"Christian" Goth?

How do you blend Jesus Christ and Goth?

Comments

[Ragnar Danneskjold]

Do they use their own blood as communion wine?

[Teresa]

That is so wicked.

[kevin]

christian what? I thought we were to abstain from all forms of evil even the apperance of evil. And goth,metal,death metal all all exalt darkness and death, this has no place in christianity. We should pray for those that are in this lie that they're eyes would be opened to see the truth and to to seperate themselves. To be christian means to be Christ like not like the world.

[Shma]

This looks evil!!!! Kevin is right we are to abstain from evil.

These days it seems you can add Jesus to anything & make it OK. If these people ever picked up a Bible & read it they would see how wrong they are.

[Reformation Nation]

This isn't the only "Christian" Goth group out there. Check out these other ones:
http://reformationnation.wordpress.com/2007/12/03/christian-and-gothic-can-there-be-such-a-thing/

[Rabbi Manuel Rodriguez Jr.]

How do you blend Jesus Christ and Goth? You don't, and you can't. Goth is a religion that leads to death. "There is a way which seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death" - Proverbs 14:12.

[incomplete adoration]

Goth is a subculture, not a religion. Check out this book:

http://books.google.com/books?id=zgBG6vqyin8C

If you "can't blend Jesus Christ and goth," are you saying that those who are in a different kind of culture (music, clothing, paradigms of life) are beyond following Him?

It's not illegal to wear black and to also love and live for Christ. Maybe it's wrong to automatically associate the terms "satanism" and "wiccan" or "pagan" with someone who subscribes to a way of life different from the mainstream.

Besides...
"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8)

are we not all still sinners?

[Bruce]

First of all, Goth is not a religion; it is a subculture.
Also, I really cannot imagine Christ denying someone His blessing based on what color clothes he or she wears.
To say the Goth glorifies death or evil is a flat-out lie. Most Goths I know have the same moral values as any good Christian.
And don't Christians spend their lives behaving in a certain manner for the rewards they receive when they die? Isn't that a bit death-obsessed?

[Dale Gehris]

I just checked out their Web site (christiangothpunk.com) to look around. The whole site is about 'self'--actually themselves. I clicked on the link for "JESUS" to see what they have to say about Him. Well, apparently nothing at all. What did pop up were these titles: Dracula Analysis, Luke Bones' Testimony, A Call for Division, 7 Ways to Kill a Child, and Angels or Idols. It appears that not much action is happening at this site, nor does it seem it is kept up with. Maybe that is a good thing.

[kevin]

In response to Bruce, Jesus told his diciples that we should deny ourselves and take up our croos and follow him.That means not to try to conform to this world but instead to come out of it and be Christlike. I'm not saying that a gothic cannot be saved but i don't believe that once they become saved they can stay in that lifestyle and grow in the Lord.The apostle paul when he was converted no longer persecuted christians but instead became one of the greatest preachers of all time.And paul who denied christ 3 times and cursed also did not remain the same he also became a spirit filled evangelist.God's Word says in luke 11:36 if thy body therefore be full of light,havingno part dark,the whole shall be full of light,as when thr bright shining of a candle doth give the light.KJV.You compare do you see light in goth because i don't,so my friend if you are in this or have friends that are ask for clarity from God and he will show you.

[The Prodigal Son]

Ok, this I know because I come from such a background. I played guitar in an extreme/nu/(as some may have said) death metal band. Among other things: I drank excessively, convinced the crowed to do the same, dove head first into a life of promiscuity, and our music promoted violence; this was proven by the onslaught of our mosh pits – there were those who lost teeth, split lips, had bleeding and black eyes, and one person even broke his collar bone. I loved the lifestyle and saw nothing wrong with it until I came to Christ, so, in my opinion, there is absolutely nothing godly about this - trust me because I know.

[Alan]

I appreciate The Prodigal Son's comments. Anyone who has studied the history of Judaism and Christianity may be familiar with the term syncretism, which means a blending of different belief systems. The Jewish nation was guilty of this when it attempted to blend its monotheistic belief system with the polytheism of the surrounding nations. It ultimately led to the Syrian and Babylonian captivities as well as the extreme legalism of the Pharisees. Christians have been only marginally more successful at resisting the culture as is proven out by such philosophies as Christoplatonism (blending Christian beliefs with the philosophies of Plato), Gnosticism, Manicheeism, etc. Today, we have conviced ourselves (collectively, not individually)that the cultural styles, ideas, etc. that we buy into are somehow neutral and that we are not subject to the negative influences that may and often do bring to bear on our Christian walk. Simply put, we have decided that the Christian liberty that Paul talks about in I Cor. 6:12 and 10:23 somehow gives us the license to continue to participate in questionable or wrong/evil practices forgetting that we have been predestinated "to be comformed to the image of His Son that He might be the firstborn among many brethren" (Rom. 8:29). I can accept that Jesus would associate with Goths or any other group but to suggest that He would associate Himself with such groups borders on blasphemy.

Alan

[incomplete adoration]

Then, in response to Alan-- aren't we all partially guilty? A person who conforms to a "conventional" appearance and lifestyle, as most people in churches do or feel compelled to do (only because it is the majority), could be just as guilty as a very unique individual who prefers to adapt a different kind of cultural influence ("goth") into their life. Is the normal-ish person automatically labeled more RIGHTEOUS than one who chooses to be an outcast? It is absolutely untrue that Western popular culture ('conventional') = Christian, just like Alan stated. So who can say that the woman who dresses in her Kenneth Cole sunday best while putting up a very morally acceptable facade to her peers is more faithful than the boy who sews his own clothes (which happen to be black) and wears a different style of makeup? Maybe he is the one more in love with Christ, more honest about his sins. Then people label him as "goth", and the stereotype ensues, and it's all over. How sad. Just because the general public is more comfortable with a certain "normal-ness" doesn't mean that those who way stretch the invisible cultural boundaries have any less faith in Jesus.

Besides, again, gothic culture is mostly misunderstood by the majority, and if you choose to make blanket assumptions about people who subscribe to it because of certain negative characteristics--violence, evil, witchcraft, idolatry, mass adultery, drinking, cursing, drugs, etc-- which are popularly portrayed in the media, then your arguments will be based on something untrue, and that is insufficient...

Just as Christianity is unfortunately portrayed poorly by some who abuse the notion of religion (like any familiar presidents who claim to be Christian yet choose to wage war? hmmm...) many who are in the gothic subculture advocate giving it a bad name and choose to have for themselves anti-Christian morals or religions. That does not mean that the *culture's* kinds of music, views of life, and strikingly different opinions of beauty are in themselves anti-Christian. Maybe that person just has a different opinion than you do on some things. No one can please everyone (and we are all sinners).

Quoting Alan, he said that:
we have been predestinated "to be comformed to the image of His Son that He might be the firstborn among many brethren" (Rom. 8:29).
How should that be interpreted?
Jesus obviously would not choose to call the goths in general "His group". But... I don't believe He would be likely to associate with any average American, either. (By American, I'm generalizing the rich lifestyle of the general population in any non-3rd world country.) He chose to be the outcast, the One without a home, traveling far and wide to share His love. Would any of us completely give up our school/9-5 lives to do that? (forgive me if you are, or have) I don't think that Jesus really wants us all to throw our lives away as is to go be homeless on the streets living one-on-one with the poor. How would you be able to effectively reach out to your peers? So-- perhaps some who are in a certain subculture choose to remain there after being born again in Christ, rather than subscribing to the conventions of the modern church (whose made-up rules of what is taboo and proper are bogus). In that, they of course should not be keeping aspects of their life that go against God's word, so that they may be obedient, but maybe, just maybe... reaching out to people who can associate with many aspects of their life, also being goths, becomes that much more easier.. because God made some of us this way: more creative, drawn to the color black, or maybe we have just been heavily scarred. Who can change this? Even any Christian can still wear makeup without ever being judged for it, in this society. Is extra black wrong, because it is unusual to you...?

What The Prodigal Son went through is quite unfortunate, but there are many ways to experience all of that without ever even being 'goth'. Gothic/punk/rock music does NOT explicitly equal violence, it's rather a musical style (just like reggae or country); any one of us can be an alcoholic, or go to mosh-pit concerts. Maybe we will choose not to associate with such things in our public life. Then who is more Christ-like? You don't have to drink, go to concerts, or perpetuate violence to be goth.

kevin said:
That means not to try to conform to this world but instead to come out of it and be Christlike.

Christ absolutely challenges us to not conform to this world! Yes! =) So even that means that we should not just force ourselves to fall in line with modern [not from the Bible] conventions of "modern Christianity."

But above all, I hope we will each agree that loving God is first priority before anything else. We know that He is in the Right, and we are not Him. So we should let Him judge us individually before we condemn someone for enjoying music (with Christian lyrics) that sounds unfamiliar to us, or for wearing an outfit of black with many layers.. while you iron your shirt/blouse to dress to impress a different audience.

to Bruce: thank you for all you said! I just hope that the 'goths' you know not only have good morals, but also love Christ (as good deeds are worth nothing without faith).

to kevin's first post: All metal does not exalt darkness and death. you know what else? "I don't like your hair-- you look evil to me."

[alan]

Obviously incomplete adoration missed my point completely. There is certainly hypocrisy on both sides of the "cultural fence" but just as the conventional side needs to constantly make sure that their cultural conventions don't outweigh their concern for bringing glory to God and Jesus Christ, so the unconventional need to do the same thing. All too often people become snobs or hypocrites by trying to be different from the "status quo" only to fall into the trap of identifying with a group instead of identifying with Jesus and all that means (Jesus came to fulfill the law, not abolish it). Leviticus 18 through 21 outlines all kind of practices that God prohibited and He did so because He was holy and wanted His chosen people to be holy as well (Lev. 19:2). Holiness means separate, pure,
etc. And the injunction to be holy is reiterated by the Lord in the New Testament. For too long American Evangelical Christianity has been discounting or ignoring trends that invade the church because "it's cultural". Culture can be defined variously a "the act of developing the intellectual and moral faculties" or "a particular stage of advancement in civilization" among others. As a Christian I am to constantly question whether the cultural (or sub-cultural) convention I am considering (fashion, literature, entertainment, hobby, etc.) is consistent with the transformation that is to be taking place in my life that daily (in this life) and ultimately (in the life to come) conforms me to the image of Christ. Incomplete Adoration falls back on differences of opinion (an uninformed opinion is only an opinion based on subjective reasoning) and the old "don't judge" retort to attempt to deflect any questioning of his choices. He would be better served to delve deeper than his own preferences and begin using some Christian (biblical) discernment in his choices and arguments.

[Mrs. Jake]

To all who are defending the "goth" "look", I think you're missing the point of this posting. I find the juxtaposition of the words "Deathrock", "Horrorrock", "Psychobilly", and "Jesus Christ" to be the most telling of the reasons that this is posted here.

There is a family in our church who have a daughter who professed to be a Christian, and dressed "goth" style, with the pale face, heavy dark eye makeup, and everything black, black, black, with chains and safety pins and piercings everywhere. She recently attempted suicide, and is now in drug and alcohol treatment.

My own brother, back in the 80s, was into goth while he served as an altar boy, and was on drugs while he molested my sister. He filled his mind with death metal and surrounded himself with people who affirmed and practiced the same things. He committed suicide in 2001. His suicide note read, in part, "Satan is in my blood. Jeasus (sic) help me. I've hurt lots of people and the demons are coming to get me."

These examples are purely anecdotal, and I'm sure that the posters here will rip them apart, saying that I can't make a blanket statement regarding all people who are into the goth lifestyle, and I would agree with that statement. I've witnessed to goth practicioners, and they have been some of the most intelligent, articulate, soft-spoken, and polite people of all. They are also keenly aware, because of the spiritual nature of the evil side of goth, of the supernatural realm. But when you fill your mind with death, and horror, and depression, and melancholy, and rebellion, the fruit that your life bears will reflect that.

In the words of the Holy Spirit, written down by Paul, "8Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you." Philippians 4:7-9

[chad]

Being a youth minister I see all "kinds" of teens. I do believe those that claim to be christian, but like the Goth attire and style of music need to be careful. But I disciple students who are "goth" and love Jesus and want their friends to know him too. We need to quit labeling people by what they wear and the loudness or extremness (is that a word) of thier music. I know I'll be seen as simple minded, but I just want to see teens come to christ and their lives changed....that doesn't mean they have to change their clothes.

[The Prodigal Son]

To Incomplete Adoration,
In my own opinion the only unfortunate thing about what I went through was the fact that I chose such a path. This applies to any person who may choose the greed of money, lust of the flesh, alcohol to "kill the pain" - another aspect of life with which I am well acquainted - or anything else that becomes our focus other than the All Holy Creator. I appreciate your comments, however, I must disagree. Metal does breed hatred, violence, drunkenness, and despair; punk will ultimately breed contempt for authority, and Goth... well Goth will lead directly into the darkness (as do the others, however with Goth it is very direct and the person must ultimately know). What appears on the outside is usually, but not always, a reflection of what is inside. Metal/Punk/Goth is dirty and does not caring what anyone thinks – ever. The opposite fashion is true with the Hip Hop crowd. Most of these people are obsessed with money and public adoration at any obtainable level. The people I’ve known in this group reached the same emptiness I had; they just took a different route. Instead of cocaine and strong mixed drinks we used shots, beer, and pot. Either path, as I now see, is a geodesic path from earth to hell. Christ, as you know, is the only path to God and His kingdom. I thank you for your comments and, if you found any interest my ramblings, considering mine. Thank you.

To Mrs. Jake,
Again, as with I.A. (the comment above), I do appreciate your remarks and you are dead on target. My only thought is that when witnessing to a person who is into such music - this is important because most head-bangers do have a great interest in God, however misguided (consider the lyrical content and the names of the bands) - we must not use terms like "death rock" or "rock music". This may seem petty but it is true for most of these people. They will consider you to be uncaring (of their music and interests, but most likely not in general) and will probably be pleasant, but not give your words much thought. I had plenty of people witness to me four, five, six years ago when I was in a small band, but I didn't listen much. I thought, “if they can’t understand the difference between Death Metal or Thrash or Black Metal and Bruce Springsteen then these people aren't all there." In my mind, to this day, if we say Death Metal I think of Cannibal Corpse, Deicide, or Carcass; if we say Black Metal I think of Cradle of Filth or Dimmu Borgir; if some one said Thrash (speed metal) then it would be Slayer, Megadeth, Lamb of God, or Kill Switch Engage. Hardcore is a different type of metal meant to build a person up and tear down walls holding us back (here Satan has used pride and narcissism and again wrapped secularism in a benign cloth), this would bring to mind Hatebreed. And lastly, just plain Metal would make me think of bands such as Metallica. When we say "Rock" or "Rock Music" other than “Metal” people may think Bruce Sprinsteen and immediately the word wimp comes to mind. Again, I don't say this to be petty but I say it for the sake of witnessing in the name of our Lord. Anyway, thank you everyone for your love of the Almighty and His son Jesus Christ.

[incomplete adoration]

Okay Alan, thanks for your clarification. *I'm not a boy, but I am a relatively new Christian so I have a lot to learn. I also didn't miss your point -completely-; I'm just trying to set straight previous arguments that may have been based on ideas besides God's word. =/

Mrs. Jake, I'm so, so sorry for your experiences, and Amen to what you have said as well.

Thank you Chad and the Prodigal Son. =)

You all have some very good points and I think it's been made clear that hanging around on the dark side can be a bigger stumbling block than usual to those following Christ. I thoroughly appreciate that it's been acknowledged for the right reasons, and I hope I haven't offended or confused people in my arguments. I also apologize if I misunderstood something you said.

As it is written in 2 Peter 3:17-18-
"Therefore, dear friends, since you already know this, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of lawless men and fall from your secure position. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen."

[XianGothDude]

Has anyone ever heard of the band Saviour Machine? Virgin Black or The Awakening?

[XianGothDude]

Does anyone know of the Christian band Saviour Machine?

[God Made Science and Goths]

One thing that always saddens me is how people automatically label others as Satanic based upon their dress style and music. It brings me to tears because I have had to deal with it for nearly eight years now. I'll give a brief synopsis of my story. When I was eleven years old, I struggled with severe psychological problems. I don't know where they came from. But I was a completely "normal" kid. (On the outside, that is. Inside, I was a dreamer.) I attempted suicide when I was twelve years old, and I had a complete out of body experience, the only thing that kept me alive. It was as if God was letting me know I was actually important to someone: Him. So I completely forgot about suicide for many years. When I moved and started high school in a brand-new city, I prayed to God to lead me in the path He specifically chose for me. Before too incredibly long, I looked myself over in the mirror and found myself cloaked in black with an amethyst cross around my neck.

Since that moment, I have been meeting many other goths who all say more or less the same thing: They fall away from God because people have actively made a point of telling them that God hated them for who they were. It was either that, or they felt they weren't being told the whole truth in churches and that many Christians were condescending toward them. And then there is the classic example of goths being accosted by total strangers who are accusing them of worshipping Satan.

The whole thing is heartbreaking. Since I have been friends with many of these people, I have managed to witness the beautiful event of eight people converting to Christianity, and one to Judaism (he still needs the opportunity to study the Bible fully, and he admits it). Now, several friends and I have decided to not force Christianity on the gothic people, but to lead by example and to prove that Christian Goths do exist, because God loves us all. After all, if He didn't love Goths, why would he have created us along with everyone else in the first place? And, didn't Jesus associate with many different types of people, even to harlots and other types of "trash", all in order to prove His love to them? And besides, if we are to all love our neighbors, it makes very little sense to exhibit hatred and dislike toward our gothic brothers and sisters in Christ.

[Black outside, pure white within]

[pam]

wow. so many who call themselves christians refuse to sit at the same table with the samaritans. are we not instructed to love our neighbors as christ has loved us? next time i see the town drunk i'll be sure to invite him into service. you guys make me feel sad. talk about stereotyping. geesh. no wonder "christians" are dispised by so many. we're too obsessed with 'looking' the part that we completely miss the greatest commandments of all. Christ blatently stated the first of all commandments was to love the lord your God with all your heart, soul and mind - and the second is likewise unto it - that we should love our neighbors as ourselves.
in a previous comment, i saw a name that caught my attention - luke bones. i've known luke for going on 10 years now, and he has the greatest faith and love for christ than many of the christians that i attend church with. please, go to my myspace - i attend a very active church, and am a part of whatever goes on. I love the lord, but I also love my neighbors. truly we can't fall into satans trap of stereotyping and specific groups. seriously, Jesus tried teaching his disciples that in scripture - "I must needs go through symaria." who cares that the jews thought they were dogs? who cares if they dressed a little whacked? what really matters is that they are souls, just like the white collared doctor that lives down the street from you. he might talk right and look right, but inside his soul could be darker than those you are dispising.
truly, guys, look inside yourself. we are here to win souls, not put down all of those around us who say they have a love for christ. they love him and don't bash us as christians. how can we say we love christ, the one we haven't seen, yet we can't love our brothers, who we do? get past the black clothes and the goth look. you'll realize they're people who care for the kingdom of God just as much as the next pew warmer sitting beside you in church, if not more. many of them have testimonies of God's deliverence far greater than you guys could ever imagine.
one scripture stands out in my mind - Luke 7:47 Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little.

so - how do you love Him? your neighbors?
I pray you find it in yourself to love him with all your heart, soul, mind and strength - cause with that, he'll give you the power to love your neighbors.

~*soul loving*~

P.S. luke, keep your chin up. i'm so proud of the stand you have taken for Christ. keep teaching your youth, stay involved in your church - and don't make the mistake of stereotyping christians like the mote-filled eyes try to remove your splinters. i love you with such a God-sent love, my brother.

[BlackRose]

first of all, goth doesnt mean you have to wear black, most do, including me because its a way to "blend in" or out. I AM A BORN AGAIN CHRISTIAN WHO LIVES FOR JESUS CHRIST THE LORD, AND I BELIEV THAT GOD CAME TO EARTH AS A MAN AND DIED FOR MY SINS, RISING AGAIN ON THE THRID DAY.

i wear black, and since i was born, i saw life differently form others. i never fit in, and i was ridiculed and scorned for being different, even before i became "goth".

next, Goth comes from an architectural style of christian churches built in the 1200's.

next, the bible says nothing about christians not being allowed to be ARTISTS WHO WEAR BLACK AND SEE LIFE FROM AN ARTISTIC PERSPECTIVE.

stereotyping is wrong, and so is being a hypocrite!!! Crusaders were hypocrites!! murdering people, calling themselves christians.

you dont detest someone because they dont look like you. JESUS WAS AN OUTCAST. IF ANYTHING, GOTHS HAVE MORE IN COMMON WITH HIM BECAUSE HE SAW THE REALITY IN LIFE, DEATH, GOOD AND EVIL. he speoke of blood an flesh, and he was RIDICULED AND SCORNED FOR BEING RADICAL, DIFFERENT.

dont judge people! most goths are artists and poets who know that pain exists, and that life isnt sugar coated, Jesus saw the same things. He saw the pain and evil in the world.

HOW DO YOU KNOW WHAT EVIL LOOKS LIKE? in the bible it says that Satan come sin the form of light. Do you see big stars and the Antichrist? The antichrist will be some one who attracts people. No one is attracted to an otcast.

EVIL IS PAINTED WHITE, OPEN YOUR EYES! EVIL IS DECEPTION, AND YOU CANT DECIEVE WITHOUT FIRST LYING! if a sweet bunny comes up to you, would you think it had a knife behind its back?

Goths are people who dont fit in, the only way to turn them towards god is to show them that God loves them for who they are! Dont push them down like the rest of the world,BEING A CONFORMIST!

goth is not a religion, its a type of person. some goths dont even wear black! IN THIS MODERN AGE, THERE ARE TOO MANY FAKE GOTHS POSING TO FEEL "COOL".

dont conforn to the world, and ridicule the radicals and artists of society, who ALREADY FEEL LEFT OUT AND HATED.

show love, BE LIKE CHRIST!

WWW.CHRISTIANGOTH.COM

[BlackRose]

not all goths are the same. what causes a goth to really turn bad is when people push them down, scorn them and make them feel worse than they already are!

the pain, the hurt, the feeling pf not belonging will get heavy as more builds upon such a broken heart...soon that heart will fall to uncountable pieces. dont add more weight, catch it while its still holding up! try to understand them.

as a christian, i already dont fit in, so things are harder for me because i feel like I DONT BELONG ON THIS TERRIBLE EARTH, AND THAT NO ONE UNDERSTANDS ME. PEOPLE WHO STEREOTYPE AND RIDICULE GOTHS MAKE IT WORSE.

please, be like jesus and eat with the sinners and tax collectors of today, and make them feel loved, then you go in and minister.

there are more christian goths than you realize, most are teens. artists, musicians, poets who dont fit in. Eva O of Christian Death got saved, Anne Rice writer of the Vampire Chronicles got saved.

dont be a conformist and trust what liars and ignorants tell you. not all outcasts are the same! do research, you'll see. searc cristian goth and jesus was an outcast.

i dont listen to Deathmetal or anything, but there is a christian "deathmetal" band called Demon Hunter.

Jesus understood death....
he said things like "drink this, it is my blood spilled for you"
people threw rocks at Him because He taught radically, it was different, and the religious ones couldnt take that.

look out, it may be the religious ones who are trully bad, hating people and scorning to feel "holy" themselves.

[BlackRose]

sorry if i came off as angry, i trully was. Lord forgive me. the thing is, it saddens me to know that my brohers and sisters in Christ dont accept me, already unaccepted, for the way i dress and the way i see..

i hope fellow odd ones in Christ have let their wisdom touh you, so that you may see the truth, covered in moss that built for years.

i will pray for those who do not understand.

God Bless you! ^_^

[XianGothDude]

I totally an 100% agree with you BlackRose; I too was also "different" from the average kid growing up even before I got into the goth subculture; and you're right to be angry; anger is not a sin in and of itself (even though most of the "Good Christians" would say otherwise). You basically said everything that could be said about all this; no one wants to be a Christian if all Christians act like self-righteous, mindless robots; most goths I talk too are of Pagan or atheistic mnindset but were at some point raised around or in a church eveniroment and "it wasn't for them" of course it wasn't because that church enviroment probably shoved things down people's throats and were self-righteous. If that offends people; I'm sorry its just I've talked to alot of people; some of them goths some of them not; all of them non-Christian and they typically all tell me the same thing. So they can't all be lying, can they?

[Full-Moon Hurt]

When I was in high school, unknown psychiatric problems caused me to fall apart. I had already been the teased and ugly weirdo, but this was utterly insane. I went and clung desperately to two members of the opposite sex, frightening them and leading them to fight me off with peer harassment and borderline kill tactics. I was suicidal and self multilative. Two years in I was placed on meds for ADHD which caused psychosis in me. I also at this time had premonitionary dreams which led me into neo-paganism for several months. The psychosis and dreams were diagnosed together. Religious preoccupation and a Hollywood movie about possession then led me to Christ. I had shuttlings from the school I was in, to another, to another - I was perceived as a school shooting threat. I settled down in senior year and had a good one with lots of friend, but my meds' side effects were troubling - akathisia (where you have unfightable restlessness), loss of interest and issues with me being able to focus/think. The doctor didn't really care. I was diagnosed with Aspergers syndrome which kept me from being heard. It's an Autistic-type disorder where you have social difficulties, misperceive things and are fascinated with fantasy sometimes. I was also seen a threat, so put the two together. When I got off the meds end of high school I felt much better, but my illness was rearing it's ugly head both ways. I have Schizoaffective disorder - Bipolar type. I also had come to find out that I had demons the whole time, but they've left on their own since.

I became gothic the year peace came back for me - senior. I was socially accepted and had many friends. I feel comfortable here in this culture and wouldn't want to leave. God himself has answered prayers helping me with my culture - as a matter of fact this last week I left my culture thinking perhaps I should find another. Prayers were said much, I did some self-discovery, and went right back.

Amen.

P.S. I myself found the image of the website being shown wrong.

1. The site is cheesy to me, going to far for my gothic tastes, and...

2. they chose the worst thing they could, whoever put it up - that's unethical.

[Trevor]

Its actually a great thing to be Christian and goth. Its the philosophy that defines them, not the way they look. Its the philosophy that you should reject all light other than God's light, for the meaning of the word lucifer is light bearer, and we all know how evil Satan is. The light of Christ is the only good light.Thats one reason to wear black. Also, rebellion is totally Christian. How do you think the Early Christians survived all the pagan attacks. In fact, the term goth came from the fact that while the visigoths and other tribes attacked the Roman empire, Christians were making internal spiritual attacks as well as physical attacks on the empire.They died as martyrs for Christ on the cross. They chose their sacrifice so they could defy the evil pagans. Most of you 'normal' Christians would be pagans any other time, even if you heard of Judaism or Christianity. However, goths CHOOSE to be Christians because it fits their individual soul. Goths today would die for Christ right now. Just ask them. Ask me even. I most definetly would! If the time of Revelations is now, I am ready to fight for God. Most goths have a personal relationship and worship of God. They don't go ask their priest or preacher to talk to God for them. They do it for themselves! The black represents the remembrance of God on earth as Jesus Christ. They are melancholy because they admit that it was our sin that put Jesus to death. Yet, we are joyous because we know he gave us all saviour. Since Adam sinned, people have sinned. Black also symbolizes the sin, and gunmetal silver represents how the lord is constantly cleansing us. I've sinned. However, people around me, goths and non-goths, look up to me as a saint. I tell them,"I am as much or more of a sinner of you. Don't look at me, look at God! He is your saviour!" I believe God has a purpose for all Christians. The last time God had an entire known culture of goths was the Early CHristian era, in which we were all persecuted. A much larger, newer culture of goths has arisen in the past 50 years. My theory is that the goth is somewhat of a white blood cell to the body of Christianity, as it comes up in times of Christian persecution. That being said, it can also mean that today Christianity is going to see persecution unlike the likes of ever before. As in, the apocalypse. That's right, so many of the predictions of The Book of Revelations have already come true. It could happen really soon. However, if you noticed, goths aren't afraid of this threat to all Judaism and Christianity. We are all ready. At least us goths. And if you haven't noticed already, I'm a Christian Goth with Jew blood, but I'd keep the Old Testament sacred anyway. So, all Christians, please respect all other Christians. Don't persecute your potential friends, because the only other side is Satan's. Death metal was invented by a Jew named Chuck Schuldiner, so its okay.

[Trevor]

to pam
Great point. You really understand it. The black has symbolism, but its definitely not essential. People who become goths tend to be almost born with the philosophy in that before they even become 'goth' they already have the traits of nonconformity and accepting everyone as a human being. They already find ways to solve every problem they are faced with. Also, Jesus Himself accepted all the sinners around him. No one could say Jesus was or wasn't goth, as we don't know what he will say, yet, every goth knows that Jesus is indeed an ultimate model of what is right. I personally tend to follow His teachings and mimic what He has done that are not miracles. I believe He is the God of everything and everyone, and that being said, He is also God to those unaccepted. I don't believe he is goth, but I do believe he does indeed rule all goths and sets the primary lifestyle of Goths through his rules. I'm also into death metal, which is something entirely different from Goth. Yes, I have found some evil bands. However, you cannot deny that all of the founding fathers of death metal from the band Death are not either devout Christians or Jews. That being said, as God owns our souls and we are just his creatures and instruments, real death metal is a sound inspired by God and invented by His tool/person of use Chuck Schuldiner. It is very easy to look at the people who make the music and not the force behind it. Look at God!Don't look at the goth. All Christians and Jews are just tools of an infinetly stronger God! Those Christians and Jews including me! As for metal in general, it is inspired by baroque such as Johann Sebastian Bach, who was inspired from God! Ozzy Osbourne was Christian for a long time, especially when he was with Black Sabbath. The band had CROSSES!! Not inverted crosses. CROSSES!! Look at that! Jimi Hendrix was the metal before metal, and Black Sabbath was metal during metal. God told Moses to tell the Nazirites to grow their hair long (Numbers 6:1-5). People in metal usually have long hair and don't let a razor touch their head. The Bible supports heavy, loud music with stringed instruments and cymbols(Psalms 150). So, neither is anti-Christian if the band members are Christian.

[Dan]

As a High Schooler I think I have every right to say that stereotyping is completely stupid. You can stand behind your verses but in the end the battle is held entirely at the threshold of the mind. I personally enjoy wearing black clothing with a little snappy verse on the front. I'll listen to my alternative scene music ( I do my best to find the clean mainstream christina bands).

Can't we all just face it, just because living life the way you do works fine for you doesn't mean it works fine for everyone else. Not everyone likes the same music, not everyone likes the same clothes, but as far as gothic christians go, we all love the same God, and that's enough for me.

[Ravyn LaR]

Shut up! This is wonderful! if people can be religious and still have fun then they should! I'm goth... I'm catholic... I love it! P.S. I Pray for you to realise goth isn't evil.

[Missy]

Non conformity? Is that what you are calling Goth? Are you not conforming to Goth? Also you goths who are saying you are being judged by christians arent you in return judging them?WE Christians are to not be like the world nor to love the world. The bible says the world will hate you when you do not conform. A true christian can take the rejection of the world for the acceptance of Christ. Some previous comments just dont add up..You say you are non conforming and you are a christian but before you chose goth and just accepted Christ you had no friends and life wasnt good. This is saying I was not accepted, I chose goth and the world and still believe in Christ but because I conformed to goth now my life is better I have friends..Does anyone see a problem with this theory?

Also metal was not inspired by God. If that is how you have to justify it for it to be acceptable than you are believing a lie and spreading one..Satan is behind most music today even contemp christian and worship songs. Someone needs to do some more research on metal..Ozzy states himself that the inspirations for the music was a black mass that had red glowing eyes, Ozzy himself says it was a demon. Do you realy think God would send a demon to proclaim His good news? For all these other so called christian rockers just because someone says they are a christian surley you do no accept this by just mere words. Do not actions speak louder than words? The crosses the bands use dont mean anything..Satan comes in to decieve under the cover of righteousness. He knows the bible he knows the word well..crosses are just a mere relic to him it is the blood and the name of Jesus Christ that means sometning to him.
P.S. To the ones who complain about scriptures and the use of them..Get over it..That is what being a christian is about. The Bible,the holy inspired word of God is the standard of living for a christian or I like to say a believer in Jesus Christ since christian is a title taken to lightly these days and everyone seems to carry it..If the bible or Gods words are not your standard of living than you need to call yourself something else..Also if you have to look for little loop holes in the bible and twist a couple things around to make it justify your lifestyle than you need to take a close look at yourself...
God bless and all Glory and Honor and Praise to the King of Kings, The Alpha, Omega, Name above all Names Jesus Christ Lord and Savior.!!!!!

[Barbara]

Amen, Missy.

Allow me to add to what you said by posting this link to a GodTube video clip regarding idolatry. It's a rude awakening for most of us regardless of lifestyle.

http://www.godtube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=48c50370b1e15a0157af

Also, noting some comments above - when one who is not yet indwelt by the Holy Spirit prays to a "god" whose identity they aren't completely sure of in a way that doesn't involve repentance and complete surrender of oneself to the risen Christ, one has to test the spirits to see who their answer is *really* coming from. If the answers aren't driving you back to the work and person of Jesus Christ and into His Word and into deeper mourning for your sin against Him because they are sins against Him and not just for their consequences to ourselves, there is very likely a problem. And just because a person or a band wears a cross doesn't make them holy. Magic, emblems, superstition, rebellion, and self-focus *are* of the devil.

[XianGothDude]

Honestly; we're just a subculture of people that takes its interests in music, clothing, poetry, art etc. those are our common interests as a subculture I myself though am a Christian and would never identify myself anyother way. I just happen to be apart of a very interesting subculture of men and women; some of whom need God (just as anyone else does) and I have a witnessing oppertunity, not because I dress or act as they do, but because I'm a Christian.

[ShadowVoice]

*applauds incomplete adoration, pam, Black Rose & Trevor*

I'm Christian. And guess what? I'm goth, too. Took me seven years of research before I finally consented to the title (I too was misinformed at first).. and no, I don't always wear all black... There's so much more to it than that, and I think a lot of times, you might run into a "goth" and not even know it! Hah, that can be difficult to explain... Like I said... 7 years of research...

As for goths being suicidal, into alcoholism, cutting, promiscuity or whatever blanket claim is out there please note that Goth is not a cause of these, rather those who have been hurt/are already hurting tend to be attracted to a place where you look for beauty even in the pain and darkness of the world. It inspires its own hope to look for God where the average Christian would not expect to find Him. Honestly with the way a lot of churches treat people who are not like them, I'm more inclined to believe that Christ would not associate with them as He is all about love.

Goth is about loving the unloveable, because a lot of us (not all) tend to feel unwanted by society in general (even before "goth"). Part of being in the subculture is standing out without being alone.
And come on, we all know Johnny Cash's reasons for being "the man in black" (we all have different ones, here are his: http://www.metrolyrics.com/man-in-black-lyrics-johnny-cash.html ) So what if he wasnt goth? ;-) he at least got some of it!

And yeah for a Christian goth, we do look a lot to death and blood but not necessarily in ways you would think... New life comes from death, dying to self and our own earthly desires, yielding to the One who shed His blood in covenant... stuff like that. Seriously, its in the faith already, we just have the tendency to look deeper into what a lot of people overlook.

I will attest that it can be a fine line for many, mostly because Christians in general are so unaccepting and judging ("judge not that you not be judged anyone?"?) and a lot of "pagans" will readily welcome those who are simply looking for love! And none of us are exempt from sin or its destruction. The key is to walk in His path of death, not that of sin...

P.S. these bands and music styles mentioned are not necessarily goth. (Id say that one in the beginning of all this is more Poser, looking for a little shock value and the like) Honestly, there is no clear definition of what "gothic" music is, only what it isnt... bubble gum pop definitely isnt, though a lot of symphonic rock like Trans-Siberian orchestra and Christian band Skillet is considered "gothic" by many.
And for some of us, the "darker" music is a way to release the emotions, not create more. I won't pretend I have never struggled with depression, but honestly it was worse when all I listened to was Christian pop & CCM... You want honesty about the way the world is... when you can say what youre really feeling without being treated like a freak- its amazing & freeing, just one reason to band with other "goths". We all need someone. We all need honesty, not to sit on our backsides and pretend everything's ok, but realize its a world in trouble so that you will get out and change it... Let the Lord shed a light on what's really in your heart because once you understand it, you can change! If you dont even know anything is wrong... well you will continue to be blind...

True Christianity has nothing to do with symbols or even believing in God I will agree- Satan believes in God! What you really need to do is look at each individual... individually! ;-) regardless of whether they claim to be goth or not.
Just as not every self-professing Christian is, not every self-professing goth is. There are a lot of posers...

And Barbara, check this out: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unknown_God
Wanna take a guess as to how "God" even became a word in our vocabulary??

Oh man, really I could go on forever about all the different branches of conversation that have sprung, but seriously, folks, you're all smart enough to know how to do research on your own... the best references on goths are goths themselves. The media has no idea what they're talking about like a lot of things... As for Christianity, your best references are the Bible and the Holy Spirit.

[MentalChick]

Ok, there are a few points I would like to make here:

1. Anyone trying to BE a Christian is a hypocrite. It is only by the saving grace of Christ that we can be called His brother and be named as a part of the family of God. End of story...so no matter if you dress goth, punk, emo, biker, or quasi-normal...you are only a Christian by the cleansing blood of Christ.

2. Saying that you can't be Goth and be Christian is an utterly ignorant thing to say and I will give you an example of why the "churched" people are missing it and why those of you who have posted here are in my prayers.. You have the Jesus Freaks of the 70's. Shunned by the "church" because they wore their hair long EVEN THOUGH they had been converted and wore hippie clothes EVEN THOUGH they believed in Jesus, they took to gathering in local parks and singing praise and worship on guitars and sharing the Good News of the Gospel to any who would listen. They did shed their tie dyed t-shirts and wore plain white ones instead because they felt led BY THE LORD to do so as their tie dyed shirts were a part of a drug culture that they no longer belonged to. Man couldn't make them do this...God asked it of them and they did so because of their love for God. Because of the love these shunned converts had for God, He met them where they were and a move of God was seen among them...all because they wouldn't ascribe to the "apples on a pear tree" mentality of the church.

2. You want to talk about "freaky" dress and appearances in common day? Let's look at some of the extremes that Biblical characters took on as a part of their walk and call FROM GOD. Such as Samson, who never cut his hair, or Jeremiah, who walked around the city NAKED and cried for repentance from God's chosen people. There's Ezekial, who laid on his side naked and cooked his food over dung, John the Baptist had a very unkept appearance eating locusts and honey and wearing camel hair clothes. I could go on. How many of you would miss the whole point, miss a word from God because you shunned what you didn't understand or viewed as undesireable?

How many of you really believe that non-believers were going to hell if they didn't repent and come to the saving knowledge of God? IF you do...then why aren't you reaching out to everyone in open, honest love to save all you can? If you did, you wouldn't disdain those who dressed differently than you...you would attempt to reach them so that you might save some! You'll never accomplish that with a shunning attitude toward physical appearance alone.

I do believe that no matter what you wear, there are certain things one must lay aside when you become a Christian. HOWEVER, it can NEVER NEVER be something you blister into someone to get them to submit to YOUR will. God brings about the changes with TRUE conversion. It is not done by Bible thumping, shunning or disapproving glances, or by mandate and legislation.

For those who are Christians and Goths or whatever sub-culture you call your own: Stay true to God first and always. Never allow another persons misconceptions about who you are or what you look like to cause you to stumble. Persecution comes in all forms and this is one of those things. Anything that causes you to lose the joy of the Lord is nothing more than a diversion meant to separate you from the plainly laid path that the Lord has called you to!

God bless and take care,
MentalChick

[Princess of Darkness]

I'm Christian and goth... I believe in the Lord. But i also dress in black. I have been Christian my whole life and I became goth about a year and 1/2 ago. I believe you shouldn't dress or act a certain way just because other people say you should. My whole family is very religious and they don't have a problem with me being goth. Trust me, my family would tell me if I did something wrong. We aren't bad people... others just think we are because the way we look or dress or act. We all are sinners and we all have our differences, we should just accept eachother and be happy. Plus if your goth because you have been hurt(my reason for being goth), its ok. We all handle pain differently. I'm not goth JUST because I have been hurt, but for a number of things...

[Joel]

Being that I'm a believer in Christ who happens to have the gothic bent as well, I can speak on the concern of both fronts.

An earlier poster told the sad stories of a girl and his' brother. I can accept that, because for many people, the gothic lifestyle means something that could be dangerous to their' psyche.

The fact is that a lot of people get infatuated with the subculture based on it's aesthetic qualiities, and they assume that such fascinations make them part of it. No, it does not.

The true goth does not equate depression with the aesthetic, but rather finds joy in the expression, however gloomy it may be.

Websites like the one at the top of this article are not the "Norm" if I may use that term in the gothic context. Most Christian goth websites are actually quite tame in comparison. Others are a bit more extreme.

The point is that no one from the outside looking in can get a proper view of the store when most of what they see is a reflection in the window. Neither do they have to go inside. But, they can ask of a patron who frequents the store what it's really like inside, and they will get a much more honest appraisal than they could have gotten by forming their' own opinion based on what little they've seen.

The gothic subculture is similar. You can't understand it unless you've been there. And furthermore... just "Being There" isn't enough either. People attempts or commit suicide in every culture. And, when it happens within the context of a social group like the gothic subculture, people are quicker to point blame to the group itself, and not the the mental instability of those who attempted it, because they associate the instability with the atmosphere. And, where Christians are concerned, they go even further and associate the aesthetic with the demonic.

Now, on the Christian side of things, there is also cause for concern. But, it's not in what you think. The greatest point of concern is not that a Christian could have a gothic bent. It's in the fact that believers can and (do) inflict a lot of damage with their' preconceptions and misconceptions.

Yes, people hurt themselves needlessly by not staying away from things that will hurt them. But, that does not mean that one person's poison is poison to everyone else. One could eat peanuts to their' health, and another could easily die from the same act, because they are allergic. What works for one person will not work for everyone else. Which is why it's not at all beneficial to condemn an entire culture for the tragedies that result when a few think that it's for them.

Christians need to be aware that a fellow believer can have this viewpoint. Goth has never been about worshiping darkness. The aesthetic is not a good enough witness to what it's really about. Even in the Bible, we see that aesthetic alone can (Never) be used to justify a person's spirituality. Satan is said to come as an angel of light. This is not speaking spiritually or figuratively,... but aesthetically. Meaning that he knows how to come in a manner that pleases your perceptions.

God on the other hand descended on Sinai in a form that terrified the Israelites. His' chosen aesthetic that day ... Thick Darkness and Gloom... revealed more about those who thought they knew Him than it did anything else.

So, even in the Bible we see that one's chosen aesthetic is not enough to "Discern" their' hearts. The evil one blesses our perceptions to keep is in (True) darkness, but God challenges our perceptions instead to bring us to True Enlightenment.

In other words, try not to presume too much of a person's aesthetic. Just because it's bleak doesn't mean it's dark. And, just because it's bright, doesn't make it "Light".

[Vampire for Christ]

First, I'm a Christian Goth. From the day I was born, I was different. I looked like everyone else, and I behaved like everyone else.

I became goth late in 2006. I was in this "Christian" dance youth group that danced for little kids to popular Christian songs. When they learned that I became goth, they shunned me. They told me that blue was a really nice colour on me and that I was too nice to be a "satanist". I refused to conform (which everyone else looked like the other, while I was the only "Creature of the Night", as the group leader labeled me) and so they started to ignore me.

My point is, God looks at the heart, not the clothing! In fact, it's easier to talk about God to strangers, because they ask me why I dress like I do. I simple tell them "That God looks at my heart and not my appearance".

And even more so, I make friends with complete strangers because I change their minds! This one little elderly lady told me that I changed her mind on teenagers, and that I was such a nice young lady in my style. xD

"I love black.
I love the dark
However, I hate black.
However, I hate the dark.

People tend to have misconceptions about me.
People tend to think I worship satan.
People tend to think I practice witchcraft.
People tend to think I do not know God.

Ravens are black, doesn't God love them?
God created the darkness on the first day, isn't
He proud of His own handiwork?
God is proud of anything He makes.
God loves anyone He makes.

Even if I do wear black,
even if I do prefer to walk in the shade.
It doesn't make me a bad person.
God made the dark. God made the light.

Gothic Christianity means I prefer the macabre side of life,
while other people only see beauty in beautiful things.
I see beauty in the most ugliest places,
and in the ugliest situations.

Jesus died in the most beautiful way,
but at the same time the most ugliest way.
He died for His love - humanity.
Just as Romeo died for his Juliet.

Death to me is beautiful,
but at the same time ugly.
It's a new beginning for some people,
but for others it's death all over again.

Please, don't judge me because I wear black,
don't judge those open admitting who they are.
We merely are Dark Angels with black wings...
we aren't much different from those who are white Angels.

While you prefer to stay in the light, let me be in the dark.
While you prefer to reach out to those reached, let me
reach to the lost in the dark.
While you fear the dark, I carry a candle for those who thirst and hunger,
for their thirst will never be found, and their hunger nevermore.

I am a gothic Christian.
Let me help those in the dark."

[Viderik]

I gave my life to Chris years ago, and I was happy that it finally happened. But when I started to get into this whole gothic thing (started wearing a lot of black, grew my hair very long and dyed it, wore more jewelery than a normal person would, blah blah blah.) people looked at me a whole lot different. i told everyone that I don't practice satanic rituals, I still go to church on sundays if I can. I'm not into paganism (sorry if that's spelt wrong), don't wear a pentgram, I wear wear a cross around my neck. And that's when I decided to do a bit of research as to why people thought that gothic was a sign of pure evil and I happened upon this site, www.godhatesgoths.com. And i will tell you all right now that I've never been so angry with the Christian faith. And with that anger I started questioning my faith. Can someone tell what I should believe? Because I never saw anything worng with how I look as a goth, my morals and values still remained the same.

[Christy]

I just checked out the site. I've never seen it before. I found it ridiculous when I read that goths were more dangerous to children than pedophiles. I'm afraid that the look has been associated with paganism, satanism, wicca, witchcraft, and other dark associations. I don't know anything about the goth subculture, since the closest I ever got was wearing black a lot in high school (not even close :) ). But I know that God doesn't hate goths, since, as another poster said, God looks at the heart and not the outward appearance. What you should believe is the truth, as found in the bible and no where else. Christians can misjudge based on appearances (since none of us are perfect), but that doesn't change what's true -- Jesus died for our sins on a roman cross and rose again on the third day.

"But what does [the righteousness of faith] say? "The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart" (that is, the word of faith which we preach): that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the Scripture says, "Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame." For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. For "whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved."
Romans 10:8-13 (NKJV)

[Emo Girl 5]

Ok, that is ridicuolous. I am a faithful Christian, I do several things witht he church, and I am emo. I know goths. I love rock and metal. Emo and Goth is not a culture. Technically, goths are not christians, but I know some that are. And even the goths that aren't, Goths and Emos, and a lot of punks, are very like christians, and are some of the nicest people you will ever meet. They are just very individual. It isn't goths that are the wild ones, that's punks. And only half the punks at that. Goths are usually teh sensitive ones. And emos and goths and punks are usually 1/15 populaton bi or gay. But everyone is a sinner, so you can't say you are better than a gay person. Actually, my friends that are gay tend to be the ones that are the most nice, sympathetic, and have the values clostest to mine out of the general emo goth poulation.

Looking and believing things that aren't the "in crowds" way of thiinking doesn't make you an anti-christ. It just makes you unique.

[Emo Girl 5(again)]

Ok, so the very 5th comment says we are to not look dark at all as christians? That is just crap. Underoath, Paramore. Underoath is a metal Christian group that I love. Paramore is a rock bacnd, Christian, that a lot of people love. So because we are christian we aren't allowed to be emo or goth, or even punk? Right.

Oh, and for those of you that aren't clear on what emo means, emo means emotional. Not all emos cut, and yes, a lot of emo's are gay. Deal with it.

[kenyanchristiangoth]

Hi Vampire for Christ! What should you believe? Only believe in Jesus Christ. All the other things don't really matter. I am a Christian goth and I will be a Christian goth until Jesus tells me to stop being a goth. That's what a relationship with Jesus Christ is. When in doubt, ask Him. If He says yes, it's ok. If He says no, then stop immediately! His peace is what will let you know whether it's right or wrong. For me, I have peace about being a Christian goth. As for all you my fellow Christian brothers and sisters who are against goths and Christian goths. Please forgive us and love us. Rejecting or hating us is not good for the body of Christ. God bless you all!

[Godscareing]

The problem is that goths that become Christian sometimes do not change enough to be good examples of the faith. Retaining their music and dress styles and being goth christians is not the problem, unless the music retains the same satanic message and the clothes worn continue to be sensual and devilish. The is good Christian goth music [good message] and good [safe] goth clothing. The display of some of these christian goth "ministries" may be that they are just not very mature in Christ yet to be attempting this type of ministry, not knowing where to draw the line.

[girl]

of course, though the site does loo kscary. I prefer christiansgoths.com (and guys there is chritian goth music. that soemteis deals iwth death form cahristian perspetive) ,and not all goths are satanic. there are chrisitans meos and punks too. I'm preppy.

[Shankpole]

Christian goth is an oxymoron so what I can't spell you got the point goth is a form of vampire and pagon,witchcraft,wicca,druidism and shammanism are not and has nothing to do with saitan saitan is a christian turm created to force people into christianity.I am a Druid and I study Life.Bless it be!

[Ulysses]

I'm from S.A and I wanna know more about this new movement

[A rational, tolerant gothic heathen]

Shankpole, don't be silly. Goth isn't Pagan any more than it's Christian. It's just another way of being. It's not necessarily vampiric either, it just borrows a lot of the stylistic trappings (velvet capes, huge candelabras, and ruined castles, sign me up!).
Like BlackRose said, it's primarily an artistic thing.

[Mrs. Pilgrim]

I have a question for the Goths:

You wear black. You contemplate death. You show a face of mourning. You associate with the superstitions of the world (e.g., "Vampire" for Christ, when humanoid vampires are folklore monsters and not existent in reality). You let your emotions rule you, particularly rage and depression (e.g. "Emo Girl"). You steep yourselves in "weird"--and not "weird" like aardvarks and duck-billed platypus, but "weird" like a horror movie.

As the Christian is an ambassador to the fallen world, how are you showing the hope, joy, and love of Christ working in your own lives by this behavior? Or are you showing them that Christ does NOT set men free of the terrors of the world? Or that He's not relevant?

Pray over it. Don't just go on your feelings of being accepted, or the rush you get from whatever you're doing, or even the peculiar thrill of being a "rebel" in a world that loves Goths more than it loves Christ. Ask Him what He wants.