Naked before god!

[Gob]

His flock, as you might expect, are more used to seeing him in a cassock and dog collar.
But the Rev Bob Horrocks is rarely happier than when he is entirely defrocked.
The 55-year-old, a keen naturist who holidays at clubs for those of a similar inclination, defended his hobby yesterday, saying there was nothing anti-Christian about it.
The Bolton-based 55-year-old will appear in a TV documentary about attitudes towards the naked human body.
‘If someone sees a body uncovered, people think that’s somehow sexualised and they shouldn’t be looking at it,’ he said.
''They snigger - they are made to feel uncomfortable because it’s not part of their normal existence.
‘So much of advertising is persuading people they are not sufficient in themselves, and yet God has gifted us with the bodies we have.’
The reverend, the vicar of Seven Saints, Farnworth, Bolton, discovered naturism after straying on to a nudist beach while on holiday on the Canary Island of Fuerteventura six years ago.
‘I felt set free. But then, being a Church minister, I thought, “Is this right?” I researched the Bible and I found there was a lot of positive stuff – there is nothing condemning simple nakedness.
'It was part of life at the time of Jesus. It’s something I would’ve loved to have discovered when I was a lot younger.'
But parishioners with a more traditional approach to clothing won’t find the vicar in the nude.
‘I mostly enjoy naturism on holiday,’ he said. ‘The English climate doesn’t lend itself too well to it!’
Mr Horrocks volunteered to take part in a TV documentary as chair of the Christian Naturist Fellowship.
He said: 'I mostly enjoy naturism on holiday. The English climate doesn’t lend itself too well to naturism!'

Mr Horrocks has posed nude to discuss his views for the Channel 4 documentary entitled 'Is it a sin to bare our flesh?'

David Marshall, spokesperson for the Diocese of Manchester, said: 'The diocese supports discussion on body image and the pressures placed on individuals as a result of advertising, stereotyping and the inappropriate promotion of body perfection.'




Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article ... z24Q80M5HL

[Lord Jim]

the inappropriate promotion of body perfection.'

Well the good reverend certainly ain't gonna be accused of that....

[dales]

Reminds me a bit of AGD.

[rubato]

Isn't x-ray vision one of your god's superpowers?

yrs,
rubato

[loCAtek]

His last published work;

Godbody
By Theodore Sturgeon


...

The characters in Godbody are his most fully realized. Dan and Liza Currier are two of the main characters, and the ones with whom I connected with the most. Dan is a pastor at a small church, and Liza is his beautiful, devoted wife. As a son of a two ministers, I understand the plights of those called into the ministry. The constant scrutiny of the church members and the pressures to behave in a superhuman fashion can have a devastating effect on a pastor's passion. Beyond his undying wish for more love, I don't know what Sturgeon's own religious beliefs were, but his depiction of the Curriers rings with truth and honesty. All too often, religious characters in genre fiction are treated as nasty stereotypes, but Sturgeon avoids this pitfall and I respect him for it.

Joining the Curriers is Hobart Wellen, a disgusting man, guilty of rape; Britt Svenglund, a beautiful, bohemian artist who lives in the woods and spends a lot of time naked; Willa Mayhew, the local gossip columnist, hellbent on destroying the lives of those she despises and disagrees with (everybody but herself); Melissa Franck, a woman afraid of her own sexuality, and the victim of Hobart's sexual aggression; Andrew Merriweather, a wormy little banker in cahoots with Ms. Mayhew; and Harrison Salz, a cop being blackmailed by Ms. Mayhew. Each of these characters finds his or her life touched by Godbody in a way that changes their perceptions of sex and love. Godbody tears down the walls that have been raised by decent modern living, and reestablishes a connection between humanity and God.