Poll: Who has a faith based tattoo?

[farouk]

It was because of the conversation that arose from a Bible reference that altered my thoughts on tatts.

I recall my question being "Why?"

And the young man was able to fully explain his reasoning, and the impromptu Bible study was joyful.

AD:

I talked to a young guy with John 3.16 on his arm. Presumably this has occurred to him with other people also.

FC:

I've discussed in the Law thread your question about the verses you cite in Romans and Ephesians.

 

[Free]

Free



On the contrary. I’m following that thread more closely than any other thread that I have experienced on this forum.

I have not yet seen an idea that is persuasive, to me at least, regarding the apparent contradiction between Rom 3:31 and Eph 2:15, that doesn’t require interpretively nullifying one verse or the other. Drew’s dual law idea is the most interesting interpretive idea so far presented, in my opinion. But his most recent posts leave me unclear as to his understanding.

Nor have I yet to see an idea that satisfactorily explains why, if the Law is not for Christians, then why it doesn’t follow that the bible, that is based on that Law, is for Christians. As it stands, the view of Roman Catholicism, that the bible is for Christians because the Church says it is, seems to me to be the only reasonable answer thus far presented. And that idea isn’t presented on this, a Protestant forum.

FC

Of course, my statement was only rhetorical. You are misapplying those passages from the Law and don't seem to understand that even though the Law is done, that does not mean there is no longer any sort of morality that Christians ought to follow. As for homosexuality, that is addressed in Rom 1.

Anyway, that's all off topic and all I will say in here on that.

 

[farouk]

I see someone has now voted in the poll who has 'more than one' faith based tattoo.

...i will pray about it. Have to put it on hold ..

God's gift:

Well, it's often not a bad thing to wait a bit if the person wanting to go under the needle still isn't completely sure about the design or the placement; maybe you're not. But I guess if the person does become sure, and the circumstances seem appropriate for the faith based tattoo to come to fruition, this is the time that it will be on hold no longer. Blessings.

 

[farouk]

Air Dancer:

PS: Was it an actual Bible reference that he had tattooed on his skin, or was it a thought-provoking symbol? I guess faith related designs come into these two categories, really.

 

[AirDancer]

Hi, Farouk,

The tatt was of an old fashioned oil lamp, with a flame shining in the chimney. There was a tag on the wick adjuster with 'Matt 25'.

I thought of the chapter when I saw the design & tag.

It was very well done, and definitely something I hadn't seen before.

His father had the design of a large key on his upper arm....he kept adding verse name & number to the inner part of the key ... any verse that could reference how to gain heaven in the end. Eventually, the father had to have another key inked on his other arm.

 

[farouk]

Hi, Farouk,

The tatt was of an old fashioned oil lamp, with a flame shining in the chimney. There was a tag on the wick adjuster with 'Matt 25'.

I thought of the chapter when I saw the design & tag.

It was very well done, and definitely something I hadn't seen before.

His father had the design of a large key on his upper arm....he kept adding verse name & number to the inner part of the key ... any verse that could reference how to gain heaven in the end. Eventually, the father had to have another key inked on his other arm.

Air Dancer:

Interesting; and you are right; tattoos often go in families. It used to be that the custom might be passed from father to son; now of course in North America women are in a small majority among tattoo parlor clients; and sometimes it is the young person who gets one first and later the parent might follow suit. Since the mother often has the strongest faith in the family, I would foresee that the mother-daughter faith design tattoo bonding may continue to increase.

 

[Davies]

I took the poll and found myself 1 of 3 that didn't like the tattoo concept. I think the reason I don't like the idea is because, though Scripture or a religious symbol could be displayed, I don't think the tattoo says much about you, at least not to the stranger. If anything, it may bring attention to you when I think our goal is to bring attention to the Savior. I suppose that could be argued. My conscience doesn't say it's sinful, but it does tell me it's not the best witness. That's just me.

- Davies

 

[farouk]

I took the poll and found myself 1 of 3 that didn't like the tattoo concept. I think the reason I don't like the idea is because, though Scripture or a religious symbol could be displayed, I don't think the tattoo says anything about you, at least not to the stranger. If anything it may bring attention to you when, I think our goal is to bring attention to the Savior. I suppose that could be argued. My conscience doesn't say it's sinful, but it does tell me it's not the best witness. That's just me.

- Davies

Davies,

In some sort of sense I would tend to agree with you. I don't think a faith related tattoo design has any value in itself.

But, then, people's sheer experience proves that they do open up opportunities to talk to people where such opportunities in the same way might not have occurred.

In this strongly pragmatic sense comes the motivation that I can understand.

(If this makes sense?)

 

[AirDancer]

Hi, Farouk -

Tatts may bond some families together ... but I still wouldn't want one myself. If I want to bond further with my kids, I'll do it with gorilla glue (only joking)

Still, concerning the young man with whom I talked: he had such a joyous spirit and an abiding and refreshing faith ... and many of those who were seated around us listened to the conversation we had.

Yet.... disturbingly dark tatts on a self-claimed Christian would lead one to wonder ....

 

[Slider]

I have one in mind that I want on my back shoulder. I'll share the idea with y'all.

A square tomb with a round-disk stone half rolled away with footprints leading out. Below it in artsy letters the word "Risen", "Free" or something like that. If you research tombs in Jerusalem, you'll get the idea.

Feel free to use it, just give me thanks for the idea.... It was inspired by the Gospel so I can't take full credit.

Maybe one day I will get it!

 

[farouk]

Hi, Farouk -

Tatts may bond some families together ... but I still wouldn't want one myself. If I want to bond further with my kids, I'll do it with gorilla glue (only joking)

Still, concerning the young man with whom I talked: he had such a joyous spirit and an abiding and refreshing faith ... and many of those who were seated around us listened to the conversation we had.

Yet.... disturbingly dark tatts on a self-claimed Christian would lead one to wonder ....

Air Dancer:

Yes, I know what you mean!

Disturbing and dark might have been a genre of tattoo that was formerly widespread, even preponderant, among some male recipients of the tattoo needle.

But with the overwhelming increase in the interest in tattoos among women, lots of tattoos today are much more likely to be aesthetically positive, under-stated and even genteel in character, I think it's fair to say.

Which, from a design perspective, it's these sorts of tattoo designs which would probably make faith related ones seem to blend in a more straightforward way where this more genteel and graceful tattoo aesthetic prevails.

(Hope this makes some sense, too?)

I have one in mind that I want on my back shoulder. I'll share the idea with y'all.

A square tomb with a round-disk stone half rolled away with footprints leading out. Below it in artsy letters the word "Risen", "Free" or something like that. If you research tombs in Jerusalem, you'll get the idea.

Feel free to use it, just give me thanks for the idea.... It was inspired by the Gospel so I can't take full credit.

Maybe one day I will get it!

Slider:

Interesting ideas, yes...

So would it be your first? or have you already gotten others? (I guess it can make a difference if it's the first, or not.)

 

[Slider]

Wouldn't be my first. I have one that means something from my early childhood as well as to my teenage/college years. I won't disclose it, but it was one of rebellion. I'll let it be there as a reminder. Furthermore, God's going to need some folks who want to rumpus wildly! But this one if I get it will be special. I'll have my wife (a fairly good artist) design it, and the same person who gave my Pastor his Tattoo do it!

Hey... Tat's are on flesh... They mean nothing. Flesh ain't going to inherhit the kingdom. But it is a statement. I got a tatt when I was wild and rebellious... Why not put something when I am under subjection to Christ? It's all "dust". The flesh is dust. It doesn't matter. Either way it doesn't matter. So, if it doesn't matter, why not praise him in the flesh?

 

[farouk]

Wouldn't be my first. I have one that means something from my early childhood as well as to my teenage/college years. I won't disclose it, but it was one of rebellion. I'll let it be there as a reminder. Furthermore, God's going to need some folks who want to rumpus wildly! But this one if I get it will be special. I'll have my wife (a fairly good artist) design it, and the same person who gave my Pastor his Tattoo do it!

Hey... Tat's are on flesh... They mean nothing. Flesh ain't going to inherhit the kingdom. But it is a statement. I got a tatt when I was wild and rebellious... Why not put something when I am under subjection to Christ? It's all "dust". The flesh is dust. It doesn't matter. Either way it doesn't matter. So, if it doesn't matter, why not praise him in the flesh?

Slider:

Well, I see; this is interesting.

Great your wife is a good artist, anyway. Do you know if she's designed any tattoos before?

Blessings.

 

[AirDancer]

Disturbing and dark might have been a genre of tattoo that was formerly widespread, even preponderant, among some male recipients of the tattoo needle.

Hi, Farouk -

A few short years ago, a town in Florida was site to a revival featuring a heavily disturbing and darkly tattooed man. Some of the tatts were from his unlawful days before he turned his life to Christ. The remaining dark tatts were gained AFTER his conversion.

Anyway, for those who were able to identify the man was a false teacher - they were accused of 'incorrectly judging' the man solely because of the many tatts he had. Perhaps some did judge him because of the dark tatts .... but most saw the falseness of his teaching.

It was shortly after that time when I had the pleasant converse with the young man with the oil lamp tatt. Such a difference!

 

[Slider]

Slider:

Well, I see; this is interesting.

Great your wife is a good artist, anyway. Do you know if she's designed any tattoos before?

Blessings.

No.... I married her when she was 35. She had a life before me, so she could have... I'm not interested in her life before that. If she did, then great!

 

[farouk]

No.... I married her when she was 35. She had a life before me, so she could have... I'm not interested in her life before that. If she did, then great!

Slider:

Sounds like she's a good artist, anyway! and you definitely trust her drawing skills.

And yes, you are right; by 35 a woman might well have gone through, or continued in, the tattoo stage of things, whether for herself or in designing ones for others, right? (In fact, by 35, a woman could very well have been into tattoos for nearly half her life, because the first is often a rite of passage at 18.) Everyone is different, though, and I guess we are especially talking about faith related designs. Blessings.

Hi, Farouk -

A few short years ago, a town in Florida was site to a revival featuring a heavily disturbing and darkly tattooed man. Some of the tatts were from his unlawful days before he turned his life to Christ. The remaining dark tatts were gained AFTER his conversion.

Anyway, for those who were able to identify the man was a false teacher - they were accused of 'incorrectly judging' the man solely because of the many tatts he had. Perhaps some did judge him because of the dark tatts .... but most saw the falseness of his teaching.

It was shortly after that time when I had the pleasant converse with the young man with the oil lamp tatt. Such a difference!

Air Dancer:

Yes, I do see what you mean about 'dark' tattoos. Of course, Gothic style tattoos are a recognized genre, and I guess even they can be adapted for constructive, faith related designs, whether for lettering in Gothic script, or whatever. (If you see what I'm referring to?)

But I take your point, yes.

 

[Slider]

Well, I know my wife's body... No tattooes! I checked every square inch! Even the knooks and crannys! That wasn't my point... I don't care what she did before she met me. but she may have designed a tattoo or two (hey, say that 10 times fast!).

My wife is truly an amazing person.... She's an artist (I won't say a great one even though I think she's the best in the world) and also a salesperson. Salespeople are dangerous. My wife is the world's greatest salesperson and that's bad! She sells me on so many things!!!!

I'm thinking harder about that Tattoo... I'll let you know if I get it and will post pics if I do...

We had different opinions of Tatts and what the Bible says, Farouk. But I hope you see I'm not against them and I understand that they are ok by grace either way.

 

[farouk]

Well, I know my wife's body... No tattooes! I checked every square inch! Even the knooks and crannys! That wasn't my point... I don't care what she did before she met me. but she may have designed a tattoo or two (hey, say that 10 times fast!).

My wife is truly an amazing person.... She's an artist (I won't say a great one even though I think she's the best in the world) and also a salesperson. Salespeople are dangerous. My wife is the world's greatest salesperson and that's bad! She sells me on so many things!!!!

I'm thinking harder about that Tattoo... I'll let you know if I get it and will post pics if I do...

We had different opinions of Tatts and what the Bible says, Farouk. But I hope you see I'm not against them and I understand that they are ok by grace either way.

Slider:

Well, I wasn't particularly asking to know if she had actually had one done or not; but I guess that my point is that at 35 there will already have been plenty of scope for any tattoos, extra ear piercings and the like, or whatever.

Does she know you're considering one, though? I guess she might be using her design skills, anyway, if so. Blessings.

 

[Davies]

Davies,

But, then, people's sheer experience proves that they do open up opportunities to talk to people where such opportunities in the same way might not have occurred.

(If this makes sense?)

I can understand a tattoo could open a witnessing encounter, but that's really not the motivation for someone to get a tattoo is it? Perhaps it would force someone to talk about their faith when they wouldn't have witnessed to someone because of fear, but sharing one's faith needs no help from a tattoo. I imagine having a tattoo could work in the opposite direction and dissuade opportunities which would have been open otherwise.

- Davies

 

[farouk]

I can understand a tattoo could open a witnessing encounter, but that's really not the motivation for someone to get a tattoo is it? Perhaps it would force someone to talk about their faith when they wouldn't have witnessed to someone because of fear, but sharing one's faith needs no help from a tattoo. I imagine having a tattoo could work in the opposite direction and dissuade opportunities which would have been open otherwise.

- Davies

Davies,

I guess it would be for some ppl. (Personally I don't think the thing would have value in itself, strictly, but for sheer, pragmatic doability, faith related tattoo designs do lead to a lot of conversations.)