Why TV’s “Dating Naked” Shows Too Little

First of all, ew.

Have you seen the advertisements for TV’s latest naked themed show?  If not, watch here (warning: butts everywhere).

As the trailer depicts, the show’s singles defend abandoning clothes in their pursuit for the right person because they at the point where they will “try anything” and because dating in the real world sucks, apparently.

Um.  Two things.

What the show gets right.

Yes, there are elements about the show that get at our natural human desire to love and be loved sans barriers, material or otherwise.  Removing clothes is being equated with removing any superficial blockades to true intimacy. 

I get it.  The hook-up generation is deeply and understandably frustrated with their “relationships” never going anywhere (imagine that).  They are thirsting to forge a genuine connection with someone that is more than skin deep, pun intended. However, it’s questionable just how much zip lining across a jungle canopy in the buff with a stranger achieves any sort of authentic intimacy.

What the show gets very, very wrong.

The show is getting authenticity wrong.  Our true self is not just our disrobed self no matter how many participants claim to have felt a deeper connection with someone due to being naked.

Sweetheart, that’s called pheromones.

The show gets the beauty and thrill of nudity wrong.  Finally gettin’ nekked with someone, which used to be exciting and reserved for married couples, now basically loses it impact fifteen minutes into the show.  And that, my friends is just tragic.

Bottom line, when nudity is basically reduced to a dress code then, as St. JP2 said about pornography, the problem with a series like “Dating Naked” is not showing too much but too little of the person.

On the show, it’s doubtful we will ever get to see the “real” people we are watching (not that I’m watching the show) because we are too busy being distracted by “too much” of them.   And it is distracting. It’s meant to be – otherwise they would have chosen normal-sized people to be on TV.

Oh, people will defend the dating naked idea. And I am sure the show will receive great ratings and viewership…due to the deep conversations, right?

But if this is the culture’s answer for how and unmarried person can forge a meaningful relationship with the right person, then I’d be very disappointed if I was a single right now...and I’d still be single. 

I mean who is actually ever going to date naked?  In real life, it doesn’t work.  You try getting to know someone or have a meaningful discussion about politics, religion, the housing market whatever, without cracking a giggle at the dingly dangly. 

So I stand by my principles that the “Dating Naked” shows too little .

But also too much. 

I say again, ew.

To the Young Woman Buying Condoms at the Store

Dear young woman whom I observed buying condoms at the store the other night,

You probably didn’t take much notice, but we just happened cross paths in the same grocery aisle when I was buying baby supplies which someone humorously located right across from the family planning section.

You were there with a girlfriend and you were on your cell phone.  You sounded a bit tipsy.

As I walked by holding my baby, I overheard you explain to your caller, “I’m trying to buy condoms here,”

I shuddered when you said that.  Judging by appearance, you must be at least ten years younger than myself. No wedding ring either.

Your girlfriend casually suggested buying someone else a box of condoms too.  And one for herself.  “Might as well,” you said.

My heart bled.

Dear young woman who I observed buying condoms at the store the other night,

You probably didn’t notice that we crossed paths the other night.  Coincidence Providence placed us in the same grocery aisle when I was buying baby supplies which someone humorously located right across from the family planning section.

You were there with a girlfriend and you were on your cell phone.  You sounded a bit tipsy.

As I walked by holding my baby, I overheard you explain to your caller, “I’m trying to buy condoms here.”

I admit it: I shuddered when you said that.  Judging by appearances, you must be at least ten years younger than myself. No wedding ring either.

Your girlfriend casually suggested buying someone else a box of condoms too.  And one for herself.  “Might as well,” you said.

Then my heart bled.

Let me explain.  I realize we aren’t personally acquainted.  I’m not here to judge you or belittle you or to lambast you with fire and brimstone over your personal choices but I am here to tell you one thing: you are beautiful.

Let me repeat that.  You. Are. Beautiful.

That’s probably why it hurt to overhear you that night, to watch you and your friend pay for your condoms and walk away laughing into the night.  Because there but for the grace of God go I.

I wanted to run after you and tell you how you deserved better than inebriated “safe” sex, to show you a card of the Divine Mercy, to introduce you to my one-year-old as an interactive example of what sex is actually meant for.

I wonder if you would have listened.

At the pregnancy center I see girls, no, young women like yourself who all made a string of decisions, perhaps starting with buying condoms at the store, only to wind up broken, isolated, and regretful.  It’s nothing I would want for you or anyone and yet I failed to have the courage to dissuade you from your choices that night.

But if I had been more bold, I suppose I would have started with telling you that you are beautiful.  After that would come the heartfelt, motherly diatribe on how condoms are ugly, awkward things and that premarital sex is beneath you and that you could change your life, find a deserving life partner, and discover your true worth at any time.

Again, I wonder if you would have listened.

Perhaps I could have shared my own experience.  You see, I don’t know what condom-sex feels like, but I can’t imagine it’s better than the au natural.

I only know what it is like to have sex with my husband without any barriers between us.  By God’s grace I have been blessed to experience what it is to have a man cherish me for all I am and relish in the joy of conceiving child after child with me, and who desires all of me, including my fertility, in a passionate way.

My question to you, my dear, is this: isn’t that something you want for yourself?

I guarantee you, that stupid family planning (I hate the combination of those two words) aisle isn’t going to stock that degree of commitment for you.

And I promise you this: whether or not you feel what you are doing is wrong, I’m sure there is a question in your heart over whether there is anything more you are meant for.

I’m here to tell you there is.  There is a plan for sex for you and me and everyone.  It is, in fact a perfect plan that is moral, natural, satisfying, fun, pleasurable, marriage strengthening, life-giving, and faith solidifying.

What’s more, you and I, in all of our imperfections and sinfulness, have been made worthy of it because you are a child of God and again, you are beautiful.

Somehow, someway, someday I hope you will listen.  And I pray to have the courage to finally speak this truth in love to you.

Signed,

Your big sister in Christ who would gladly throw herself in front of a bus to keep you from sin, if she could (as would all of your anonymous sisters in Christ who are praying for you.)