Goth culture often elicits memories of moody, black-clad teenagers skulking through high school hallways. Devout religious practice and belief doesn’t fit easily with the stereotype. Maybe Satanism, but certainly not Christianity.
Gothic Christian youth are out there, though, worshiping Jesus from beneath their dark makeup. The fall issue of Geez (article not available online) points readers toward the strong presence that gothic Christians have on the web. Even the website names illuminate their dark form of religion: TheFirstChurchOfTheLivingDead.com, ShaddowCross.com, ThoseWhoMourn.com, and BloodGod.org among them.
Most of the sites focus on practicing Christianity rather than gothic culture. An overarching theme seems to be a search for acceptance, and a belief that God doesn’t judge based on image. According to ChristianGoth.com, “Christ died for everyone, even Gothic people. God doesn’t look at the outer appearance, only the heart.” —Sarah Pumroy
