Is there a difference between Nudism and Naturism?

Just wondering. Because I look at all the threads here and I see "nudist" and "naturist" all over and I wonder is there any difference between the two or are they synonymous? I mean I understand a nudist to be someone who likes being nude, without necessarily being erotic about it. So what's a naturist? Isn't it natural to be nude? And if so wouldn't that make a nudist a naturist? Or does it mean being nude in nature?

 

My take on it would be that "naturism" is institutionalised nudism: "naturists" join naturist societies, go to naturist resorts, subscribe to naturist magazines etc. Whereas nudists are just people who are not that into wearing clothes.

 

That, and a little more, I think. Some naturists also see nudity as a way to commune with nature - be it on a spiritual level as well as acting consciously to preserve the part of nature they get nekkid in.
Both terms have become synonymous over the times, so that this distinction between nudism and naturism has become blurrier over time.
Even though a well-known source of WWW knowledge has to be taken with a grain of salt at times - i.e. Wikipedia, the article on Naturism has some nice examples of how the concepts nudism and naturism were distinguished at times.

Nekkidly yours,

~*Ganesha*~

 

I've never worried much about definitions although the distinction seems curious. It's almost like the word "naturism" seems like it's a little less shocking. I know I enjoy nudity deep in the backcountry when there is little chance of encountering anyone else - don't really know or much care what that makes me. It's all very spiritual and reminds me of who I am.

 

Are people aware that there is a "Naturist Society" (in the USA)? It's not mentioned in this group's "Organisational Sites" section, but it's probably more in line with the way hippies would go naked than the American Association for Nude Recreation, which mostly caters to people who go to resorts. What naturists would say is that the human body is a natural object, nothing to be ashamed of or hidden, and in addition to going around naked, they'd try to discourage anyone from criticizing anyone else's appearance, or being shy about (for example) being fat, or saggy, or hairy, or even having missing body parts. The idea is acceptance. Maybe "nudists" don't get into the philosophy of nudity?

But at the same time, most naturists aren't interested in sharing their sexual lives or anyone else's, any more than average people. They say sexuality is a part of our humanity, and by refusing to be shy about the parts that we do it with, they might claim to be taking a more honest attitude than textile society's peek-a-boo games; but if someone seems to be acting out sexually, naturists would probably say, "Get a room!"

http://www.naturistsociety.com/

 

I think it's stretching things a bit to say you can infer a whole set of attitudes from whether someone calls themselves a "nudist" or a "naturist". I wouldn't call myself a "naturist" because that seems to imply you have to join this heavy institutional framework just to hang out without clothes; I'd rather not even call myself a "nudist" or any kind of "-ist", just a person who sometimes wears clothes and sometimes doesn't.

 

I always considered myself to be a nudist, not a naturist. I think my family feels the same way.

 

Wow, I forgot about this thread. Thanks for your replies people.

 

Whatever you call them, they are people who enjoy going naked in the company of other naked folk. I'm sure that each person would interpret their own philosophy a bit different, but they all have that one thing in common, they love to go NAKED!

In fact, that would be a better title: "The Nakeds"!

 

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I tend to refer to activities without clothes as nude, but people who generally don't wear clothes as naturists. I think the words are interchangeable and mean the same thing.

 

I see it this way:

A nudist is one who prefers to be nude indoors or out, and the emphasis is on being nude. Whether or not there are other people around is immaterial--at least to me. I spend most of my time in my RV alone, although I live in a nudist resort. My poor health prevents me from enjoying doing much of anything.

A naturist is one who also prefers to be nude but also prefers to be outdoors enjoying nature. He/she is not satisfied (as I am) with just being nude indoors.

I am a nudist and not a naturist, although I think the two words are interchangeable.

 

I can certainly relate to Jon-Marc's position. I once belonged to a nudist club where I would go during the week when no-one else was around. I would undress and walk about the place naked, enjoying it to the max. I didn't need other people there to make the experience a good one.

But, when others were there, it didn't detract from the experience either. And the few occasions when workmen were there and I was the only one naked, it was the same. To really enjoy being naked does not require the presence of anyone else.

 

We have delivery trucks and service trucks coming in here all the time, and I don't think any of them have a big problem with the nudity. We also sometimes have ambulances come in here. When I have someone come to do repairs on my RV or my car, I don't get dressed.

There are residents here who will get dressed for non-nudist visitors. If they come here, they certainly know they will see nudity. I realize that they do it out of respect, but why can't the non-nudists respect our way of life--especially if they have to come into a nudist resort to visit us?

I remember at one resort, a woman's mother was coming to the resort to visit her. She was in a panic and running around trying to find something to put on before her mother got there. I couldn't understand it, but I loaned her my T shirt, which she stretched out in front. LOL.