Members of a Virginia congregation worship in the nude
In Southampton, Va., at the White Tail Chapel, congregation members mostly attend church in the nude, although some people choose to go topless.
"There's not a feeling that you have to be better than one another, physically," Pastor Allen Parker told WWBT. "We're humans, we have scars, we have what we have...it's learning to love and accept that."
Katie Church wasn’t a nudist when she first started attending White Tail Chapel, but she quickly embraced the lifestyle and even got married at the non-traditional church.
"Once we were married, and we were here, this whole place became our family," Church said. "I feel like I can turn to anyone in this church, or even in this park, and they will be there to help me."
"People are more open as far as hearing the word of God, and speaking the word of God," said her husband, Robert.
The chapel is located on the White Tail Nudist Resort, Virginia’s only year-round nudist establishment.
"Some of the biggest moments in Jesus' life he was naked," Parker told ABC 13. "When he was born he was naked, when he was crucified he was naked and when he arose he left his clothes in the tomb and he was naked. If God made us that way, how can that be wrong?"
More than 10,000 people visited the White Tail resort last year.
"I consider this a gift and a privilege God has given me," Parker said. "They're caring, they're understanding, and they're community and family oriented. We have one of the most involved chapels anyplace around. I'll put our church up against others around."
Replies
they have they sacred and profane mixed up-the Church of the all seeing eye, the thorny path, is profane-the sacred is the Temple Of the Goddess, all love
Vegans do not partake with any animal products whatsoever. Vegetarians partake with some animal products (i.e. dairy) but not animal flesh.
I've always wondered if oysters or kelp fell into this "flesh" definition since they don't have a complex central nervous system.
I'm sorry, I don't understand your "are they vegetarians or vegans" part.
Vegetarians and vegans tend to be slim and better looking per physical aspects when compared to meat eaters. It was a joke.