I was talking to a friend the other day about random stereotypes when I mentioned that I thought goths were cool. Instantly, my friend went off about how God hates “those devil worshipping freaks.” I’ve known some Christian goths in the past. But my friend’s hateful accusations stayed on my mind. Is it true goths will all go to hell?

Ryann

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Ryann,

Labels are one of those things that we as flawed humans use to categorize, and classify things. In many cases once we slap a label on something we think we understand everything we need to know. This label can be just about anything, Goth, Punk, Mormon, Catholic, Baptist, Republican, Democrat, Nerd, Jock, Cheerleader, and so many, many more. These labels become a mental short cut in dealing with that person so we can focus on other things.

Your friend’s reaction is a perfect example. This friend of yours is condemning a large group of people based on either their experience with what a small group of Goths has done or worst yet based on what they think a group of Goths must do just because they are Goths.

God doesn’t use such short cuts. He judges each person individually and perfectly. Now there are actions and things we do that God doesn’t like. We all fall short in this area, Goths as much as anyone else. If we accept your friend’s claim against Goths that god ‘hates’ them because they fall short then we have to make the claim that God ‘hates’ everyone because we all fall short. We know this is not true. God Loves everyone and has provided away for everyone to overcome our short comings. Goths included.

So Ryann I would hope you come to realize that when people try telling you what group of people God ‘hates’ that they are really just showing you what they hate and one of the areas where they fall short.

Gramps