Poll: Faith-based tattoo: Have you ever talked to someone with one?

[farouk]

1 hour ago, farouk said:

Hi @In1 FYI..did you see the poll, above?

(Thanks for your 'like' on the other thread.)

Thanks, @In1, for your participation in the poll.

Your avatar does look like the sort of design that would sometimes be injected as a tattoo, anyway, right?

[farouk]

Thanks to all who voted so far in the poll.

If you have not yet voted in the poll, please vote now.

[farouk]

Good point made by @Hopefully, back a bit:

I would say yes Christians' own individual paths to the tattoo theme are highly varied.

[farouk]

Thanks, @walla299, for the tattoo picture posted on the other thread.

Did you see the poll, above?

[walla299]

2 hours ago, farouk said:

Thanks, @walla299, for the tattoo picture posted on the other thread.

Did you see the poll, above?

Yes.

Tattoos are not a big issue for me and I usually don't bother bringing the subject up in conversation. Our pastor is a bit different since he's a former biker (who still rides) who got saved many years ago and is now in his 70s. Early in his walk with Christ he realized that a couple of his tats needed . . . remodeling. So he had them modified into things more Christ centered. He rode with a Christian biker group for quite awhile too, and it allows him to share the gospel with some who would not listen to most believers otherwise.

 

[farouk]

1 hour ago, walla299 said:

Yes.

Tattoos are not a big issue for me and I usually don't bother bringing the subject up in conversation. Our pastor is a bit different since he's a former biker (who still rides) who got saved many years ago and is now in his 70s. Early in his walk with Christ he realized that a couple of his tats needed . . . remodeling. So he had them modified into things more Christ centered. He rode with a Christian biker group for quite awhile too, and it allows him to share the gospel with some who would not listen to most believers otherwise.

 

Hi @walla299. Thanks for your participation in the poll.

Thanks for your comment.

I do indeed see what you mean. 

Sometimes an extra tattoo / tattoo cover up for previous, regretted ink can seem compelling. For example, a woman with a tattoo of a non-Christian ex-bf's name may find it compelling to get inked up with a faith based alternative, such as getting an artist to make, e.g., 'BILL' say instead, 'BIBLE'. i.e., she does wish to think of the Bible now. She does not wish to think of Bill any more. Hence going for the desired ink up seeming so compelling.

This does not mean that some hyper-conservative ppl will not still want to give others a hard time about it. 

Some ppl have this to say:

..........................

Tattoos are unlady-like. That is why I would never have one. cachalot christianityboard cot com

.....................

However, it has for years been very clear that women do indeed participate fully as parlor clients. You mentioned that your preacher has been a biker for years. In fact, it's not impossible that if at the parking lot of any Cracker Barrel near an Interstate intersection a group of bikers arrives - clad in helmets and leather outfits - it actually may turn out to be the sisterhood from a baptist church that is out for a weekend run (whether or not as tattooees or cleanskins).

I'm all for general modesty and conservatism (but there is no need for ppl to be shrinking violets, so to speak, as some kind of sole proof of supposed correctness). Some Christians will shrink from it; others will go in confidently for their ink ups; variety of outlook in such matters is only to be expected.

...........

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 )
.........

cc @NConly

 

[farouk]

On 5/9/2025 at 5:39 PM, lrs68 said:

 I do agree a John 3:16 tattoo is pretty decent ... Unfortunately, none of my tattoos are small

@lrs68

Some ppl in your situation might even choose to turn a negative into a positive. For example, a woman with a tattoo of a non-Christian ex-bf's name may find it compelling to get inked up with a faith based alternative, such as getting an artist to make, e.g., 'BILL' say instead, 'BIBLE'. i.e., she does wish to think of the Bible now. She does not wish to think of Bill any more. Hence going for the desired ink up seeming so compelling.

(Everyone might have a distinct strategy, right?)

[farouk]

Hi @kwikphilly Back a bit you shared a family memory:

he .. said" Well,how about if you change this and change that"

My reply was " How about you change your mind ,pray about it" He Knows how I feel about getting tattoos ..... He didn't get it but he did get others before that,now he has his regrets!

Ppl talk about tattoo regret, certainly. Some older Christians actually regret not having gone to the parlor years back, FYI:

Dave L said:

I think when I was a young Christian, a scripture or Christian art Tattoo would have helped me stake a claim as a Christian and made people aware early on. It would have helped sort out friends from the start. So I regret not having that as an option during that time. .. If I found myself in a similar situation to when I was young, I'd probably have a tattoo.

 

source: christianityboard dot com

 

I guess a sensible Christian perspective might be: whether or not you go into a parlor and get inked up a bit, but if you do, maybe remembering it could count as a silent witness or even talking point (if ppl want to talk).

[LastDaysJames]

Here is my two sense worth on tats..... I don't judge anyone who has tats, good "faith-based" tat  can be a great conversation starter, witnessing tool, and may even get you in doors that more "conservative" Christians might not get it.

For myself, and my family - I don't want, only because as someone who feels called into the ministry, and living in an area were people are offended at tats; I do not want to be a stumbling block to people.... But that is me, my own personal conviction... I will not put my conviction on anyone else.

[LastDaysJames]

Let me add.... tats don't always have to be faith-based... I once saw a soldier with a tat of his babes foot on his shoulder.... I thought that was very cool.