Prospect, Dallas, Texas 2001
10:00-12:00
We got there, we danced, met up with a bunch of our friends and kids we had been seeing at raves around Texas.
I talked to a kid who’s mom is full-on charismatic pentecostal, and dad is an Arlington cop. They don’t know he goes to rave and would kill him (and them) if they knew. He was rollin’, well, it hadn’t hit him yet. His disbelief in God was based on condemnation. “Everything I want to do is a sin, that means everything that makes me happy, is a sin.” I told him that God loved him no matter what he was doing. He asked, “How can God love me if I do the things I do?” I told him that God knew his heart and his hurts. I prayed with him. I didn’t see him again that night.
I met a kid in a wheelchair who was rollin’ too. He was inspired that I wasn’t rollin’, and I explained to him what MDMA does to his serotonin factories. He tripped out. He told me he was going to quit in the future. I asked him to make tonight his last. He asked me “Why?” and I said “because I cared about him.” He said he’d think about it. He took a flyer.
This rave was different in many respects. We don’t usually get offered drugs for free, but we did at this one. We were offered X, G, Tabs, K, Shrooms, D, just about everything. We were also asked if we knew where to find all these things by a great many people. The music was still low. People were jumpin’, no one was sitting on the floor yet.
We went with two of our friends. One was a raver who had just accepted the Lord a couple of weeks ago, and the other had been asking lots questions and we thought was very close.
Lots of people gave us lots of hugs. We make it out intent to pray for them when they are in our arms.
12:00-1:00
The later the night, the louder the music. Kids with light shows pop up all over the place. This night seems to be happening very quickly. I mean, the kids seem to be high before they get in the door, the music is faster, there are so many people.
Some girl grabs my hands and starts moving them around. I pull her close and tell her I wasn’t rollin’ and he pushes me away cussin’ me out.
Throughout the night we get lots of hugs, but they are getting longer, which means, our prayers are too…Lord, open their eyes tonight. Show them your purpose and your love.
We get a lot of funny looks and smiles after they get hugged by us.
Dancing is at a peak. People’s eyes are all wiggly and there’s a chaos that’s begun. I get offered more drugs. We get asked if we know where to get K by like 3 prople in a matter of minutes. I get offered light shows. We pass out flyers and just about everyone takes them and stuff their pockets. That’s good…they’ll read the flyer later.
This tall guy stumbles over to me (no one seems to notice). He doesn’t look good. He sort of whispers to me, “You got some water?” I was like, “Yeah!”. I grab an empty beer cup from the floor, and put his arm over my shoulder and walk him slowly toward the bathroom and set him down at the entrance. I wash out the cup, fill it with water, go back out and give it to him. “Drink it all!” He did.
I went back and got him another. What did you take? “X!” he says. What else? “I can’t remember.” I ask him if he came with friends. “I don’t know where they are!” I pick him up and take him to the EMS. We walk up to the EMS booth (the guy stumbling still) and say to them, “I need some help!”
“With what?” they said. I wanted to show them my middle finger, but I didn’t. “What does it look like?” They though he was just tired from dancing.
“He’s taken ecstacy, he’s dizzy, and he’s not sweating. He’s totally dry. Do you have any water?”
They didn’t. They asked me to bring him around and they sat him down and took his pulse.
He leaned back, but wasn’t drinking the water. He was rollin’! I told him to drink the rest of the water, and he did. He stood up, stumbled over to me and said, “I gotta find my friends”. The security guard let him into the Jungle room through the exit door, and said bye to him as he dissapeared into the bass.
The EMS guys were oblivious. They didn’t care, and it didn’t look like they were prepared.
I went over to find my friends.
1:00-2:00
My friend tells me he just bought some water for someone who was dehydrated. He said the guy couldn’t believe there was someone there who was helpful like that. My friend told him why we were there, that we prayed for kids and we tried to convince them not to take drugs.
We decided we needed to find the promoters and get some water to the EMS booth. I still couldn’t believe the EMS booth didn’t have any water. The promoters were very happy that we were looking out for the kids. They helped us out, told us where to get the case of water. The EMS guys couldn’t believe that we got water, “you must have connections”, I was like, “It should have been supplied.”
Kids started asking us for drugs again.
The “ePools” began. These are where mass Exed-up kids sit and massage each other. Kids start rubbing each other and blowing vicks in each others faces to make their senses jump. After the initial rush of E, there’s a pattern of peaks and troughs for a few hours. They start to rub each other and do glowstick shows and stuff in an attempt to enhance, or bring back the rush. We saw like 5 people barfing. We’re not sure what that was about. Maybe Shrooms. We saw some dealers with a large amount of stuff and cops in viewing distance. The cops never did anything. Maybe they didn’t see it.
2:00-3:00
Right around 2:00 I stop wanting to dance. I can’t bring myself to celebrate the way dancing makes me feel when all this yuck is going on. We were resting and watching people and we noticed the visuals. There was a trippy looking “X” and then a heart. These images flashed intermittently for a few seconds. It was like they were saying “X equals love”. It upset us.
Our friend who asked Jesus to be her priority just two weeks earlier was freaking out. She said that she had never seen what she was seeing. It was like the scales fell off. She was a raver for a while, but had never noticed, or thought that it was just a few people doing the drugs. She didn’t want to look at all the kids. It was hurting her to see all these kids walking around dead or dieing. Everyone was an ampty shell. A mask. She was weeping for them. She had to leave. That was hard to deal with.
We were all sitting in a large room with tons of other kids just sitting and talking and hanging out. Loud music blaring. Young kids totally messed up on drugs. It probably looked exactly like what my parents could never imagine.
3:00-4:00
After our friend left, I had to find the other friend we came with. I made my ritual walk about, where I walk around and pray and look for signs of kids wiggin’ out.
I decided to walk really slowly. Like slow motion slow. I was looking for people who were sitting all by themselves, on the wall, in the corner, with their heads in their hands or between their knees. There were so many. I went around and woke people up, laid my hand on them and prayed for them and asking them if they needed help. A few of them needed water and so I directed them to the EMS booth. All of them were glad that I was watching over them.
I saw a young girl writhing on the floor with her skirt pulled up and her panties quite down, and the people around her just watching. My eyes filled up with tears. I couldn’t do anything about her, just pray.
I saw a girl crouching in the corner and a boy humping at her head. Their eyes were all rolled up.
I saw a girl wearing a very small amount of clothes, laying on the floor legs spread, arms out wide, with four or five guys rubbing all over her body. I tried to distract them, but it didn’t work.
This was getting to be beyond what I could help with.
My stomach hurt, my chest hurt, my feet hurt. My smile was gone.
4:00-5:00
I finished my walk about, sat down and waited for my friend to pass. We said we’d meet at a certain place. I sat down in a very busy hallway. So many people asked me for drugs. People didn’t even seem like they knew where they were going. I prayed for so many people during that hour. One kid got pissed at me for not giving him a light show.
I was exhausted. Not just physically, but mentally drained. I wanted to be sleeping at home.
We left at 5:00.
It probably went on for another couple of hours after we left. We met up with our other friends at the car. The girl who freaked out was doing better. Scarred deeply, but dealing with it.
Somehow we got to the house were were gonna crash at. I couldn’t sleep for a while. I was sweating and freezing at the same time. My mind was racing.
Why were we doing this? Were we helping at all? The drugs were not just killing the kids, they were killing the scene. We told everyone we talked to that the scene would eventually die because of the lack of empathy and the overuse of drugs.
Why weren’t we seeing any other Christians doing what we were doing?
Have a good day.
What do you think?
1. Have you been to a rave?
2. What was your experience?
3. Are you a Christian Raver?
i have been to several raves
it was the best time of my life
i am a strong christian raver
Where to start…….ok I’ve been involved in the “rave’ scene since 2000. I am a DJ and producer. I give kudos to u if this is actually what u do (going around helping people). First of all you make it seem like everyone who goes to an event is a drugged up ignorant fool who only cares about getting high. Thats far from true. Dont get me wrong there are many people who do this and thats their decision. Alot of People go to “raves” to escape the stresses of life for a few hours. Its some where they can go where no one cares who they are or what they do. Your just accepted regardless. So if ur going to publish something like this maybe you should examine all points of view first instead of just yours and what you think you see.
You are right. There were many kids and djs we met who were not drugged up. We met many people that were enjoying themselves and not liking the direction the scene was going in as well. I guess I did not mention that in my writups, but I was focusing on the bad of the scene, so that’s why it sounds like it’s all bad.
I enjoyed attending the events we went to. We even went to a few undeground raves that were totally drug free (well, as far as anyone could tell anyway). and all (well, most) of the “christian” raves we went to were drug free.
Thanks for your observation about my posts. Not sure I’ll go back and update it, but maybe in the future I’ll write about how fun it was. It’s just hard for me to separate it all.
do you have a site I can go to to hear your stuff?
Have you heard of http://www.mpiii.com? A few of my sets are uploaded there (although you can go here too:
http://www.goycodesign.com/antijorge/index.html
Hmm, I am a swedish raver who has gone to many, many ravepartys and most of my friends are ravers just as me.
In sweden raves are much nicer partys than usual bars and discos because people seem to take much better care of each other at raves.
If the scene in U.S.A really is like what you have described here than that is a sad thing
Cheers
/Anthony
I live in ATL. been to 3 “raves” they were psytrance events. I love raves. I love taking drugs at raves. BUT i do believe there is a huge amount of responsibility that goes into doing that. I know how certain chemicals effect me and what doses I am comfortable with. You can buy MDMA test kits here…
http://www.dancesafe.org/testingkits/
Idk i’ve even been to a rave while not using any chemicals… and guess what? it was still fun. I would really be turned off to the whole scene if it was even half as bad as you described it. maybe texas is just full of a holes idk. you sound really nice. As I was reading what you were saying it reminded me of what I do in between dancing and smoking at raves. Meeting new people, being nice, taking care of people, I don’t necessarily pray for people but I make it a point to try and send good vibes towards people who look bumming, I try to include people in the music/crowd, idk.
The whole X = Love thing sounds like a coincidence to me. Dont over analyze plz.
aww no response?
I actually once heard a track that had a vocal sample that actually said “don’t eat acid”. I don’t know who did t, but it was cool.
Ayway, maybe Texas is worse than where you’re from, but pretty much across the board where we’ve gone or have friends who have gone (Detroit, Miami, LA, Portland, Seattle, OKC, Atlanta) it’s all been the same. Ihave friends in London and Sydney that say the same about their scene.
I can only imagine the German scene (with Schranz coming out of that scene). And Ibiza?
I’m just reporting what I saw. Once my eyes were opened to that stuff, I couldn’t see anything else.
Honestly, it’s the tweakers that we saw being the most selfish and about themselves. Candy kids a fairly harmless, but the tweakers are the ones ruining things…not all of them, but the Meth is what makes people sell all their stuff for another hit.
I blame Meth for the death of the scene.
Check this out:
http://goycodesign.com/clients/mp3/antijorge/antijorge-HardTrance-0407-01.mp3
That is my original music born out of raving til the crack of dawn for a couple of years.
Joey, I’m glad you took care of people. I met quite a few people like you. I love people like you.
gross. What kind of raves do you go to? I’ve been an LA raver for 3 years now. Pop E and rave on a monthly/bi-monthly basis and I’m a hard working engineer as are most of my rave buddies. i have never seen wtf your talking about.
But then again, we are into the intelligent dance music scene (Apparat, Aphex Twin, Output Message) who are rarely if ever at the massives. So maybe the over commercialization has caused an unsustainable explosion of the culture; history shows, when that happens, and all the idiots get involved (a large percentage of the population) it follows with immense destitution. I pray this isn’t what’s really happening to the scene. I love raves and I love E, and there can’t be love without respect. Despite the overall pessimism of your article, I deeply respect how you are helping these people.
i like this track man. But I do agree that tweekers destroy anything they have to do with. I don’t see a whole lot of it here in ATL but i mean who really knows whos on it and not you know? honestly X scares me a lot more. I very rarely take it because of the depression afterwards. There is just so much responsibility that goes into taking drugs i guess. So anyone reading this don’t do meth, try not to roll to often, Dont eat Too much acid haha and just have fun!
P.L.U.R.
e o n e
a v i s
c e t p
e y o
n
s
i
b
i
l
i
t
y
Sorry text got messed up (ten minutes of my life gone lol)
P.L.U.R.
Peace
Love
Unity
Responsibility
it’s peace love unity respect
try and get your hands on some ghreg on earth
Do you know of any Christian raves in the Atlanta area?
Well, I don’t personally, but I suggest you go to http://www.tastyfresh.com and ask around there. There probably are some things going on, maybe not full blown raves, but events where you can make some friends.
tastyfresh is a great place. check it out.
jorge
hey can that website show me Christian raves around the new york area? however, i am only 15, can i still enter?
I went to this party in Dallas. The scene was completely out of hand as you noticed, but this weird Jesus/Rave intersection I find to be completely hilarious. One of the glaring ironies you seem to miss is that fact that the failure of Christianity as tool to navigate the strange world of the late 90s was one of the primary factors people were drawn to these events. Most of these Texan kids grew up with Christianity in their lives, either at church or through the influence of some zealous teacher or coach or what-have-you. And these kids, including myself, flatly rejected that oppressive, dogmatic and hypocritical culture. While clearly raves are not the solution to this problem, going to a rave and “praying” for people to find Jesus is about as absurd as an atheist going to a Dallas mega-church, making fun of everyone, and praying that they free themselves from the historic shackles of religion.
except that atheists don’t pray…you forgot that part. Because they dont beleive in anything, therefore there is no reason to pray.
I commend these peopel on going to a rave and placing themselves in an environment that wasn’t what they would usually be in, so that they could help others. Maybe if for nothing else, give them credit for that. There is a lot of hypocrisy in churches, but the church is not God, people forget what God and Jesus is really about. Even if God doesnt love what ur doing, he still LOVES you, a concept we tend to forget. And that needs to be spread, so that ppl can get their lives togehter, and find meaning in things that arent harming them.
A lot of kids now in days don’t really care about god anymore.
I would know, half of my school doesn’t care. I dont care either.
I would say you were right about it being absurd, if our point were to get people to go to church. It wasn’t. Our point was to get people thinking about the reality that there are consequences for decisions…good and bad.
Many churches are not equipping people to “navigate the strange world”, but God Himself offers all that we need. Individually.
I would have to agree with the Athiest. God is not religion, Dylan. There is hypocrisy everywhere, and oppression, and lies being touted as truths, but that does not discount the truth that God is in love with you.
And why wouldn’t he be? You are His child. He loves you. Even if you don’t believe that. Even if you yell at him from the middle of a field in he middle of the night.
Even if he sees your middle finger pointed at Him.
He knows it’s hard. He didn’t make it hard. We did…
He’s like that Christmas you found out that it was not Santa after all, that it was your parents the whole time, and that just the day before, you had told your parents you hated them…but they still gave you exactly what you wanted.
That’s pretty sweet.
Thanks for commenting, bro. Pretty insightful stuff you’ve presented. We did in fact meet a bunch of kids who were brought up Christian.
Man, I miss them. All of them.
“Many churches are not equipping people to “navigate the strange world”, but God Himself offers all that we need. Individually.”
Im sorry but this is the problem having discussions with Christians. This weird circular logic is impossible to negate or to prove or anything, so Im going to stop the religious discussion here.
And if your only goal was to help people, then why are you talking about it years later? Be humble, help someone, move on. Tooting your own horn about how you gave someone a glass of water and a stupid piece of propaganda 7 years ago is so strange, that I really don’t even know what to say. What you seem to me to be doing here is just beating a dead horse by saying how f’ed up raves were/are. Thanks but i think 20/20 and that movie ‘Groove’ acomplished that a while back.
You are right. It does feel like I’m tooting my own horn.
I just thought no one was talking about it then…or now.
I wrote these back then, I just thought it would be interesting to post them so people could read them.
Thanks for the mirror.
jorge
Stop being such a moron and making up crap.
obviously not everyone who raves is a junkie, some people really like the music.
but it seems a lot of people at raves who are screwed up, seem to be from poorer and/or dysfunctional families.
i find the scene pretty trashy, the music awful. drugs in moderation and used sparsely, can be okay.
i’ve been to two raves and i find them unclean.
It’s a great thing that you guys do. I’m a former raver from Sydney, Australia. My first rave was in 2003 and I’ve lost count of how many I’ve been to. I take drugs every so often but it’s few and far between and my friends and I know what we’re doing. I used to be really into it (drugs and raves) but that was a long time ago. I’ve moved on.
I was born a Christan and I’ll die a Christian. I must admit I’ve never seen anything as messed up as what you describe but I’m sure it happens. What I find more messed up is that it’s mostly kids (i.e. 14-18 year olds) at our parties. That’s just one reason I’ve moved on from them. That and I got sick of the music.
I don’t see what’s inherently bad about a rave mission. They’re not exactly preaching to the choir and by the sounds of it they’re certainly not jamming it down anybody’s throats. In fact, some of the kids at raves are the ones that need the most help, and they’re not just going to start going to church if they feel they’re unwelcome. All it takes is one caring person to get them out of trouble, not to be condemned to hell. Many of them might feel they’re already in it.
Do you guys still go to raves? The scene could do with more people like you.
I don’t go to raves anymore. Ever since the RAVE Act passed, no one around here is having any. It can’t be my thing anymore. It was good at the time, but it ended for us as a “ministry”.
Tom, what “crap” am I making up?
gher, we did not shove it down their throats. That would be totally inappropriate. In fact, it’s totally inappropriate any time. That never works. Well, not that I’ve seen.
What “worked” was actually a by-product of friendships and relationships that we made and kept.
Why is it people think those who don’t go to church don’t believe in God? Have you ever stopped and taken a look at your institution and asked how with the times are your messages or is your church generally conservative? Most ravers I know view the church as a stuffy old fashion institution those memberrs are too conservative and think its their right to judge since they’ve never lived their lives to the full. its nothing against God its his followers.
And for anther – of course a raver who is rolling isn’t going to want to hear your anti drug msgs. the praying would of come across as weird but a kid who has taken e is not going to want to hear anti drug msgs or if they take e they’re going to hell or something.
Im with Jorge – crystal meth or ice is the death of the scene. Gone is the loved up people who you could talk hours about nothing really and to complete strangers! in its place now is a bunch of overly paranoid people who start fights with random strangers.
Also pray for the crystal meth users they need it the most. while most people who go through the rave and e phrase will eventually give it up and focus on a career, a mortgage and marriage. The crystal meth addicts are stuffed. I know people who are security, nurses and police and they all say they’ve never seen it so bad. Some even wish heroin would make a come back.
Hey I’m a Christian raver. I go to raves because of the awesome music, the dancing, the awesome people, and just the fun exciting atmosphere. At the parties I go to, honestly about half the people are rolling, which is kinda sad. But I know I’m not going to try and I know I don’t have to do drugs when I go to raves. I dissagree with people who say raves are bad cause of all the drugs and immorality, because that stuff is everywhere you go in life, and it’s up to you to decide if you want to participate in the sinful activities! Raves are fun and fairly clean places if you want them to be. I love giving people who are rolling an awesome lightshow, cause it makes them feel better, and it’s simply alot of fun! Also I get the chance to be a good example to others because they always ask if I’m rolling, and I can respond with “No man, I have a great time sober! You don’t need to do drugs here to have an amazing time. The lights, music, and energy can put you into a trance with out the use of pills!”
Basically, if you know you are strong enough to resist drugs and such at raves, I believe they are a fantastic place to be!
Im not a religus person and im sorry if my spelling lacks but yeah im a realy big raver in the reno sene and i was in my ems class when i came up on this post and it realy hits you deep im not a liar i do a lot of drugs at raves i do the light shows and give the vicks but this realy opend my eyes to what im so oblivius to wile under the influence
….LITTLE RYAN
I was born in a christian family my dad was a pastor.
I suffered physical and sexual abuse. (not from family members, from outsiders)So i got angry at God and rebeled. I turned to alcohol and drugs and then to raves. Raves at first seemed vibrant,colorful and full of life.I felt affection and acceptance. But soon I became addicted to the high. I became selfish and selfserving. We watched our friend have a bad a trip on E. And we left him behind and went to the rave because we didn’t want to have this a bummer on our High. I am ashamed at times at how I hurt others. Later down the road I went to a rave for the first time sober, when I looked around people looked like dead, whited faced zombies. They were taken hostage by the music and drugs . Their reality was of fun,unity,bliss. But my eyes could see what was really happening to them.My friends knew I was sober and abandoned me. And overall I was on the outside looking in. I have left the rave scene and drugs completely. I dont know If i agree with Christian Raves…It seems like it might be pretty lame. I wish I could go into raves and help others and pray for them. But for me its a dangerous temptation still. There is a strong attraction to that scene still, so i keep my distance. But I dont condemn those who go there.
I must add that Im now serving Jesus Christ, I am free from addictions to drugs and booz…My only addiction in caffeine. Im trying to quit that too…I dont want to bound to any addiction…even if its coffee.. I dont want anything to hold me hostage and tell me how to live…Anyways Im happily married and have a beautiful 4 month old baby.
Yes, I have been to a few raves.
It was awesome! I danced, ate candy, drank energy drinks and kissed some hot girls.
I am not a Christian but, if that is your path to peace and being a better person GO FOR IT! Just don’t shove your faith down my throat, Jesus never did that.
well ive been to raves also and i think if kids want to risk their lives then let them, the only way to learn is by experiencing plus raves are freakin awesome
marq, i think that what you’re saying is so true and awesome. Some people just need to see how much fun it can be without the use of drugs to make up their mind not to do them.
wow im glad you posted this jorge!
this party (at the corner)
was my favorite and it was because all my friends from were i live went it was just exiting meeting up with everyone getting ready then all of us leaving together in like 10 cars to go party!!~
and that party did fill up quick!!!
lots of people!!
but yes i did eat a tab and i was eventually sitting in th maine arena on the side by myself rolling wishing i wasnt and asking god to take care of me and to forgive me!!
i was sad depressed and lonely but rolling hard!
i went to afterlife about 2 months ago with a friend just to c how the rave scene was nowdays and it made me so sick!
there was a 14 year old girl laying down outside with her friends crowded around her saying she couldnt talk or move cause she was rolling so hard i went to offer her my jacket and her eyes were huge!!
i almost wanted to cry!!
then her friend was looking for some she was 15 she took one i tried to ask her not to but she wanted to try it:( i asked her how she got in and she said she snuck in under the fence!
later that night when i was leaving i saw her rollin its just so sad!!!
im telling you raves should be 21 and up!!
the is no love even compared to gods love!!
WHY DONT YOU TRY SOMETHING!
THIS IS HOW GOD TALK TO YOU!!
PREY TONIGHT! ASK GOD TO SHOW YOU THAT HE IS THERE WITH YOU AND LOVES YOU ASK HIM TO SHOW YOU A MESSAGE OR SIGHN!!
TELL HIM YOU LOVE HIM AND THANK HIM!!
ASK FOR HIM TO FORGIVE YOU!!
ASK HIM TO SAVE YOU!!
try this and c what happens pay attention the next few days and c if he talks back with a message!:)
THE MESSAGE IS THE FEELING YOU GET WHEN YOU SEE A SIGHN!:)
All these blind stubborn fools who have a warped and skewed view of who Christ is and try to box Him in to their tiny little perspective can fight all they want guys.. let them say what they will.. we can’t change anyone.. only Christ’s Holy Spirit can.. EVERYONE WILL BOW DOWN TO THE LORD… people can laugh and be stubborn as in the days of NOAH… but when the rain starts falling… it’ll be too late..
I’ve been to a billion raves in Toronto, and it sounds like American ravers are alot more into drugs than Canadian ones.
I mean, I’ve never been to a rave outside of Toronto (except for Utah) but SERIOUSLY!
And you know, I’ve seen lots of people having bad trips, not as many of you have in that one night!
I personally prefer to go to raves sober, yes I’ve done what they call “X” (ecstasy) but that was only for one summer (2 raves only too) and I’m done with chemicals, and NEVER gone as far as any of the drug users of this night.
And no I’m not a Christian raver, nor do I believe in “god”.
I fully believe that we’re connected to the Earth, and that she and all her creations are “god”, not one being that we can’t see or feel.
Sure I believe things like Unicorns and magic fairies, but “god” is another subject.
My experiences at rave are spiritual and VERY social.
I go to raves to dance all night, not to get high off my ass because I don’t know how to have a good time sober.
Raves are a very important thing in my life, electronic music drives me to live life on high-voltage!
And I’d say that I’m personally someone like you, helping people out at raves, not in the same way that I’d be praying for them, but I always try to find some way of making them feel better, or getting them some help.
Great column though, very moving and very disturbing.
I hope to never go to a rave like that one.
I mean the beats sounded really good, but all the druggies, no thanks.
Man, I would so go to a rave if it happened close to here. There are none that I hear of, but I’m also not close to a major city like Austin or San Antonio or Dallas (where we used to rave).
Wow, do I miss it.
I don’t know if venues have started to have raves again or not. Venues around here were threatened with lawsuits and jail time if they found anyone with drugs at their event (Crackhouse Law).
Thanks for your comments.
Silly person, if you give water to people on E it could kill them, thats why it wasnt supplied, the drug makes them thirsty and they just have to live through it kus the more water means the more thirst, its like adding gas to a fire lol dont do that again, but its nice you tried to help
I can’t believe Christians are taking drugs? Doesn’t the Bible say our bodies are a temple for the Holy Spirit? You are abusing His Temple.
My Heart is sad for all of you.
http://www.dancesafe.org/documents/druginfo/index.php
Look among the crowd at a rave and you’ll see gradations of human suffering acted out in various ways, an illustration of where people are as human beings or just someone having a good time.
Look among the pews at a church and you’ll see gradations of human suffering acted out in various ways, an illustration of where people are as human beings or just someone having a good time.
Look among the aisles at the grocery store and you’ll see gradations of human suffering acted out in various ways, an illustration of where people are as human beings or just someone having a good time.
Wherever you are at there are people in need. Not just spiritual need, but certainly that. A rave is a focus point for a great catharsis, that catharsis is attempted in many ways, not all of them healthy. This is also true of a Sunday morning at a church. Not so much true of a grocery store, but some still manage to pour their attempts at catharsis out there now and then.
Helping people meet their physical and spiritual needs is commendable, flinging condemnation without a reflective understanding of other communities isn’t. I know many ravers who would have been appalled at the party you attended. Every community has varying sets of ideas, morals, ethics within them. Raves, with their fluid ideology are going to have an even wider range of problems and cures. Drugs are bad mmm’kay, is a short-sighted way to see the situation.
I just read through it again and I didn’t see any “flinging of condemnation”. I was reporting what I saw.
OK, maybe there was some condemnation toward the EMS team and maybe some of the kids who were treating girls as sexual objects and taking advantage of them rather than respecting them and upholding their worth as a human and woman.
I wish I could go back there at the raves right in the middle of it, but I wish for one thing that they were actually drug free. There would be so much more love and family and respect and unity and peace if that was the case…my opinion.
Crepitate, if you come back here…can you explain more about what you mean by “a reflective understanding of the community”? That really interests me. I think that is a really important part of seeing what is going on and how to accept/change.
Thanks for your comment.
Jorge,
You weren’t just reporting, you were judging. And that’s fine. I have no problem with judgment, it’s a healthy human tool when used with an understanding that your judgment is not the end all for society.
Even now in your comment you’re judging. Who’s to say that the women you saw were being taken advantage of? Maybe the girls were treating the men as sexual objects? You’re judging their actions from within your moral compass.
Your perspective is one of a very stringent set of moral codes. I share most of those codes, actually. But a person’s personal choices aren’t always full of the sinful intentions that Christianity implies.
I think I mostly meant, to understand that your own community (that of the community of God’s children) has some of the same issues. That pain is everywhere. I’ve seen greed and destructive behavior in the pews of the church, mostly by the person who is supposed to be the leader. And yet I’ve also seen churches bring great healing. I’ve seen raves do the same for people. I’ve seen young people changed by their use of drugs in ways that improve their lives. I’ve seen the catharsis of dancing heal people’s spiritual wounds.
It’s great that you’re doing what you’re doing. A lot of people need healing, and Christianity is one of the ways people can seek it out. And most Christians would be scared to step into a rave, even though it’s really not much different from a pentecostal worship service, but with less light and smaller clothing, and usually more beautiful women.
Raves would have never occurred without drugs.
If you’re interested I can recommend some books and music that will help you understand the birth of this music and “scene”. But drugs were essential for the development of this culture. And personally I don’t think that’s a bad thing. It’s a shame that our society doesn’t support a stronger sense of personal responsibility and education instead of incarceration and condemnation.
Yeah, you are right, I was judging. We all do that so well, don’t we.
I read a book a while back. hmm, what was it called. It wasn’t Jimi Fritz book…I haven’t read that. Oh, It was Generation Ecstacy. That was a great book. Looks like Simon Reynolds wrote another book called “Energy Flash. That looks cool. And that “All Crews” DNB book looks cool. I love DNB.
Anyway, yeah, I guess I can’t keep from seeing through my stringent moral codes.
My basis for most of this was becasue of stuff I saw, friends I made, people I talked to/debated with. This article is just a picture…and yeah, I guess a rather biased picture of what I saw, but I meant to shock.
I saw so many13-15 year olds attending raves and completely flipping out with their crazy drug cocktails without knowing the interaction effects, or the long term possibilities.
I introduced my younger brother to drugs when he was very young, and I think that it might have messed him up a little. He in turn introduced me to the rave scene in 1994.
I’m not convinced that “personal responsibility” is the answer. I you look at what’s going on right now, considering all that’s going on without any checks and balances, we are all working off of “personal responsibility”. I’ve know of dealers who sold for 20+ years without ever getting busted. I’ve known people who took as much as they possibly could with the intent to either kill themselves or erase something.
Responsibility when it comes to drug use is laughable.
I’ve see it…don’t get me wrong. I’ve see pot smokers keep a job, raise kids, put them through college, coach little league, whatever.
But…
It’s still illegal. That’s kind of a big issue isn’t it?
I do have a problem with people thinking this is to be a judgemental thing. As an x raver and as a christian beliver Ieveryone has an opinion and can voice that as the see fit. As I rread this I cried as I have been there and felt every second that I was there with the righter reliving my own past. It is freaky how accurate this felt for me and if posting this you get threw to one unbeliver it is worth it. I thank you for being ther and do what you do I do not have the strength to do so my self I still battel with my addiction to this life style and do not think if I went in sober I could handel what I saw
with out trears just flowing from my face. God bless and I will have you all in my prayers.
Giving water to a person on E will not kill them, actuly it is need to help. Who ever wrote that want not verry educated on E. and it’s effects on the body. but ok
Im sorry… but i’ve always wanted to know… what does P.L.U.R. mean? :S
Peace,Love,Unity and Respect
[...] 1’s of the 90’s’ in a fit of retro-tastic music TV viewing, gotten angry at this website, and yelled random offensives in a stupidly high-pitched voice about it, and just generally [...]
this just sounds really sketchy for a minister like person to walk into a rave praying for people. its like a white person walking into compton with a tupac shirt on. christians are confusing :/
I’ve been in and out of the Rave scene for a few years. Ive seen that world from your point of view, and the raver point of view.
But I also go to College and get good grades. I dont party all the time anymore… I think thats something most people grow out of when they get older. Everything should be in moderation. I go to ULTRA and a couple raves every year now. theres nothing wrong with letting loose for a night or a weekend. I personally don’t act like all those kids did. I dont dress or dance promiscously. Maybe in like the first year cause its all so new but like i said, people grow out of it.
Now adays I’ll have a drink and maybe a half a bean. It just allows you to dance all night and enjoy yourself. Its the people who go overboard that have the issues. The ones who are new to it. Seriously though, if you are talking religion, and the body being a temple stuff, you should also be writing about everyone who smokes ciggerates , or takes painkillers, bars, adderoll, and all the hard drugs. That stuff is way worse especially because of the addiction and habits that form. People lose sight of reality once they become addicted. X isnt addicting at all. It releases seratonin and dopamine and your body reabsorbes it all after two weeks. The fun you have when you are at a rave on it, can be addicting, so just be responsible. Moderation is good, addiction is bad. I dont love the drug, but i do love God. He is my only addiction. I dont really talk about it much but i know where I stand.
About the water thing, when you are rolling, yes always have a bottle of water on you. Sip on it throughout the night. Its good to keep yourself hydrated, but yes it is possible to drown yourself. You gatta be smart and responsible when you do drugs. X IS serious stuff, so take it seriously. But relax, and dont go overboard, and you should be able to have a good time.
and also, I dont plan on doing this the rest of my life either. like Jorge’s 20 year long pot dealer. Thats stupid. Jorge, some people do know how to grow up.
dude you sound like the 12 Tribes or some shit. you don’t preach all your religious bullshit to these kids when they’re all spun on drugs do you? cause that would be incredibly fucked if you sat there while these kids were under the influence and spoke some god type shit to them.
First time I ever did X I was 17. Did not have an experience at a rave like the one you just described at all. Everyone seemed fine around me, no creepers tried to touch me, and everyone around was extremely caring. When I told people it was my first time at a rave they said things like “oh do you need some water?” or “make sure you stay hydrated”. In fact I was never snubbed at all by anyone, everyone wanted to help everyone else out. I see that I am actually lucky and could have been off worse like the guy in your story who lost his friends.
but I think what you did going in the rave was kinda cool, yet really pushy. People are there because they want to be there. I know I would start freaking out if I was chilling at a rave and someone was praying over me, it would probably ruin my peek or something…
and I am a Catholic, and personally I don’t think I a without God’s love or salvation just because I attend a rave 2 or 3 times a year.
final words:
raves are amazing, had some great times
Oh, you wouldn’t know if I was praying for you. It would just look like a really long hug. Not pushy at all. Be safe.
Oh, and you’ll have to confess taking ecstacy…it’s illegal.
I have no problem confessing it, I have no shame for mistakes and things I have done in my past, a good bit being illegal
Do you go to a lot of these types of parties, or was this just a one time thing?
Have you done E, or many other drugs since you are so driven to help these people?
It’s nice to know someone is out there watching over some of these party goers without hopefully being too judging… everyone has their reason for doing X to achieve that feeling of triumphant happiness just for a couple hours. Whether they are the ones who take it on occasion, or the E-heads. I know it causes definite problems for some: depression being the main one so all they want to do is trip off E again to get that feeling. I have seen those people, I am glad you are out there trying to help them.
I would like to help also. I am an infant in christianity,and have frequented the rave scene when I was younger. I would like to bring a christian rave scene to the Detroit area. If already here, let me know please. May God bless you for your work with these kids.
This was entertaining; you went to a place where people are positive and accept differences without judgment, and made a sustained effort to guilt-trip strangers and insist they weren’t living right until their lives echoed yours.
But of course you don’t see it that way, because your personal faith is so strong that you accept it as fact; even the Bible says that your faith is only belief, which is what makes it so great to God.
Drugs are bad and harmful, but hey, nothing wrong with taking advantage of kids on drugs to plant ideas while their endorphin levels are high, right? Maybe you’d like to take some Ecstasy and let me spend some time chipping away at your faith….???? Let me know, I’m available and I’ve read the Bible enough times to be articulate on its flaws.
If you want to work toward a Christlike world, learn from ravers rather than trying to help them. Unless I’m mistaken, they were the ones giving love without any strings attached….
But of course I’m wrong, and somehow my logic is a tool of the devil meant to confuse you. There’s no other option, is there? Agree with your personal beliefs or be a tool of Satan.
I feel awful for the people you’re harassing, and I have no doubt that you can’t imagine how that can be.
GO TO A RAVE
eat some candy.. fall into a neverending lsd trip….
or you can always fall in a k hole!!
don’t forget your glowsticks, bottled water, and don’t you dare forget you pacifier!!!!
PLUG Ministries is reaching out to a generation of lost youth that is being deceived by the enemy. We are meeting the rave culture where they are by using our musical talents to share the gospel of Jesus Christ. Please join us in worshipping our Lord and Savior dancing through electronic music. Testimonies will be shared and a message will be given over the beats. There will be an opportunity for them to ask Jesus into their hearts. We know they will feel the love of God working through all the believers that join us in the celebration of Gods forgiveness, mercy and grace upon our lives! Our goal is to get them PLUG-ed in to a local church for discipleship. We look forward to sharing in this eternal experience with you. Your prayers are appreciated! Who Do You Dance For? Tuesday Sept 29 in Costa Mesa, Ca at the Light Gallery 440 E 17th. Street. Free! 8PM
I don’t need to roll, I am a nutcase already and yes, I am a christian. Forget the drugs, just give me some of those marshmallow Peeps out of the box, some cherry soda, ramen noodles, lollipops, and nerds candies, and it’s all I need with the music. HUZZAH!!
I believe people need to have FUN, real genuine fun with personality and movement. Love life, don’t abuse your own you may not have it anymore if you don’t cherish it. I’ve met two people already who ended up dying from E and sadly, they didn’t realize they already had the personalities to be joyful and crazy. It’s sad that they pushed themselves so far that now, they can’t ever experience anything in life again. They’ve decayed in the ground. Sucks!
…by the way, I have no problem with seeing ravers be ministered to while they’re rollin’, know why? Free rights. Free will. If they have a right to cuss and fight (I’ve seen this type of scenario in person between various girls and guys, so much for the PLUR slogan there), have sex on the floor somewhere (in public man, come on, and people complain about what they see in the streets and clubs?), tell you how they feel about their lives, display their actions however they want to, then christians have the exact same right to talk about what they wish to too. Non-christians can complain about how annoying it is to see christians displaying public ministry, but they also need to remember that THEY are being judgmental towards christians as well when they start flaming and bashing us for what love we share and how we take time to talk and voice from our hearts. Hello! It’s a double-sided take, and it’s the truth. There’s nothing wrong with a christian at a rave with some rollers talking to them, it’s as fair as a roller talking about his trips to a bunch of christians. It’s just COMMUNICATION. Interacting was never a sin, but bashing, well, that’s just expected of anybody I suppose…
…By the way, I miss my two friends who died somehow from the E. If they were still alive and hadn’t died, the three of us would have still been dancing it up together…R.I.P. to Lisa and AlienGuru…
Butterfly, I’m sorry for the loss too.