Clothing Optional Church – Fact or Fiction?


Okay, I have to admit. I thought I’d seen and heard it all. I know I shouldn’t be surprised, but this caught me a little off guard. I was doing my weekly news search at Starbucks for stories related to church, clergy, and ministry. On the fifth page of Google results, I noticed this title, “Virginia Church Worships in the Buff.” I thought to myself, “You’ve got to be kidding… this has to be a spoof.” With a bit of hesitation, I clicked the ABC News link to follow the story. And sure enough, according to ABC News 30 in Fresno, California, there’s a church in Virginia where clothing is optional. The pastor of White Tail Chapel, Allen Parker justifies his position by saying, “When he (Jesus) 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.” I’m not sure I follow his reasoning as a sound argument by which to support his position. Of course, he forgot to mention that when God sent Adam and Eve out of the garden, he sent them fully clothed (see Genesis 3:21). I think there was a reason for that! It just goes to show you, it takes all kinds.