Christian Goth? - Page 2

HumanePain · 08-24-2006, 04:34 PM

Having faith in God and following Jesus has enhanced my gothic experience, given me a strength and confidence to face death, and to face my own mortality. It is quite liberating, not being afraid of death: one can go to cemeteries, funerals, visit the sick and dying in hospitals etc., and be relaxed about death, knowing it is only the bio-pause...merely the doorway into a different plane of existence.

Now i am absolutely fascinated by tombstones, epitaphs, mausoleums, graves, coffins, etc. Death is natural, and is not the end, but only a milestone. Decay is a part of the chain.

In a sense, i think it is similar to what the terrorist jihadists feel like: they blow themselves up willingly knowing they will be with Allah. Too bad they are brainwashed to kill others with themselves.

In my case, it doesn't matter when i die, but i do hope i get to hang around a little while more. i still have to get my eyebrow pierced!

Mr_Knuckles · 08-24-2006, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dark Templar

Is it possible to be a Christian Goth?

Very nice thread. I like the fact that most of the people here are accepting. I too am of the Christian faith. As for demonination, I don't claim one (independant I guess would be appropriate)... but I do attend a Baptist church as they teach most along my alingnment with things. Ok, on with my opinion:

Christianity and Goth can very well co-exist.

Christianity- A religion. A set of moral standards one accepts and applies to themselves. As a Christian one is required of only two things: Love God, and Love one another. That is the gist of the Bible. One of the main characteristics of Love is acceptance.

Goth- A mindset. A goth recognizes that there is a darker side to reality, most often through personal experience, and adopts an equally personal outward expression of this experience; be it through writing, graphic arts, music, dress, or any other creative release. A goth is generally a free thinker so is usually more accepting than the average person. The stereotype thing is a catcher though. =/

*NOTE: With this being said, I point out that this is a generality. Specifics lie upon individuals.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Delkaetre

the main thing is not making a deal over your religion, because that makes people look like prats.

That is one of the biggest flaws I see w/ most "christians" I meet. You can't force someone to do something they don't want to do, ESPECIALLY dealing w/ faith. They have to believe on their own terms, or it's not genuine. "You're going to hell" isn't always the best answer either. It doesn't sound very accepting to me. Yeah it's the truth in the christian's POV, but from other's POV you look "self-righteous", so it sounds more like "you're going to hell and I'm not".

Catch it seems like you have the same issues as I have, but don't generalize and accuse all christian's of being the same. That's the same attitude as people saying all goths worship satan.

Mr_Knuckles · 08-24-2006, 10:34 PM

OH, I forgot to specify my point. My point was that by having a goth influenced mindset one could enhance their Christian experience.

Also to add to the Goth explination- a generally non-judgemental stance, as goths often adopt a "don't judge me" attitude.

Slap Your Love · 08-25-2006, 06:11 AM

I am indeed a Christian, but I am fully dedicated to my lifestyle,music, and literature. I know many of Christian goths, and to answer your question Dark Templar you haven't done anything wrong..except for the whole not spelling half your entry wrong. Lol. ^.^

pvt num 11 · 08-25-2006, 12:26 PM

I find that being a Christian is first. God made us all as individuals, and that means personality differences and temperments, too. Character issues is where He draws the line, though. Hating a person, lust, jealousy, pride 9especially pride) are all things He can't tolerate, so He works them out of us, but we have to play along with it, of course. Even He won't force Himself upon anymore, as he respects (indeed, even gave us) our free will.

That being said, it's rather liberating to be saved, knowing that He made me for some purpose, and that I'll get to see Him one day. I only wish I had said yes years earlier then I did, I could've avoided no small amount of heartache, especially the self-inflicted stuff.

transformingfate · 08-25-2006, 06:57 PM

I am a Christian Goth. I believe Christianity can mesh quite well with being Gothic. I, however, am open-minded, free-thinking, liberal, and completely non-judgemental.

The difficulty arises when you have someone who feels obliged to call his/herself a Christian, and then merrily go along their way telling everyone else what they are doing wrong and how evil they are. I have had quite a lot of personal experience in this area, as well as a lot of personal experience in dealing with stereotypes applied to the Gothic culture. Myself, I cannot bring myself to do anything other than shake my head at these hypocritical people. To be Christian, one must believe the Bible is true, just as if you are of the Islamic faith you must believe the Qur'an speaks the truth. And yet there are so many Christians who walk around pointing fingers and judging the world - when the Bible specifically says "Judge not, lest ye be judged." (Matthew 7:1, Luke 6:37)

It is these sorry members of society who I can't bring myself to abide. I am sorry if you may take offense at this, but hypocritical, finger-pointing, preaching people who try to shove their beliefs on others have been a cause of great and unwanted trouble in my life. I was raised in a family of them. I have seen and personally experienced what happens to a person when they believe such things, and to the people around them.

It's not pretty. Not even in the beauty of blood, violence, pain, and death. It's the ugliest thing imaginable. If there's one thing I cannot stand, it's hypocrisy.

And Christians as a group as by far the most guilty. I can stand next to a Wiccan, and she or he will not tell me how deeply into hell I've sunk myself, that I'm following the path to hell, nor that I must repent of my horrible sins and turn back to God. I can stand next one of Islamic faith - I can speak to them easily of their faith. I can speak to a Satanist. They tell me their beliefs, do not contradict themselves, and are comfortable just being themselves.
It is no wonder Christians have such a bad name amongst other religions. They are always trying to be better than everyone else, constantly contradict themselves, and are continuous in the belief that if you aren't one of them, you are lost and will burn in the fires of an eternal hell forever.

In answer to your original question: does Christianity mix with being Gothic? It depends on what kind of Christian you are...

Mr_Knuckles · 08-25-2006, 09:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by transformingfate

In answer to your original question: does Christianity mix with being Gothic? It depends on what kind of Christian you are...

Very well put *applauds*

Quote:

Originally Posted by transformingfate

And yet there are so many Christians who walk around pointing fingers and judging the world - when the Bible specifically says "Judge not, lest ye be judged." (Matthew 7:1, Luke 6:37)

Here is the accompanying verse:
John 7: 24 "Judge not according to the appearance but judge righteous judgement"

Basically, if you're going to judge; do it right. =)

Dark Templar · 08-26-2006, 05:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by transformingfate

It is these sorry members of society who I can't bring myself to abide. I am sorry if you may take offense at this, but hypocritical, finger-pointing, preaching people who try to shove their beliefs on others have been a cause of great and unwanted trouble in my life. I was raised in a family of them. I have seen and personally experienced what happens to a person when they believe such things, and to the people around them.

It's not pretty. Not even in the beauty of blood, violence, pain, and death. It's the ugliest thing imaginable. If there's one thing I cannot stand, it's hypocrisy.

And Christians as a group as by far the most guilty. I can stand next to a Wiccan, and she or he will not tell me how deeply into hell I've sunk myself, that I'm following the path to hell, nor that I must repent of my horrible sins and turn back to God. I can stand next one of Islamic faith - I can speak to them easily of their faith. I can speak to a Satanist. They tell me their beliefs, do not contradict themselves, and are comfortable just being themselves.
It is no wonder Christians have such a bad name amongst other religions. They are always trying to be better than everyone else, constantly contradict themselves, and are continuous in the belief that if you aren't one of them, you are lost and will burn in the fires of an eternal hell forever.

In answer to your original question: does Christianity mix with being Gothic? It depends on what kind of Christian you are...

No offense taken!

As a matther of facts i agrees whit you.

Don't Look Behind You · 08-26-2006, 06:13 AM

well, all I have to add is that any religion believes to be the right and only true one. That is natural, why else would people chose a religion or believe in something if they weren't sure it is the only truth?

Transformingfate, it is obvious that you have had bad experience in this sphere but you shouldn't go and say christians are all hypocritic and arogant fanatics. I myself am also unreligious, but I like religion. It annoys me to hear people speak so negatively about it. No believing person can be rational and tolerant by definition, I admit, but that is the interesting thing about them. The preaching type preach for their own sake, it makes them feel better since it is one of the only ways they can practice their belief and turn it into their life.
If you disagree with them don't take them seriously. Look at those that go and point fingers and talk about you going to hell as just objects deserving some analysis. If you in turn go around speaking about how pathetic they are, then you are probably not much better than they are. So stay a level above them.
Some christian religions are very pleasant...russian orthodoxy, for example. They hardly do any preaching and among these people and in the churches you feel that they've preserved, not the "holy spirit" of course, but some kind of atmosphere developed for centuries. With them it's hardly about teaching people how to live but just about having the connection with the transendant. In russian orthodoxy, to get to the theological part, Christ is not the "judge" like in protestantism but the "saviour".
Anyway, I am not trying to convert anyone...I just wanted to point out that not all the christians are preaching fanatics and that chrisianity can be beautiful as a cultural phenomenon, just as any religion, and doesn't deserve such a negative dismissal.

Dark Templar · 08-26-2006, 07:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr_Knuckles

Very nice thread. I like the fact that most of the people here are accepting. I too am of the Christian faith. As for demonination, I don't claim one (independant I guess would be appropriate)... but I do attend a Baptist church as they teach most along my alingnment with things.

I was raised by Baptists, buth sinc i developed a strong faith in God i chosed to be baptized tre years ago.

transformingfate · 08-26-2006, 08:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Don't Look Behind You

Transformingfate, it is obvious that you have had bad experience in this sphere but you shouldn't go and say christians are all hypocritic and arogant fanatics.

I am not saying all Christians are hypocritial and arrogant fanatics. I'm a Christian, and I'm not. I know other Christians who aren't.

deamon doll · 08-26-2006, 10:42 PM

im christian and i love goth stuff. but then again i believe but dont fallow. to all, there own.

pvt num 11 · 08-29-2006, 12:20 PM

Some good discussion here. I wasn't raised anything, my parents just let me whatever, so I drifted around, dabbled a bit in Wicca and Gaia stuff, but I suppose you could call me a cynical Humanist at that point. Almost a misanthrope. What can I say, then? I still distrust in people a great deal, but now I abstain from judging people based on purely external traits. I have to talk to them, ask them things, get to know them before I can ever hope to make a character decision on how they are. And even then, there is always time to change, as long as they draw breath down their lungs, so there's always the hope that they will turn out for the better, even get saved someday, or merely slide down into anger/depression/pride/self-conceit/arrogance/self-destuction even more. This appies to me, also, which is why I don't believe in the "once saved always saved" doctrine that some Christians choose to live by. Events, bad decisions and whatnot could find me living in abject sin and my own filth a year from now, if I'm not careful and I choose to take my Christianity as a light thing.

If I hadn't had chose Christ, I'd probably be at home in Oregon, drunk or stoned and whining about life. That or dead. I praise Him for the mercy and grace I really did nothing to deserve...

the_ink_bleeds_faster · 08-29-2006, 07:16 PM

I have a past friend who is a christian goth. There was nothing wrong with her, so yes, I do believe there is a such thing as christian goth.

unedifying · 09-09-2006, 05:15 PM

Aw, hell, if someone says you can't be entirely Gothic because you're a Christian, they're fucking narrow.

I'm Christian, in that I beleive that Jesus has been born again and all that kickass stuff (not those assholes that rant against gay marrige and abortion xP!!), but there is no doubting my Gothiness.

PoupeeCelestia · 09-09-2006, 05:31 PM

As you all know there are lots of different kind of "goths". So why not christian goths?. Maybe you could always find certain graze between religion and goth because everybody (yes, EVERYBODY) tends to make mistakes differentiating goth from dark.
And (just in case) darks are the kind of people who takes the Devil serious.

unedifying · 09-10-2006, 06:51 AM

Yep. Because if we were all clones of eachother (like it seems most of the Preps in peoples' schools are) we'd be really boring.

PoupeeCelestia · 09-10-2006, 08:32 AM

Hm....just for a laught. (and because I´m bored)..i´ll make a list of Goth vs. Emo.

Goth
-Prefers to wear plain black
Emo
-Likes black, with stars, diamods, whatever geometric-cute shape with a very notorious bright color
Goth
-Weeps because life has no meaning
Emo:
-Weeps because his girlfriend/boyfriend/whateverfriend just dump him/her
Goth
-Blames society for the lack of understanding
Emo
-Blames himself for being so ugly, that has nodoby to understand him/her.
Goth
-Denies it when you ask if he´s goth
Emo
-Starts to cry/weep and shows to you his scars if you ask him if he is emo.

Ok, those are just jokes of the stereotype. If you take find it ofensive, then you just taked it too serious.

Godslayer Jillian · 09-10-2006, 12:56 PM

That was awesome.

oblivia · 09-12-2006, 03:19 PM

If you look deep into the Church and poke around a bit, you'll find a vast amount of the Goth world in staining Christianity. Ancient, towering cathedrals with curling marble pillars; gem-hued stained glass windows depicting scenes of sad-faced saints mourning the loss of their lord; the scent of wine, candles, smoke and incense; soft murmurings and the clink of beaded rosaries; haunting voices singing eerie hymns in forgotten languages; death and mourning are common events and often times of celebration; a tome of stories about death, destruction, betrayal, love, loss, lust, hatred, compassion, distrust, forgiveness; sadness and sorrow as well as joy and comfort... trust me, there's plenty of room for a Goth in the Christian world.

HumanePain · 09-14-2006, 07:01 PM

Wow Oblivia, after reading your description, I almost want to go back to being a Catholic...

Delkaetre · 09-15-2006, 08:48 AM

Catholicism still has plenty of down falls. Could you manage the piety to go with the atmosphere?
The joy of goth is that you can have the atmosphere without the necessity for priests or any real belief in any gods. All parts are options- have god and the reassrance of heaven if you like, or merely enjoy the beauty of the religion without fearing hell.

Dark Templar · 09-15-2006, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Delkaetre

Catholicism still has plenty of down falls. Could you manage the piety to go with the atmosphere?
The joy of goth is that you can have the atmosphere without the necessity for priests or any real belief in any gods. All parts are options- have god and the reassrance of heaven if you like, or merely enjoy the beauty of the religion without fearing hell.

Thats wy i ame a personal Christian. You dont have annyone to tell you whats right or wrong, you have to find out your self.

PoupeeCelestia · 09-15-2006, 04:30 PM

I think a big part of you alredy know this page...christiangoth.com it`s awesome the fact that goth is such an open minded subculture....

I agree with you Dark Templar. The best way to assume a religion it`s the personal one. I personally hate going to church. People is so hypocrite....

oblivia · 09-16-2006, 05:43 AM

I was raised Catholic. As a faith, the basis of what Jesus taught, he was really on track -- what the CHURCH has done with Catholicism is what drove me away. Too much ignorance and an extreme lack of openmindedness. I find everything I loved about Catholicism in Wicca, but their is much more room to move. You aren't told "Do this or you'll burn in hell forever" -- you're told "Whatever you do will come back to you threefold" which makes you responsible for your own actions, instead of getting a boot in the butt in the end. But that's just me. Religion is NOT a good thing to get me on -- I will talk for hours and this isn't the debate forum. :P