REAL TALK: Can I go to a nudist camp as a Christian?

Dear Woman Alive,

I grew up going to nudist camps in France with my family in the summer holidays. It seemed normal and not weird at all. I became a Christian when I was a student and recently married an amazing Christian man. My parents are going to the nudist camp again this summer and have invited us. My husband says no way! He also says it’s not right for a Christian to go. Is he right?

Dear Reader

This is one of those situations where your past, your present faith, and your marriage all meet, and it’s understandable that it feels complicated. Your husband isn’t simply being unreasonable or controlling. Many sincere Christians would share his discomfort, and there are biblical principles behind that instinct. At the same time, this isn’t a simple “right vs wrong” issue in the sense of a clear command like “do not steal.” It sits in the area of wisdom, conscience, and conviction.

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The Bible doesn’t mention nudist camps specifically, of course.

What does Christianity actually say about this? The Bible doesn’t mention nudist camps specifically, of course. But it does speak about modesty, dignity, and sexual integrity (for example, in passages like 1 Timothy 2:9 and 1 Corinthians 6:19–20). For many Christians, public nudity, even in a non-sexualised environment, feels at odds with those values. Not necessarily because the body is shameful (it isn’t, God created it!), but because our culture and fallen nature tend to sexualise what God intended to be private.

So your husband is likely reacting to a desire to honour God and protect your marriage, not just from social discomfort but from what he sees as a spiritual boundary. But your experience matters too - you didn’t grow up associating nudity with anything inappropriate. For you, it was normal, non-sexual, and even wholesome family time. That shapes your conscience. Romans 14 is very relevant here: it teaches that believers can have different convictions on disputable matters, and that we should not violate our conscience, nor pressure others to violate theirs.

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So: You are not “wrong” for not seeing it as inherently sinful.

So: You are not “wrong” for not seeing it as inherently sinful. He is not “wrong” for feeling that it is not appropriate for him as a Christian man. Marriage changes the equation. Here’s the part that matters most: once you’re married, this is no longer just about your individual freedom. Marriage calls for, mutual honour, unity and sensitivity to each other’s conscience

If something deeply troubles your husband, especially in an area tied to modesty and sexuality, it’s not wise to dismiss that. Even if you personally feel free, going ahead anyway could create hurt, mistrust, or distance. That doesn’t mean he “controls” you, but it does mean his convictions carry real weight in your shared life. Rather than asking, “Is he right or wrong?”, a better question is: “What choice best honours God, my marriage, and both of our consciences?”

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A few suggestions:

• Talk it through calmly, ask him to explain why it troubles him, not just that it does.

• Share your own background so he understands your perspective.

• Consider a compromise: could you visit your parents in a different setting this summer?

• Be willing to lay down a freedom if it genuinely harms unity (that’s a very Christ-like posture).

Even if nudity in your childhood context felt innocent, your husband is looking at it through the lens of adult marriage, sexuality, and spiritual responsibility. That’s not something to brush aside lightly. So, is he right? He’s not necessarily declaring a universal Christian rule, but he is expressing a conviction that is well within mainstream Christian teaching. And as your husband, that conviction deserves serious respect. In the end, this is less about winning an argument and more about building a marriage where both of you feel safe, honoured, and aligned before God. 

If any of these issues have affected you, you can call Premier Lifeline for support. Premier Lifeline is a national, confidential helpline offering a listening ear, emotional and spiritual support from a Christian perspective. If you would like someone to talk with and pray for you, call Premier Lifeline on 0300 111 0101.

Our Real Talk column is written by a number of different contributors who make up the Woman Alive panel. The views expressed do not necessarily represent those of the publisher. If you have a question for us, email: womanalive@premier.org.uk