Nudity
Letters concerning[edit]
Practice of nudism condemned, not nudity; intention of artist a very important factor[edit]
"In The Advent of Divine Justice, p. 25, Shoghi Effendi states that the Faith "condemns the prostitution of art" and "the practices of nudism" and instead calls for the "exercise of moderation in all that pertains to dress, language, amusements, and all artistic and literary avocations." However, the House of Justice does not know of any passages in the teachings prohibiting the delineation of the human body in works of art. It is the practice of nudism that the Guardian condemns in The Advent of Divine Justice, not nudity. There are many variables in the question of the portrayal of the nude form in art, including that of local mores and attitudes. The intention of the artist is a very important factor. Normally that is a matter left to the conscience and good taste of the individual artist unless the Spiritual Assembly decides that the Cause is actually being harmed in a particular case."
- (On behalf of the Universal House of Justice, 25 February 1988 to a National Spiritual Assembly, Arts: Compilation from other compilations, no. 83)
