Christian goths??

[Jaltus-bot]

Hi everyone, I don't really know where this goes, but if not here, then it will probably be moved so...

What do you think of so called christian goths? Can the two things rightfully co-exist? Are things about being a christian goth just an excuse to feel justified staying in an oppressed world of inner darkness or is it something else?

[Swordguy]

How can you be in Christ and a have a oppressed world of inner darkness?

[Lightbringer]

Well goth as a fashion statement , sure why not, clothes dont make the person. If someone is all about being depressed then they've got serious issues. I do know that if you are a child of God you'll show the fruits of the spirit, love JOY peace , longsuffering, gentleness goodness faith , meekness, and temperence. Depression is basically the oposet of these things. So again, if your talking about mindset then no its not possible, but i wont fault someone for wanting to wear black, its slimming and goes with every other color........ unless its really sunny and hot, then its kind of dumb.

[Mangafanatic]

As lightrbringer said, you'd relaly have to identify what they think makes them gothic. If they are obsessed with Satanism and darkness, I don't think you can possibly enjoy such things when you also claim to love the Lord of Light.

There is a sort of fashion statement that is considered Gothic. Now, wearing these clothes is obviously not detrimental. I mean, clothes can't effect who you are undneath them. But I will say that I would not be able to adopt such a fashion statement, because what you wear is just that. A statement. Regardless of how untrue or unfair it is, people will judge you by what you wear. I wouldn't want anyone thinking that I would partake of any of the many steriotypical gothic behaviors. I, personally, feel that would harm my witness, but in the end that's upto you and Jesus.

But as far as they face value statement "Can there be Christian Goths." I'd say "no."

[Roy Mustang]

I thiink there is a good light and bad light on about being goth.

If its a fashion statement, then I feel there is no problem.

I use to be look as goth, because I wear black or dark shirts and pants. Never really did it as a fashion statement, but because my some what dark skin and black hair goes well with those colors.


Now as for Goth as, having inner darkness and look down on the world is not good. If somone one is a christian and is a goth, then I can't see how you agree with one or the other. I know not all goth people think like this, but some do think of darkness and death alot and that a good outlook and its even wrost outlook, if you are a christian and think like that.

That is all I have to say about it.

[Kat Walker]

Gothic subcultures tends to be divided into subcategories...music, art, literature, aesthetics (I suppose fashion would go here), and other things that are either of a very intellectual or artistic nature...nothing necessarily wrong with a Christian enjoying one of these creative outlets. The world isn't all sunshine and daffodills, but being "goth" does not automatically make one a militant pessimist.

There are however, facets of this lifestyle that most Christians should obviously avoid meandering in. Many goths experiment with occult spirituality (anything from paganism to satanism), magic, self-destructive behavior (suicidal obsessions, cutting, self-mutilation, etc.), strongly anti-Christian music or philosophy, necromancy, or various bizarre "alternative lifestlyes"......I'm talking people who honestly believe they're vampires and werewolves.

However, do not take this to mean that ALL goths take the weird factor to an insane extreme, or that every single one participates in some sort of unhealthy/immoral activity. There are plenty out there (Christian or not) that are nice, well adjusted, intelligent and interesting people. Not all of them are annoying teenybopper mall rats who shop at Hot Topic, and not all of them are deluded into thinking they're the biological children of Satan.

[uc pseudonym]

This forum serves.

What do you think of so called christian goths? Can the two things rightfully co-exist? Are things about being a christian goth just an excuse to feel justified staying in an oppressed world of inner darkness or is it something else?

This is nothing more than semantics. What do you mean by the term "goth?"

If you refer to a style of dress, then it has almost nothing to do with Christianity. If you refer to a philosophy, then it obviously will clash in some way. This issue really strikes me as quite simple.

[Lehn]

I had a Goth stage once upon in my adolescent years. Right after my mother died, and right before I started going back to public school after home schooling for six years.
It's possible to be both a Christian and a Goth, but I'm happier now that I'm out of it that fashion stage. 'Twas more out of depression and rebellion then a statement of individuality, and I imagine that that's why a lot teens go over to the dark side, so to speak, of the color spectrum. Teenage angst has a habit of spewing out into other areas of your life outside of emotions.
Not saying that depression and Gothics go hand in hand, one of my best friends is Goth and she's really happy because that's who she is. And I couldn't see her any other way.
So, fashion-wise, being 'Goth' and Christian can go together, but once you start getting into the Goth-Goth lifestyle, like eating only Count Chocula cereal and getting into Wicca, that where the line can get crossed.

[c-girl]

>"< Christian goths?.... I don't think it's possible....

[Ichigo_89]

>"< Christian goths?.... I don't think it's possible....

I beg to differ. There is a Goth christian band out there called "The Agony Scene". yes, I know they don't sound christian or anything, but they are.

I went through a short period of wanting to be a Goth as well. But I never really did, just drew some kinda freaky drawings and wrote a poem that was pretty dark and cool which won the Editor's Choice in an international Poetry contest I entered a while back. (which was pretty cool, but anyways) I knew a person once that was a goth and she listened to goth music and had the make-up and everything, but wasn't all death like or anything. Actually, she acted just like a normal teen. So I also think it just depends. I mean, just because you have a Black leather Trench Coat that Neo wore, doesn't mean your satanic or anything. I personally think goth guys are really scary, but goth chicks look cool and hot.

[Angel37]

I am a Christian Goth. I dress as such and I view the world as a dark, horrid place. But, since I belong not to the world, I have joy and peace.
-Angel

[Raskle]

that's a good review of it. from the research I've done on Gothic culture, I say it is possible. The real theme of it all does not have to do with religion or other personal choices--like in any other culture, a Goth may choose to dress modestly or not, take drugs or not, and so forth. I view it as expression and interests. one does not have to be depressed or lonely or death-obsessed to be a Goth. I could fit in just fine--I enjoy photography, painting, black and white silent films, art films, coffee, wearing all black, graveyards, music by "Love and Rockets" and "the Church"--and these are all stereotypes. It is a mentality. One of my friends said he was "Goth"--but he was relying on the darker parts of it--just dressing differently and smoking and the rest of it to rebel. I say the one can be a true Christian and have gothic interests as well.

[Raskle]

I hope the preceding post has cleared a few things up.

[Hitokiri]

I tend to be. Not exactly in clothing or appearence well cause my parents dont want me to. Though I do where alot of black, I just like wearing that.

Though I guess I have the mentallity of one maybe. I sufefr from depression constantly and I dont remember when I've felt good happiness. I mean I've ahd times where I was happy but it was usually faint, fake, or slight happiness. I may seem happy on the outside but I'm really like a black night with storm sinside. That's just how I am though. Though I dont let that hinder my walk with Christ.

[shooraijin]

Interesting links. Thank you.

[termyt]

I think where we are all getting to is this:
There is a stereotype of the goth movement. The stereotypical goth is probably into things that are not compatible with a Christian lifestyle.

However, as with all stereotypes, not many truly fit the stereotype. It seems to me that the Goths do tend to dwell on the darker aspects of life, but those aspects are in each of us – it’s part of the human condition. We all must deal with this darkness and some of us struggle more with this aspect of the sinful human nature than others do. I don’t think that being a Goth disqualifies anyone from also living a Godly, holy life. You can be overly aware of your own darkness and still bring forth a positive, God glorifying message.

[Jaltus-bot]

Here is a site kind of like what has already been said but it also argues that it is a culture just like any others and so with that is compatible.

http://www.geocities.com/SoHo/9094/xiangoth.html

[Zedian]

I know some "Chrisitian Goths", they wear black attire and tend to look at lifes' darker aspects but not in a neccessarily bad way. Like Termyt said...we all have that condition of looking into the darkness, but I guess it's one to follow it and one to see it. The 'goths' I know are really good kids, and even though they may listen to 'darker sounding' music, the music actually has Christian-type morals and lyrics. I mean look at a band like As I lay Dying.

In the end, it's wrong to judge these people as any other, for God looks at us as all equal, brothers and sisters in His kingdom.

[Golden_Griff]

Hmm, I was somewhat confused on this topic as well. But from everything that I've read and heard I look at goth as another fashion style. Although I'm fascinated by this style I personally don't dress in all black. I look at the gothic style as a form of rebellion against the ideal fashions that society seems to glorify (ex: short skirts, tight pants, low-cut blouses, high-heels, bright colors, glitter, etc. etc.) I hate the way society thinks sometimes, throwing what it thinks is the perfect and ideal image all over the place. So I say, "BAH! Who cares what you think looks great?!"

[Nebby]

....Well, I don't really consider myself to be goth, oo' but I've been called it before. I like wearing black clothing, not always all black, but close. I have VERY pale skin, cc' because I burn far too easily, so I just avoid prolonged amounts of time in the sun. I have a spiked dog collar, and a spiked bracelet. And yet, I don't listen to death metal, i'm not suicidal,I don't cut myself, and I don't take part in occultic practices, not to mention I have a somewhat cheery disposition on life. I realize what an awful place the world has become, and I cling close to God.

[Shao Feng-Li]

Your appreance reflects who you are on the inside. THe bible speaks a lot about the fruit of the spirit. Goth isn't all all to do with clothing (though it refects who they are inside), it's the attitude. The would sucks and im gonna get mine. A true Goth isn't a Chrsitian. A person who's constantly depressed, sad amd angry, isnt what a Chrsitian looks like, and could turn others off about Christianity, if they claim Christ. True Chrsitians have a peace and joy, and that will show on the outside. True Goth and Truw Chrsitianity cannot coinside. With God, It's all or nothing.

The Christain outlook on life is more of a realistic one. It's sucks to be human, we've all fallen short of the Grace before the foundations of the earth, and God Before hand chose His own, and that some are Damned to the eterall lake of fire in hell.

Chrsitains have an inner peace and joy when it's revealed that they are elect, nad want to share that with others, not knowing if they're elect or not.

I'm starting to rammble...

[Raiden no Kishi]

May I ask what your definition of True Goth is and why it is the correct definition?

Is there even such thing as a "true Goth?"

Rai

[Shao Feng-Li]

I've always been told Goth is a religion in of it self. THey see evrything is a depressing view, and live in misery they create themselves. I had a cousin who was totally goth. It was grose. She did nothing but keep to herself and looked miserable constantly, for no particular reason. She ware nothing but black, nose ring, several pearcing in each ear, and one t shirt she had feature a pale naked woman stepping out of the black.... Indeed... No doubt she didn't know the Lord.

[Raiden no Kishi]

Do you have evidence for this?

Rai

[Shao Feng-Li]

Because I know her. She's out of that state now. know she's a beautiful woman, and happy. She told me she was never happy in her previous state. The only evidence I have is her word.

No doubt she didn't know the Lord.

If you're referring to that quote, then yes. THe bible says who you are on the inside is revealed on the outside.

and it must be noted that I'm still rather young, and might not know as much as the elders here, so let us teach each other and not argue.

I probably shoudln't have gotten myself involved.

[Raiden no Kishi]

I don't mean to argue per se, rather to understand the reasoning behind your statements. I've always felt that Gothic was more of a dress style, and in the cases of some people, a mindset, but not a religion itself.

I just don't like labels, that's all.

Rai

[Shao Feng-Li]

Is Christ Fallower (Christian) not a lable? It's importent to know that people are judged by apearence. There are exceptions. Just becasue A person wears nothing but black, ect... doesn't make him a Goth. REmember the frsuit of the spirit God's speaks of in the bible. If you truly live the life of a Christian, it shows, just as God describes it.

[Raiden no Kishi]

So then...what is your defintion of Goth?

Rai

[Shao Feng-Li]

I guess a person who needs to get over themselves, and cheer up, and more importantly needs the Lord. If they have the Lord, they need prayer.

Does that answer your question? (Not trying to sound rude if I am)

[Raiden no Kishi]

Sounds like a definition of all of us before we met the Lord. ^_^

Rai