Monday, 25 May 2009
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Advice Needed: Should I Get a Tattoo?
So, I want a tattoo. Growing up I always was told don't do, God won't like it. But more and more that seems not to be the case among Christians, particularly young ones. Thoughts? While I enjoy opinion, Scriptural reference and support are much appreciated. Even more appreciated is if you can talk about the historical context and relevance today.
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- From: LiteNLovely@xanga
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Comments (330)
There is just as much Scripture FOR tattoos as there is AGAINST tattoos. It really comes down to interpretation and what feels right to you. Either way, you MUST give this a read, as there are a lot of sheeple who will throw the anti-tattoo arguments at you left and right (with no real study themselves, just parroting society/pastors). http://www.religioustattoos.net/Bible_Support/index.php
God isn't going to love you any less if you have something on your skin.
I'm sure god would be more interested in you living your life according to you, instead of what others are telling you to do....squandering your gift of life by suppressing it.
I love my tattoo. Whatcha gettin?
Just remember you're going to have it forever. Even when you're old and wrinkled! Other than that, I don't there's any problem with getting one.
@BohemianLamb@xanga - While I agree that we're no longer under the Mosaic law, there isn't as much biblical support "for tattoos as there is against tattoos." The website you linked, while right about the nature of the Mosaic law and the fact that it's acceptable for Christians to get tattoos, doesn't do a very good job of supporting the claim that there's biblical support for getting tattoos. I think it's best to simply say that we're no longer under the Mosaic law, and tattoos are an area where we as Christians have freedom.
I don't see why not darling!
In Leviticus 19:28 it says "Ye shall not make any cutting in your flesh
for the dead, nor print any marks upon you: for I am the Lord."
But apparently the Old Testament is ignored so I'm not sure what's going on with that. I think, though, that God will be less concerned with tattoos.
I agree that it's all about how you yourself interpret scripture. A lot of people use Leviticus 19:28 ( “You shall not make any cuts in your body for the dead nor make any tattoo marks on yourselves: I am the LORD.”) to condemn tattoos but a reader has to remember the context. God was telling His people not to participate in the pagan practices of surrounding groups. A cut in the skin then was known as the mark of a false religious practice. Today it's simply self-expression. I'm sure God wouldn't like it if you got "HAIL SATAN!" in bold print but that's a different story.
I have a tattoo and I plan on getting others. I don't feel that this makes me any less of a believer.
Your tattoo is not about anyone else. It's what you believe and how you feel. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise.
There are many good reasons for a person not to get a tattoo, but there are no Christian reasons why not.
There's no reason He would look down on you if you had one, unless it was designed to be offensive.
Get a tasteful one and there shouldn't be a problem.
As I witness our civilization decline at an ever faster rate I see how low class, thuggish behavior and values become the norm.
The tatoo is an example. Skin piercings, wearing pants at ass level instead of waist level, the devaluation of thought over the elevation of feelings, the denegration of the work ethic, the outright rejection of sacrificing today for a better tomorrow, are all low class, thuggish values that are becoming normal.
Deviancy is being defined downward. The tatoo is an example of this.
The civilized person takes pride in actually making something of herself. In the era of self esteem, a worthless gesture like a tatoo has more value than an actual accomplishment.
This is what defines vanity. Civilization cannot continue with its people running on empty.
@LoBornlite@xanga - I knew it! Piercing my ears is what's going to send me straight to hell...
Tattos are a act of Idolotry and Paganism. They were founded in so and will always remain. There is no evidence in the scriptures of Brit Chadasha to not get them other than 1 Thess 5:22 "Avoid the very apperance of evil." If it is something "worldly" people do it is not the best idea for a Christian. People say all the time that God doesn't care what is on the body. If that is the case then there wouldn't be so many Torah laws concerning the body. Sure as a Christian it doesn't matter what is on your body, but we should glorify God in our bodies. And doing the things he tought not to do to the body is not the best way to do it.
@LoBornlite@xanga -
So because I have a tattoo and a few piercings I'm an uncivilized person?
@LadyLibellule@xanga - I knew it! Piercing my ears is what's going to send me straight to hell...
My comment did not mention religion at all.
@Lordv16@xanga - So because I have a tattoo and a few piercings I'm an uncivilized person?
To borrow from Forrest Gump's mom, "Low class is, as low class does."
The actions and values of an individual do in fact determine her level of civility.
You're going to get a lot of different opinions and Scripture references in answer to your question, which is good. But my advice is this: pray about it. Pray about it until God speaks. Also, search your heart and your motivations for wanting one.
I have no problems with tattoos, in fact I prayed for a while before deciding to get one, and let God speak to my heart on the issue. I haven't gotten it yet, but I plan to, and it is something that has deep meaning to me in my relationship with Christ.
@LoBornlite@xanga - Sorry. My mistake.
I'm a thuggish low-life because I pierced my ears when I was seven.
Better?
@RazorBladeParade@xanga - It's like boriqua_kk_felangies said, cutting of the skin was associated with cultist practices of the region. Cultural context was also involved with Paul's discussion with the Corinthians to cover their head and not cover their head. Actions almost always come down to the heart.
@boriqua_kk_felangies@xanga - The reason for this area being a matter of interpretation is because it is an area that is important but not essential to a belief in Jesus. You can think of these essential areas being things you would die for-the inerrancy of scriptures, there is one God, Jesus died, was buried, and rose again for our sins.
And one of the church's (body of Christ) great failures has been having non-essential items create division. Additionally, Jesus is going to return with a tattoo on his thigh (Revelations 19:16)
@rabbi_cowboy@xanga - So when a college mate of mine got tattooed on his chest in Hebrew the phrase "Never will I leave you," as a daily reminder of God's faithfulness, I do not see the idolatry and paganism you mentioned.
@LoBornlite@xanga - I always thought being a judgmental prick was kind of low class.
Oh, well.
@LoBornlite@xanga - I feel you are making generalizations of a small group and applying them to a large group.
When I read your comment on this day, Memorial Day, I can't help but think of my late relatives who got a tat or two, not because it would look good when they were on the club floor or because the trampstamp would attract attention, but because it would help identify an army or leg if it got blown off while fighting the Nazis.
There are a lot of members from the rapidly-disappearing Greatest Generation who were WWII vets and had their own tattoos. And I dare you to call that generation or those men "low class" or question their civility.
@robbob - It doesn't matter what a tattoo says. it can say Jesus is Lord. doesn't really matter the entire root of tattos is based in idolotry. If one wants to please God he will (1 John 2:3) By this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments. Lev 19:28 'You shall not make any cuts in your body for the dead nor make any tattoo marks on yourselves: I am the LORD.
I am not saying we are under the Law either but if you truly love God and seek his glorification in all things in your life. You will honor him with the body he gave you without needing to modify it.
@LoBornlite@xanga - My husband, and two of my daughters have tattoos. My son is in the process of getting a tattoo and my son in law would like to get one. They are anything but "low class" as you would call them. And no one who knows them would think that of them, with or without their tattoos.
i personally wouldn't support tattoos in almost all cases. even if it were a scripture verse, i can't think of anything i would want on my body for the rest of my life. just think how it's going to look when you're elderly and your skin doesn't look like it does now. i don't think it will be too attractive.
if you're looking for a scripture reference, look to leviticus 19:28:
"You shall not make any cuts in your body for the dead nor make any tattoo marks on yourselves: I am the LORD."
i don't think God will hate you if you get a tattoo, and i guess it's better because you're leaning towards scripture and the like... but it IS in His word not to do so. just my thoughts (:
@mkb6595@xanga - I thought Leviticus didn't apply to today's Christians.
If it does, there's a lot more to worry about than tattoos...
@mentally_ill_hil@xanga - because it would help identify an army or leg if it got blown off while fighting the Nazis.
But were that the case today. Today, people get tatoos because it's cool.
Vanity. Emptiness. Low class. Uncivilized.
Additionally, in order to blow away your enemy at close range there is a demand a high degree of dehumanization. War is about the MOST uncivilized activity there is.
It is no surprise that tatoos would make their appearance in war.
@robbob - Like I thought. But the Old Testament doesn't apply to Christians anymore to begin with.