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Maryland Area Naturist Association | |
Others just don't wish to be restrained because society wrongly equates nudity with sex. We organize and/or attend EVENTS All year round! We are almost always clothing optional, unless the larger function we're attending or participating in prohibits it! Of course you'll fit in--our Group counts Jewish, Christian, Wiccan, Pagan members. Professions? We have Lawyers, Doctors, Taxi Drivers, Construction Workers, Students, Families and many others. We are truly a melting pot of friends and we always welcome more! We Welcome ALL to experience the joy and freedom of "Skinny Bowling/Dipping" indoor OR outdoor as the weather allows! See you at the swimming clubs, bowling alleys and at the MARNA 2011 EVENTS! Naturally! "Nudist" or "Naturist"?
What is the difference between a "nudist" and a "naturist" ? Are nudism and naturism the same thing? In short the answer is no.
There is a book written in 1933 called Among The Nudists, which is a first hand account from an American couple that visited Germany during the early years of the FKK movement.
In the book it very clearly defines the difference. I'll try to summarize here, but I'd suggest reading the book, it's a good account that captures the core of this movement as a whole.
OK--so, at its roots the FKK movement was about HEALTH. Sunshine was a good source of Vitamin D and being nude is simply a way to air out one's skin while getting the benefits of vitamin D. This was considered the "natural" way to live, therefore the term naturist. But since it was about HEALTH--naturists were also fairly strict vegetarians who believed in regular exercise, and were against habits like smoking and drinking alcohol. So naturism was truly a healthy lifestyle at its core, and the nudity was just a part of that.
There were participants who couldn't get with the program, felt it was too much of a change. So for some they wanted to still eat meat, smoke their cigars and imbibe on the German beer. But it wasn't until the FKK movement made it to France that there was a collective change in attitudes that required a new title. Nackt is the German term for naked. But in France it is Nu, thus the term Nudism is from the French term. They coined the term and it has been that way ever since, representing those who enjoyed nudity, without the burden of the healthy lifestyle the Germans attached to it.
So--
NATURISTS are people who enjoy being naked as a part of an overall healthy lifestyle that includes vegetarianism, no smoking, no drinking, and regular exercise, embracing the benefits of nature.
NUDISTS are people who enjoy being naked, and no lifestyle alterations beyond that.
America is full of nudists. Naturists are pretty rare.
MARNA: Maryland ARea Naturist Association
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