'Dating Naked' Premieres on TV
A tawdry and titillating TV trend is underway. Seven, that's right, seven shows are being rolled out featuring one central theme: complete nudity.
Romans 1:21-32, written to an enlightened civilization that completely destroyed itself, lays out a pattern repeated throughout history that has become America's story:
- Reject truth
- Lose discernment
- Experience moral chaos
Here's the deal: the crisis in our culture is a crisis of truth. Unless we categorically and decisively reject the secularist, moral relativism of 21st century America, we are doomed. This is not a scare tactic; this is sober reality. Our hope is that God in His mercy would send a spiritual awakening reversing this trend before it's too late.
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Dating Naked is simply another alarming societal development that is evidence of our deep-seated decline. The scary thing is that multitudes of Christians will tune in with a ho-hum, humorous take on the show while they munch their Doritos and Papa John's pizza perched next to their significant other.
I've not seen this show nor the other ones that I will mention. I have seen advertisements in magazines featuring attractive couples standing totally in the buff except for a miniscule X strategically placed over crotches and nipples. As a "watchman on the wall" I did some research which is the basis for this commentary.
Dating Naked introduces six complete strangers of the opposite sex totally au natural. Frontal private parts are barely pixilated while attractive contestants hug, hold hands, swim, enjoy mud baths, surf, horseback ride, boogie board, sit around the campfire and sip Jack Daniels as they passionately kiss and make out without a stitch of clothing. At the conclusion, the six contestants (Wee Wee and Joe were two in episode one) stand across from each other naked and choose their "soul-mates."
One lust-filled guy snickered "It usually takes me three or four dates to see my girl naked but this is a timesaver!" Hilarious.
The female producer of the show, Susan Levison, gushes her defense, "It's a search for true love." Yeah, right.
Other shows include:
- Naked and Afraid -- unclothed castaways strolling around an island.
- Buying Naked -- nude couples making real estate transactions.
- Naked Vegas and "Skin Wars -- nude body painting.
- Born in the Wild -- nude pregnant women giving birth in the woods.
- Sex Box -- nude couples copulating in soundproof boxes then discussing with therapists.
Have you had enough?
This is not humorous - it's harmful. It's voyeurism and exhibitionism. It's also sinful and sets a horrible example for our youth. And yes it's all about ratings and money and pushing the envelope further under the guise of "entertainment."
The music industry is doing the same thing as unsuspecting parents and children are drawn into this web of decadence.
- The triple platinum "Happy" song by baby-face Pharrel Williams from Despicable Me 2 has become the iconic anthem of our generation. His distinctive style lures youth to his "Blurred Lines" megahit featuring nude, from-the-waist-up, gyrating models that promotes date rape.
- American Idol Judge Nicki Minaj appeals to kids with her colorful, cutesy persona. Her just released X-rated album flaunts her "assets "on the cover in an utterly disgusting, 99 percent naked G-string squat.
- Hannah Montana, now the twerking Miley Cyrus, swings completely naked in her "Wrecking Ball" video that has over 700 million hits worldwide.
And many Christians don't think our nation is falling off the rails and desperately in need of revival? God help us! Ps. 12:8 describes our culture: "vileness is exalted among the children of man."
Bare the Truth
1. Married Couples in the Privacy of Their Bedrooms and Babies Aside, Public Nudity is Not a Beautiful, Natural, "Back to Nature" Liberating Experience.
Cultural offerings presenting a naturist philosophy of shedding one's clothes and parading around in the buff is contrary to God's standards just like the texting of nude photos. It dishonors the Holy One by pretending to recapture an innocence and purity gone since the Genesis account of the Fall of Man.
In the Garden of Eden, before sin entered into the world, the man and his wife were both naked (The Hebrew word in Genesis 2:25 speaks of partial covering - covered by God's glory). After they sinned, they immediately and instinctively felt ashamed and covered up (Gen. 3:7). They tried fig leaves but God gave them something more adequate and modest.
Modesty is a positive principle emphasizing inner beauty and character over outward vanity and cheapness. "I want women to dress with proper clothing, modestly and discreetly… "(1 Tim. 2:9). This applies equally to men! Walking around naked or in skimpy bikinis, micro-mini's, sexy Speedos, cleavage – baring tops, "sprayed-on" leggings (with no discrete covering) or low-rise, undergarment/coin-slot displaying pants are all part of the "undressing of America."
ASK YOURSELF: "ARE YOU REFLECTING CHRIST – LIKENESS OR CULTURAL CONFORMITY?" If you are an authentic Christian and truly a disciple of Jesus Christ, then you voluntarily submit to God's will for every area of your life to experience "righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit" (Rom. 14:17).
2. Scripture is Not Silent When It Comes to the Subject of Nakedness
Hollywood today is rolling out a truckload of soft-porn reality shows. The truth be known, they encourage irresponsible and dangerous conduct at a time when STDs are astronomical and co-eds on campus now have a 1in 4 chance of being raped.
In the theaters at present is a raunchy "comedy" starring Cameron Diaz called "Sex Tape." Reading a porn manual, she and her lover record themselves in all kinds of nude gyrations but then have to scramble as the recording goes public.
Her costar is Jason Segel whom your children may recall as the lovable character in the Muppet movie. He also starred in a film where he answered the door for his girlfriend displaying full frontal nudity on the screen for an extended period with no pixilation.
Does it really matter? It's no big deal. Seen one-seen 'em all, right?
Wrong, when you have a Biblical worldview.
God gave specific guidelines and standards in both the Old and New Testament regarding proper covering of our bodies.
Survey just some of what He explicitly states.
• 1 Tim. 2:9 is a directive, not an elective, to dress "modestly" (Having a regard for decency of behavior or dress; not displaying one's body) and "discreetly" (Lacking ostentation; showing good judgment).
• 1 Cor.12:22 states, "The parts that are not presentable are treated with special modesty." This is why we naturally feel self-conscious about body parts revealed; fold arms under breasts; clasp hands in front of our lower anatomy when standing before a group. God designed us this way and we're most comfortable when aligned with His plan. It also explains why those involved in pornography use drugs to lower inhibitions or contestants on these shows occasionally cover up not just to stay warm but as one female stated on "Naked and Afraid," "I just feel more comfortable when covered up!"
• Lk. 8:26-36 gives the account of a man possessed of multiple demons who went about naked until he experienced deliverance and then was fully clothed and in his right mind.
• Acts 19:14-16 tells the story of a demon-possessed man who overpowered seven other men and stripped them, forcing them out of the house naked.
• Is. 47:1-15 recounts God's judgment on Babylon consisting of "nakedness uncovered and your disgrace shall be seen."
• Ex. 20:26 cautions about ascending steps and exposing one's nakedness.
• For those who believe that there is nothing wrong with nudity among family members, Lev.18:6-23 gives strong prohibitions about approaching family and relatives unclothed.
• One of the towering figures of the entire Bible, King David, ruined his life and testimony after viewing a woman naked that led to adultery, murder and horrible family disruption.
3. Biblical Guidance About Nudity and Decency:
Scripture calls us to "present our bodies to God as a living and holy sacrifice which is our reasonable worship and not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of our minds" (Rom. 12:1-2).
As Christians we should draw attention to our countenance and eyes (which Jesus said is the "lamp of the body") versus alluring and enticing the opposite sex through minimal clothing or seductive attire. Gal. 5:13 instructs us to "use our freedom not as an opportunity for the flesh but rather to serve others in love." Let's model the motto: "Modest is Hottest!"
We have the privilege and the ability to defer to rather then defraud the opposite sex through sensuality and nudity.
Bible teacher Bill Gothard gives these definitions:
- "Defer" - Limiting my freedom in order not to offend those God allows me to serve (Rom. 14:21).
- "Defraud" - Arousing sexual desires in another person that cannot be righteously satisfied (1Thess. 4:6).
- "Sensuality" - Planned appeal to the physical senses for personal gratification (1 Pet.2:11).
James 1:13-15 tells us that God never tempts us to sin. We are made in His image so it is clearly sinful to be tempting the opposite sex to lustful thoughts or activities by our attire or lack thereof. We should never be dressed in such a way that draws lustful looks, causing others to "stumble" into sin (Matt.18:6) or commit adultery in their heart by fantasizing after viewing us dressed provocatively or immodestly.
Naked Dating and other such shows should not only be avoided but exposed for what they are – sexploitation. When our lovely and virtuous 33-year-old daughter shared with us recently that she believes God has brought her future mate into her life, it was not because of manipulation and lowering of standards to "hook"some hunk of a guy. It was because she yielded her life to Jesus Christ and His dating plan that never fails.
Her grandparents followed it 68 years ago and they're still going strong, as are my wife and I after 38 years!
Let's reject worldly counterfeits and dare to be different in showing our culture a better way under the Lordship of Jesus Christ and His unchanging word.
