Nude is lewd, best man is told
2008-03-09 22:45
Jeanne-Marié Versluis
Pretoria - A nudist whose photo appeared in Beeld after he was a best man at a nude wedding outside Bela-Bela is now in the dog box with his church.
Piet Venter was a best man at Paul and Amanda Jonker's wedding, which took place on February 29 next to a stream at Haakbos Naturist Lodge - which the couple own - outside Bela-Bela (Warmbaths).
All the guests, including young children, were naked.
Another couple were then joined in matrimony by "Pastor Cecilia" - the pseudonym of a minister from Pretoria, who had worn clothes.
Many of the guests gave pseudonyms and would not say where they were from.
Venter, who previously had said he was a specialist in information technology, has shared his problem with fellow nudists on the Haakbos blog.
"The fan started spinning after the photo was published in Beeld," he said.
He also said on the blog that he had been a member of his church since birth.
He is also a musician at the church and loves playing the tuba.
Venter sings in the church choir as well.
He has been playing brass wind instruments for 35 years.
"Our pastor visited me and explained how he and the church felt about nudism or naturism.
"He explained that it was not proper and that it led to other things.
"It was also not something he'd expected of me because I am a role model for many people in the church."
Has asked blog friends for support
According to Venter, the minister gave him an ultimatum: he either gives up his church membership or he stops visiting Haakbos or other nudist/naturist resorts.
Venter asked his blog friends to support him in their prayers so that he would make the right decision.
He also asked that they respect whatever decision he made.
Venter did not answer his cellphone on Sunday nor reply to a message left on his answering service.
Paul Jonker said it was "sad" that Venter had to make a choice.
He said that Venter belonged to the Salvation Army, but that he didn't know of which congregation he was a member.
This international movement is an evangelical branch of the Christian church.
Jonker said the people of Haakbos were praying for Venter.
On February 29, Venter and his wife, Juanita, also a naturist, celebrated the baptism of their baby boy, Deon.
Venter said at the wedding at Haakbos that walking around naked was like a drug or tattoo: "If you have it, you want more."
Does not discriminate
The resort emphasises on its website that there is "no sexual undertone" at Haakbos.
The resort was established in 2006 and is owned by "hardened naturists", according to the website.
The resort caters for married people and singles, and has no prejudice against sexual preference, political affiliation or religious conviction.
The Salvation Army's head office in Braamfontein could not be reached for comment on Sunday.
- Beeld