I can't see why people, in general, can't be excepted as who they are. Its not what they are on the outside that count...its what's on the inside. Their character, their personality...
Some just can't look beyond the cover....what a shame.

...dani

I shall never understand how people can be so judgemental. It is just so pathetic. But I get the whole house to my own and finally silence away from everyone. Sundays have came to be my 'resting' day. I miss out on somethings but I gain other things.

I hope you are having a great Sunday,
*Miss Nightmare*

Maybe you're being too subjective about all of this. Has anyone in any church ever handed you an official dress code or a list of rules that require conformity. Sub-consciously you may have convinced yourself that people feel and think the way you perceive them to be and are making you the object of their attention and criticism - but - so what if a "handful" do make you feel uncomfortable or stressed - - - Show me a place in the world - any-place where you can escape "The Handful" - - - You won't find such a place until you relocate into a cemetery plot or an urn for human ashes... Someone famous allowed: "you can please some of the people some of the time but you can't please all of the people all of the time!" I know that's a misquote and should be the word "fool" rather than "please" - but - the idea is still the same (famous or not)!! Mix and Mingle with your family and ignore the "Critical-Mass-Handful" - they tend to be intransigent anyway...

That's really stupid. Isn't chruch all about god and stuff why is he going to care what you wear he's just going to be happy that you respect him.
Your family is not right for doing that. I would comment to them about it.
I wouldn't settle for their rudeness!

xox

No, no, you got it wrong. My family(My household) wants me to go. They try to get me to go every Sunday but its just those handful of people that get on my nerves and I have enough to worry about. Always defending myself and having to defend my 'dark style' is just a waste of time. I would rather be relaxing, then arguing.

Thank you racquelkhalek,
*Miss Nightmare*

The family here is happy that you're with us!!

=) I am glad to be here!

Best wishes,
*Miss Nightmare*

I apologize that you have such ill feelings. The ill of the flesh, wishing that some will land upon you. (((Hugs)))

Thank you but in time everything will work out for the best,
It usually does.

Best wishes,
*Miss Nightmare*

There is no time when we have no time to enjoy the days of our youth. Mystic, dark. I hope you do feel better and grativate to light *Miss Nightmare*

From flames of burning building and crosses. Holding a child and nursing a baby yielding light. Leaving footprints having existed in the earth.

I am already feeling better, so thank you.

Best of luck in life,
*Kristen* =)

MN - I grew up in a church just like that, sure there were some 'real' people there. The rest you would not want to call friend or family for that matter - so pretentious, it gags me to this day. There is warmth in many community churches as they have cast off the old bunk about 'dress codes' and many of the members have not attended formal churches. (just a thought). My daughter got similar vibes/looks from others everywhere she went because she always dressed in black (very tastefully I might add). Even the family (not me) kind of freaked out about it. It was scary to them. (I think they imagined all kinds of 'dark magic' goings ons!LOL)
We all need to go where we feel comfortable and sense sincerity.
Thank you for sharing your poem. It is very good.
Brought back some memories of my own.

I have accepted getting those strange looks from people that dont know me. Its just different when you get them from people you know, from people that are suppose to accept you the way you are. I mean, they should know by now that I would rather hurt myself, then anyone else. Some people just cant accept things.

Best of luck to you and your family,
May you always feel comfortable and sincerity from your church hear on out,
*Miss Nightmare*

It seems strange to me how someone can judge others about being judgmental, to do what they claim others are doing, when the reason people should go to any church is because they realize their failings and they stand as a support group for eachother to overcome their sins. Hypocrites exist everywhere and in all worldview (public or private) so you should never condemn one or you condemn all. The "church" (so called) is the only support group specifically created for the hypocrite (hypocricy is only one of the sins represented there). Alcoholics don't stay away from AA because there are too many drunks there and the obese do not shy away from Weight Watchers because there are too many "fat folks" there, so how can anyone (every other hypocrite) shy away from church because there are others just like them there?
Often this is an excuse for a rebellious spirit, I know because I have one and had clung to that excuse before my own self. It's not the imperfec tions of the people who are commanded to attend church but the perfection of God in Christ his Messiah who came to save us from ourselves. The solution to bad religion is not its abandonment but recreating it better, living the life and leading the way as an example. If you found the perfect church this side of eternity it would have to be void of all humanity for human nature is sinful, if it were not we would not need a Savior. Enjoyed your honesty, it's refreshing, how else would we learn but to challenge our presuppositions, prejudices or premises. God bless

It is true I am judging others but saying that they are judgmental. I guess I contradicted myself yet again. I am merely human, I to make mistakes. My past is one big mistake but my future will be better. I do not expect to find the perfect church but I do want to find one that I fit in. That I am not the outcast, that I love and enjoy spending time there.

If I go to that church, I wont be focused on my faith or God, I will be focused on them. I will have listen to them tell me what I should do, tell me what I should wear, tell me what I should believe. I dont like be told to do anything, I love everyone in that church, but when I needed these people the most, they abandoned me. Maybe, I should get over that grudge. Maybe, I should just suck it up and go. But I cant because right now I am just re-finding my faith and I do not want it to tainted by thoughts of anger for these people.

They told me they would be there no matter what! That was the worse lie they ever told. I need my space if I ever decide to go back there. I just need time.

They hurt me like a lot of things have. I am still healing.
I am still learning.
Best wishes,
God Bless you,
*Miss Nightmare*

I am so sorry that your experience with church has been this way. Unfortunately, many of us are guilty of labeling people and decieding who is worthy of God's love. A lot of people are going to be shocked to see people in Heaven who aren't just the normal cookie cutter christian. God makes us all unique, and he does not care what you are wearing, as long as you are truly spending time with Him. At least that is my view.

If more christians would share God's love by how we treat others, and how we act...fewer people would feel as you do. If you ever want to talk, I am here.

I hope it didn't sound like I was chastising you, you have so much going for you. Much of christianity is as Hopes_springs_eternal said above, "cookie-cutter" CHURCHIANITY. But remember our faith is on an individual level in some ways, as well as corporate. Hypocrites and nominalists (in name only) practical atheistic christians exist in all churches. You can surrender, become like them or set the standard. The solution to bad 'religion' is not abandonment but correction and conformance to God's requirements. Thanks again Missnightmare your in our dreams and thoughts.

By the way my wife lived in Princeton, Ky when we met. That's one long and seemingly barren town