Devout Catholic and a punk

  • Thread starter Thread starter child_of_God85
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
What about all those goths who wear a devotion to St Peter around their necks/on t-shirts/tattoos?

(I am of course talking about the upside-down cross, on which the Prince of the Apostles was crucified, which only became a symbol of the devil in Protestant eyes after the Reformation!)
 
Ok , I was just joking, I hope this doesn’t get stupid. The punk/hardcore is alot different now then in the early eighties. Then, if you didn’t live the life, you were a “poser”. Now its a style and not as much a lifestyle. I say , if the tunes don’t conflict to the message you are wanting to put across (ahhem, Catholic), then who cares. I was only 15 once. My wife might contest that, but now I have a 16 yo son listening to Black Flag , GBH, Govn’t Issue… the bands I used to go see when I was his age. Just get it right, ok. 😃 Tim
 
DL82 said:
What about all those goths who wear a devotion to St Peter around their necks/on t-shirts/tattoos?

(I am of course talking about the upside-down cross, on which the Prince of the Apostles was crucified, which only became a symbol of the devil in Protestant eyes after the Reformation!)
Click to expand...
It’s like the pentagram, which orginally stood for the five wounds of Christ. Goth uses symbolism a lot and different symbols mean different things to different Goths.
 
Dear ChildofGod85,

Have you visited

deathtotheworld.com

For lack of a better word, it’s an Orthodox 'zine aimed at punx.

And someone here told the story of a stereotypical punk (green hair, tats, piercings, leather, whole nine yards) who had a vision of St. John Maximovitch of San Francisco while on the Geary Bus–which oddly enough, goes right by the Cathedreal of Our Lady Joy of All Who Sorrow where his relics are enshrined.

As I said, the story sounds exactly like something St. John would do. It’s right in character for him.

If my :twocents: matters, I would advise against getting a tattoo. Once you have one, you have it–and there’s very little you can do about it years down the road should you regret it.

And they might look exotic while you’re young, but when you’re my age, you’ll just look like an out-of-work tiltawhirl operator.
 
bpbasilphx said:
Dear ChildofGod85,

Have you visited

deathtotheworld.com

For lack of a better word, it’s an Orthodox 'zine aimed at punx.

And someone here told the story of a stereotypical punk (green hair, tats, piercings, leather, whole nine yards) who had a vision of St. John Maximovitch of San Francisco while on the Geary Bus–which oddly enough, goes right by the Cathedreal of Our Lady Joy of All Who Sorrow where his relics are enshrined.

As I said, the story sounds exactly like something St. John would do. It’s right in character for him.

If my :twocents: matters, I would advise against getting a tattoo. Once you have one, you have it–and there’s very little you can do about it years down the road should you regret it.

And they might look exotic while you’re young, but when you’re my age, you’ll just look like an out-of-work tiltawhirl operator.
Click to expand...
Maybe i’ll just stick with stick on tattoos:p
Thats an intersting website. Is it approved by the Vatican?
 
Grown up punk here… now I am your kid’s CCD teacher, wife, mom of a teen and a corporate manager 🙂

Two tats, and planning on another soon.

Rock on.
 
my opinion on it is that people who wear very defined clothes are trying to stand apart from the crowd, some more obvious than most, the main catholic view is: to live in the world but not be of the world, and so be naturally behave differently to many seculars, but there is a thin line between where catholics differ from others and being rebellious, which we all know stems from pride, to rebel usually is just to go against others mainly for no reason, or no good reason, whatsoever. when people do this they seem to need to express themselves and show others that they are (want to be) different, not that I am judging you as I dont know you or your specific reasons, but as many are rebelling, without a cause, they want to be so different, from ‘normal’ or ‘plain’ people, many ironically become a parts of other groups who have rebelled and some fall into categories of punks, goths, hippies etc. people will always want to imitate others as we are social creatures, but the difference with catholics and rebels is we follow Christ, they usually follow some(one) subconsciously, large amounts of these mainly just differ in clothing, and because there is such a variety they want to be so ‘unique’ they will against others that they think are falling into the crowd and by doing so they fall into another crowd, the rebellious, wearing strange things they presume no-one else wear, either unusually eye-soringly bright or depressingly dark melancholy garments, and this is, I believe, subconsciously showing they are overly optimistic or depressed/ fascinated with death, while some saints were influenced by death, (St. Francis used to sometimes bring a skull around to remind him of death, but only so he would live to the best catholic he could be with his inevitable death in mind, so as not to get to relaxed in this exile, we are all pilgrims on earth) St. Francis was so catholic he didnt care what clothes he wore or what people saw what he wore, many say they dont care what people think of their clothes but the opposite is true as they put so much effort into thinking what to wear and what clothes look strange, so strange others would likely wear them, he cared so little he threw his fathers clothes off to denounce the world.(dont get any ideas this I presume was zeal, im sure he would have been more modest in second thoughts!), he was humble and wore the worst clothes he could get, not that he chose them he recieved them and cut them into the shape of the cross, as we see on all franciscans, if we really didnt care about clothes so much we wouldnt have to be writing so much about them, and if we had to chose we should choose the cheapest (although not rags if we can afford it, so to dress respectively in Holy Mass for God), if any colour I suggest a nice humble green or brown, and dont worry if others have the same as you, you didnt copy them, you just bought the cheapest on sale at the cheapest shop around so you could give the rest to a good cause, we shouldnt have to much clothes either as we model ourselves on Jesus and His saints remember they didnt have wardrobes full of them just a pair or 2, the very most should be 7 including our sunday best, so dont worry about the neighbours who have an outfit for all 365 days, we’re catholic. if you honestly considered it you should not dress like punks or goths, Jesus although very different(morally) wore the normal (modest) attire of His day, and so should we shirts and pants for men and blouses and dresses for women, so what if people consider it old-fashioned, I think a catholic would be more respectful if they were modest than following the ways of the world, I myself used to wear hoodies, shorts, khaki pants the whole lot, its cool alright but not that repectful, we know that our bodies are the temples of God so we make sure to eat healthy, not abuse ourselves by putting ourselves into danger or by impurity but we forget this when it comes to the external apperance, sticking bits of metal into tongues, noses, pumping ink into our skin to make pictures, dyeing our hair so we can make our bodies so unrecognizable to what God gave us, thinking we can improve or decorate it better even though we have been made in the image of Him who is perfect. to be cond.
 
we say we want to be unique, but are we not already?, there is only one of you in the world, even if you have a twin you are still different, if you want to be more so, then wear a different coloured jumper if you have to. if we wear clothes because of others, to be (un)like them we are not being unique we are conforming to the world, and satan is the prince of the world at the moment if we havent been told already, if we get a tatoo excluding tatoos we got when younger without knowledge of Christ then we are conforming even if we are using the excuse that we will get a one that is ‘religious’(I doubt God would approve it anyway) or different as we are still conforming to the world by getting it, others didnt need to get them before it started, nor do we, and the saints certainly didnt get them! we can try to justify these new fashions but we know that if Jesus was living in this time He would be slightly more interested in spiritual matters, if a child was to look at a catholic dressed in black, hair dyed, black make-up, the whole get-up. what would the child think would it associate this person with a loving follower of God or to a depressed confused goth, if not a satanist.(keeping in mind that this does not account for all these people as it is a stereotypical description, but dont deny that people do not consider these options) simply put it would not be the picture of a role model for that child. you would not see a satanist wear a cross or Crucifix, so why do catholics wear objects of the occult (you would be suprised with a little research where many symbols and objects originate e.g the ‘horn’, peace symbol(suprisingly!), forms of skulls, stars etc. so dont follow the crowd by trying to deliberately go against it, as the main difference is our morals, but even St. Paul says in his letters that we should do as the local customs do (as long as it isnt against God or originate from evil) so for conscience sake as he says do not go against something unless it goes against God otherwise we are being disobedient and rebellious without realising it or thinking that it is for a good cause, remember when holy father Pope Benedict went to turkey recently how he followed their customs, one being the way they join their hands in prayer, you would think that a Catholic especially Pope!, would make sure not to follow any ways of a muslim but he followed the ways that didnt go against God. so dont follow the ways of the world just because we are told by satans media to ‘break the mould’, ‘do things your own way’, ‘dont conform to the ‘Man’’, but you should conform to the Man who is Christ so long as it is not directly against Him as this is being obedient the opposite of satan who teaches people his way or rebellion for no cause, once you rebel pointlessly against society, it will not be long before it is against, family, authority and eventually God. sorry for making this as long as it is, I will leave you so words of wisdom - St Padre Pio came to a woman (catholic) who was very vain and in a dream he came up to her and told her that a woman of Christ does not follow these ways and started to rub off her nail paint from her hands, when she woke she could smell his trademark smell of flowers, and not certain but I think that her nail paint was gone, but after that vision she didnt follow the customs of the world, and lastly Our Lady of Fatima told the children that there would arise customs and fashions that greatly offended Jesus. . . that was back in 1917 how much that is relevent in our time with its obsession with fashion. God bless and stay godly 👍
 
Actually, “punk” is a sort of firemaking material. The various senses referring to humans came from that.
 
Well first off, I’m not really a punk, and am not a goth (Though I do listen to both types of music, as well as Jazz, Classical music and other types too - I listen to more Classical music than anything else, and after that is Metal, I don’t listen to Classical music outside the house much, I listen to it at the computer, when reading, relaxing, or falling asleep. I listen to metal outside the house a lot, I listen to it at the computer too, and the odd time when reading, or bored. Music also depends on my mood!), I am first and foremost a Catholic, and a Metalhead (or as I like to say, simply “A Catholic Metalhead” 😛 ). So now we have the third style!

Generally I wear just jeans, converses (Used to wear boots, mostly to music gigs or concerts, but they’re gone, to gigs I’d sometimes wear spikes, but I’m no longer bothered with them anymore either) and black band/group t-shirts, this would be the only thing people mis-interperate*, and for a while I’ve usually been wearing jumpers (black with zips, “normal” jumpers you’d get in any shop) over them, but for the last while I’ve been wearing mostly stylish shirts, that can be used as formal or informal. So if you see me on the street, or in Mass, it would be hard to tell I’m a metalhead, because the only real give away are my t-shirts, now somewhat covered by my shirts, though the images are still maybe 35-60% visable at times.

*Band T-shirts for metal bands usually have images to do with a certain theme of their music, or album, such as at present I’m wearing an Opeth t-shirt, basically the image is: A woman lying on the ground, in a dress, large lit candles, with gothic styled Church windows in the background and the word: OPETH written in a gothic style (Though this music is not gothic) at the top, while other styles could be a hooded figure with an outstretched arm with a cupped hand with long nails, while the other holds a long scythe. These images for some older Catholics might be a little bad, and would assume straight away I’m a Godless rocker, like more than half the people I know.

Another thing is my hair, my hair is perfectly straight up spiked with gel, some see this as somewhat extreme, I just do it because I like how it looks, not attention, I do not actually like attention, especially if a fellow Catholic assumes me to be like all the other wasters, or Godless teens. At present I could do with a haircut, it’s at a normal length without gel, but when I gel it up, it looks about three times as long!

As well as this I wear the Miraculous Medal around my neck at all times, as well as a ring saying “Nos Autem in Nomini Domini”, in English “We believe in the Power of the Lord”, from Pslam 20 I believe, something I bought from my school as we left. I’m not afraid to say I’m Catholic.

I, as a Catholic, am certainly willing to defend my faith whenever it is needed, though I do tend to be a little too cautious (ie, I try my best not to be too pushy, or to offend, not just with other metalheads, punks, goths or rockers, but with anyone, I’m afraid they’ll be offended, or think I’m a boring religious nut 😦 - note: This is only in person, of course the internet is far easier, most definately with the readily available information and sources, namely this site for one) when doing it unfortunetly. I know far more about the Church than 95% of people my age, or “my style”, so to speak, yet in the bigger picture, my knowledge compared to most people on this site is marginalised. I’m not going to pretend I’m a great Catholic, I do sin too (Nothing too crazy so far, and absolutely nothing against the law of course), knowingly (because as a human I am weak, it is not an excuse, rather a lack of strength on my part), but at that I do my best to make Confession.

Simply put, if the style of clothing is not anti-Catholic, or anything Catholic related (Such as pro-abortion slogans, anti-God etc…), or offensive/indecent (something very revealing, or containing offensive slogans/images) I don’t see what the problem is. If I go into a Church dressed all in black, this does not mean I am any less Catholic than anyone else present, it may look odd, or stand out though.

I’m sick of people who say they’re punk, emo, goth or whatever, is to be different. I just dress in whatever way I like, because I like how it looks, I listed to the music I listen to, because I like what it sounds like. And you know what? I am different, I’m thankful I’m different to all of them, by retaining my faith! 😉
 
child_of_God85 said:
I don’t dress this way to send a message or to get attention. I like the clothes. I also don’t want to dress like the ‘normal’ girls of my age group dress. Everytime I try shopping for a blouse or a skirt it takes me forever to find something that doesn’t look like a stripper would wear.
I wouldn’t call my self a punk in anything else but appearance. I don’t believe in dressing a cetain way for attention, and I wouldn’t call myself vain. I spend less time in front of the mirror than the rest of my family. I usually just make sure I’m clean and look well put together.
I used to dress like girls my age to follow the norm. I can tell, I never felt good about myself or comfortable. I felt awful about myself. I was always worrying about what I looked like. Sinse I started dressing like this I feel better about myself, more covered up, and I don’t worry about how I look.
As far as the tattoo thing, It’s not something I would get without putting a lot of thought into it. I have to take two things into consideration. 1. will I regret it someday. 2. will my mom let me live through the night if I do get one:p I love the Rosary. It’s my favorite prayer, I say it every night along with the devine mercy. I even have my own Rosary making business. So I would love to get a tattoo of a Rosary (a small one) to show my devotion. But it’s not a definate thing.
And to answer someones question, I’m not that into the punk music. I have some songs, but most of the songs I’ve heard I don’t like the lyrics (too questionable). I like rock music and a lot of classical (I think most would consider me a very strange punk:p ).
Click to expand...
In other words… you’re just pretending to be punk? But you’re not actually one of them?

So… you’re wearing a disguise?

Dress how you want, but don’t say you’re a punk if you only like the outfit.

That’s like saying I’m in the NBA just because I have a jersey.

Anyway, God is not a petty, immature child. He does not care how you dress. He does not care where you were born. He does not care what religion you are (gasp!). This is because, again, God is not a superficial, artificial, jealous pundit of a ruler who factions off his creations by certain traits and then plays favorites damning some and saving others.

Don’t worry about it.
 
DL82 said:
What about all those goths who wear a devotion to St Peter around their necks/on t-shirts/tattoos?

(I am of course talking about the upside-down cross, on which the Prince of the Apostles was crucified, which only became a symbol of the devil in Protestant eyes after the Reformation!)
Click to expand...
and

the skull and cross bones are also a reference to Golgatha and the cross.
From early Roman times on through the Middle Ages, skulls and long bones were associated with death, long before they became symbols of piracy. Skulls and long bones were displayed in catacombs, monasteries, churches, church crypts and graveyards. They are the bones that resist decay the longest, and remain long after the corpse has gone. They were then carefully laid out respecting the dead. Later, skull and long bones crossed were depicted or sculpted in said places, especially above the entrances to churches and graveyards. They served as a Memento Mori, meaning “remind yourself of your own death.” It was a general warning against the sin of vanity, reminding bypassers of their mortality. Thus, it became at once a common symbol of death and decay and a warning against the vagaries of fortune, as well as a first hint of an emerging sense of egalitarianism: in death, we are all equal. Thus, when appearing on pirate flags, the allusion to death would be instantly understood by any observer.
Click to expand...
 
Rawb said:
I think you and Goth Catholic would get along really well. 😃 She’s around here somewhere usually, and is also a devout Catholic, despite dressing what many would call ‘alternatively’.

I think you aught to be dressed formally or at least semi-formally while at Mass. Other than that, Jesus did not give us a dress code, within the bounds of modesty (which it sounds like you’re trying to obey).
Click to expand...
 
when I taught in a catholic (small c) high school I would inform the students that we have a dress code to encourage inner spirituality and class…that clothes…ie fashion is just a whim of the ruling class and its fashion industry! Your note is like the comments I would say 30 years ago…dont judge folks…if your daughters new boy friend comes a visiting on a motorcycle,wearing a leather jacket with a swasticka on the back,etc…so what…at least he’s not a red sox fan etc etc…of course clothes matter…your note sounds like a ‘in your face’ bit…holloween is on just one day of the year…it takes guts to not be pc and dress in a neat but not a …hey look at me,this is all I have to offer …try growing up… Nino
 
Nino said:
holloween is on just one day of the year…it takes guts to not be pc and dress in a neat but not a …hey look at me,this is all I have to offer …try growing up… Nino
Click to expand...
“Halloween” is everyday of my life, but just because my clothes are black, that doesn’t mean I’m not modest about them. Sure I like ripped t-shirts and fishnets, but often I use them as layers because I don’t like wearing just a cami, especially with annoying bra straps that don’t stay covered. Skirts are often worn over pants and I wouldn’t be caught dead in low riding jeans. I’m more concerative then 80 percent of my high school.

Clothes have nothing to do with maturity.
 
I think it’s a phase you are going through and you will eventually outgrow this as you mature. Just don’t do anything permanent to yourself that you will later regret, and I would ditch the skulls because they symbolize death, and we Christians are about life.
Can you picture your grandmother dressing as you do now? That’s why I say you will outgrow it. God bless you.

What do you mean by the term “consecrated virgin”?
 
Wow what a great discussion!! First of all, let me not what an occurrence to have begun this thread on the Feast of the Assumption!! And let me offer this, since you have thus consecrated yourself to the Blessed Mother and virginity…maybe it is best that you seek her direction first. Of course a mother virgin from beginning would guide you properly. You will know b/c you will begin to see things through her eyes. I think you sound like a wonderful young lady. Furthermore, I’d like to say that some Friar habits along w/ other habits worn by saints over the years were definitely statement making- some causing them to become martyrs.

I will pray for you to be led by Our Mother and the Holy Spirit.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top