Tattoo

[intenseza]

Hi guys

This weekend I got "Adonai" tattooed in text on the left side of my chest. It isn't
big or anything and I really love it. I've been going through some content online
and many people say that it's quite disrespectful. This obviously doesn't make
me feel good to read such things. Perhaps you could talk to me about this?

Please I really don't need any bashing, but rather some insightful opinions.
I do love the Lord and I love Jesus. I'm a strong believer and I completely believe that Jesus died on the Cross for my sins and through him all my sins are washed away. Before I decided to get a tattoo I did speak to my pastor about it, so I didn't get it knowing this is completely wrong.

Anyways I just thought I could get some insight here.

Thanks very much guys.

Thanks very much
- M

 

[WIP]

Please don't take this personally. I'm only sharing some of the thoughts I've had on this topic in the past. Certainly one must consider this in prayer and allow God to speak to one's heart. When I've considered this question I had to ask myself a few questions.

In my country we have a specific set of etiquette guidelines for our national symbol, the flag.

Flag Etiquette

STANDARDS of RESPECT
The Flag Code, which formalizes and unifies the traditional ways in which we give respect to the flag, also contains specific instructions on how the flag is not to be used. They are:

• The flag should never be dipped to any person or thing. It is flown upside down only as a distress signal.
• The flag should not be used as a drapery, or for covering a speakers desk, draping a platform, or for any decoration in general. Bunting of blue, white and red stripes is available for these purposes. The blue stripe of the bunting should be on the top.
• The flag should never be used for any advertising purpose. It should not be embroidered, printed or otherwise impressed on such articles as cushions, handkerchiefs, napkins, boxes, or anything intended to be discarded after temporary use. Advertising signs should not be attached to the staff or halyard
• The flag should not be used as part of a costume or athletic uniform, except that a flag patch may be used on the uniform of military personnel, fireman, policeman and members of patriotic organizations.
• The flag should never have placed on it, or attached to it, any mark, insignia, letter, word, number, figure, or drawing of any kind.
• The flag should never be used as a receptacle for receiving, holding, carrying, or delivering anything.

Is God more valuable than our flag? Is God more majestic than our flag? Is God on a higher plane than our flag? Does God deserve more respect than our flag? Should I not hold God in the highest esteem? Do I not owe it to God to afford Him the utmost in reverence?

Then I come to Exodus 20.

Ex:20:7, KJV - Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.

Synonyms for vain include idle, worthless, useless, lacking value,...

I personally concluded that I wouldn't feel comfortable even with a t-shirt imprinted with the name Jesus on the front because I would see myself as belittling God's name. Maybe I'm a little weird and a bit out on a cliff but that's how I feel. I'm sure motive has a lot to do with it too.

 

[handy]

It's not completely wrong. Some will view it so, others will not.

There is an old testament verse which is sometimes used to say any kind of tatooing is wrong, but I view that is taking the verse out of context and making it say something that it really doesn't...as is often the case with "proof texts".

The question is...is this something you have, in your heart of hearts, faith that it is OK...

In other words, are you doubting your own decision... or are you just being confused by the opinions of others.

This is very important because the Scriptures teach us that all things are lawful, but, not all things are profitable and whatever is not done from faith is sin. If you truly felt that you were doing something wrong when you did this thing... then you should not have done it.

If however, you're just second guessing things because of what others are saying, and you still feel very firm in your conviction that the tattoo was an expression of your love for the Lord and not anything disrespectful...then I wouldn't worry about it.

I have to say that I share WIP's conviction about things with the name of God on it. I don't have fish symbols or religious things on my car, I don't have t-shirts or articles of clothing that bear the name of Jesus... About the closest thing I can think of that would compare is the fact that I once had a cross I wore quite regularly, and am considering getting a crucifix to wear to church for personal reasons.

But, these are my convictions... Yours may be very different. We need not, indeed shouldn't, impose our own convictions in such matters on others.

Prayerfully re-examine your reasons for getting the tatt... and if there is any conviction that this wasn't the correct thing to do... repent and then see what, if anything, can be done to rectify it. (The downside of tattooing, I know.)

But, if you truly can't see a problem... wear it in faith.

 

[farouk]

It's not completely wrong. Some will view it so, others will not.

There is an old testament verse which is sometimes used to say any kind of tatooing is wrong, but I view that is taking the verse out of context and making it say something that it really doesn't...as is often the case with "proof texts".

The question is...is this something you have, in your heart of hearts, faith that it is OK...

In other words, are you doubting your own decision... or are you just being confused by the opinions of others.

This is very important because the Scriptures teach us that all things are lawful, but, not all things are profitable and whatever is not done from faith is sin. If you truly felt that you were doing something wrong when you did this thing... then you should not have done it.

If however, you're just second guessing things because of what others are saying, and you still feel very firm in your conviction that the tattoo was an expression of your love for the Lord and not anything disrespectful...then I wouldn't worry about it.

I have to say that I share WIP's conviction about things with the name of God on it. I don't have fish symbols or religious things on my car, I don't have t-shirts or articles of clothing that bear the name of Jesus... About the closest thing I can think of that would compare is the fact that I once had a cross I wore quite regularly, and am considering getting a crucifix to wear to church for personal reasons.

But, these are my convictions... Yours may be very different. We need not, indeed shouldn't, impose our own convictions in such matters on others.

Prayerfully re-examine your reasons for getting the tatt... and if there is any conviction that this wasn't the correct thing to do... repent and then see what, if anything, can be done to rectify it. (The downside of tattooing, I know.)

But, if you truly can't see a problem... wear it in faith.

handy:

I think this site even sells cross pendants and earrings, doesn't it?

I'm sure you are right that some people will like faith related tattoos and others won't.

Maybe one angle will be also: will a faith related tattoo prove to be effective in stimulating witness conversations? (I guess you could even say the same about cross pendants and earrings, although my feeling is that faith related ink is likely to stimulate more comment than the jewelry. Maybe this is why you would like to wear a cross, to start conversations?)

Part of the matter also in terms of effectiveness as a conversation-starter, is the placement of the tattoo.

 

[Mike]

Intenzesa, this is why tattoos shouldn't be taken lightly. It's hard to put that toothpaste back on the tube.

Farouk, you are without a doubt one of the most genuine believers I've come across in my time on CFnet. Clearly, tattoos are a passion of yours. Even with that, you always respond with thoughtful kindness when you read things that are in disagreement with them. WIP and Handy were very eloquent in their thoughts about them, but I've seen some pretty harsh demonizing of them, and you have never sounded even remotely upset. That's one of the things I appreciate most about you. Your kindness come from within.

And that brings me to my point. Jesus had some things to say about things on the surface compared to things within.

Matthew 23
<sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-23946">27</sup> “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead and everything unclean. <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-23947">28</sup> In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness."

Intenzesa, I'm not a tattoo person, myself. I would never get one, but that's my thing. I'll tell you I would rather have the heart of Farouk and be covered in bloody skulls and cross-bones tattoos than be a whitewashed tomb of a person. No matter what's printed on his skin, he's the real-deal and his faith is authentic. I believe it's a mistake to let any man guilt you into anything that isn't clearly forbidden in scripture. It will leave you feeling conflict with yourself.

Welcome to CFnet.

 

[farouk]

... I'm sure motive has a lot to do with it too.

WIP:

Yes, I'm sure it's what motivates the person to go under the needle has a lot to do with it.

Fact is, so many young people at 18 go for either piercings or a tattoo (it's a kind of 18th birthday rite of passage, so often), that it's not surprising that some Christians are motivated to go for some meaningful faith related design that will undoubtedly feature in their witness conversations with people, especially other young people.

Mike: Well, thank-you; but I'd guess I'd better go watch my humility in case I get too big headed.

Blessings.

 

[WIP]

I have nothing against tattoos in general or even piercing accept for some of the places they have it done but I would not do it myself and yeah there are some that seem a bit outrageous to me but I won't fault them for it. I'm sure there things I do that seem strange or even irritate others...what am I saying?

 

[farouk]

I have nothing against tattoos in general or even piercing accept for some of the places they have it done but I would not do it myself and yeah there are some that seem a bit outrageous to me but I won't fault them for it. I'm sure there things I do that seem strange or even irritate others...what am I saying?

WIP: Well, exactly, yes; like I said, lots of young ppl do it especially for their 18th as they enter adulthood, and some parents even go with them to the parlor and some Christian parents, though maybe not all, are even delighted that it's a sometimes a faith-related design that is being done to their son or daughter.

 

[Lloyd]

I have a two tattoos, 1 saying "God 1st", the other "JC" - and I'm planning on getting my full arm done soon, all biblical related.

Mike's post says it all for me.. I'm like Mikes biggest fan, haha :D

 

[Fedusenko]

I have a two tattoos, 1 saying "God 1st", the other "JC" - and I'm planning on getting my full arm done soon, all biblical related.

Mike's post says it all for me.. I'm like Mikes biggest fan, haha :D

Ha ha, that made me think of all the people who claim '1st post' on youtube videos.

 

[Lloyd]

Ha ha, that made me think of all the people who claim '1st post' on youtube videos.

haha... nice. I might start posting God 1st on those youtube videos instead... lol

 

[farouk]

I have a two tattoos, 1 saying "God 1st", the other "JC" - and I'm planning on getting my full arm done soon, all biblical related.

Mike's post says it all for me.. I'm like Mikes biggest fan, haha :D

Lloyd:

You're a guy, right? Arm sleeve tattoos used to be almost exclusively a male preserve but it's now a placement that's getting popular with women, too.

So do you have opportunities to talk to people about the faith related references of your tattoos?

For some people, this is the principal motivation for getting them.

 

[Mike]

Mike's post says it all for me.. I'm like Mikes biggest fan, haha :D

If that were true, it would be a lonely life to live. An army of 1.

 

[theLords]

Intenzesa, this is why tattoos shouldn't be taken lightly. It's hard to put that toothpaste back on the tube.

Farouk, you are without a doubt one of the most genuine believers I've come across in my time on CFnet. Clearly, tattoos are a passion of yours. Even with that, you always respond with thoughtful kindness when you read things that are in disagreement with them. WIP and Handy were very eloquent in their thoughts about them, but I've seen some pretty harsh demonizing of them, and you have never sounded even remotely upset. That's one of the things I appreciate most about you. Your kindness come from within.

And that brings me to my point. Jesus had some things to say about things on the surface compared to things within.

Matthew 23
<sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-23946">27</sup> “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead and everything unclean. <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-23947">28</sup> In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness."

Intenzesa, I'm not a tattoo person, myself. I would never get one, but that's my thing. I'll tell you I would rather have the heart of Farouk and be covered in bloody skulls and cross-bones tattoos than be a whitewashed tomb of a person. No matter what's printed on his skin, he's the real-deal and his faith is authentic. I believe it's a mistake to let any man guilt you into anything that isn't clearly forbidden in scripture. It will leave you feeling conflict with yourself.

Welcome to CFnet.

I completely agree. :yes

 

[modernnihilst]

As a fairly heavily tattoed person, I would say as long as the tatto has an actual reason/meaning behind it AND is a design that you would want to explain to grandkids(rember they are permanent) there isn't an issue with them. Just stay away from flash art tattos.

 

[Fedusenko]

My buddy got a tattoo of The Comic Shop (an orlando comic store) logo on his back so he could get free comics. To some people it matters, others it doesnt.

 

[farouk]

My buddy got a tattoo of The Comic Shop (an orlando comic store) logo on his back so he could get free comics. To some people it matters, others it doesnt.

F:

In a sense, some ppl obviously get one to gain some advantage, although your friend's reason was more unusual, I guess.

Others do it because their faith witness is about giving and sharing with others, by means of their faith tattoo design.

 

[Lloyd]

Lloyd:

You're a guy, right? Arm sleeve tattoos used to be almost exclusively a male preserve but it's now a placement that's getting popular with women, too.

So do you have opportunities to talk to people about the faith related references of your tattoos?

For some people, this is the principal motivation for getting them.

Hi farouk,

I have the tattoos for 2 reasons:

1. As a reminder to me to keep me on the right path
2. So that other people ask me why I have them and so that they know I belong to Christ

I think I'm a decent person (and I say that in a humble manner) - I get on well with people, and I hope then they see the tattoos and think "Maybe believing in Christ isnt so bad after all".

I come from a relatively non-biblical area in the UK, basically know one I know goes to church, believes in God, nothing like that, especially the younger generation (I'm 30 myself), so I'm trying to be that light for Christ I guess, or atleast an example, and if my tattoos bring one person to Christ, then I guess having them was all worth it

 

[Lloyd]

BTW farouk,

What tattoo's do you have? Sorry, should have asked earlier.

 

[stovebolts]

I would highly caution against getting a full sleeve. Actually, I would caution getting any tattoos that would be highly visible in work attire and this extends to piercings as well.

Fact of the matter is this. People judge you on your looks. It's the way things work. You sound young, but honestly do you really know what your going to be doing 10-20 years down the road? You have no idea where God is going to put you.

I would warn you right now that if you get crazy with your tattoos, you'll pay the price down the line. You will be judged negatively for them, regardless of their content. It could cost you a potential job, or a promotion.

I'm not against tattoos. I even have a few of my own. They are addictive, I understand. But I warn you with a contrite heart. Don't get a sleeve and make sure you can cover them. You have the rest of your life to think about, and that means you may one day be responsible for raising a family. It's not all about your personal "expression".

Hope this doesn't sound too harsh... Just trying to be as honest as I can.

Grace and Peace.