Doctrinal: Tattoos & Body Piercings

[darkest_red]

Tattoos though, if tasteful, I don't see as a problem. But ones that cover huge parts of your skin or face (bleh!) shouldn't be done. But that's just my personal opinion! I wouldn't mind a Christ centered tattoo maybe somewhere, but I doubt I'll get one purely for the fact that I don't think tattoos would suit me!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I agree!

I saw a guy at a service station last month who had tattoos literally everywhere! They were on his arms, his hands, his legs, his neck, the back of his head, his face, his ears.... it looked absolutely disgusting!!!

when I'm can afford it, I'm getting a Celtic cross tattoo.

[Scarletprayers]

My son who is 27 and lived a very "interesting" life, has multiple tattoo's. Now that he is finally "thank you Lord" turning has life around he is so sorry about some of them. He is finding it very difficult to find a job. He has a tattoo that goes completely around his neck from the collar bone to almost his jaw line, there is NO way to cover it up. He also has them all the way down both arms and on his hands. No good way to cover those up either.

I asked him (now that he is clean and sober) why he had them done in places where there was no hiding them and he told me "I was trying to make myself as ugly on the outside as I felt on the inside."

I don't have a problem with tattoo's, if they aren't vulgar or evil...........and they can be hidden if necessary for your job, but sometimes people get them, like my son did above, because of things that are going on in their life.

[Constant]

Before I entered the Service, I was a Manager at Salon/Day Spa. I used to get so upset when I had to cover my tattoos when at work. If I wore a Dress Tank or short sleeve shirt, I had to use tattoo cover up to hide the tattoo on the back of my neck and the ones on my arms.

The reason for me being upset was that some of the Stylist that worked there were "Gothic" looking, "Punkish" looking or wore next to nothing. But, I HAD to COVER up my tattoos. The Peircings and colorful hair of others were okay though.!

[Ovedya]

Bumped.

[Smalcald]

I don't have a strong opinion on this, but it brings up an interesting concept around these kinds of questions, and that is the role of your church, your congregation of believers. I think for Christians questions of this nature should be given to the elders, Deacons and Bishops of your Church where you belong. We should not be alone in this journey, out bodies do not belong to us, nor do our lives, they belong to Christ, and His Church can make demands upon us. From a scriptural point of view would this fall under the temple of the Lord which is our body?

I don't think we should beat each other up over tattoos though.

[Kabowd]

Here's the original post by the person who started the other topic:

Are tatoos wrong? I mean are they sin? I have been told that they are sin, but in the situation where the tatoo is christian it is ok. Like a tatoo of JESUS or of a cross with scriptual reference or maybe the name Jesus. What is the truth in this? And please give me scriptual evidence for your explanation. Thanks and God Bless!

Someone responded (of course) with the verses in Leviticus. Everytime this topic comes up, someone proudly fires off the infamous Leviticus 19 verse as if that should shut the issue right down. Or they quote 1 Corinthians 6 about our bodies being a temple. In each case, the Scriptures are misapplied. Since we've already addressed these points extensively, I'll just re-post what has already been established regarding these verses:

1. The verses which speak of our bodies being a temple (1 Cor. 6:12-19) are in reference to sexual purity. Paul was encouraging believers to remember that their bodies belong to the Lord and should be used for His glory...not used for sin and immorality. To use these verses against tattoos is twisting them to mean something they do not because tattoos have not been scripturally defined to be sin or immoral.

2. Using the argument that the body is the temple, misdirects where the value truly lies. Our value is not in our temple, it's in what resides in the temple. In fact, Paul teaches us in 2 Corinthians 4 that our bodies are wasting away, they are temporary like "clay" but they hold the true treasure which is the Spirit of God. Ultimately, our body is the vessel which houses the most important thing (the Spirit of God). How is getting a scriptural tattoo (or something that identifies us as a believer) defiling?

3. Regarding the Leviticus verses: unless you are a Levitical priests, the Levitical Laws do not apply to you. They were specific laws given to a specific group of people, not given on a broad spectrum. Third, if you insist on adhereing to the Levitical Laws, you're going to have to stop wearing fabrics of mixed materials, eating meat that contains blood and shaving as well.

Super Jew summed this up rather well:

Do you shave? If so you're in violation of Levitical law. The levitical law holds no application to today. Whlie certain concepts of it passed into the new testament (sexual perversion, maintaining holiness) other aspects no longer apply. Either way, this is refering about marks to the dead, it's talking about abstaining from pagan worship of the dead. In other words, they would cut themselves or mark on themselves in remembreance of the dead and to worship their forfathers. It doesn't prohibit the act of tattooing, it prohibits the act of marking on ones self in a pagan practice.

Lastly, anyone who says that a tattoo cannot glorify God should check out Revelation 19. It tells us when Christ returns He'll be sporting one on His thigh which reads "King of Kings and Lord of Lords".

[yomotalking]

Well working in a hospital ER and EMS I have seen more than a few pretty nice tattoos myself. You would not believe where some of those tattoos are either lol. But I think that if you want to tattoo yourself that badly start with one of those you rub on and it stays a while before you decide to make it permanent.

Then is a transfer wrong?

Then let me tell you a short story.

I was at my older brothers and Sister-in-laws' house.

While we were there, a member of the family came up, and showed us some real cute transfers of "spiderman".

Believe you me, they were so sweet!

My little niece got one on, and she had so much delight out of it.

My two nephews only had one between them, so the cute spiderman cartoon transfer was given to one of them, and the same member who had showed them the original transfers, promised to get one for the other nephew.

Seeing my family were having so much fun, I asked the person to get me one too, so as to join in the fun. (I'm still a Teen! Look at my profile!)

This member of the family got a real pretty dolphin transfer, which I really liked!

It was fun, sticking wet transfers on each other, and grinning with delight at the colours coming up on our arms.

It was fun indeed.

You call transfers wrong?>

They are just temporary of the real thing,.

Perhaps there are others, but this is the verse I know of:

Lev. 19:28

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

The dead.

Notice that sentence.

The dead.

Are we doing it for the dead, if we have a tat, or piercing?

No.

We are simply doing it for our enjoyment.

Even better, if we can witness through it.

Our body is a temple. Are we not allowed to decorate temples for the glory of God? Are tattoos not decoration?

Tattoos can also be seen as a lifelong commitment to Christ.

So, like, a flaming skull with a bloody sword through it, and a snake in the shape of a pentagram can be seen as a lifelong commitment to Christ

?

Not all transfers are like that.

I have tattoos and I get heck for only one of them, the one of my husbands name on my arm with the Eagle Globe and Anchor above it. When people tell me how wrong it is to get someones name on your body, I shrug it off. It isn't there body now is it. People need to worry about them and not about what everyone else is doing.

Nope.

It's your body.

Not anyone elses.

This is a merged thread concerning the issue of tattoos and body piercings. Before considering posting a new topic with this subject, please read through this thread.

It takes such a lot of reading, and at the end of it all, my eyes start to get all funny!

I don't think tattoos would be a form of idolatry.

Nor me.

Tell me how they could become idols?

So, if a child has some help/guidance in choosing their tattoo, then it would be OK for a child to get one? I mean if it's just a mattter of what they might choose, you wouldn't have a problem with our children having tattoos on them?

Tsth,

I am starting to see where this is going with you. Do you want me to say it again? Teens should wait until they are older before they decide to do something that is going to last with them for ever such as tattoos or anything dramatic like that. I can only hope that as time goes by they will then realize the importance of making careful decisions and not just jump into them because it is cool at the time. ANd if my children want tattoo, they won't be getting one until they are of age and know what they are getting into and the reason behind their reason for wanting one. My mom hated my tatto but I was of age and there wasn't much she could do to stop me from getting one. She did tell why they aren't good for you and so on but I learned on my own and I didn't think of how much I hate it now, then.

What's the first thing you think of when you see someone with body piercings and tattoos? Just think about it. Does their appearance have any effect on you? Do you look at people who have piercings and tattoos differently than those who don't? Be totally honest with yourselves.

As for tattoos of God's word. Are you ready to answer the tough questions? Will you be able to answer with confidence, questions pertaining to God, Christ, the Holy Spirit, the devil, etc. Can you answer questions on world issues. Starvation, wars, diseases, natural disasters, abortion, homosexuality, UFO's, etc.

"Do not give what is holy to the dogs, nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces. Matt. 7:6

In other words, don't give people the opportunity to call you a hypocrite. If you're going to talk about God, know what you're talking about.

I personally have nothing against piercings and tattoos. I think a tattoo of a python's body from the shoulder to the wrist would look really cool, but not on me. I could never come up with a tattoo that I was willing to live with for the rest of my life.

If you want tattoos and piercings, go for it. Just remember you're on display.

My 2 cents.

Sadly, when I see ugly tattoos, I feel cringey.

I don't mean to, but....

Ok, if I saw one of a beautiful cross, or something lovely, like.....ummmm......

Something........nice, then I'd not feel like that.

One tatto is not all tattoos.

tattos from what i've heared are defiling the body and their a cancer risk.

on benny hinn a guy had a tattoo on him and benny said: "take that off it's demonic".demonic tattoos are an open door or an invitation for satan to come in.

god don't where tattoos,that should tell you something.[

Yeah because everyone that has a tattoo is satanic! Bull you know what! Benny Hinn is a joke to me. Does God color His hair? Should I not color mine anymore? I mean that since God doesn't do alot of things that we do, should we stop doing it? I personally see nothing wrong with tattoos but I do know that this is a sensitive subject for alot of people. I will respect that

Benny Hinn has colouring in his hair?

What colour?

Pink?

Benny Hinn is a bad example of what is right.

Do tattoos cause cancer?

Around here (Nova Scotia people are dropping like flys from cancer. I think the water table has been permanently contaminated. I guess that makes water evil as well.

I don't believe God intended us to have pictures all over our bodys, but I doubt if we will be damned for it unless it becomes a vehicle for pride.

I never heard about Tattoos causing cancer but I have heard of chewing gum causing cancer. I agree with you Gerioke!

[mrcorey]

Just to add my two cents. Personally, I don't have a problem with tattoo's. I have two and am getting a third as soon as money will allow. My pastor has no problem with this as I"ve told him. He doesn't like it because he just doesn't like tattoo's. But he said there's nothing in the Bible against them.

Also note, I was 30 y/o before I got my first tattoo. I do think there are demonic tattoo's to be had. So I think if a Christian is going to get one, s/he should just pick out a tattoo that isn't offensive to anyone. But it is after all body art and can be beautiful.

As for piercings. I don't have a problem with that either. Though I do not have any piercings, I don't have a problem with them. I don't like nose piercings, but that wouldn't stop me from befriending somebody who has one. It's their body and if they like it, so be it.

Just my 2 cents.

Blessings;

Corey

[Avodah]

Why people want to take chances with silly things like getting a tattoo when it may cost them their soul one day

How can getting a tattoo cost you your soul?

[aaronjm]

If you want a tattoo go for it, if you dont like them, that's fine as well. Christians arguing over these verses has, and will go on untill Yeshua returns. Christians need to be open with fellow believers, they may feel differently about certain things, but dont criticize, or judge someone for worshipping in that manner.