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Gothic Christians.
- Thread starter Intrepid99
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God loves all His children.
By gothic do you mean the appearance??
If that is the case, why wouldn't He.
Its our hearts that He looks at, not what we wear.
He made each of us unique, to serve His purposes.
If you are gothic, maybe He wants you to reach out to other gothics with the good news.
In Him
By gothic do you mean the appearance??
If that is the case, why wouldn't He.
Its our hearts that He looks at, not what we wear.
He made each of us unique, to serve His purposes.
If you are gothic, maybe He wants you to reach out to other gothics with the good news.
In Him
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Sketcher
Born Imperishable
Dressing like a goth is not going to alienate a Christian from Christ (Romans 8:31-39). But when you look at what the goth culture is and how they define themselves and view life, that is incompatable with Christian thinking. I've talked with Christian goths before, and they realize this, and they think like Christians. I mean, they ARE Christians. But they simply like dressing as goths. My personal opinion is, why dress in a certain style if that style does not reflect who you are. That's not a sin issue per se, but it bothers me about as much as teens running around the mall in surf shirts who have not surfed, and probably will never surf. It's the same thing. Posing isn't a sin in the Bible, it's just something I don't like.
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Didnt God say that we are supposed to spread his glory... I dont think being Gothic would do that. Isint that all about dark clothes with skull pictures on the shirts? Wouldnt that represent Satanism? How can you say that being Gothic Chrisitian is ok ?
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rainbowprism said:
I never seen to, and it is hard to say it out that some gothic is christian until they come and say that to you. I met them for the first time when they asked me some question about holy spirit, God, etc. They said that they were christians.
Their dress code definately dosent represent decency, therefore, it is impossible to say that they are christians. It is like satanism. I think people turn gothic just with peer pressure from their friends.
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I think is does depend on what you call a 'gothic'. I know that 'goth' or 'gothic' can mean different things to different people. To some it's liking a certain style of music, to many it's the music and the clothes combined, to some it does stretch out as far as witchcraft or satanism.
Unfortunately it appears that because of the latter, goth culture has become associated with that by many people. A lot of gothics probably feel comfortable in the clothes they wear, and obviously just like the style and/or the style of music.
There is such a thing as Christian goths! I agree that goths aren't the easiest people to recognise as Christians! But it's true that God does look at the heart, not appearance. Unless there's some anti-Christian sign or symbol on them, or something that would make people think they're obviously not a Christian, I don't see anything wrong with the dress-code. We're all individuals and tend to wear what we're comfortable in.
Plus, as someone mentioned above.. non Christian goths are probably more likely to be interested in listening to Christians who have a similar interest/style of dress.. which must be a positive thing!
Unfortunately it appears that because of the latter, goth culture has become associated with that by many people. A lot of gothics probably feel comfortable in the clothes they wear, and obviously just like the style and/or the style of music.
There is such a thing as Christian goths! I agree that goths aren't the easiest people to recognise as Christians! But it's true that God does look at the heart, not appearance. Unless there's some anti-Christian sign or symbol on them, or something that would make people think they're obviously not a Christian, I don't see anything wrong with the dress-code. We're all individuals and tend to wear what we're comfortable in.
Plus, as someone mentioned above.. non Christian goths are probably more likely to be interested in listening to Christians who have a similar interest/style of dress.. which must be a positive thing!
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Dressing goth...as in a style of clothes? Absolutely God accepts them. Does God accept bikers in leather pants with tatoos? Super baggy clothes with a bandana on their head? Absolutely. Just because we are uncomfortable doesn't mean that God is. He see our hearts and knows our intentions.
Now, the only problem I see with dressing a certain "style" is that depending on who you're trying to witness to, your dress can affect your testimony. I think some people would initially be uncomfortable having someone dressed like a biker, gang member or goth just go up to them and try to talk to them. Unfortunately first impressions do make a difference initially.
Now, the only problem I see with dressing a certain "style" is that depending on who you're trying to witness to, your dress can affect your testimony. I think some people would initially be uncomfortable having someone dressed like a biker, gang member or goth just go up to them and try to talk to them. Unfortunately first impressions do make a difference initially.
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Well, I'm not the best christian. But, I do have strong belief in the lord. And, well, I tend to be goth every winter. As a matter of fact, I'm begining to go goth again. My cousin, whom I looked up to as an older brother, dressed goth. He would go to church and the youth groups. But, we aren't the goths you see around the US, although we live here. I follow the goth fashin in Japan known as EGL (Elegant Gothic&Lolita). And, of course I listen to the Japanese goth music because it's not like the hard rock played here in the states. But, I also had a friend who was a christian that dressed goth with me last year.
I've been questioning whether I was doing something wrong. Sometimes I still question it. But, as a lot of people have said, God doesn't look at your appearance. And, to me, I just like the Goth fashion.
No, dressing goth doesn't mean that there HAS to be skulls or any similar symbols. I'm not very fond of skulls, myself. But, I dressed goth without them. And, I wore a cross! I made them, both, myself.
The japanese goth music is better than the hard rock played here in the states, IMO. Because there's no cussing said and there isn't anything mentioned about being anti-christian, or whatever you might consider it.
Well, thanks to some of you people who posted here, I feel a little better about dressing goth. I never thought of it that way, "inHisgrip". Maybe he is trying to use us "Christian Goths" as a way to spread the word to others?
I, myself, find it difficult to find someone who shares my opinions about God, J-Rock, and EGL all at the sametime.
Sorry for making this reply so long. I just wanted to give out more info than needed just incase someone else who is a "Christian Goth" is questioning if anyone is just like them. Well...here I am. Now, I have run out of things to say, sorry if I confused anyone.
...I just like the fashion.
I've been questioning whether I was doing something wrong. Sometimes I still question it. But, as a lot of people have said, God doesn't look at your appearance. And, to me, I just like the Goth fashion.
No, dressing goth doesn't mean that there HAS to be skulls or any similar symbols. I'm not very fond of skulls, myself. But, I dressed goth without them. And, I wore a cross! I made them, both, myself.
The japanese goth music is better than the hard rock played here in the states, IMO. Because there's no cussing said and there isn't anything mentioned about being anti-christian, or whatever you might consider it.
Well, thanks to some of you people who posted here, I feel a little better about dressing goth. I never thought of it that way, "inHisgrip". Maybe he is trying to use us "Christian Goths" as a way to spread the word to others?
I, myself, find it difficult to find someone who shares my opinions about God, J-Rock, and EGL all at the sametime.
Sorry for making this reply so long. I just wanted to give out more info than needed just incase someone else who is a "Christian Goth" is questioning if anyone is just like them. Well...here I am. Now, I have run out of things to say, sorry if I confused anyone.
...I just like the fashion.
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DawnTillery
Matthew 11:28
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Whats in your heart is whats important. Your relationship with God is between you and God, if you are sincere he will show you the way.
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God looks on the heart - your motivations and attitudes are vitally important.
Having said that, as a Christian, I would think that she will sooner or later start to think about how the gospel impacts upon her clothing. And the Bible does talk about clothing!
I don't know if this verse is relevant:
Most important of all, however, is this: if you belong to Jesus, when God looks at you, he doesn't see you in all your sin, he sees Jesus in all his righteousness and purity.
Having said that, as a Christian, I would think that she will sooner or later start to think about how the gospel impacts upon her clothing. And the Bible does talk about clothing!
I don't know if this verse is relevant:
(Ecclesiastes 9:8)
Most important of all, however, is this: if you belong to Jesus, when God looks at you, he doesn't see you in all your sin, he sees Jesus in all his righteousness and purity.
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DawnTillery
Matthew 11:28
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The way I took that White means pure, but its not your clothing, its your heart.
I also think its your actions.
I for one dont know what Goths are, I seen some kids in school when I went that ran around in Combat boots and I always thought it had something to do with Hitler? Sorry I wasnt into all that in school... but you have to sit down and think does your life interfer with God will and laws? We all make changes in our life, thats why it says He washes your sins away, you are reborn, you change.
I also think its your actions.
I for one dont know what Goths are, I seen some kids in school when I went that ran around in Combat boots and I always thought it had something to do with Hitler? Sorry I wasnt into all that in school... but you have to sit down and think does your life interfer with God will and laws? We all make changes in our life, thats why it says He washes your sins away, you are reborn, you change.
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E
EmSchmem
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I see nothing wrong with it. If I didn't look horrible I would lvoe to dress like that. I always just look like I'm trying to hard, which is much worse than just looking bad. Ew. WE all have different sets of friends. I have a hard time believing clothes being a certain color interfere with God's will. Now if someone is dressing skanky that's a different story.
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Greyshade89
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Of Coarse God accepts them..and He loves them unconditionally. But I think that if they are christians..they would have more common sense than to wear things that are dark and ungodly.
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Hey, I'd like to say somethign which apparently thusfar has remained unsaid. I agree 100% that God looks at the inside, and that our actions arne't what count, it's our hearts that God cares about.... but there's another side of the issue here.
In 1 Thess 5:22, God clearly states to "flee all apearance of evil". Why? That is irrelevant. What matters is that God said so. As to why, we can speculate all we like... but it still really only comes down to one thing: God said so, and we'd better do what He says.
I think the point that Goth represents a non-Christian culture has been clearly made already in this forum.
Now, with that said, I'd like to point out that *I* was once Goth, and I mean 'real goth' (i.e. into the religion), back before I met Jesus... and the style of dress and everything still attracts me. Actually, Punk attracts me more, it's more 'me'..... but I absolutely know that I need to *look* like a Christian. The very worst thing that could happen, for me, here on earth, would be for somone to see me and say "him? no, he's not a Christian, he's punk" (or anything like that). The very last thing I want to do is defame my Wonderful Beloved Jesus.
I do, though, dress 'punky'. Hippy nuPunk mind you, but still punk. I always make it clear though, in it, that I am still 'clean'. I mean like... I don't wear shirts with a line-art dragon on it. i actually don't wear t-shirts much at all (lol), but you know what i mean. The whole drive to what I chose is based on the jive it gives. When somone looks at me, what's the feeling they get? "wow, he looks tough"... "I'm glad my car doors are locked"... "oh my, I think must've taken a wrong turn, I'm apparently on the shadier side of town"... or somethign more along the lines of "he looks innocent" or "he looks gentle"? I always try to ask myself that in everything I do/say/wear/etc.... and I think it's a really good policy. It definitely upholds God's comandment to "flee all appearance of evil". Another way to look at things is "if I was a mother looking for a baysitter for my kids, and the real me was an available choice, and I didn't know anything about any of the possible sitters... would I chose me?"
It's something to chew on.
Jesus forever!!!!!! :-D
Drew
In 1 Thess 5:22, God clearly states to "flee all apearance of evil". Why? That is irrelevant. What matters is that God said so. As to why, we can speculate all we like... but it still really only comes down to one thing: God said so, and we'd better do what He says.
I think the point that Goth represents a non-Christian culture has been clearly made already in this forum.
Now, with that said, I'd like to point out that *I* was once Goth, and I mean 'real goth' (i.e. into the religion), back before I met Jesus... and the style of dress and everything still attracts me. Actually, Punk attracts me more, it's more 'me'..... but I absolutely know that I need to *look* like a Christian. The very worst thing that could happen, for me, here on earth, would be for somone to see me and say "him? no, he's not a Christian, he's punk" (or anything like that). The very last thing I want to do is defame my Wonderful Beloved Jesus.
I do, though, dress 'punky'. Hippy nuPunk mind you, but still punk. I always make it clear though, in it, that I am still 'clean'. I mean like... I don't wear shirts with a line-art dragon on it. i actually don't wear t-shirts much at all (lol), but you know what i mean. The whole drive to what I chose is based on the jive it gives. When somone looks at me, what's the feeling they get? "wow, he looks tough"... "I'm glad my car doors are locked"... "oh my, I think must've taken a wrong turn, I'm apparently on the shadier side of town"... or somethign more along the lines of "he looks innocent" or "he looks gentle"? I always try to ask myself that in everything I do/say/wear/etc.... and I think it's a really good policy. It definitely upholds God's comandment to "flee all appearance of evil". Another way to look at things is "if I was a mother looking for a baysitter for my kids, and the real me was an available choice, and I didn't know anything about any of the possible sitters... would I chose me?"
It's something to chew on.
Jesus forever!!!!!! :-D
Drew
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Good post, Drew. It's hard to pin down what a Christian "looks like", of course, but you've taken some first steps towards clarifying the issue. I'll have to think more about what you said.
I wouldn't want Christian guys ending up looking like Mormons, though - firstly, because clean-cut ≠ Christian; secondly, because uniformity of appearance would undermine the gospel.
I wouldn't want Christian guys ending up looking like Mormons, though - firstly, because clean-cut ≠ Christian; secondly, because uniformity of appearance would undermine the gospel.
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okay, I just have a quick question now.... how would looking clean-cut undermine the gospel? I know I must just be having a blonde moment (which I have 25 hrs. a day anyway), but I just don't get it.
I do think that, like when going to Church and things like that, we should 'dress up', as I think it is only appropriate to show that respect to God... but that has nothing to do with what other people think of us or anything, it simpy is to show respect and honor to God, and to present ourselves in the most appriopriate manner possible (you wouldn't appear before the President wearing cut-offs & rubber bands, I should hope ;-) Think of appearing in Sunday worship [i.e. formally] before God like you would think of appearing in a formal capacity before the President. If you were a personal friend of the President, you would just dress comfortably around him when you hang out... but when in a formal place, like say a public address or something, you would dress up... for God it should be the same way).
I do, though, agree, that we shouldn't by any means go so far as to create rules about dress or anything, for that then leaves the realm of Christianity, and becomes legalism (which is what Jesus came to save us from -- having to live a legalistically perfect life in order to merit status as a Believer).
But don't forget that just because we shouldn't set rules doens't mean that we have license to do whatever we want.... but see, I think that this now has gotten back to the center of most all Christian issues. We all love God, and want to please Him, but at the same time we have the desire in ourselves to do our own thing (be that whatever it is, in whatever instance). We try, thence, to determine some rule -- some easy-to-see formula -- that we can follow and know that we're okay with God, and still getting to live life to it's fullest. That isn't the way, though.
Somewhat amazingly, we need to look back to the very core of Christianity in order to find what is right in this issue. Titus 3:5 & Galations 2:16 are just two of the many verses that tell us how we are saved by grace, not by works. Matthew 7:16-20 tells us how to tell a Christian from a non-; by seeing everything in their lives (their "fruits" -- note that this passage is not talking about the Fruit of the Spirit, which is a seperate issue altogether). Our works are not that which saves us; rather, they are the evidence of what is in our hearts; the condition of our hearts. Having a heart after God's is what saves us.... our actions and lifestyles are merely the evidences of it. We, as Christians, shouldn't *want* to do or wear things which would put Jesus into disrepute. He is altogether awesome, and deserves a reputation that is equal.... and since we love Him and want only the best for Him, the natural pull of our hearts, as Christians, ought to be to glorify God is all we do... including what we wear.
If our hearts do not pull in that direction... we should seriously consider the possibility that perhaps our relationships with God are not what they ought to be; that we need to spend more time with Him; fall deeper in love with Him.
The question, thence, is this: does dressing goth bring Glory to God? is it irrelevant?
Okay, wow, I had no idea I'd get so deep on a thread discussing such a minor point lol.
I hope this doesn't ruffle any feathers... and I look forward to hearing everyone's replies to this.
Rock on!
Jesus forever!!!!!!
Drew
I do think that, like when going to Church and things like that, we should 'dress up', as I think it is only appropriate to show that respect to God... but that has nothing to do with what other people think of us or anything, it simpy is to show respect and honor to God, and to present ourselves in the most appriopriate manner possible (you wouldn't appear before the President wearing cut-offs & rubber bands, I should hope ;-) Think of appearing in Sunday worship [i.e. formally] before God like you would think of appearing in a formal capacity before the President. If you were a personal friend of the President, you would just dress comfortably around him when you hang out... but when in a formal place, like say a public address or something, you would dress up... for God it should be the same way).
I do, though, agree, that we shouldn't by any means go so far as to create rules about dress or anything, for that then leaves the realm of Christianity, and becomes legalism (which is what Jesus came to save us from -- having to live a legalistically perfect life in order to merit status as a Believer).
But don't forget that just because we shouldn't set rules doens't mean that we have license to do whatever we want.... but see, I think that this now has gotten back to the center of most all Christian issues. We all love God, and want to please Him, but at the same time we have the desire in ourselves to do our own thing (be that whatever it is, in whatever instance). We try, thence, to determine some rule -- some easy-to-see formula -- that we can follow and know that we're okay with God, and still getting to live life to it's fullest. That isn't the way, though.
Somewhat amazingly, we need to look back to the very core of Christianity in order to find what is right in this issue. Titus 3:5 & Galations 2:16 are just two of the many verses that tell us how we are saved by grace, not by works. Matthew 7:16-20 tells us how to tell a Christian from a non-; by seeing everything in their lives (their "fruits" -- note that this passage is not talking about the Fruit of the Spirit, which is a seperate issue altogether). Our works are not that which saves us; rather, they are the evidence of what is in our hearts; the condition of our hearts. Having a heart after God's is what saves us.... our actions and lifestyles are merely the evidences of it. We, as Christians, shouldn't *want* to do or wear things which would put Jesus into disrepute. He is altogether awesome, and deserves a reputation that is equal.... and since we love Him and want only the best for Him, the natural pull of our hearts, as Christians, ought to be to glorify God is all we do... including what we wear.
If our hearts do not pull in that direction... we should seriously consider the possibility that perhaps our relationships with God are not what they ought to be; that we need to spend more time with Him; fall deeper in love with Him.
The question, thence, is this: does dressing goth bring Glory to God? is it irrelevant?
Okay, wow, I had no idea I'd get so deep on a thread discussing such a minor point lol.
I hope this doesn't ruffle any feathers... and I look forward to hearing everyone's replies to this.
Rock on!
Jesus forever!!!!!!
Drew
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