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Nude Utah hiker faces indecent-exposure charge
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I've thought about this incident many times. It's a good story to tell. But since this trail is within city limits, and the trail in Sedona is probably within city limits, I don't think one should be allowed to hike nude. I travel to Sedona three or four times a year and most of these trails are flooded with Vortex seekers and families with kids. You cannot expect solitude on these trails, so I think this guy has to respect other people. There comes a point where the right to do something comes head to head with the right for other people not to have you do something.
However, and more generally, I think Utah LDS nudist (do I know you? ;) thoughts' are tracking quite closely along with mine. The real perversion involved here is with those who think that clothing magically changes something - it doesn't. It's what's going on inside our heads that matters. When I consider that some can see only perversion in a body, I'm scared by what must be going on in THEIR heads, and that's something I'd rather not be "exposed to".
I couldn't care less what somebody was or wasn't wearing on a trail while just minding their own business. Neither the idea nor the sight would trigger any perverted thoughts in me whatsoever.
Hope that made sense.
And the result of an actual study, rather than just an individual's conjecture apparently from the outside looking in (there are no established nudist camps in Utah). It's curious what can be "laughable" sometimes. Nudists are not much different than the rest of the population, over-all, and most are married. Many are also Christians and do NOT consider nudity a "sin" (nor even an "alternative lifestyle" and what is implied in that concept).
You don't really know what you think you know.
I've had the experience of being in a situation where everyone was dressed basically the same, it was quite a personal revelation to realize I was looking at each person more easily as simply an individual. I hadn't realized how much I allowed outward appearance to color my initial perceptions of others.
I think we all realize that the same words, said with different inflection and facial expression, can change from compliment to rude belittling. It is intent that determines the message sent. However, we each can still choose what offends us no matter the intention.
No, no, no, you got that completely wrong. It's a darn good thing some people hide and cover their bodies with clothing. There are some mighty spooky bodies out there.
Maybe the dude was hiding cuz his clothes got sucked off when he walked through a vortex. lol
It is a different case altogether if there was any type of lewd behavior, advances, or hostile action from the man. In that case, it could be a traumatic memory for years.
Hangloose brah, but not too loose!
Watch out for RattleSnakes~~~You could definetely
play a part in the series episode of Lost
(man lost his clothes along), hey CBS I need my commission.
Tow Away Surfer
� Virginia Woolf, A Room of One's Own
Would he have been accused if he had told them he sheds his clothes to wash them or conserve their longevity?
Accused for his words? What?
Quit putting words into others mouths. You think you are respecting the body by exposing it and we think it is respecting the body by clothing it.
Read the arguments. Yours are just attacks with no rationale for your behavior. You give no reason to be nudist other than your incorrect assumptions that everyone else has a bad self image of their body. You argue against being prude (excessively modest in dress), which yeah wearing a burka would be excessive, but just wearing clothes in general is prudence (wisely modest in dress).
Modesty doesn't somehow make the body dirty or make people ashamed of it. Those are your misconceptions and your words, not ours.
I'm not a prude, but I just don't understand the double standard exhibited by society.
Personally what you do is your business. But remember, your rights end when you tread on the rights of someone else.:-)
Maybe others can join in and we can all once again feel like happy-go-lucky little kids again.
If a group of people at a public park were cavorting in knee-length white tee shirts and a deluge suddenly rendered their apparel clingy and see-through would their attire then be considered inappropriate for family viewing? Would we then be calling for all to wear not only outer clothing, but underclothes as well?
Is it really about clothing?
Here in America, we respond by calling it a crime and quickly summon law enforcement to stop and arrest. I find that kind of interesting.
Personally, I would never do what this man did and I don't watch rated-R movies, don't look at porn, don't subscribe to cable, and I cannot stand lewd behavior; but I just don't find myself bothered by simple nudity ever since traveling abroad and seeing that lots of people elsewhere find it to be no big deal.
It's a form of schizophrenia that is common only here and is helping the fast erosion of our society.
To the person who replied to Incorrect Assumptions. What are you talking about? Both Phil and you should read the Moral Test post above and figure out where you got these crazy ideas, and what they say about you.
Can't tell you how freeing it is to live in wonderfully liberal California where for the most part people really don't give a (blank) what you do or don't do.
Like a new Renaissance where life is enjoyed to its fullest.
How easily we misconstrue each other's words.
I believe my ideas say I'm a thoughtful, fun-loving, respectful individual with more sense than I used to have. Thanks for suggesting the moment of reflection.
then find a nude beach or nude camp buddy....Talk about gross...
They're just jokes, they don't really exist.
"There are nudist camps in Utah,"
No, there are not, and if there were, I'd know. I should, I've visited 19 of the closest ones. Not to mention I'm a member of the two largest national nudist organizations, namely AANR, who conducted the survey referenced , and TNS (The Naturist Society). AANR has about 50,000 members in the U.S. and TNS has about 20,000. That's more than enough members to do surveys and studies, but of course you know better, just because you do.
The rest of your assertions are just as flawed. It never ceases to amaze me how much some people who've never actually been a part of something just know all about it.
Most of the negative comments made here are by people who are prejudice against nudity. Yet if you ask them what they know about you get the same uneducated response as we are seeing here such as...
"Its against the law."
"I don't need to see that"
"People who go naked are perverts"
"Going naked is immodest"
People who open their mouths with silly comments with out first doing a little study and becoming educated about the subject run a great risk of looking pretty stupid to the ones they are commenting to.
- Bob Dylan
I had to laugh at the comments by "Creepy" -- that it is OK for a child to be naked, but not anyone else. That must have been the underlying philosophy behind the teaching, "Unless you become as a little child you can in nowise inherit the kingdom of God."
Funny how children don't get hung up on nudity issues until they learn to be ashamed by their parents.
I've learned over the years that it is generally pointless to even have this discussion. A person will never even remotely understand the exhilarating freedom and, yes, spirituality of hiking naked unless they give it a try. The people who could learn the most from that experience will never consider doing it. It's much easier to point fingers and mock the practice. I get that.
My spouse and I hike naked together whenever we can. We go out of our way to not offend anyone by carrying towels or shorts and keeping a wary eye on the trail. We've never had a problem with anyone.
See how early the guilt-dumping starts?
See where the "origins of the concept" started?
GET OUT OF THIS GARDEN!
YOU'RE NAKED!
AT LEAST PUT YOUR FIG LEAVES BACK ON!
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