Religion: Summer Devotions

The editors of Christianity and Crisis, biweekly journal of Protestant opinion, last week announced the discovery of a new religion: Naturism. “At this time of year,” said the article, “in places where there are cool breezes, mountain vistas, forest glades, sylvan lakes (how easily the phrases come to mind!) or even inviting fairways, the adherents of Naturism begin to go on a spiritual spree.”

Continued Christianity and Crisis, tongue firmly in cheek: “The gods of Naturism usually receive full homage at the interfaith gatherings known as Summer Conferences. At such places there is usually a Cathedral of the Pines, in which worshipers are directed to meditate upon the beauty and straightness of trees rather than upon the Creator of the trees. At such places there is always an Inspiration Point . . . You will be particularly conscious of this if you come to it right after hearing an ‘inspirational address’ by a ‘denominational leader.’ ”

The journal offered a few of “the numerous cultic sayings and ritualistic practices by which the believers in Naturism can be distinguished.” Among them:

¶”The familiar phrase’Finding God through nature,’ with its interesting implication that God has gotten lost.”

¶ “The rubric, ‘Kneel when you light a fire,’ with its implication that you are thereby engaging in an act of reverence.”

¶ “Campfirology, in which worshipers sit cross-legged in a circle (symbol of eternity) and gaze into the fire (symbol of transitoriness) and sing ‘Vive la Compagnie’ (symbol of fellowship).”

¶ “The Tee Cult: ‘I believe (credo) that you can worship God better on the golf course than you can in church …” Members of the cult demonstrate their devotion to the creed by making their Stations of the Course (18 in number) each Sunday morning.”