, also known as nudism, is a cultural and social movement that advocates for and practices personal and social nudity, with the aim of promoting body acceptance, self-respect, and a closer connection to nature. Naturists typically engage in various recreational activities, social events, and daily living practices while being nude, either in private settings or designated public areas. Naturism is often associated with values such as body positivity, freedom, equality, and environmentalism.

Naturism can be defined as a lifestyle, social movement, or philosophy that advocates for the acceptance and practice of non-sexual social nudity, often in communal settings. Naturists believe that being nude in a natural environment promotes personal freedom, body positivity, self-acceptance, and a deeper connection with nature. Naturism encompasses various recreational, social, and cultural activities, which may include nude beaches, camps, resorts, and clubs, as well as events such as festivals and gatherings. While naturism has its roots in historical movements and philosophies, it continues to evolve and adapt to contemporary social norms and values.

Naturism can be defined as a social, cultural, or personal lifestyle that promotes and advocates for the acceptance of non-sexual nudity in both private and public settings. Naturists believe in the importance of body positivity, self-acceptance, and connecting with nature in their most natural state, which includes being unclothed. Naturism is often associated with outdoor activities, such as sunbathing, swimming, and camping, and may be practiced individually or as part of organized groups or events. While some people may feel uncomfortable or unfamiliar with the concept, naturists emphasize the distinction between nudity and sexual behavior and promote a respectful, non-judgmental environment for those who choose to participate.

Naturism is a deeply meaningful and enriching lifestyle that encourages individuals to embrace their true selves and connect with others and the natural world in an authentic, open, and non-judgmental way. Naturists see nudity as a natural and healthy state of being, and they aim to break down societal barriers and stigmas associated with the human body.

Naturism is centered around principles such as body positivity, self-acceptance, equality, and respect for oneself and others. By shedding clothing and engaging in social activities, naturists foster a sense of freedom and a strong connection with nature. They maintain that experiencing the world without clothing allows them to be more in tune with their surroundings, develop a deeper appreciation for the environment, and experience a greater sense of unity with other people.

In naturism, the practice of nudity is not sexual or provocative, but rather a celebration of the human body in its most natural state. Naturists believe that embracing nudity can lead to personal growth, improved mental and physical well-being, and stronger relationships with others who share their values.

With RnR looking at creating a logo identifying clubs, venues and events that welcome families and the question as to whether that needs to be a secret symbol or one understood by all, it makes me wonder how naturism is maybe losing it definition and maybe more than ever that definition needs clearly stating. 

How can non-naturists truly understand naturism when we are struggling to clearly present it and openly define it? If a national body encourages adult only events and wants family involvement hidden how can we expect naturism to ever grow and be fully understood? 

We are misleading people who do not know naturism to imagine it to be something we are ashamed of and something that shouldn't involve families - and worse still if it involves families the maybe it does so secretively because there is reason to not applaud the univsral nature. Protestors can poiunt fingers and claim "paedophiles" and instead of standing proud and saying "this is family friendly because it is brilliant, safe, educating and amazing" we openly remove family events, create adult only events and meets and act like the family events are part of our secret (and untrustworthy) world. In fact we encourage the idea that yes in deed we are disgraceful perverts who proudly involve adults and hide the involvement of minors.  In other words we appear like we are in deed a dangerous ring of child abusers living in a hidden world.

So this idea of finding a definition has to be clear about families and how suitable naturism is for all. 

Much as we love and support RnR's idea (and this is by no means an attack on what they are doing and their ideas) it should really be that it is taken for granted that all naturist opportunities involve children and that we should be having to point out the ones that do not and explain (with good reason) why not. Naturism exposes our genitals but it seems to have lost its testicles and it is about time it grew a new pair and stood up for itself and showed with pride what it is and the positives it offers all. Young and old.

(Do read and share your thoughts on RnR's very interesting plan here: it deserves your comments and ideas: )   https://www.anaturistworld.com/blog/46237/fin-family-inclusive-naturism

If we were in control, which we are not, and to be honest have no wish to be, global naturism, would not be involved in the current scenario of duck and cover, when it comes to family naturism. We do not like that for the last three years, naturism to a degree has turned inwards, and is opting for the safe option of avoiding family naturism.

The reality we face currently is, "they are", and so we looked at a way to move the process forward and try to find a way to try and help events, clubs, and business’s to open up again for family naturists and curb the current adults only naturist trend.

We disagree with the new attitude of some aspects of naturism, which as we have seen, has responded to “What about the Children?” with a new line from within naturism, which is. “Don’t Mention the Children.”

We are starting to regret ever using the word “Secret” because the aim behind the FIN initiative was not so much about being secret, it was more about looking at the current issue head on, and finding a way to solve it. The most difficult aspect of this for us has been getting naturism to recognise and understand one very simple point. “This is a problem on the inside of naturism, not the outside.”

Those who influence within naturism have lost their nerve, and they have become inward looking, they have politicized this topic so much, it has become corrosive, and that has had an impact on a great many naturists, none more so than in the UK and the USA.

Our idea at its core was simple, our message is simple. “It is time for a change of direction.” And we wanted to help that in the simplest of ways possible, a logo, a symbol, of which there are several designs to suit the needs of those who would use it. FIN “Family Inclusive Naturism, or Families In Naturism”

For the time being, it was an internal prop only, something to show that families had a choice, an option, a means of coming together to combat the political class and navel gazers of naturism. To begin, it would help those inside, find a way to signal to families and start to change direction away from adult only, and back to traditional family based naturism.

Once established, we hoped to start a conversation with naturism, which would be facts lead. The way we see it, the public are ignorant to the actual facts, the outside word has warped, ridiculed and slandered naturism so much, that in truth, naturists appear to be the only ones who know the truth. The way for change, has to be facts driven, and it is time we feel, that the media started to report the truth, instead of their misleading and patronising portrayal of their immature school boy fits and giggles definition of what a naturist is.

Protestors, need to be hit with hard facts, and it is time naturism stepped up to the plate and started to fight back, instead of cowering behind desks and adults only signs. We have added another blog, one we intend to continually update, which is a list of articles and research that show the truth of naturism, not the warped and perverted message media puts out.

 

Follow the Facts - Naturist Blogs Main Profile Page - A Naturist World

 

It is hoped it will become a tool box of resources that all naturists can use, so if they are confronted, especially around media, they can fight with hard facts, instead of running away and cowering, as the protestors claim victory.

We do not believe in hiding, we have stated clearly many times on a good few of our blogs and forum posts, we believe it is the hiding that is the problem, and we encourage everyone to take those few small steps, and come out of the darkness and in to the light. Naturism needs to learn from Gay Pride, it needs to start the conversations and open up about the benefits of the naturist lifestyle, and be more open. We believe once that is done, protestors will lose their power, and the media will have no choice but to change.

When protesters attack, then fight back, it can be done. Mass email the media with complaints about the behaviour of the protestors, turn the tables on them, and make them the villains. We have a hate speech law, let’s use it.

Hit the media with facts, literally, bombard them with all of the documents, like Dr Keon West’s report, or the 2016 BN PDF “Children Deserve Better” Approach the journalists that have written good articles, and use them to start a defence, by writing good fact based articles, we have defamation and slander laws, why are the national bodies not using them, in the same way they would to defend their own character in the dressed world?

Naturism needs to change its direction, so there is not more confusion, it needs to fight back, and to do it, we need to use facts.

There is no need to be confused or frustrated, but there is a need to be focused, calm thinking and focused in our aims. The FIN is a start, as we help families, and then we need to start to be more proactive in our aims of getting the truth out there.

Thanks RnR - my reference to the idea of secrecy is not a dig at you but at a dig at the situation you, I and othetr naturists find ourselves in. 

That there is a fear of mentioning families and a wish to keep family involvement hush hush is not your fault and you idea with the symbol is to try and coax us out of hiding. It is the idea that we should be encouraged to hide. 

Naturism is sort of saying to us - in little whispers "Look we love families really but we can not show it or talk about it and we have to be proactively seen as being adult only while keeping families quietly tucked away - but loved!" But to families we are reading this as - "gosh we are really in the way now" and to outsiders the idea must be either "families are not part of naturism" or "families are a secret (and therefore dangerous/perverse) part of naturism" None of this is any good at all. 

Your FIN idea is great fro the situation but the situation is wrong and we should not be it it and we shoiuld not have to deal with it. 

How can we have let naturism become so guilty, embarassed, fearful and ashamed of families? FIN is at least trying to get some pride back and saying - look we still want families now lets start to move forward.