Gothic Christians.

[StAnselm]

No, I agree with you Drew. You misunderstood me - I said that uniformity of appearance undermined the gospel. (The fact that God redeems his people from all racial groups, language groups, walks of life, socio-economic position, etc. means that we shouldn't even try all looking the same.)

A clean-cut appearance doesn't undermine the gospel, but I have many friends who are not particularly clean-cut, but are no less Christian on account of that. In fact, I don't even think they're sinning in any way because of this - I can't find a command in Scripture to be clean-cut!

Having said all that, I agree with what you said about wearing your best clothes to church. I believe when we gather together for worship, we are, in a special way, coming into the presence of the Most High God. We are having an audience with the King of the Universe. (Many good people disagree with me on this point, though!)

But, as my hero Rabbi Duncan used to say, have a narrow creed for yourself, and a wide creed for everyone else...

 

[Columbia]

God accepts anyone who accepts his Son. No matter how they look or dress.

 

[Tink]

God accepts anyone who accepts his Son. No matter how they look or dress.

Right on.

 

[Excelcior]

God accepts anyone who accepts his Son. No matter how they look or dress.

yes... but God's acceptance doesn't mean that He approves of what they are doing. Just because we're saved doens't mean that we're perfectly right with Him. God does provide a buffer for those who don't follow Him appropriately. See Luke 12:42-48.
But the core issue still remains the same, what is your reason for wanting to dress Goth? if you feel that it is bringing Praise to The Lord, then by all means, do it! But if you feel that it isn't, or if you don't care about The Lord, then you seriously need to question your relationship with God.
For anyone who doens't understand, it might be advantaegious to go back and re-read my last post.

oh, by the way StAnselm... by 'clean cut', I meant in dress, not as in facial hair... sorry, that's somewhat become an expression for 'dressing/looking clean and tidy', in my family. lol. Actually... if we all want to go for what God apparently likes best... we should all grow full beirds ;-)~
tehehe

Drew

 

[Cjwinnit]

What's a Gothic Christian? Someone who goes to church wearing a flying buttress on their head?

 

[silentlyscreaming]

i dunno...bout the whole clothes, God will except regardless of what you're wearing, unlike the judgemental people we all are at one point or another. I think that the person you are behind the clothes is what counts. I for one wore dark clothes, everything black and at one point toyed with witchcraft, (big mistake) but then I found the Lord, or should I say he woke me up. I still tend to go to darker clothes when i feel like the Lord has abandoned me. its just me though. does that all make sense

 

[Tink]

i dunno...bout the whole clothes, God will except regardless of what you're wearing, unlike the judgemental people we all are at one point or another. I think that the person you are behind the clothes is what counts. I for one wore dark clothes, everything black and at one point toyed with witchcraft, (big mistake) but then I found the Lord, or should I say he woke me up. I still tend to go to darker clothes when i feel like the Lord has abandoned me. its just me though. does that all make sense

Isn't it awesome to know that God forgives AND forgets?

I have to agree that God accepts us no matter what. The Bible doesn't say, "For God so loved that world, that He gave His only begotten Son that whosover believes in Him, except those that dress gothic (or any other way that isn't considered mainstream), shall not perish but have eternal life." This is why a lot of people don't want to be Christian. They think that they have to be judgemental and follow a code about EVERYTHING. God is pretty openminded, people. If you really want to be like Him, you should try loving the sinner and hating only the sin....no matter what they dress in.

In Christ,
Tink

 

[KagomeShuko]

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.

Yay! Thank you! Somebody who realizes God doesn't judge by appearances! Anybody is accepted into God's kingdom if they believe. Clothing doesn't matter!

I've known Christian goths and the ones I know usually do put Chrisian first and goth second. They usually just dress in black, have black hair, and like wearing that black or purple lipstick and nail polish. Sometimes they have piercings. It doesn't bother me.

Stein Auf!
Bridget

 

[eviltangerine]

Yay! Thank you! Somebody who realizes God doesn't judge by appearances! Anybody is accepted into God's kingdom if they believe. Clothing doesn't matter!

yes, and all the more reason why it's important that we don't judge people, that's reserved for God to do.

my side: wear what you want, just leave the skull and bones at home

 

[CCPastor]

I really have a problem with Goths who call themselves Christians. The research that I have done on Goths over the years has proved to me that you can't be a Goth and have a true Christian heart. I know by saying this I've made several enemies but this is how I feel.
Being a Goth is closely related to Vampirism and Satanism. Here is just one example of what I'm talking about. This is from a Gothic site and these are the words of a song from a Gothic band.
This is the ghouls night out
Suffer unto me
Devils born in angels arms
Ghouls in heaven fall
This is the ghouls night out
All ghouls go to hell
Humans held on eating flesh
It's my destiny..."

We as Christians are to remove ourselves from all appearance of evil. People who call themselves Gothic Christians need to really look into their hearts and see if Christ really lives there. We as Christians need to wake up and realize that this is a way that the devil is infiltrating our youths and teens.
Now I'm not saying that if you dress Goth that you are into Satanism or Vampirism but if you dress that way and you say that you are a Christian then this is truly hurting your witness for the Lord.
This is all that I have to say at this time. I'm sure there will be some comments made and I'm interested to see what everyone else has to say on this.
CCPastor

 

[Sketcher]

And here's some lyrics from a Christian Goth band, Rackets and Drapes:

Born again, hallelujah
Born again, hallelujah

I beat the devil
I beat the devil and I beat him down
I beat the devil
I beat the devil and I beat him down

Praise the Lord, hallelujah
Praise the Lord, hallelujah

I beat the devil
I beat the devil and I beat him down
I beat the devil
I beat the devil and I beat him down

No Christian should consider themselves a Goth first and Christian second. If they consider themeselves Christians first, and are obedient to God they will

A) Stop being Goth to show what God has done for them or
B) Keep dressing that way to reach out to their Goth friends who don't trust the clean cut, well dressed people.

 

[Excelcior]

Yeah y'know, that really is one point of consideration... the fact that many goths & punks don't trust "normals". especially not the goths.
I think, though, that there are many things that you can do -- and ways you can dress -- that are accepted by goths or punks, that won't hurt your witness. For instance, wearing a long '80s t-shirt & cargo pants is acceptable to a punk... you don't have to have your hair spiked & ears pierced. Dressing this way is also considered acceptable in teh mainstream areana... hence *I*, for one, feel that it would be the most appropriate way of dress, for somone trieing to reach out to the punks aroudn him. That's only one example, and I'm sure there are many.
Walking the Christian walk is not an easy one; Jesus never said it would be. In fact He called it a "straight and hard path". But as long as we're open minded and willing to change, there is a way to reach everyone; a way to do anything. Also, I feel that the greatest piece we're missing here is our Lord. We need to follow His call on our lives. He cares about every little thing... and He *does* have a will in this matter. If anyone is truely in question about this, then they shouldn't be looking to an online forums -- they should be on their knees. He always gives us what we need. including answers. He doens't always answer when we want or expect Him to -- like as I recently found out, sometimes He'll answer years later (7 years, in my case) -- but He always answers at the right time, and ALWAYS shows us what to do; always gives us what we need, in our time of need. He is good.

Rock on
Drew

 

[Stars_Fire_17]

God doesn't care how you dress. Just because you choose to wear a certain color or shade doesn't make you believe something different.

I don't consider myself Gothic but at time I dress gothic. My Hair is dyed; I wear all black or black and dark red. I've had people come up to me at call me a Witch or a Satanist. For which I am neither. I am a Christian, A child of God. I may dress differently from everyone else but that doesn't make me less of a Christian. God loves me just the same.

 

[peachy_keen_74]

It tells us to abstain from the very appearance of evil. If you are to walk down the street and you are dressed in gothic clothes what are you saying to people. Unfortunately you are going to be judged and God knows that. You are going to be associated with what you are wearing. So when we dress and present ourselves what are we saying about who we are. Actually being Gothic, Gothic is all about death, I 've done much research on it. That is not what God represents. Light and Darkness can not occupy the same space at the same time, therefore I believe it is impossible to be a "Gothic Christian" they are just total opposite things. We need to represent God with life and hope, faith and Love much of the Gothic things don't represent much of that.

 

[Adammi]

God loves the Gothic Satanists just as much as he loves the Apostle Paul, he loves the Apostle Paul just as much as he loves the Gothic Christian. If someone is a Christian then they are led by the Spirit. If the Spirit leads someone to dress Gothic solely for the purpose of reaching the Gothics, so be it. I personnally don't think that many, if any are called to do this.

 

[Endure2]

rackets and drapes?
i havent heard that name in a long time.
isnt candy (or is it candycane) a cross dresser now?

it takes more than desire, effort, initiative, goodwill, and certain clothing to reach people. its the power of the holyghost that makes us witnesses.

people can say all the right words, say praise God halleluyah and talk about Jesus, and still be nothing but dead mens bones on the inside.
i dont beleive christians can know God and still walk in the gloom and depression and negativity that follows alot of people who consider themselves gothic.
God comes and brings life, joy, happiness and peace, and that just isnt gothic. Gods not scary and and dark.

i use to be kinda like that, would go to church and say things like "life is death and death is life" with a long frown on my face and my eyes drooping and thought i had some new perspective on life, but man i was messed up.

enough of that, man God is good!
if you can dress that way and be happy and cheerful and on fire with the love and joy of God, then ok, but as far as i have seen people dont.
but no body wants to be around a depressed gloomy person.

 

[artybloke]

but no body wants to be around a depressed gloomy person.

What do you think Jesus' reaction would be to a "depressed gloomy person?"

Do you think he'd walk away, saying, "I'm not talking to him/her, s/he's weird?"

Or do you think maybe Jesus would take the guy/gal for a coffee and offer a listening ear?

As someone who's occasionally been very morose, and with friends who've suffered from depressive illness, I know what I'm betting on. And Christianity isn't about putting on a fake smile before you go to church.

 

[Stars_Fire_17]

What do you think Jesus' reaction would be to a "depressed gloomy person?"

Do you think he'd walk away, saying, "I'm not talking to him/her, s/he's weird?"

Or do you think maybe Jesus would take the guy/gal for a coffee and offer a listening ear?

As someone who's occasionally been very morose, and with friends who've suffered from depressive illness, I know what I'm betting on. And Christianity isn't about putting on a fake smile before you go to church.

Thank you!

 

[Endure2]

im not talking about people who need the gospel. im talking about born again christians.
the question given was whether gothic was a christian ideal ya know?
certainly we understand and bear long with the unsaved, but when a person is born again, things like depression and gloominess and negativity that often follow people who call themselves gothic, arent supposed to be something we stay in. and im not saying this as an overbearing correction of anyone, im just saying that really isnt how the Lord is.

christians just arent supposed to be that way.
but yeah, we still love people that are.

but the truth is, no body wants to be around a depressed gloomy negative person.
you have to die to your flesh, and bear with them and stay with them anyway to see them saved if the Lord leads you to, but its not something you enjoy.
and somepeople may be so spiritual that they just LOVE doing all the Lord tells them to do, but im gonna be real, i dont LOVE to do all that the Lord tells me to do, and i certainly dont LOVE to be around people who are purposely negative and deppressing becuase thats not how the Lord made us and it wears on you becuase its not good, but i do it anyway if the Lord leads me to... but its not something i always enjoy doing. its alright for people who dont know God to be that way, though when a person gets saved God changes all that and brings joy and happiness, if they stay close to God.

 

[Untamed Fire]

What do you think Jesus' reaction would be to a "depressed gloomy person?"

Do you think he'd walk away, saying, "I'm not talking to him/her, s/he's weird?"

Or do you think maybe Jesus would take the guy/gal for a coffee and offer a listening ear? ... Christianity isn't about putting on a fake smile before you go to church.

AMEN and AMEN, "artybloke"!

Will you take me for a coffee and a listening ear sometime?