Do you think tattoos are sinful?

[Guest man]

Bob Jones controlled many with that viewpoint. Nearly all of his unquestioning followers are dead of suicide.

Jim Jones.

[nonameleft]

Yes, Jim Jones. Thanks for the correction. As you can see I am wrong a lot of the time.

[Ddavid from NC]

Wow, an issue I have had to deal with...with my children. My daughter wants one and my two son both in the military have been gettting multiple tats for the last 12 months. They are above 18 and can get em whether I like it or not. Many Christians in this generation have them, either prior to their salvation and even after conversion. The passage in Leviticus and the culture of the time, tattooing was a pagan practice and the images had religious significance. Today probably more a sense of male passage or seeking to be envogue for the ladies. I have seen tasteful images and vulgar, occultic, and gang symbols. I have seen a few religious images. My middle child has the word "faith" in cursive writing that uniquely spells it right side up and upside down. (How do you show that one off?). His other tatoo is a cross with flowers wrapped around it. He has another tattoo of an American Indian in full regalia to reflect his heritage. His marine buddies put him up to the first one and so goes the pattern. The marine corps has kinda put some restrictions on the placement and content of future art on the body. He has begun a relationship with a Christian girl who goes to a Christian college and she is not fond of it, but they have to hide them from her parents. So when he picks her up it is long sleeves. My youngest son chose to get his this past summer during a time of high rebellion in his life. Since then he has become the prodigal who has came home and he has since joined the service to redirect his life in a better direction. So, I have had some personal counsel time with this subject.

I believe it probably is a amoral decision, but wisdom would probably avoid it. It does affect your image and first impressions on people. I particulary see a trend for ladies to be sexually enticing with the placement of their tattoos. Why else would they call a tattoo on the lower back "a tramp stamp"? That's the world's slang. Or who is going to have a tat on your cleavage and not show it or a tatoo well below the belly button and cover it up. I think the face and neck is the latest trend pushing the button. How foolish will you feel about that latter in life? But whatever you do know the girl real well before you engrave her name on your body!

[Openly Curious]

Hi everyone!

It seems as though I have a question a day!

I am wondering if you think tattoos are sinful? I read a quick line about it in the Old Testament...I wish I could find all these lines that catch my eye. I should mark my Bible!

So many people have them today - do you think it is a sin? I have one - a lotus flower and my kids' names written in Sanskrit - and would love to get more but I don't want to commit a sin knowingly. I got that one last summer before becoming Christian. My husband has tons of tattoos.

I had a dream last night I was going to get a beautiful cross tattoo - and I mean it was BEAUTIFUL. Exactly the one I would get if I were to get another. That's where I got the idea to ask all you knowedgable Christians what you think about tattoos!

Thanks!

Before I gave my heart to the Lord I had gotten a tattoo and it is a image that does not bring glory to Christ and I'm ashamed of it for that reason. Also since I been a part of a church I have been told that it was the mark of the beast which of course was very hurtful especially since it was something I done in my past and knowing what the book of Revelation says about the mark of the beast.

It is my personal conviction that I can't get another tattoo in my lifetime based upon the scriptures in the bible. But what is one persons coviction may not be anothers. So in that way of things, What do you think is the right thing for you to do? You will be the one who will give account of your life before God so you should make up your own mind in this regards as it will be you once again who will give account so make your choices accordingly.

OC

[Scarletprayers]

I have a tattoo over my heart, and since that cleavage problem is over my heart, thats where it is, but you know what, NOBODY knows I have it unless I show it to them. I designed it myself, for myself. I have two others and the only one it is possible for someone to see without my showing it to them, is so tiny I would probably have to actually point it out to them. I think just like with anything you can go overboard, or get one that is inappropriate, but a tattoo in and of itself isn't sinful.

[WillingToDie]

This being a discussion about tatoos I wasn't going to mention anything else but since someone else did.....what about piercings of any kind?

Same as tattoos: no big deal.

My youth leader talked about that a few weeks ago. Yes, tattoos are sinful.

You'll need a little more than that to convince people.

[Ovedya]

My youth leader talked about that a few weeks ago. Yes, tattoos are sinful.

You'll need a little more than that to convince people.

The problem with that is, many youth leaders are not qualified or equipped to teach young people. In many congregations youth leaders are merely college-age or adults in their early 30s that, at best, went through a very short training on how to lead young people. Even still that typically only happens in the larger congregations. In the small local churches youth leaders are little more than babysitters or camp leaders.

[tsth]

I don't understand the concept of "permanently" altering the skin that God made? It also seems a bit vain to me, as though you are asking people to notice you. What is the intent behind them? That would be my question.

In His Love,

Suzanne

I still would ask, what is the intention behind them? Bottom line........what is the purpose of them?

In His Love,

Suzanne

When I was getting them in college, a lot of the girls where; it seemed to be the "thing to do." I don't recall any evil intent behind it. I mean, how evil can a seahorse on the ankle be?

Well, peer pressure isn't a good reason. But, realistically there is always a motivation behind what we do, or else we wouldn't do it. So, I'm still asking, what was the motivation behind it? You don't just do it without thinking or having a feeling about it.

I'm just curious. I don't think anybody has to answer to me, that's not what I'm getting at. I"m just saying, that there is always a reason why we do what we do.

In His Love,

Suzanne

[Ddavid from NC]

Number one reason given...individuality Number two reason to fit in with who I'm trying to identify with... Number three to reflect a passion in my life

[WillingToDie]

My youth leader talked about that a few weeks ago. Yes, tattoos are sinful.

You'll need a little more than that to convince people.

The problem with that is, many youth leaders are not qualified or equipped to teach young people. In many congregations youth leaders are merely college-age or adults in their early 30s that, at best, went through a very short training on how to lead young people. Even still that typically only happens in the larger congregations. In the small local churches youth leaders are little more than babysitters or camp leaders.

I agree, up until about 8 months ago I was the youth leader at a small church while going through college. My resources were limited, but I never taught my youth anything without backing it up scripturally, theologically, philosophically, or any combination of the 3. I also encouraged them to argue with me or challenge me if they disagreed.