Tattoos as a form of Christian outreach?

[Sumwear]

Some people get tattoos based off their own hatred or paranoia. But there are those tattoos that I don't think Catholics and Christians alike would find too repulsive.

 

[Michie]

Those are very well done! I wish they all were.

 

[faroukfarouk]

I believe you.

It's a statistic I read someplace, anyway. As I recall, the proportion was a conservative estimate, actually. In some areas it's more than 70%, apparently.

 

[dhornace]

I've always looked at tattoos as a way of self expression rather than a conversation starter. Although they have served both purposes. I think if you know what you want and have a good artist do it, you will find yourself in a situation that you could open the conversation about your beliefs. If you get it done post it so we can see it please!

 

[GirlonFire89]

I just got this yesterday....
Now everytime i go to fill out a form or shake someones hand or give an offering
It will be seen. I want others to know who is important in my life and I am not ashamed
If you want to get one to be an example to the world...
I support you 100%

 

[faroukfarouk]

One of my tattoos is a Celtic cross..

Mountain_Girl406: Well, there's something classy about a lot of the Celtic tattoo design patterns: they can be both traditional and ruggedly tribal at the same time, right?

 

[WarriorAngel]

IF i ever marry again - and the right person - i thought of getting Bashert tatt'ed and it will cause questions.
[On my shoulder] and hopefully matching.
The answer - would be about unconditional love, God's destiny of marriage etc - in scriptures and so forth.

 

[Gnarwhal]

Okay, so I'm contemplating getting a visible, overtly Christian tattoo with the hopes that it will inspire people to approach me about my faith. It will not be accompanied by any others that would distract from the message I want to send. Part of me thinks this is a good idea, the other part is concerned about it being a form of vanity or attachment to my physical body, or that the few hundred dollars it would cost could go to better use for Him elsewhere. What say you? Any experiences or thoughts to share?

Just my two cents: sometimes I think overtly Christian tattoos do more to prevent conversation then provoke it. When people see a cross/crucifix tattoo they believe they know the story and don't feel compelled to ask questions.

I have a friend who became a Christian about nine years ago, did the whole evangelical altar call thing at my college ministry. About a month later he got his first tattoo, it was a grandfather clock along the side of his calf, the face of which read the time 9:20. That turned out to be a very provocative tattoo because everyone was wondering what the significance of it was, and why it read the time that it did. If/when they asked that, he would tell them that September 20th (9/20) was the date he became a Christian. I thought that was pretty clever.

 

[faroukfarouk]

I have a treble clef tattoo on my ankle. Almost no one ever notices it. It doesn't matter because I know it is there. Sometimes it isn't about vanity. Sometimes it is just for you.

sylverpiano:

So do you ever wonder about getting a bit more ink? is there a good parlor near you?

 

[faroukfarouk]

I personally always notice them, and I always ask, "Are you a Christian?" And then the conversation takes off from there.

This is why a lot of ppl get them; they are effective conversation starters.

 

[faroukfarouk]

One of my tattoos is a Celtic cross, visible sometimes, if I go sleeveless.

The Celtic cross design is quite striking, often.

Have any of your friends and family gotten a similar design done on themselves?

The Celtic tracery is often said to be derived from the Book of Kells illuminated Medieval Irish manuscripts.

 

[Winter_Rose]

Hi, if this is your first tattoo, I suggested that you start with something small. The first tattoo I got was a Christian fish symbol on my right wrist.

 

[faroukfarouk]

Hi, if this is your first tattoo, I suggested that you start with something small. The first tattoo I got was a Christian fish symbol on my right wrist.

Winter_Rose:

So did you start small with your ink, with maybe the intention of going bigger later?

 

[Winter_Rose]

Winter_Rose:

So did you start small with your ink, with maybe the intention of going bigger later?

Yes that's true, as it was my first tattoo I wanted something small and simple.

 

[faroukfarouk]

Yes that's true, as it was my first tattoo I wanted something small and simple.

Winter_Rose:

Seems like you enjoyed doing it, anyway; and the Christian fish sign <>< is certainly a widely liked and used tattoo design.

Although I always think that the inward and spiritual is what faith is all about, yet the fish tattoo is certainly a visible commitment of one's wish to identify outwardly with Christianity.

So is it your only tattoo so far? and/or did you get or plan some other ink, faith based or otherwise?

 

[Winter_Rose]

The neck, head, face, and ribs hurt worst according to one of our tattooed friends. The chest I guess, is not too bad depending on where it is placed.

It can also depend on the person, some have a high pain tolerance whilst others may not. I've got a tattoo on my foot and that was quite painful.

 

[andy b]

I'm not really into tattoos but if you want one get one .....but don't have one then regret it

 

[Winter_Rose]

Winter_Rose:

Seems like you enjoyed doing it, anyway; and the Christian fish sign <>< is certainly a widely liked and used tattoo design.

Although I always think that the inward and spiritual is what faith is all about, yet the fish tattoo is certainly a visible commitment of one's wish to identify outwardly with Christianity.

So is it your only tattoo so far? and/or did you get or plan some other ink, faith based or otherwise?

I've got 4 faith based tattoos; the Christian fish, a simple cross design, a heart with angel wings and a triquetra. The others are designs that I like and have a meaning behind them.

 

[faroukfarouk]

It can also depend on the person, some have a high pain tolerance whilst others may not. I've got a tattoo on my foot and that was quite painful.

Winter_Rose:

Tattoos used to be a man thing, years ago, but it seems like so many women now have proved that if anything they have any even higher pain tolerance than men or at least just as much; in North America at least, 59%--70% or more of parlor clients are now actually female, I think I read someplace; not sure if this is how it is also, over the Pond with you guys.

 

[faroukfarouk]

I'm not really into tattoos but if you want one get one .....but don't have one then regret it

These days it's a kind of rite of passage at 18, right?