[blah__x]

ok where do i start?
i come from a religious family..the whole "god loves us" and i was brought up with all the biblical stories (i think, from what i know, that many of the stories in the bible are also found in the Koran so sorry to say "Biblical stories" if any is offended)...i'm not incredibly religious myself. i do believe in god and stuff but im not a "church goer" so to speak

NOW, what the problem is, is my family (particularly a brother) has an issue with mental health validity and any voices are oh so definitely satan to them. depression- oh that’s apparently satan too.

ALSO, i don’t go by any style in particular, i do my own thing, but i’m commonly reffered to as a goth or whatever you wanna call me. (well, put it this way: i wear a lot of black, love heavy metal and wear enough eyeliner to re-write the davinci code.) THAT, apparently, is “DEVIL-WORSHIPPING” to my family (and, it would seem, the wider public)

look i’m not running up anyone who is religious or has these beliefs. my problem is the way its “FORCED” onto me and every day I just cop crap like “oh gone to worship your devils today??” and it drives me crazy!!

S-O-S

[tranquility]

Hi Gabriel,

I understand what you are saying. I posted earlier what my beliefs are on "where did we all come from, where are we all going" thread.

I guess there is such a thing as devil worshipping even though I don't believe in the devil, but one would not know who worships the devil by looking at them.

I think what happens is that alot of people have a preconceived notion of "what is bad or evil". In my opinion being goth or wearing black, makeup,etc. does not make one evil; rather, it's a way of expressing oneself in a creative fashion. I think it's great!

Someone recently told me to control my anger during road rage, to think that the person who is making me angry has limited thinking and they are not able to act in a way that is considerate of others. I liked this and I had been applying that to other areas of my life.

So, when these people say these things, try not to take it personally, just think of them as having limited thinking. And keep doing what you are doing. If it makes you happy and you aren't hurting anyone then that is all that matters!

Tranquility

[blah__x]

thank you!

[SilentDeath]

ouch. yup. get that all the time too.

nice way of seeing things tranquility. some good advice..

[Perna]

I would try to be as good humored in the face of insensitive, obnoxious comments as I could be; if asked if I'm off to worship my devils today I'd reply with a smile/laugh, "Yes, _______, my pet gargoyle and I (the blank is to insert a good pet gargoyle name :-) are off to visit our friends". If you "agree" with people they can't logically keep "fighting" because there's nothing there to resist. That's the meaning of the Bible's "turn the other cheek" remark. Agree with them in some way and they have no ammunition. Even if they say something pointed, thank them for their: concern, comment, thoughts, ideas, some "positive" word, with a smile and what further can they say or do? Pointed questions, "Why are you being this way?" you can just answer with mild, pleasant bemusement, "What way is that?" and just keep stonewalling. Try to enjoy yourself as you think up responses and see their frustration that they can't rattle/upset you to make up for any hurt/frustration at their closed-minded attitudes. I don't discuss my religious beliefs with anyone who doesn't have an open mind; if people get too insensitive and insistent I say that and then "leave". It doesn't directly say you don't feel that particular person doesn't have an open mind but since you won't talk to them. . .

[selfy]

ouch, religion is always difficult. especially the satan and devil worship thing. personally unless you are lighting many candles in your basement and sacrificing small goats and singing weird tunes to satan, you arent worshipping him. wear whatever u like, you obviously cant please your family without changing your whole character, so dont try. just try to not get too wound up by it all.
take care
self
P.S how does your bro react to thinking he is posessed by the devil???

[KathyM]

You might not want to follow my suggestion, but here goes......

So, they don't like your fashion sense and music preference. When I was a kid, people thought I worshipped the devil because I liked Black Sabbath - c'mon, does Ozzie really act like he worships the "devil?" They also thought I was a "*****" because I liked to wear hot pants and tube tops (what can I say, I was a hottie back then and they were in style).

I suggest the next time you have to be around religious friends/family members, take yourself a bath, then show up stark naked and say "I've been "saved."

[altonwoodsdrphil]

gabriel, I pray that you,an obviously sensitive/intelligent person will understand that "christian" people are known by their love for others,not the garbage you're family is dumping on you.try to understand that among any group of people you will have the good,the bad,and the ugly...but when it's people who presume to love God and hate their brother God considers them to be "liars",please,don't be taken in by this deception of what a christian is.knowing our Lord personally is like nothing else,he's seeking a relationship with you because he loves you,be well...take care!

(((((((((gabriel))))))))))))

Marilyn Manson rocks! I'm 42 and still am a bit of a goth!

If people judge you by what you wear they are shallow and it is their problem! Keep on wearing what you wear and TO HELL with the rest of em!!!!!! I'm sick of people judging too, we sell goth, punk, metal and rock accessories and t-shirts and I wear all the eyeliner you don't buy lol. Do your own thing and be proud, like I say, people who judge before knowing you are shallow and not worth worrying over, you should see some of the looks our stall gets hee hee.

love, jinny xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo