So called "Normal" people and goths?

Question

Why do so called "normal" people think people who wear black clothing and think things a little differently are a cult or satan worshipers and crap? I was a goth, but I never worshiped the devil and I didn't practice witchcraft.

Just a side note, I do not believe Pagan's are bad. That's just one of the two names that people like to throw around with goth people. Pagan's have been around since before Christains!

Answer 1

People are threatened by what they don't understand. I used to be "goth" too and found that a lot of people just don't get it and so instead of ignoring it or being happy to not dress that way, they felt they had to harass me. Their discomfort made me dress even more extremely, because I knew that deep down, they understood that their harassment was just a manifestation of their ignorance and small mindedness. Rock on!!!
(PS witchcraft isn't a bad thing honey, look it up. wicca / paganism - why doesn't anybody understand this?)

Answer 2

I'm a so called "normal" person who has no problem with those who choose the Gothic lifestyle. Just because they're different from me, doesn't mean I have the right to look down my nose at them. As far as body piercings and tattoos go, I just think, Ouch! If that's what a person wants to do with their body, fine. They are just expressing themselves. And, no, I don't automatically think they are in a cult, or worship Satan.

Heck, my oldest granddaughter is Goth! Big deal. That's the way she is. Doesn't bother me one bit. Course, I'm also among the minority in the family. I chuckle about it and tell her to do the same.

And, Jeancommunicates, I agree with another person who answered this question: you haven't a clue.

Answer 3

Because people like to stereotype and pigeon-hole people. I was goth before goth was a common word. Back in my day in HS, I was just called "weird" lol. I did study wicca, though. I don't practice it, but I did read up on it. Very interesting stuff IMO. Never worshipped the devil as I don't believe in that nonsense.

Answer 4

stereotypes (especially negative ones) help people deal with things that they don't know, aren't comfortable with, or are afraid of. "this person" is "this" so it is ok if I stay away, look down, make fun of them. The majority of this is simply because people are insecure .

then you take the average person. they live in a little box, the live/work/talk mostly with people very similar to them. The majority of their oppinions on cultures that they do not know is based on television, which of course dramatizes everything.

your best course of action, is to just prove them wrong. befriend people from all walks. second best would be to ignore them.

but also realise that "goth" or any other "rebelious look, thrives because it is a rebellion to the norm. Kind of like tribal paint, people dress certain ways to immediately identify themselfs as with or against a certain crowd. even if they'd never admit to it. A fair amount is actually rebellion from your parent's way of life.. i.e. my parents are so boring, I'll never be like that, just look at my eye liner. (which explains, people's attractions to the look as well... "wow that person is sooooo unique they must really be something") But if you choose to take such a harsh response to the "norm" don't assume that you will just coast through life and be accepted everywhere as "normal" it is pretty much a self perpetuated image, as in everything, people will treat you how you show them that you should be treated.

Lastly, reacting to trends is just as bad as following them. To truly be unique, stop caring what other people think of you, and base your self worth on what you think of yourself.

Answer 5

On your post:
Me neither - People assume too much. I just had to let them see that I was a person, just as much as they were. It's a real surprise for some people, who were fed on media stereotypes and thought that goths are violent/evil/satan worshippers, et cetera. Oh well, be tolerant and be yourself and they'll more likely than not come around. :)

Answer 6

I have cousins who dressed goth and told me they did it just to get attention. They pierced themselves and wore weird make-up because they thought they were ugly. It is just a form of expression and rebellion to go against the norm. Other people react in different ways where they would rather not be noticed if they had low self-esteem but goth people like the reactions.

Answer 7

Maybe this is an American thing. I was a goth as well and no-one thought I worshipped Satan. I think they just thought I was a bit silly.

Jeancommunicates: Shut up. You're making yourself sound like a ****.

Answer 8

I don't really know any goths, but I can identify them by the way they dress, just like everyone else with a pair of working eyes. I don't assume they are devil worshippers, or in a cult. I've never bothered to talk to one and find out they way they think, either.

Maybe it isn't cool to judge people on sight, but I suppose they dress that way so that people WON'T wonder about them, huh? They like the attention, or they'd find a way to blend in better and not illicit the stares and assumptions from us normal people.

Answer 9

Everyone tries to make themselves different with this goth thing that they look normal and average now.

Answer 10

yeah, i got ya. just because you listen to metal and wear black doesn't mean you're a satanist or depessed. a lady actually stopped me in a store before and lectured me about sucide. then she started preaching at me! i told her "ever hear of 'Judge not, least ye be judged by your creator' this guy Jesus said it"