Christian Goth being shunned by other Christians

[FlawedWings]

Hello, I am a teenage Goth that needs some help. Let me first explain Goth to you and get the nasty, untrue stereotyping out of your head.
Goths do not typically worship Satan, do not practice Witchcraft, or love Death (some do, most don't). Being Goth is about appriciateing the Artistic, Darker side of life. Goths are known for their love of animals, music, reading, writing, romance, poetry, and drawing. They do NOT wear all black all the time. Some are in fact very classy and sophisticated. We respect our elders, parents, and those around us. We take in all the little details about the earth. There are differant types of Goth, mind you.
I am a Christian Goth. I go to church, I love and worship God, but all the other Christians hate me. I don't know what to do. I am not welcomed by them, because I am an "impurity". I feel like God is allowing me to be Goth, since I have been preaching to other Goths. The Goths listen to me, since I am one of them. The Christians however, wish to not be affiliated with me. Is it something I did wrong? I want the church to except me, but I am not going to give up being Goth, since I have helped so many other Goths become Christian Goths.
Please help, Thanks.

[Lively Stone]

Who is Jesus to you? What of the fact that we are the light of the world and that we are to dwell in the light and not have anything to do with darkness?

Ecclesiastes 2:13
I thought, "Wisdom is better than foolishness, just as light is better than darkness.

Luke 11:35
Make sure that the light you think you have is not actually darkness.

Ephesians 5:8
For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light!

1 Thessalonians 5:5
For you are all children of the light and of the day; we don't belong to darkness and night.

[FlawedWings]

Who is Jesus to you? What of the fact that we are the light of the world and that we are to dwell in the light and not have anything to do with darkness?

Ecclesiastes 2:13
I thought, "Wisdom is better than foolishness, just as light is better than darkness.

Luke 11:35
Make sure that the light you think you have is not actually darkness.

Ephesians 5:8
For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light!

1 Thessalonians 5:5
For you are all children of the light and of the day; we don't belong to darkness and night.

Jesus is God's Son, who died on the Cross to Save us all from our Sins. I love him very much.
When I said Darker side of life, I must not have been very clear. It is hard to explain... To me, the darker side of life would be respecting (not loving) the fact that we all die someday, and we should live our lives to the fullest. Bad things do happen, and Goths know this and except it. They know bad things happen, unlike most "normal" people, who try to hide from this. I appriciate the night time, like many others Goths, because it reminds me that not everything that is real can be seen, but are indeed there (like God). This is what I meant by the darker side of life. I hope that made sense, if it didn't I will try to make that clearer if possible.

[DaveW]

There was a guy named Larry Norman back in the mid 1960s.  He attended a church where it was considered a sin to have hair more than a couple of inches long (for a guy) His was shoulder length.  Rock music was considered demonic.  He was a rocker (invented "Jesus music" now called Contemporary Christhian) He received more grief from church folk than you can imagine. He was denounced personally in national publications from a dozen denominations.  But he started reaching other hippies with the gospel and started the whole "Jesus Movement" revival single handedly. It brought tens of thousands of young people to the Lord.  At least 2 new denominations came from it: Calvery Chapel and Vineyard.

If that is the place God has you to shine His light - shine on!

[FlawedWings]

There was a guy named Larry Norman back in the mid 1960s.  He attended a church where it was considered a sin to have hair more than a couple of inches long (for a guy) His was shoulder length.  Rock music was considered demonic.  He was a rocker (invented "Jesus music" now called Contemporary Christhian) He received more grief from church folk than you can imagine. He was denounced personally in national publications from a dozen denominations.  But he started reaching other hippies with the gospel and started the whole "Jesus Movement" revival single handedly. It brought tens of thousands of young people to the Lord.  At least 2 new denominations came from it: Calvery Chapel and Vineyard.

If that is the place God has you to shine His light - shine on!

Reading this brought new hope into me. I believe this is what I am placed on this Earth to do. Thank you for posting this. This inspires me even more.

[Lively Stone]

Who is Jesus to you? What of the fact that we are the light of the world and that we are to dwell in the light and not have anything to do with darkness?

Ecclesiastes 2:13
I thought, "Wisdom is better than foolishness, just as light is better than darkness.

Luke 11:35
Make sure that the light you think you have is not actually darkness.

Ephesians 5:8
For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light!

1 Thessalonians 5:5
For you are all children of the light and of the day; we don't belong to darkness and night.

Jesus is God's Son, who died on the Cross to Save us all from our Sins. I love him very much.
When I said Darker side of life, I must not have been very clear. It is hard to explain... To me, the darker side of life would be respecting (not loving) the fact that we all die someday, and we should live our lives to the fullest. Bad things do happen, and Goths know this and except it. They know bad things happen, unlike most "normal" people, who try to hide from this. I appriciate the night time, like many others Goths, because it reminds me that not everything that is real can be seen, but are indeed there (like God). This is what I meant by the darker side of life. I hope that made sense, if it didn't I will try to make that clearer if possible.

Right-thinking Christians don't hide from  bad things happening. We know they do happen, but we know we have victory in Christ.

Appreciating the night as opposed to any other time of the day is a strange affectation, and I believe it is simply an excuse to hold onto dark patterns of thought that are not of God.

[FlawedWings]

Who is Jesus to you? What of the fact that we are the light of the world and that we are to dwell in the light and not have anything to do with darkness?

Ecclesiastes 2:13
I thought, "Wisdom is better than foolishness, just as light is better than darkness.

Luke 11:35
Make sure that the light you think you have is not actually darkness.

Ephesians 5:8
For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light!

1 Thessalonians 5:5
For you are all children of the light and of the day; we don't belong to darkness and night.

Jesus is God's Son, who died on the Cross to Save us all from our Sins. I love him very much.
When I said Darker side of life, I must not have been very clear. It is hard to explain... To me, the darker side of life would be respecting (not loving) the fact that we all die someday, and we should live our lives to the fullest. Bad things do happen, and Goths know this and except it. They know bad things happen, unlike most "normal" people, who try to hide from this. I appriciate the night time, like many others Goths, because it reminds me that not everything that is real can be seen, but are indeed there (like God). This is what I meant by the darker side of life. I hope that made sense, if it didn't I will try to make that clearer if possible.

Right-thinking Christians don't hide from  bad things happening. We know they do happen, but we know we have victory in Christ.

Appreciating the night as opposed to any other time of the day is a strange affectation, and I believe it is simply an excuse to hold onto dark patterns of thought that are not of God.

I did not join this site to be critisized, but to recieve the love and help I am lacking from other Christians. And God created the morning and the night. So why is it not a sin to love the morning, but a sin to love the night? God created both for mankind and the earth.

[chosenone]

What do you mean when you say that other believers 'hate' you?. I find this surprising. You wouldnt be hated in our church, but accepted as anyone else is. What churches have you been to so far?

[FlawedWings]

What do you mean when you say that other believers 'hate' you?. I find this surprising. You wouldnt be hated in our church, but accepted as anyone else is. What churches have you been to so far?

Well, I am just a young teenager, so I don't think my parents would like me putting where I have been and where I am currently on the internet for the world to see. But I will tell you babtist churches and methodist churches are not fans of Goths (or atleast the ones I have been too). I also go to a Christian school where the kids stare, point fingers, and whisper about me as I pass by, even when I am dressed mostly normal, wearing a black t-shirt and black jeans, as well as a little black eyeliner. I truely don't understand this behavior..

[FlawedWings]

I have also been bullied, teased, harrassed, ect by other Christians for being a "freak", "punk", "weird kid", "satanic devil worshipper" (which I can assure you I am NOT. That comment made me cry for the longest time...) ect.

[Lively Stone]

Who is Jesus to you? What of the fact that we are the light of the world and that we are to dwell in the light and not have anything to do with darkness?

Ecclesiastes 2:13
I thought, "Wisdom is better than foolishness, just as light is better than darkness.

Luke 11:35
Make sure that the light you think you have is not actually darkness.

Ephesians 5:8
For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light!

1 Thessalonians 5:5
For you are all children of the light and of the day; we don't belong to darkness and night.

Jesus is God's Son, who died on the Cross to Save us all from our Sins. I love him very much.
When I said Darker side of life, I must not have been very clear. It is hard to explain... To me, the darker side of life would be respecting (not loving) the fact that we all die someday, and we should live our lives to the fullest. Bad things do happen, and Goths know this and except it. They know bad things happen, unlike most "normal" people, who try to hide from this. I appriciate the night time, like many others Goths, because it reminds me that not everything that is real can be seen, but are indeed there (like God). This is what I meant by the darker side of life. I hope that made sense, if it didn't I will try to make that clearer if possible.

Right-thinking Christians don't hide from  bad things happening. We know they do happen, but we know we have victory in Christ.

Appreciating the night as opposed to any other time of the day is a strange affectation, and I believe it is simply an excuse to hold onto dark patterns of thought that are not of God.

I did not join this site to be critisized, but to recieve the love and help I am lacking from other Christians. And God created the morning and the night. So why is it not a sin to love the morning, but a sin to love the night? God created both for mankind and the earth.

You tell me. Why do you talk about loving the night? Who doesn't appreciate every part of the day that God has created? What does scripture teach us about those who love the cover of darkness?

[Willie T]

Got a Vineyard Church near you?  You'll probably still be looked at oddly if you are going out of your way to be wierd, and make a statement, but you'll be accepted.

[FlawedWings]

Who is Jesus to you? What of the fact that we are the light of the world and that we are to dwell in the light and not have anything to do with darkness?

Ecclesiastes 2:13
I thought, "Wisdom is better than foolishness, just as light is better than darkness.

Luke 11:35
Make sure that the light you think you have is not actually darkness.

Ephesians 5:8
For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light!

1 Thessalonians 5:5
For you are all children of the light and of the day; we don't belong to darkness and night.

Jesus is God's Son, who died on the Cross to Save us all from our Sins. I love him very much.
When I said Darker side of life, I must not have been very clear. It is hard to explain... To me, the darker side of life would be respecting (not loving) the fact that we all die someday, and we should live our lives to the fullest. Bad things do happen, and Goths know this and except it. They know bad things happen, unlike most "normal" people, who try to hide from this. I appriciate the night time, like many others Goths, because it reminds me that not everything that is real can be seen, but are indeed there (like God). This is what I meant by the darker side of life. I hope that made sense, if it didn't I will try to make that clearer if possible.

Right-thinking Christians don't hide from  bad things happening. We know they do happen, but we know we have victory in Christ.

Appreciating the night as opposed to any other time of the day is a strange affectation, and I believe it is simply an excuse to hold onto dark patterns of thought that are not of God.

I did not join this site to be critisized, but to recieve the love and help I am lacking from other Christians. And God created the morning and the night. So why is it not a sin to love the morning, but a sin to love the night? God created both for mankind and the earth.

You tell me. Why do you talk about loving the night? Who doesn't appreciate every part of the day that God has created? What does scripture teach us about those who love the cover of darkness?

I never once said I don't love the morning as well... Goodness.. Just nevermind. I do not want to argue with you over such a silly matter of morning and night. If you came to critisize, and you aren't planning to give me advice, please do not comment anymore on my messages. I am not intending to sound like a jerk, but I get critisized enough else where, and I am shocked and sad that I would be critisized on a Christian website. I thought I would be excepted here. I guess I was wrong..
You and I have very differant views on things, so we will not always agree. That is all I can think of to say.. Please do not rant (I'm not saying you are, just please don't start) on me, I am only a child.

[FlawedWings]

Got a Vineyard Church near you?  You'll probably still be looked at oddly if you are going out of your way to be wierd, and make a statement, but you'll be accepted.

I'll check into it, thank you. And for church, I do my best to dress respectable, for it is God's house.

[Willie T]

Got a Vineyard Church near you?  You'll probably still be looked at oddly if you are going out of your way to be wierd, and make a statement, but you'll be accepted.

I'll check into it, thank you. And for church, I do my best to dress respectable, for it is God's house.

Vineyards are jeans and "T" shirts.  No sweat.  I wouldn't deliberately wear a skull and cross bones though.

[FlawedWings]

Got a Vineyard Church near you?  You'll probably still be looked at oddly if you are going out of your way to be wierd, and make a statement, but you'll be accepted.

I'll check into it, thank you. And for church, I do my best to dress respectable, for it is God's house.

Vineyards are jeans and "T" shirts.  No sweat.  I wouldn't deliberately wear a skull and cross bones though.

Yes, I understand. I don't wear skulls or t-shirts with writing on them to church. I keep it modest, with a little eyeliner (not raccoon eyes. the second I say eyeliner it's assumed I put it all around my entire eye)

[DaveW]

I have also been bullied, teased, harrassed, ect by other Christians for being a "freak", "punk", "weird kid", "satanic devil worshipper" (which I can assure you I am NOT. That comment made me cry for the longest time...) ect.

Unfortunately that can happen in many circles.  People can get a certain image in their mind of what is "right" and "acceptable." IT happend in Jesus' day and it still happens today. 

Another story.  The List owner of www.themarriagebed.com (a christian site dealing with marital issues) had a friend when he lived in Austin TX that had been a pastor of a church there when one day God told him to leave that position and apply to be a cabbie.  He was about 6 ft 8 and close to 400 lbs.  He had a lot of tats and drove his cab in the roughest sections of town overnight. His main clientelle were the women who worked in the stripper bars. They felt safe with him. 

As a result, he ended up leading a LOT more people to the Lord than he ever did pastoring a congregation.  Those people would never show up in a regular church, but they showed up in his church, that cab.

[Willie T]

Got a Vineyard Church near you?  You'll probably still be looked at oddly if you are going out of your way to be wierd, and make a statement, but you'll be accepted.

I'll check into it, thank you. And for church, I do my best to dress respectable, for it is God's house.

Vineyards are jeans and "T" shirts.  No sweat.  I wouldn't deliberately wear a skull and cross bones though.

Yes, I understand. I don't wear skulls or t-shirts with writing on them to church. I keep it modest, with a little eyeliner (not raccoon eyes. the second I say eyeliner it's assumed I put it all around my entire eye)

Shouldn't be any  problem.  Vineyards are used to out-of-the-mainstream people.  Calvary Chapels?  Maybe not so much anymore like they used to be.  (I've attended both.)

[FlawedWings]

I have also been bullied, teased, harrassed, ect by other Christians for being a "freak", "punk", "weird kid", "satanic devil worshipper" (which I can assure you I am NOT. That comment made me cry for the longest time...) ect.

Unfortunately that can happen in many circles.  People can get a certain image in their mind of what is "right" and "acceptable." IT happend in Jesus' day and it still happens today. 

Another story.  The List owner of www.themarriagebed.com (a christian site dealing with marital issues) had a friend when he lived in Austin TX that had been a pastor of a church there when one day God told him to leave that position and apply to be a cabbie.  He was about 6 ft 8 and close to 400 lbs.  He had a lot of tats and drove his cab in the roughest sections of town overnight. His main clientelle were the women who worked in the stripper bars. They felt safe with him. 

As a result, he ended up leading a LOT more people to the Lord than he ever did pastoring a congregation.  Those people would never show up in a regular church, but they showed up in his church, that cab.

Thank you for the inspirational story. I expected to be disliked and teased by people for being Goth, but never did I except this from Christians. The ones at church think they are so fancy and pure, yet they crush my feelings the second an adult leaves. They think they are better than me.

[FlawedWings]

Got a Vineyard Church near you?  You'll probably still be looked at oddly if you are going out of your way to be wierd, and make a statement, but you'll be accepted.

I'll check into it, thank you. And for church, I do my best to dress respectable, for it is God's house.

Vineyards are jeans and "T" shirts.  No sweat.  I wouldn't deliberately wear a skull and cross bones though.

Yes, I understand. I don't wear skulls or t-shirts with writing on them to church. I keep it modest, with a little eyeliner (not raccoon eyes. the second I say eyeliner it's assumed I put it all around my entire eye)

Shouldn't be any  problem.  Vineyards are used to out-of-the-mainstream people.  Calvary Chapels?  Maybe not so much anymore like they used to be.  (I've attended both.)

Thank you very much for some church options, I will deffinatly try them out. I am glad I am still trying to find a church, instead of almost quit going at all like I about did.

[Hartofgold8679]

I have also been bullied, teased, harrassed, ect by other Christians for being a "freak", "punk", "weird kid", "satanic devil worshipper" (which I can assure you I am NOT. That comment made me cry for the longest time...) ect.

I will say that I am proud of you. You sound like you have a wonderful heart, and you know what the Lord has laid out for you. I believe you will continue to grow in your understanding of Gods plan and will be very useful in doing His wonderful works. You must know that we as Christians will be persecuted by others, even other Christians. So do not harden your heart towards others, love them. If you can get that at this young age you will be very victorious in life. Here are a few scriptures to help increase your faith. Keep going and rely only on God through the Holy Spirit to lead you in all truth. He will let you know what is right and what is wrong.

Gal 6:4  Don't compare yourself with others. Just look at your own work to see if you have done anything to be proud of.
(This I post becasue we should not compare ourselves to anyone else. Fittng in is a nice thing but you can not please everyone all the time. And know that that is ok.)

1Co 13:4  Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous, it does not brag, and it is not proud.
1Co 13:5  Love is not rude, it is not selfish, and it cannot be made angry easily. Love does not remember wrongs done against it.
1Co 13:6  Love is never happy when others do wrong, but it is always happy with the truth.
1Co 13:7  Love never gives up on people. It never stops trusting, never loses hope, and never quits.
Learning how to love is a great leason. If you can do this in everything/everyone that comes your way you will always be pleasing to God, becasue God is Love

Keep on going the way you are and you will be blessed and you will be a blessing to others. If you fall along the way, just pick yourself up dust yourself off and know that God loves you just the way you are.

Truly and Humbly Yours
Anastasia

[Willie T]

I'm off to the gym right now.  But if no one explains the concept of the Radical Middle before I get back, I'll try to explain it to you.  I imagine Dave will fill you in, though.

[FlawedWings]

I have also been bullied, teased, harrassed, ect by other Christians for being a "freak", "punk", "weird kid", "satanic devil worshipper" (which I can assure you I am NOT. That comment made me cry for the longest time...) ect.

I will say that I am proud of you. You sound like you have a wonderful heart, and you know what the Lord has laid out for you. I believe you will continue to grow in your understanding of Gods plan and will be very useful in doing His wonderful works. You must know that we as Christians will be persecuted by others, even other Christians. So do not harden your heart towards others, love them. If you can get that at this young age you will be very victorious in life. Here are a few scriptures to help increase your faith. Keep going and rely only on God through the Holy Spirit to lead you in all truth. He will let you know what is right and what is wrong.

Gal 6:4  Don't compare yourself with others. Just look at your own work to see if you have done anything to be proud of.
(This I post becasue we should not compare ourselves to anyone else. Fittng in is a nice thing but you can not please everyone all the time. And know that that is ok.)

1Co 13:4  Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous, it does not brag, and it is not proud.
1Co 13:5  Love is not rude, it is not selfish, and it cannot be made angry easily. Love does not remember wrongs done against it.
1Co 13:6  Love is never happy when others do wrong, but it is always happy with the truth.
1Co 13:7  Love never gives up on people. It never stops trusting, never loses hope, and never quits.
Learning how to love is a great leason. If you can do this in everything/everyone that comes your way you will always be pleasing to God, becasue God is Love

Keep on going the way you are and you will be blessed and you will be a blessing to others. If you fall along the way, just pick yourself up dust yourself off and know that God loves you just the way you are.

Truly and Humbly Yours
Anastasia

Thank you for the Scriptures. And thank you for your support. It warms my heart that maybe, just maybe, some people do care. :)

[Hartofgold8679]

Who is Jesus to you? What of the fact that we are the light of the world and that we are to dwell in the light and not have anything to do with darkness?

Ecclesiastes 2:13
I thought, "Wisdom is better than foolishness, just as light is better than darkness.

Luke 11:35
Make sure that the light you think you have is not actually darkness.

Ephesians 5:8
For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light!

1 Thessalonians 5:5
For you are all children of the light and of the day; we don't belong to darkness and night.

Jesus is God's Son, who died on the Cross to Save us all from our Sins. I love him very much.
When I said Darker side of life, I must not have been very clear. It is hard to explain... To me, the darker side of life would be respecting (not loving) the fact that we all die someday, and we should live our lives to the fullest. Bad things do happen, and Goths know this and except it. They know bad things happen, unlike most "normal" people, who try to hide from this. I appriciate the night time, like many others Goths, because it reminds me that not everything that is real can be seen, but are indeed there (like God). This is what I meant by the darker side of life. I hope that made sense, if it didn't I will try to make that clearer if possible.

Right-thinking Christians don't hide from  bad things happening. We know they do happen, but we know we have victory in Christ.

Appreciating the night as opposed to any other time of the day is a strange affectation, and I believe it is simply an excuse to hold onto dark patterns of thought that are not of God.

I did not join this site to be critisized, but to recieve the love and help I am lacking from other Christians. And God created the morning and the night. So why is it not a sin to love the morning, but a sin to love the night? God created both for mankind and the earth.

You tell me. Why do you talk about loving the night? Who doesn't appreciate every part of the day that God has created? What does scripture teach us about those who love the cover of darkness?

I never once said I don't love the morning as well... Goodness.. Just nevermind. I do not want to argue with you over such a silly matter of morning and night. If you came to critisize, and you aren't planning to give me advice, please do not comment anymore on my messages. I am not intending to sound like a jerk, but I get critisized enough else where, and I am shocked and sad that I would be critisized on a Christian website. I thought I would be excepted here. I guess I was wrong..
You and I have very differant views on things, so we will not always agree. That is all I can think of to say.. Please do not rant (I'm not saying you are, just please don't start) on me, I am only a child.

Sry LS. He has a point.

[FlawedWings]

I'm off to the gym right now.  But if no one explains the concept of the Radical Middle before I get back, I'll try to explain it to you.  I imagine Dave will fill you in, though.

Thank you, your messages really helped.

[FlawedWings]

Who is Jesus to you? What of the fact that we are the light of the world and that we are to dwell in the light and not have anything to do with darkness?

Ecclesiastes 2:13
I thought, "Wisdom is better than foolishness, just as light is better than darkness.

Luke 11:35
Make sure that the light you think you have is not actually darkness.

Ephesians 5:8
For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light!

1 Thessalonians 5:5
For you are all children of the light and of the day; we don't belong to darkness and night.

Jesus is God's Son, who died on the Cross to Save us all from our Sins. I love him very much.
When I said Darker side of life, I must not have been very clear. It is hard to explain... To me, the darker side of life would be respecting (not loving) the fact that we all die someday, and we should live our lives to the fullest. Bad things do happen, and Goths know this and except it. They know bad things happen, unlike most "normal" people, who try to hide from this. I appriciate the night time, like many others Goths, because it reminds me that not everything that is real can be seen, but are indeed there (like God). This is what I meant by the darker side of life. I hope that made sense, if it didn't I will try to make that clearer if possible.

Right-thinking Christians don't hide from  bad things happening. We know they do happen, but we know we have victory in Christ.

Appreciating the night as opposed to any other time of the day is a strange affectation, and I believe it is simply an excuse to hold onto dark patterns of thought that are not of God.

I did not join this site to be critisized, but to recieve the love and help I am lacking from other Christians. And God created the morning and the night. So why is it not a sin to love the morning, but a sin to love the night? God created both for mankind and the earth.

You tell me. Why do you talk about loving the night? Who doesn't appreciate every part of the day that God has created? What does scripture teach us about those who love the cover of darkness?

I never once said I don't love the morning as well... Goodness.. Just nevermind. I do not want to argue with you over such a silly matter of morning and night. If you came to critisize, and you aren't planning to give me advice, please do not comment anymore on my messages. I am not intending to sound like a jerk, but I get critisized enough else where, and I am shocked and sad that I would be critisized on a Christian website. I thought I would be excepted here. I guess I was wrong..
You and I have very differant views on things, so we will not always agree. That is all I can think of to say.. Please do not rant (I'm not saying you are, just please don't start) on me, I am only a child.

Sry LS. He has a point.

Glad my point is finally understood by someone ;)

[chosenone]

What do you mean when you say that other believers 'hate' you?. I find this surprising. You wouldnt be hated in our church, but accepted as anyone else is. What churches have you been to so far?

Well, I am just a young teenager, so I don't think my parents would like me putting where I have been and where I am currently on the internet for the world to see. But I will tell you babtist churches and methodist churches are not fans of Goths (or atleast the ones I have been too). I also go to a Christian school where the kids stare, point fingers, and whisper about me as I pass by, even when I am dressed mostly normal, wearing a black t-shirt and black jeans, as well as a little black eyeliner. I truely don't understand this behavior..

  I have been to a vineyard church and presently go to a New Frontiers church. Both are relaxed and informal. I cant speak for all churches of these denominations, but the ones that I have been to would never hate you or shun you..

Just a question, why do you feel the need to wear eyeliner if you dont mind me asking.The goths that I have known (my kids had t a few goth friends) were either that way because they were mixed up, unhappy and had messed up lives, or because they were seeking to rebel and/or shock. Do you think that these two things are the case with those that you mix with?What do you think makes you be attracted to the dark things of life?

[larry2]

Dear brother in Christ. I have dealt with a Goth Christian, and been pleasantly surprised at their love of the Lord. I can no longer remember the musical group or singer he liked, but they did glorify God in their music. On another forum at the time we were shut down from our discussion, and I am no longer there.

You state that your acceptance to spread God's word is due to your familiarity with, and being Goth, Now I would suggest that you may be selling yourself short. My experience is that when God gives you a gift, He makes the way for it. You need not dress in a tutu to evangelize ballerinas, become a prostitute to give hope to someone caught in that lifestyle, or paint your face black to be heard in an all black congregation.

A dear friend told of "One young man trying to tell his parents he loved to frequent the honkytonks and bars, and so he told them well now listen, I will meet people and I will witness to people in those places that will never darken the doors of your church, and his friend jumped in right then and he said, "Don't even go there, we know you're just as much of an alcoholic as we are, so don't try to preach to me along that line."

You also talked of not being accepted by some at church, but what of the world in general that does not understand your motives? Do your parents approve of your manner of dress for instance, will job interviews go well for you? We are told that men will know us by our fruits in Matthew 7:20. Do those you come into contact with recognize you as Christian, and I do not mean by carrying a six foot cross with you as you go. Many things dictate the success of our witness before man more than the manner of our dress.

If you enjoy the lifestyle, and you witness to them; he who wins souls is wise. I hope you don't take up witnessing to suicide bombers next, and think the only way to reach them is blowing you up.
Blessings in Christ Jesus. 

[FlawedWings]

What do you mean when you say that other believers 'hate' you?. I find this surprising. You wouldnt be hated in our church, but accepted as anyone else is. What churches have you been to so far?

Well, I am just a young teenager, so I don't think my parents would like me putting where I have been and where I am currently on the internet for the world to see. But I will tell you babtist churches and methodist churches are not fans of Goths (or atleast the ones I have been too). I also go to a Christian school where the kids stare, point fingers, and whisper about me as I pass by, even when I am dressed mostly normal, wearing a black t-shirt and black jeans, as well as a little black eyeliner. I truely don't understand this behavior..

  I have been to a vineyard church and presently go to a New Frontiers church. Both are relaxed and informal. I cant speak for all churches of these denominations, but the ones that I have been to would never hate you or shun you..

Just a question, why do you feel the need to wear eyeliner if you dont mind me asking.The goths that I have known (my kids had two or three goth friends) were either that way because they were mixed up, unhappy and had messed up lives, or because they were seeking to shock. Do you think that these two things are the case with those that you mix with?

I am not shy to admit I am a fan of the Goth clothes and makeup, but I keep them clean and not too wild. The clothes I especially try to keep modest (No cussing, blood, smoking, ect on the t-shirts), and the makeup.. Well, I just feel it expresses myself.

[DaveW]

Just a question, why do you feel the need to wear eyeliner if you dont mind me asking.

If the goth culture there is anything like the heavy metal culture of the 80s and 90s, they will not listen to anyone that is not truly part of them and their culture.  So if goth culture requres eye liner, then wear it. 

But beware that most counter-cultures have certain intrinsic elements that are definately sinful. 

In hippy culture it was drug use and indiscriminate sex. 
In heavy metal culture it was drugs and violence. 
In new age culture it was bowing to false earth gods.

Just make sure that what ever it is in goth culture, that you stay free from that aspect.

[FlawedWings]

I will continue to reply when I have the time. But for now, I must go. I bid you all a very fond farewell

[chosenone]

What do you mean when you say that other believers 'hate' you?. I find this surprising. You wouldnt be hated in our church, but accepted as anyone else is. What churches have you been to so far?

Well, I am just a young teenager, so I don't think my parents would like me putting where I have been and where I am currently on the internet for the world to see. But I will tell you babtist churches and methodist churches are not fans of Goths (or atleast the ones I have been too). I also go to a Christian school where the kids stare, point fingers, and whisper about me as I pass by, even when I am dressed mostly normal, wearing a black t-shirt and black jeans, as well as a little black eyeliner. I truely don't understand this behavior..

  I have been to a vineyard church and presently go to a New Frontiers church. Both are relaxed and informal. I cant speak for all churches of these denominations, but the ones that I have been to would never hate you or shun you..

Just a question, why do you feel the need to wear eyeliner if you dont mind me asking.The goths that I have known (my kids had two or three goth friends) were either that way because they were mixed up, unhappy and had messed up lives, or because they were seeking to shock. Do you think that these two things are the case with those that you mix with?

I am not shy to admit I am a fan of the Goth clothes and makeup, but I keep them clean and not too wild. The clothes I especially try to keep modest (No cussing, blood, smoking, ect on the t-shirts), and the makeup.. Well, I just feel it expresses myself.

If you want to express the real you, then why do you copy loads of others? Why not be an individual and just be yourself?
The goth music that I have seen was very tied in with such things as suicide, and believe me, that is a horrible subject to be connected to. What we see and hear affects us all.
The way that I try and see it is, does what I do wear, say, and do in my life give glory to God or not? Is it making people notice God IN me, or just notice ME, because I am wearing something that is different and dark and rather shocking? Some thoughts.

[Lively Stone]

Who is Jesus to you? What of the fact that we are the light of the world and that we are to dwell in the light and not have anything to do with darkness?

Ecclesiastes 2:13
I thought, "Wisdom is better than foolishness, just as light is better than darkness.

Luke 11:35
Make sure that the light you think you have is not actually darkness.

Ephesians 5:8
For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light!

1 Thessalonians 5:5
For you are all children of the light and of the day; we don't belong to darkness and night.

Jesus is God's Son, who died on the Cross to Save us all from our Sins. I love him very much.
When I said Darker side of life, I must not have been very clear. It is hard to explain... To me, the darker side of life would be respecting (not loving) the fact that we all die someday, and we should live our lives to the fullest. Bad things do happen, and Goths know this and except it. They know bad things happen, unlike most "normal" people, who try to hide from this. I appriciate the night time, like many others Goths, because it reminds me that not everything that is real can be seen, but are indeed there (like God). This is what I meant by the darker side of life. I hope that made sense, if it didn't I will try to make that clearer if possible.

Right-thinking Christians don't hide from  bad things happening. We know they do happen, but we know we have victory in Christ.

Appreciating the night as opposed to any other time of the day is a strange affectation, and I believe it is simply an excuse to hold onto dark patterns of thought that are not of God.

I did not join this site to be critisized, but to recieve the love and help I am lacking from other Christians. And God created the morning and the night. So why is it not a sin to love the morning, but a sin to love the night? God created both for mankind and the earth.

You tell me. Why do you talk about loving the night? Who doesn't appreciate every part of the day that God has created? What does scripture teach us about those who love the cover of darkness?

I never once said I don't love the morning as well... Goodness.. Just nevermind. I do not want to argue with you over such a silly matter of morning and night. If you came to critisize, and you aren't planning to give me advice, please do not comment anymore on my messages. I am not intending to sound like a jerk, but I get critisized enough else where, and I am shocked and sad that I would be critisized on a Christian website. I thought I would be excepted here. I guess I was wrong..
You and I have very differant views on things, so we will not always agree. That is all I can think of to say.. Please do not rant (I'm not saying you are, just please don't start) on me, I am only a child.

Sry LS. He has a point.

Yes he does, and maturity will win out over time.

[ela]

I will continue to reply when I have the time. But for now, I must go. I bid you all a very fond farewell

As you probably already know dear, you can find every answer in scripture....and the bible says for us to not argue with others about what they think is right or wrong, because then we might persuade them to do something against their own conscience...SO, don't let anyone persuade you to do what is against your conscience. 

The bible (Paul's writings) tell us to 'be all things to all people'....I would encourage you to read what he spoke about....he spoke a lot about how to minister to different kinds of people. 1 Corinthians 9:19-23 and 10:32-33....but Paul teaches a lot about how to minister to many kinds of people, so you might want to spend a lot of time reading his writings.....and also, read the gospels. Jesus went into peoples homes who were despised, and ministered to and loved many kinds of people.  Blessings to you!!

[Willie T]

I will continue to reply when I have the time. But for now, I must go. I bid you all a very fond farewell

As you probably already know dear, you can find every answer in scripture....and the bible says for us to not argue with others about what they think is right or wrong, because then we might persuade them to do something against their own conscience...SO, don't let anyone persuade you to do what is against your conscience. 

The bible (Paul's writings) tell us to 'be all things to all people'....I would encourage you to read what he spoke about....he spoke a lot about how to minister to different kinds of people. 1 Corinthians 9:19-23 and 10:32-33....but Paul teaches a lot about how to minister to many kinds of people, so you might want to spend a lot of time reading his writings.....and also, read the gospels. Jesus went into peoples homes who were despised, and ministered to and loved many kinds of people.  Blessings to you!!

You sure you aren't Vineyard, Gal?  Beautiful post.