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Tattoos

G

gingram

Member
Hi,

This is my first post, and I searched this sub-forum and a couple of others for this topic, and didn't find anything. I apologize if it has been discussed before.

I am very much into tattoos. I have five already, and I have plans for a lot more. My tattoos are in good taste with good messages, except for one but it's only a small piece of the tattoo and I plan on getting that taken care of of. Also, they all have a personal meaning and reason, so no, I don't run out and get the largest, blackest tribal shoulder piece just because it looks cool, like some people I know.

Anyway, the plans for my future tattoos also all have personal meaning and good messages. Pretty much all of them are even Christian based (words, scriptures, crosses, etc).

The point of this post is, is a tattoo that is in good taste, and even Christian based, a sin or righteous?

I know that Leviticus 19:28 (King James Version) says:

"Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print any marks upon you: I am the LORD."

Any insight and information into this is very much appreciated. Also, if you know of any break-down in that verse and whether or not it still holds meaning, please tell.

Thank You!
 
Welcome to the site, gingram :wave

This topic does come up every so often, the most recent one being Tattoos... Yes, No?. You may find that you question is answered there, or at least find something to think about.

Blessings :)
 
Caroline H said:
Welcome to the site, gingram :wave

This topic does come up every so often, the most recent one being Tattoos... Yes, No?. You may find that you question is answered there, or at least find something to think about.

Blessings :)
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Thanks! Lol I had no idea that someone pretty much asked this same exact question, almost word-for-word, so recently. Thank you for that. :thumb
 
I would strongly advise against tattoos. In addition to the Law of Moses' mandate against them; we must remember that our bodies are the temples of the living God. If we deface our body--the temple and count that which is holy, as a vain thing in common graffiti, how offended would God be? Aside from circumcision, hair cutting, and general grooming, it is my estimation based on the word of God that no other ornamental alteration of the human body is pleasing in God's sight. (Circumcision is a sign of the covenant. There is no profit, nor drawback in it. It is a token of the covenant with God.)
 
Gingram - thank you for the question. It reminded me that I had a blog item on tattoos almost ready to post. So I went ahead and finished it. It certainly wasn't written about you in particular (I've had all but the last paragraph completed for several weeks) but it is relevant to your concerns. If you're interested, you can see it under "To Tattoo You (or not)?" at http://www.VegasGeorge.com.
 
Ashua said:
I would strongly advise against tattoos. In addition to the Law of Moses' mandate against them; we must remember that our bodies are the temples of the living God. If we deface our body--the temple and count that which is holy, as a vain thing in common graffiti, how offended would God be? Aside from circumcision, hair cutting, and general grooming, it is my estimation based on the word of God that no other ornamental alteration of the human body is pleasing in God's sight. (Circumcision is a sign of the covenant. There is no profit, nor drawback in it. It is a token of the covenant with God.)
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So if circumcision is a sign that u beleive in God, how is getting a bible verse tattooed not a sign not a sign that u beleive in God? Both show your faith in god, so what makes one OK and the other not OK?
 
This has always been a topic for discussion... I am currently a senior in college and I must say I am not a big fan of tattoos and I know that the bible speaks of treating your body as a temple. Wouldn't this mean that we as Christians should do our best to eat healthy and exercise and take care of our bodies? It sounds silly, but don't you think it is true? To treat our bodies as temples means to take the utmost care of it. So are those who refuse to eat healthy and exercise and care about their overall health committing a sin?
 
I wouldn't go applying the Old Testament laws to your life lol, they were meant for the Israelites' and many do not apply today, only the once that Jesus re-affirmed.

Regarding tattoos, I would simply ask myself this question before getting one- "What, exactly, is my purpose/goal in getting this?"
 
Tidus said:
I wouldn't go applying the Old Testament laws to your life lol, they were meant for the Israelites' and many do not apply today, only the once that Jesus re-affirmed.

Regarding tattoos, I would simply ask myself this question before getting one- "What, exactly, is my purpose/goal in getting this?"
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Tidus:

To suggest a motive that some ppl may have: a faith based design may sometimes be involved.

Blessings.
 
I don't see a problem with tattoos. People don't realize that some of the OT laws were given for reasons that were focused on the culture and time period. They had laws about mildew, laws about sanitation, and etc. While some good general advice is placed in some of these passages, it doesn't mean we are bound to follow those laws exactly as they are written today. Back in the day, from what I hear, tattoos may have been a dangerous process because of a much higher risk of infection. Or tattoos may have been done simply as an ungodly religious practice. If these things were the case, God would have legitimate reason to make a law against them, but not because of the notion of decorating our bodies is wrong. If that were the case, bodypainting, hair dye, make up, and all sorts of other things would have to be banned as well. And we don't see too many people arguing against those things.

That said, I would like to point out that Jesus had a tattoo: Revelation 19:16.

To use one OT Scripture to try to ban a whole practice I don't think is wise, especially when circumstances could have changed the reason behind the ban. As far as I know, there is no NT Scripture banning tattoos. Some people will say we are destroying God's temple, but I'd like to see the proof that tattoos as a whole add significant destruction to a person's body. And even if there still were some minor issues these days, it doesn't mean that in the future we won't have some sort of laser procedure that wouldn't cause problems, so objectors would lose their argument there.
 
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Revelations 19:16

On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written : KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.


1. "written" does not necessarily mean "tattooed".


2. Did Jesus vountarily went to some "tattoo" artist to get this "tattoo" on His own accord, or did God wrote it on Him supernaturally?



Don't flatter yourself by assuming that just because Jesus had a "tattoo", there's nothing wrong with you getting one today. YOU went to a tattoo artist on your own accord and decided to mutilate and defile your flesh on your own accord without anyone forcing you. That's a whole world of difference compared to the mark on Jesus' thigh which He didn't get it done Himself. Nice try in using such scriptures to suit your own interests !



:biglol
 
modernnihilst said:
Thats what I read. I was sure I didnt miss the word tatto in there.
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I wouldn't be surprised if there was some translation where the word 'tattooed' was used in place of 'written' -- or perhaps 'written' was used in place of 'tattooed'. It's always a very difficult subject to try to find the exact intended meaning for Scripture after so many translations have been made.

I'm pretty sure, though, that Jesus didn't go "I think this would look sweet on my thigh--Peter, c'mere and ink me." Just saying. xD
 
I'm certainly not trying to step on any toes or ruffle any feathers whatsoever, I understand the reasoning behind why Christians decide against tattoos, whether going by Moses' Law or personal principle. However, I want to humbly chime in and say that Leviticus was written for the Levi tribe, during the Old Testament. These laws do not apply to the modern New Testament Christian. As marking the body with a tattoo doesn't harm your health, I can't personally see why it would offend the Lord to do so, especially if your ink acts as a testimony or witness for Christ. I certainly know people with crosses, scripture and other religious tattoos who have started up full blown conversation about the Gospel when people inquired about them. I say, glory to God.

Forgive me, I post with utmost love and humility for my brothers and sisters in the Lord.
 
Damascus said:
As marking the body with a tattoo doesn't harm your health, ....
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Maybe it doesn't harm skin much, but certainly swelling, burning, bleeding, infection, scarring, allergies and other complications cannot be ruled out. Don't forget you are inserting chemical pigments into the skin.

But of course I have no objections to tattoos either as long as it's not demonic in nature and serves some useful purpose.. Am thinking of getting a nice christian one myself. :D
 
What kind of tattoo did you have in mind, Tina?

I want to get "My eyes have seen glory" in a banner, wrapping around a gemmed celtic cross. Amongst other things. :P
 
I have tattoos from before I was saved now after I was saved I regret them. I wouldn't think nothing serious against them. As long as they are not naked women and what not. But I would rather not have them cause I feel it would be better example for my son, but God will use my testimony of when I was lost to help others already seen it.
 
Sorry, I didn't read your entire post or even the replies, but I have an opinion if any one is interested..

-God has grace if you have some already. But don't test the Lord. amen?
-I was in a deliverance seminar (a place where people learn how to cast demons out of people in Jesus' name) and a demon spirit was speaking through a young boy and mocking how the Jesus fish tattoo the boy had was actually demonic symbol of some kind..
-I have a friend who thought he was getting a 'trinity' symbol on his arm, and it ends up being a symbol that derived in buddhism..

I'm not saying it's all bad 100% of the time.. if you got like a scripture or something I'm not sure.. it just might be sin all the time, but my opinion is if you have some break off any curses they bring on you and ask for grace and don't get any more. That's my opinion. There is no need for them.
 
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