I was doing some research about the dangers of the occult and I found the group "Sisters of the Golden Moon." I saw your site listed in its web ring. I see at your site that you are a professing Christian. May I warn you in the strongest terms to stay away from groups that include witches, wiccan, tarot, psychics, spells. All of these practices are mentioned in the site descriptions in the web ring. This group also advocates for the practice of Wiccan on US Army bases. See their link to Causes from the main site. Please see the following sites for more information about the Christian response to Wiccan, horoscopes, etc. http://members.aol.com/DianeSDew/occult.htm, http://www.christianity.net/tcw/8W5/8W5090.html, http://www.christianity.net/tcw/9W3/9W3060.html. What does the Bible say about witches? Galatians 5:19-21 The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. Revelation 21:8 But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars--their place will be in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death. Deuteronomy 18:10-12 "Let no one be found among you who sacrifices his son or daughter in the fire, who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead. Anyone who does these things is detestable to the LORD, and because of these detestable practices the LORD your God will drive out those nations before you." I am praying that you will seek God's direction in your life concerning this group. May God bless you. Your Sister -S

This is my friend Fire Escape's reply to the above letter:

My fellow Christians, Jesus said we are the SALT of the earth and the LIGHT of the world but I ask you this: What GOOD is the "salt" if stays in a Christian salt shaker? Where is the salt of our witness needed?

It's needed where the food is without flavor or where the food requires preserving! What BETTER place for believers to be than in the midst of those who are lost? How else will they ever see the light of the gospel if we are not present with them as friends and caring people to shine it before them.

Many Christians condemn and judge those who participate in or hold memberships in various internet organizations or sisterhoods such as Crystal Loyalty, Circle of Spiritual Women or Sisters of the Golden Moon. However belonging to such things does NOT mean one agrees with or supports all the views or faiths of the entire membership, that would just be ludicrous. The very foundation of these groups is diversity and so people of all faiths and cultures are going to be found therein. This includes Christians, Jews, Muslims, Buddhists and Wiccans (deal with it). It also means that one is secure enough in their OWN faith and beliefs that they do not have to condemn or shun those of other paths in order to feel holy. Jesus commands us to love everyone and to share our faith in LOVE, not wield it like a weapon for bludgeoning the unsaved.

If you are visiting this site and wondering why a Christian is involved with such people or groups then I pray that the Lord will open your eyes and give you understanding. Not everyone is gifted with a tolerant spirit and a burden for the unsaved but all things are possible through Christ so keep the faith and ask God to show you how you can reach those in inaccessible places. Don't be afraid to be a friend to someone who calls God by a different name.

Unless more Christians place themselves in positions within organizations like Netsisters, SGM and LOTH they will continue to reflect only the beliefs and worldviews of their members. If the salt is afraid to go on the food, who can blame the food for being without flavor? When it comes to witnessing, some people like to stand on the outside with signs shouting at people to repent or burn in hell. But others of us prefer to waltz in the front door, roll up our sleeves and guide by example from the inside out.

Yes there are wiccans, pagans and newagers in these groups. Yes some are probably managed or run by such people. Big deal. These people are not the enemy. Their beliefs and practices are in no way less spiritual or sincere than those of devout Jews, Muslims or Hindus. These sisterhood groups do not exist to promote their faith above any one else's. You really can't say the same for some of the Christian sisterhoods out on the web. So I guess I fail to see why so many believers go apoplectic at the mention of wicca or other pagan/new age theologies. It's no less and no more erroneous than any other non-Christian faith. If you want to boycott something because it's not 100% Christian then you had better call up Jesus and ask Him to take you home pronto, because hon, this world is a far cry from 100% Christian and you just have to get over it and try to love people into the kingdom of Christ in any way that you can.

In Christ,
Fire Escape

This letter was sent to my friend Fire Escape about her website style:

Honey, I'm not convinced you can be Christian and goth. It's not in my Bible.  Your website is riddled with images of devils. The tv shows you love are ditto. The word delusion comes to mind. 2 Thessalonians 2:11  And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: You are leading others into darkness, away from the light, as you also have been led. The fact that you follow the Lutheran religion is, I think, significant to the goth spirit with its strong germanic spirits.  Deliverance is needed for you. I grieve for you.  You are obviously a gifted person but your gifts are being perverted to the devil's use. I pray that you will come to the true light.  In Jesus' name.  Amen. Blessings from name withheld.

This is my friend and Fire Escape's reply to the above letter:

My fellow Christians, Jesus was also condemned by the religious status quo of his society because He ministered in ways they were not accustomed to. Paul says in 1st Corinthians 9:20-23, "To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I am really not) so as to win those under the law. To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am under Christ's law) so as to win those without the law. To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in it's blessings." Do I REALLY need to spell this out for you now?

For those who haven't gotten it yet, our God is an ingenious one. He obviously did not have a problem with Paul trying to win others to the gospel by presenting a side of himself with which they could identify. The "Goth subculture" is a vastly misrepresented and misunderstood one but it is by no means satanic. It is a subculture which a Christian can effectively share the light and hope of Christ within. Watching TV shows which reflect popular culture (sci-fi, fantasy, crime drama) are not going to send one to hell. Many people watch them as the ancient Greeks watched plays or the ancient Romans watched gladiators. By being a viewer of these shows we have an insight into the Non-Christian culture which surrounds us. They also present interesting opportunities for the sharing of your Christian viewpoints. Unless you plan on living a life of solitude and isolation up on some mountaintop in Tibet I highly recommend one make a study of those whom one wishes to reach for Christ.

So in conclusion, Don't be so quick to judge a book by it's cover. By so doing you would not only have condemned Paul, but Jesus as well! God is bigger than you think He is and if you believe you know it all, take heed.. you are heading for a mighty long fall! (1st Corinthians 10:12)

In Christ,
Fire Escape