Goths and God
EI took a team from Hillcrest Church in Dallas, Texas, to the 2010 Goth Festival in Leipzig. In 2011 EI will be heading there again with another team from Texas. Texas Christians and European Goths – kind of like oil and vinegar? Absolutely. But we go because if Jesus were walking on this earth today, He would go. Most of the Goths are spiritually lost; Jesus came to seek and save the lost.
Notice I said most. At the risk of seeming like a Goth sympathizer, I must state that not all of them, not even the majority, are Satan worshippers. While most are lost, most are not Satan worshippers. Undoubtedly, a higher percentage of Goths are Satan worshippers than bankers or realtors. But from what I have researched and experienced in talking with dozens of them is that the Satan worshipping requirement to be a Goth is more myth than reality. Perhaps another startling revelation is that some Goths would even daresay that they are Christians!
While I am on the subject of Goth myths, let me dispel a few more. Goths would say that being Goth is not a phase or a cult. And although their black humor suggests it, they are not into violence. They would describe themselves as artistic, expressing their creative flair in a unique Goth kind of way. Goths are free thinkers who have spurned the mainstream societal morals to embrace what has been previously labeled as taboo. For example, they feel free to think about and discuss death, a subject considered taboo by most people.
From their perspective an important aspect of their identity, even bigger than wearing black, is being tolerant (see www.goth.net). Ironically, what is so counter-culture about that? Tolerance is about as mainstream as it gets in post-modern Europe. If they really want to be counter-culture, maybe more of them should try Christianity.
And that is where EI enters the picture. As we mobilize teams of believers to the festivals and engage in many conversations, we really want to discover their views about Jesus Christ. After all, if anyone was a revolutionary, butting heads against the status quo, it was Jesus.
We initiate many conversations with the Goths, beginning with surface level issues, and eventually cutting to matters of the heart. The Jesus question always hits a nerve. It hit a nerve with a Goth who was interviewed by EI’s Matt Lankenau (click here for video clip) and the Goth’s response hit a nerve with us. Fair play. Matt asked, “Do you believe in God?” The Goth young man didn’t answer with the expected “No,” but instead fired back, “Why should I believe in God?” Really good answer!
The “Why” question can be difficult to answer. There are many answers…Because Jesus loves you… Because He has promised eternal life….Because shouldn’t everyone believe in God? Maybe the best approach, however, would be another question, “Why wouldn’t you believe in God?” It is certain that God has made many promises for those who take that initial step of faith. God truly is a rewarder of those who seek Him. But unless and until the Goth young man comes to a realization of his need for God – his utter sinfulness and future devastating peril without God – then there is no motivation to believe in God. So the short answer to, “Why should I…..” is, “Because without Him, you are in trouble!” Jesus wouldn’t have said, “I came to save you,” unless there was danger ahead.
As EI goes into the Goth Festivals we fully understand that we are sowers of seed. The Holy Spirit is the One who convicts and brings revelation. If we can get them to ask a few questions or to ponder their fragile belief system, just maybe a crack will open up allowing God to fill that which is missing.
When we asked a couple of Goth young women if they believe in God, one defiantly said, “I am my own God.” Her friend answered us meekly, “A little bit.” God can do something with the little bits.
Please join us in believing for a revival among European Goths. Being a Goth is not the issue; recognizing and receiving Jesus’ offer of forgiveness for their sins is what life is really all about.
Recent Comments
Sophie
Wednesday, February 1st, 2012
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automatenspiele
Monday, December 12th, 2011
Its quite refreshing to hear a Goth speaking about his experiences with religion. Quite an interesting read actually
Jonsun
Monday, October 31st, 2011
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Jeffrey Hobson
Sunday, July 24th, 2011
Wow! Incredible… You spared nothing on this project. The new site is beautiful and amazing. First class, top notch! I am proud of the EI staff and so very proud to have been able to come and be part of the team. I am praying for a larger role for me in the EI plan. You all are truly soldiers of Christ and fighting the battle well. Keep marching with your heads high for him.
yanira brown
Thursday, July 21st, 2011
Early in June of this year my family and i invaded the Goth Fest for the first time. I didn’t know what to expect but i knew that these men and women would need to hear that god created them for a purpose, loves them and desires to have them close to His side. Upon our arrival i found myself surrounded by darkness in more ways than just the clothing. I wasn’t scared, i felt compassion. I looked around and wondered “how did these people get here”? After a few moments of prayer as a team we began to approach men and women one on one or small groups. I was surprised everytime to see that they were open to hearing the gospel. Some asked alot of questions others shrugged us and our words off. No worries, you see, with every spoken word of God you are piercing the kingdom of the enemy with the power of an almighty God. Many heard and who know some may even begun to seek after God for themselves. This was a memorable day, I learned that these men and women are just like you and me, hungry for truth, for hope, for love. Not giving them hope and the good news of Salvation through Jesus would be uncompassionate of me. Jesus looks upon the multitudes with compassion because they are lost without a sheperd. As a family back in the states we continue to pray for these precious men and women. Thank you EI for the challenge and blessing in my life.