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First of I'll say I'm not a fan of steriotypes...why should we put people in a box? But if I use a term like emo or goth excuse me, I'm just used to people expecting me to describe people that way....

So do you think its okay for christians to be "emo" -listen to emo music, dress in punk/goth style, ect...?

Also I want to know your opinions of Christian cutters? Do you think cutting is a sin? Do you look at people differently when you know they're a cutter? Do you know/Are you a Christian cutter?

Share your own experiences as a christian "emo" or cutter...

Listen to the music you choose, so long as it makes you happy, and you're spirit does not question whether or not you ought to listen to it.

Dress how you like. As long as you are comfortable with the way you look, great. Have fun with all the dark makeup you like or your sidebang. Most of us dress in a manner that makes us feel good. You should be no different.

Cutting I will take a stand on, though. I don't like it at all. It's a destructive and unhealthy way of dealing with things. One might equate it to the destruction of a temple, since that's what our bodies are. I think it is probably a sin, although at this time I am not providing Scripture to back up this view. Do I look at them differently? No, I don't think so. Everyone has their demons. This is theirs. I have mine, and you have yours. I used to cut, but realized what I was doing to myself pretty early on, and I stopped. It wasn't making my life easier or my problems go away. I am, above all, a rationalist and a practical person. If it was causing me harm, and not giving me anything else in return, why bother? So I put down the razor, and I encourage others to do the same. I encourage those who cut to give another avenue a shot when it comes to dealing with personal issues.

WOW!! lol a friend of mine saw ur post and told me about u and thought i could help. i used to cut. lol i was going through alot of crap in life and thought it was a-o-k to do it. but i went to the hospital twice and had almost died both times. in the bible it does say that harming yourself is a sin. Because once you think about it god made you and he wouldnt want you to destroy yourself because you are his child. and suicide is a sin to. it says in the bible that you DO go to hell for suicide. About the whole emo thing well i suggest getting counsling, not trying to be mean or ne thing but most ppl that say they r emo arnt. they really just want attention. emo is just a word. its not really a feeling. thats what u call depression which i had and i might still hav it. lol not to good lol. dressing punk/goth is fine cause thats how i am lol. it doesnt matter what u look like . christians look different all over the world! Its that if you hav christ in your heart that is wat is important. Here is a little tip i give out to all me friends that cut. Use an ice cube. its does sound pretty wierd but it works. when ever you hav that urge to cut take and ice cube and squeeze it. it hurts but it doesnt hurt you. Also while you are doing this pray. pray to god and ask him to help you get rid of this horrible habbit! If you have any questions im here ! i will add u as a friend so yeah ! lol i will tell you more about my life story later so u can understand it all lol. its pretty long. well GOD BLESS!!

I've been a Christian for almost 2 and half years. For about a year and half of it I was a person who did [self-harm]. I used various ways to hurt myself besides cutting, but cutting was what I used the most. Do I think it's sin? Most definitely and I'll tell you why. One because we aren't suppose to harm our body (the temple of the holy spirit). So for taht reason yes I believe it is sin. But also when you are forgiven you are no longer feeling the shame that came with your sins you are dancing in freedom. However when you cut, yea you do it, but I never met a person who wasn't ashamed of it. It's normally always hidden out of view and it's kept secret until someone accidentally discovers it. If it wasn't a sin there would be no reason for these people to feel shame. And I can tell you there is a difference when I worship God now than when I did when I was cutting or when I was causing myself to throw up or other things. every now and then I do relaspe to that mentality about needing to hurt myself to deal with emotionally stuff and it's because it was an addiction. I needed that pain the same way someone needs a cig. to get through a stressful day. That in it's own is sin because I was putting to before God.

Music I only listen to Christian music...I don't think secular music will send you to hell but I do believe it can tempt you, but that's another debate for another day. And clothing as long as it's modest and not revealing I see nothing wrong with clothing.

Christian Emo, good question. I've actually learned that there are 2 types of emo. The first is the cutter emo. The second is like the genre of music, such as Dashboard Confessional is considered emo. They don't cut themselves, their music is just emotional. Then there is Christian Emo, which is like The Almost (a band on the Christian Rock label Tooth and Nail.) Then their is screamo, which is hardcore and emo, (Underoath, which also happens to be a Christian band.) Now that's just to set the record on what emo really is. I do think cutting, sin or not, is horrible and do not condone it (wow, I've always wanted to use that word.) Now that being said, if you know someone that cuts or harms themselves in anyway, embrace them, give them a reason to be happy, make friends with them, then talk to them. Don't talk about the cutting. Talk about their other problems. If they open up to you, you can talk to them about the problems that cause the cutting and then help them stop. Simple (although it sounds complicated.)

i say christians can be emo.. dress punk listen to punk music... but dont go too far.. God just wants us to be oursdelves and whatever makes us happy.. he'll aproove as long us it doesent destroy the rule... i think cutting is a sin.. because .. God made us and made us beautifull... right??.. why would we destroy something God has made... Suicide .. too! is a sin... it says that you go to hell wehn u do suicide...