Poll: Respecting her tattoo wish

[farouk]

Davies:

There's a great passage, too, in Romans 12.

I realize of course that on the other thread at one point you seemed also to be arguing against pierced ears, which is a hugely widespread practice which most people would regard as benign; which is fine, if this is what you think, of course. I must admit the design I got on my arm wasn't successful and it faded; some people can pull it off, though and some Christians get them specifically to witness with a faith based design.

Blessings.

 

[Davies]

Hi farouk,

I'm glad you like Romans 12 too. Tattoos and piercings are worldly even if excepted socially.

You know, I was thinking about it, maybe Hulk Hogan's "I AM that I AM" was a reference to Popeye. I could be rushing to conclusions when I considered it an occasion to blaspheme God's name.

When you say that some Christians get their tattoos for witnessing, does that mean that you didn't get your tattoo for that purpose? When you say the design that you got wasn't successful, I'm not sure what that means. What is a successful design? Did you only get one design or tattoo? If the tattoo wasn't successful, then you must of felt that it wasn't worth the investment ($$), to provide the repeat business and have it refreshed? Because the tattoo wasn't successful, do you regret the design you chose? If you had to do it all over again, how would you know if what you were getting was successful or not? At what age did you get your tattoo? I notice you didn't respond to my inquiries in the previous post, so, if this is something you don't want to discuss, no problem.

- Davies

 

[farouk]

Davies: I though I basically did answer. Anyway, I appreciate all your copious comments, which have been thoughtful of you.

Blessings.

 

[Davies]

Davies: I though I basically did answer. Anyway, I appreciate all your copious comments, which have been thoughtful of you.

Blessings.

How about all the questions I just asked? I think their german... oh, germane. lol

- Davies

 

[farouk]

Okay folks so one of the ideas I am getting is that (faith related?) tattoos are okay as long as they were obtained before the person was converted but not after.

I think evidence shows otherwise.

FYI:

Originally Posted by Linda L <cite>..</cite>I was away from God for about 20 years of my adult life, and thanks to my faithful husband was brought back into the knowledge of God’s love and faith in and for me. I was 55 when I got my tattoo, and when deciding what to get, I knew I had to get something that displayed my faith and love in and for God, maybe kind of as a tribute. God’s love, grace and forgiveness are things that I know will not falter, so I wanted something to help remind me when I have weak times. ( from adamjcopeland dot com )

Originally posted by Jeni Ruth I guess for our family the question of whether or not to be tattooed was already made as I had 12 tats and my hubby had 4 when we were first saved. Certainly the style and reason for our tats changed after being saved. Five of our 6 kids are also inked [ages 28-35] ..(from Christian hyphen tattoos dot com )

I think that the evidence shows, including among people of mature judgment, that people do feel thoroughly comfortable with faith based tattoos, whether they received them before or after they were converted to Christ.

 

[Davies]

farouk,

Are my questions german or not german?

- Davies

 

[handy]

Wow, it's been a long time since I've looked over this thread...lot's of opinions out there about this.

I always look at issues like these (tatts, piercings, etc.) in the light that, while we need to be careful about our own personal behavior and follow the Spirit's convictions for our own self...we also need to be careful not to condemn others for things, unless we have a very clear Biblical standing for doing so. As it's been pointed out numerous times that Lev 19:28 really doesn't apply to tattoos (unless being done as part of a pagan ritual), so other than that, I cannot see a clear reason why I should condemn anyone (man or woman) for getting a tattoo.

As tatts become more and more common, I think they'll be incorporated into different ways Christians share the gospel, just as faith-based clothing or jewelry has been.

My brother-in-law is one scary looking dude. He's a biker and he can be sort of a dangerous guy, but he's also a very sweet, gentle man. We've prayed for him for a long time and, due to a biker preacher, he's now a Christian. The biker preacher has many faith based tattoos and has led many bikers to the Lord. My brother-in-law also married a wonderful woman who is also part of the biker society. She too, is a Christian, has faith based tattoos and also evangelizes to many people that "good Church-going Christian folks" would roll up their windows and lock their doors rather than speak to.

I'll never get a tattoo, at least from where I'm sitting now, I can't see myself getting one. But, I can't fathom why so many people think that tattoos, in of themselves, are somehow sinful. Gluttony, drunkeness, lewd and lascivious behavior, that's certainly all sinful, but a simple tattoo?

How is a tattoo any more sinful than dying one's hair or getting their nose pierced?

 

[Deborah13]

I'm more concerned about Christians showing disapproval or making statements that lead non-christians or even young christians to believe that the Bible says something that it doesn't. Sometimes to the point of out and out lies. Such as:

Jesus didn't have a beard.
Jesus didn't turn water into wine, it was grape juice.
The Bible says a Christian can't drink.
A Christian must separate themselves from family and friends that are not Christians.
Churchs can't use musical instruments in their church service.
Women must always wear skirts.
Women must have long hair and men must have short hair.

The list goes on and on. Non-christians know more about rules that aren't in the Bible than they do about God's love for them and what Jesus did for them.
How do I know because I've had them ask me.
And they do know instinctively that's it's wrong to present yourself as better than someone else, to talk behind someone's back (gossip), to lie, etc. so they see many Christians as hypocrites and judge all Christians by these others. They judge all Christians by the actions of some Christians.

As far as offending a brother, we shouldn't be a stumbling block to cause him to sin and that includes gossiping, drunkeness, etc. But to try to please all Christians would be just impossible. So we need to worry about what's pleasing to the Lord.
Women should not wear short shorts in public because that would be deliberately tempting one to sin causing them to stumble.

 

[farouk]

Hi handy and deborah13:

Thank-you for making a number of sensible, considered comments.

Yes, the priority is to keep on proclaiming the love of the Lord Jesus for sinners.

Re. people's views about tattoos, which sometimes change over time, I saw this comment:

posted originally by Steph I was forbidden to get a tattoo until I was out of the house. So the minute I was out on my own, away I went. My father had a fit of epic proportions! My mom, she was less then pleased I suppose. Although both have come to the understanding that tattoos for me are a way to express myself and my life story through carefully chosen images. Now they both get tattooed at the same place I do in ON along with my sister! My mom comes along with me when I get tattooed and I love it, it’s a great way for us to bond (from modologyworld dot net)

Whether or not this poster's attitude started out in quite the appropriate way, it is very evident that some of the comments refer to people of more mature years whose views and impressions about tattoos have changed. (Some of us would make the application that this climate may offer increasing opportunities for faith based designs.)

Blessings.

 

[Davies]

Hi farouk,

Thanks for ignoring me. I appreciate it the Christian sentiment very much.

Blessings

- Davies

 

[farouk]

Hi farouk,

Thanks for ignoring me. I appreciate it the Christian sentiment very much.

Blessings

- Davies

Davies:

Friend, you and I basically agree on a lot of things. As far as this matter is concerned, we have been over and over the same ground, again and again, and a recognition of this ought not to bring doubt on our shared desire to honor God. Thanks for your understanding.

Blessings.

 

[Davies]

Thanks for ignoring me, again! I don't find you really to be sincere, because if you were, you would be transparent.

It would be more honest of you to say I don't feel comfortable answering your questions. I can respect a person's privacy, but what I don't respect is when a person is evasive.

Oh, and thank you for your understanding.

Blessings.

- Davies

 

[farouk]

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Davies: I though I basically did answer. Anyway, I appreciate all your copious comments, which have been thoughtful of you.

Blessings.

Davies:

Friend, you and I basically agree on a lot of things. As far as this matter is concerned, we have been over and over the same ground, again and again, and a recognition of this ought not to bring doubt on our shared desire to honor God. Thanks for your understanding.

Blessings.

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[farouk]

So, anyone with further tattoo news, maybe?

Blessings.

 

[Davies]

Good farouk,

I want to take the opportunity to apologize to you. I'm sorry. I hope you will be able to forgive me. I don't perceive you to be on the level, but that is something I shouldn't be angry over. Perhaps disappointment would have been the godly response.

I can't remember which thread I asked the question in, but I asked do you think we would wear jewelry in Heaven. I think piercings was the subject. Though this isn't Biblical, I could say it is possible that people will wear earrings in Heaven, even men. After all, we will be given a crown, how about for the ear that ministered? Couldn't jems be placed in the ears of those who listened, and ministered with their ears? It's possible.

- Davies

 

[farouk]

Davies: No prob.

 

[evenifigoalone]

Personally the most I would probably do is use one of those temporary tattoo things. Or maybe draw on my arms and hands with a pen. I did that last one today. lol
But that's just my preference.

 

[farouk]

Personally the most I would probably do is use one of those temporary tattoo things. Or maybe draw on my arms and hands with a pen. I did that last one today. lol
But that's just my preference.

questdriven:

Some Christians have a Bible reference that they like so much that they get it needled onto their wrist or somewhere, as a testimony and conversation-starter.

So what did you draw on your hand today?

Blessings.

 

[evenifigoalone]

This:
View attachment 2901

None of it is something I'd want on my skin permanently since none of it is important...well, except maybe the little celtic cross thing. If I did get a tattoo, it'd be something faith based like that.
But I probably wouldn't, for two reasons: (1) I don't like pain, and (2) it'd freak my mom out. xD



What I drew today came about mostly from playing around with my friends on the way to a concert.

 

[farouk]

This:
View attachment 3745

None of it is something I'd want on my skin permanently since none of it is important...well, except maybe the little celtic cross thing. If I did get a tattoo, it'd be something faith based like that.
But I probably wouldn't, for two reasons: (1) I don't like pain, and (2) it'd freak my mom out. xD

questdriven:

Well, I can see your 'hand' and style in the cartoon drawing already!

But yes, I can well imagine that if you did go to the parlor eventually and get a little ink done, you would want it to be something faith based that would be a witness and conversation-starter. It's something many Christians do, anyway.

Obviously living in your mom's house at your stage of life you would ideally need at least to talk it over, beforehand, if wanted to do it.

Re. the pain thing, these days they use numbing creams anyway, so it ought not to be a big problem. You must know, anyway. It wouldn't do any harm just to go into a parlor non-committally if it interests you and ask questions; tattooists aren't likely to try to do a hard sell; it's not professional; they actually welcome non-committal questions from people who show some interest.

But ultimately it would have to be your doing, one way or another.

Blessings.