Friday, October 8, 2010

Should We Teach Nudity as Art?

I have been thinking about this as I flip through art books that I have found at garage sales.


I know that some say it is "Art", but, frankly I am not comfortable with that.

I would never let my kids look at pictures of naked people for any other reason, so why would I let them just because someone calls it "Art"?

We are supposed to keep our hearts and our minds pure.

Philippians 4:8 says,
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

I just don't think naked people, unless it is your spouse, really fits here.

Romans 12: 1-2 says   

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.


And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.


1 Corinthians 9-20 says:

9Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,
 10Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
 11And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.
 12All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.
 13Meats for the belly, and the belly for meats: but God shall destroy both it and them. Now the body is not for fornication, but for the Lord; and the Lord for the body.
 14And God hath both raised up the Lord, and will also raise up us by his own power.
 15Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them the members of an harlot? God forbid.
 16What? know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? for two, saith he, shall be one flesh.
 17But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit.
 18Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.
 19What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?
 20For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's

Again it says that we are to glorify God with our body, and that our body is the Lord's.

As parents we try to keep our childrens heart pure. If we let them look at pictures of people who are nude, how does that help them keep those feelings in check?

Personally, I as an adult, do not want to look at pictures of naked people no matter what form it comes in.
I am uncomfortable with it, and I can not imagine that my children would would not be as well.

It just seems to go against everything we try to teach our children otherwise.

I say it is fine to omit that part of "Art" for the sake of keeping our childrens, and our own minds and hearts PURE.

Please really think about this and what it might awaken in your child's mind and heart, before allowing your child to look at this type of Art.

Matthew 5:8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God

1 comment:

Blossom Barden (NorthLaurel) said...

Very well said (especially the quoted parts ;)
I do not let my kids look at what is considered art if it involves nudity- regardless what it is labeled.
Of course if we go to a museum, and there is 'art' present that has nudity...then explanations are in order and we move on. We don't linger.
I never understood why artists from bygone eras had such nudity in their 'art'. I prefer clothing, thank you very much!

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