Spiritual Forum

   In the May 2008 edition of the British magazine H&E NATURIST, it says:

  "Representatives of British Naturism are among members of the public who forced a change in attitude by London Underground bosses after a Renaissance nude image of Venus was originally banned from a proposed advert by the Royal Academy. Under pressure, the decision to ban was later overturned.

   Transport for London (TfL) declared that the image, painted by Lucas Cranach the Elder in 1532, contravened their rules on sexual content. British Naturism was concerned that the ban could set a precedent for misplaced prudery amongst other decision-makers and requested a meeting with TfL managers to "establish mutual understanding about public attitudes and discuss the application of the rules in the future" and explained the mistake.

   Malcolm Boura, British Naturism's research and liaison officer, said the censorship was a concern for naturists (nudists), as well as "anyone who cares about free speech and basic civil liberties." "What is worrying is that such extreme censorship should be seen in our lifetime," he said. "Even in the repressed 1920s, there was no suggestion that nudity in Renaissance art could be offensive. People make these decisions to censor often without knowing why they are doing it---there is often presumed offence when actually no offence is likely to be taken. We are proud to have contributed to the pressure that resulted in the decision being reversed."

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   Attached is the abovementioned painting of Venus by Lucas Cranach the Elder in 1532: