Nudism vs Naturism: Which is which?

[blober07]

I've always been curious about the terms Naturism and Nudism.  Are they completely different philosophies or are they just two different terms to describe the same lifestyle?  I read an article a while back that defined Nudism as being naked all the time, and Naturism as being naked only in natural, outdoor settings. 

I've always considered the 2 terms to be the same thing, but I'll typically use the term Naturism more often when discussing the topic.

[Professor]

Here is a basic gist.

Usual consensus on the terms Nudist and Naturist are that nudists believe these are virtually the same and interchangeable, having the same general meaning and application. Or if there is any difference it is a very minute one, that naturists has to do with being naked in nature or to be “close to nature”. Another thing that is generally believed is that naturists is simply the European word for nudist. However there is more to this story.

Naturism has become so mingled with Nudism that it has lost its original intent. Naturism was a movement that began in Germany in the early 1900s. Its primary concern was a Vegetarianism and a back to nature lifestyle. Such things as creating garden towns, social reform, natural medicines, communism, as well as abstinence form drugs and alcohol. It is the naturists who would at times come together to live in colonies. Nudists to my knowledge have never done that, though their parks, camp grounds and resorts have been refereed to as colonies. There have been hippie colonies in the 60s but nudity wasn’t generally practiced. The naturists sought to live healthy lives and for this reason some of them began to adopt nudism, at first only few then in ever growing numbers. The practice of eating only raw foods (raw foodism, fruitarianism, etc) is also distinctly naturist in origin.

The nudists differed in that they placed little or no emphasis on a persons lifestyle, leaving the pursuit of nature and diet and social thought to a personal and individual basis. The concern was primarily to decriminalize the body, and to seek health through sunlight, open air and exercise. There premise was that nudity is inherently innocent and not perverse or sexual. That beauty is important, and honoring and showing and seeing the body was fine and would ultimately benefit the race of man. Nudism was also a German movement in the early 1900s. It grew out of the Natural Healing Movement, the Youth movement, and the beauty movement. With the rise of Adolph Hitler and world war two, nudism in Germany came to halt and was no longer tolerated. Naturism continued to grow find a place in France. I prefer the term nudism in honor of these initiators and because it is more descriptive.

Hope this helps.

[AndrewH]

  In my book, naturism and nudism are one and the same. Naturism is just a fancier word for it 

[Aaron Stern]

In my book, naturism and nudism are one and the same. Naturism is just a fancier word for it 

I see it in a similar way, just because I don't like the idea that philosophical hair-splitting will lead to a general weakening of the nudie community. There is a group out there for which nudies with tattoos and other body "ornaments" aren't "real nudies" because they aren't 100% naked. Good grief  ! As much as I love philosophical discourse (and I do appreciate Professor's post), I see no need to push those out of the "nudie family" who don't totally subscribe to my liberal viewpoints.

[Geminiboi]

 

Im with Andrew and Aaron on this one!

[IslandSteveZ]

I see it in a similar way, just because I don't like the idea that philosophical hair-splitting will lead to a general weakening of the nudie community. There is a group out there for which nudies with tattoos and other body "ornaments" aren't "real nudies" because they aren't 100% naked. Good grief  ! As much as I love philosophical discourse (and I do appreciate Professor's post), I see no need to push those out of the "nudie family" who don't totally subscribe to my liberal viewpoints.

Couldn't agree more. There are the purists out there who would argue that they are two totally different philosophies and some who are so passionate about it that it's a tad scary at times. The way I figure it both terms are somewhat synonymous for relative principles. Over the years the two have become so intermingled and some might say watered down that they really are pretty much the same idea. Just my opinion in a nutshell.

[NudistMetalHead]

Both nudists and naturists go naked and love it, so I don't see why there is a need to separate one from another.

[Noodie]

http://ynai.com/forum/index.php/topic,5041.0.html

To me, they are different. Naturism is an applied philosophy... a naturist is something that a person is. Nudism seems much more something that a person does. But I still feel that the terms are, for the most part, used interchangeably to describe one thing or the other.

[Popcorntreect]

I always saw the difference in naturism and nudism like differences in resorts. A campground resort with nature trails would be more geared towards naturism, while a high end nude resort with a that's mostly self-contained is more like the term nudism.

That's my 2 cents.

[IslandSteveZ]

To me, they are different. Naturism is an applied philosophy... a naturist is something that a person is. Nudism seems much more something that a person does. But I still feel that the terms are, for the most part, used interchangeably to describe one thing or the other.

That really is one of the most concise and clear explanations of the difference between the two that I have ever read. 

[blober07]

Thanks for the thoughts and perspective everyone!  It does seem like the terms are really interchangeable these days even though they historically started out as 2 different movements. 

Both nudists and naturists go naked and love it, so I don't see why there is a need to separate one from another.

 

[Sam2000]

I've always both interchangeably but mainly "naturism" just because it sounds nicer.

Judging by the posts I think there is a difference (though why cold-shoulder Stephen Gough?! I admire the man!). While I don't believe in forcing nudity upon others I don't believe naturists/nudists should feel that they must be secretive and only practice it in designated spaces where we have the naturists one side and the textiles another. to me that's just a less extreme version of apartheid.

Anyway, off topic.

I'm a naturist, then, ultimately.

[grahambell]

Noodie`s explanation is a very good one.

[rc]

The only difference that i see in it is that nudist is a more American term while Naturists is more european plus the philosphy

[NorthEastUSA]

I always thought is was the same thing...