What is the Christian perspective on Goth / Emo?

Answer

A Christian’s perspective on the Gothic/Emo movement should involve avoiding the culture’s dark attitudes while still showing love to those involved in it. Certainly, there are certain aspects of the Gothic and Emo subcultures that may conflict with Christianity, but no more so than similar aspects of mainstream society. These specific communities are associated with artistic darkness—darker clothing, writing, and music. In fact, both Goth and Emo originally (and currently) referred to distinct music genres with punk origins before evolving into personal styles.

While it might appear that all Goths or Emos share the same commitment to darkness, each individual will have their own preferences regarding which aspects they choose to embrace. It is crucial to recognize that, for most Goths/Emos, it is a “dark” aesthetic they identify with, not necessarily darkness in terms of evil. Wearing black clothing is not inherently sinful, and appreciating art that features black is not inherently sinful either. The color black itself is not evil. The Gothic/Emo subculture is no more inherently wicked or incorrect than any other subculture. Criticism of Gothic/Emo followers is often triggered by a reflexive response to their unconventional appearance, but such condemnation is a sin “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”, (John 3:17). As disciples of Christ, we should rise above that “Judge not according to appearance, but judge righteous judgment.”, (John 7:24). Like all of us, they are individuals who profoundly need Christ in their lives. Every human being is on an equal footing of sin in God’s eyes “for all hI have sinned and come short of the glory of God; », (Romans 3:23), and being part of the Goth or Emo subculture makes no difference in terms of eternal security.

Can Goths or Emos come to faith in Christ and still involve themselves in a dark aesthetic? If they are glorifying Christ in what they do, yes «Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. », (1 Corinthians 10:31). We cannot impose our spiritual maturity, personal convictions, or style choices on another person—no matter how strange they may seem to us. Let the Christian Goth / Emo wrestle with his/her ideologies as God brings them out for scrutiny. What we can do is provide support, counsel, and love as the Holy Spirit guides us in our relationships «Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come. », (John 16:13).

Conforming to the image of Christ does not mean you must stop wearing black and dress like every other upper-middle-class American / Western European. That has nothing to do with Christianity. It does mean, though, that a Goth’s or Emo’s mindset and dark attitudes will undergo a change, even if the black clothes and attraction to darkness might remain to a certain extent. It is the heart that God searches «And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the LORD searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off forever. », (1 Chronicles 28:9), the heart is what we must first examine in ourselves, regardless of whether we belong to Goths, Emos, punks, gamers, jocks, etc.