Are tatoos wrong?

[flyingsum0]

Even if they are a "religious image" are they a sin?

 

[tel0004]

Leviticus chapter 19, verse 28, which says: “You shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor tattoo any marks on you: I am the LORD.” I would say that includes Tattoos. That is however, part of the old covenent, which Jesus got rid of when he came, and we are not held to those standards. Leviticus 19:19 forbids the mixing of fibers in their clothing, which we all do, but its no longer a sin. I find it funny that people use Leviticus to condem homosexuality, but have nothing against wearing cotton/polyester clothing, since all sin is sin, but that is for a different discussion. I dont believe its (tattoos) a sin, but I am agianst it. There is no reason. We are called to be set apart from the world and to live Godly lives. I don’t think that Jesus would be frequenting tattoo parlors if He were around today.

 

[ischus]

Yes and no.

It comes down to your motives for getting one, your justification of getting one based on scripture, and your conscience. I believe all three of those must be solid before getting a permanent label/mark on your body.

So: Is your motive based on God or self? How do you reconcile a tattoo with biblical verses about tattoos and your body being a temple? Do you really believe deep down that it is ok to get one, or are you somewhat going against your conscience by getting a tattoo?

Of course, there is the question: "A tattoo of what?" Is it offensive, against God, etc.? But that is the easiest part.

I pray for God's will with your decision (deciding whether or not to get one, or deciding whether or not it is right to get one). Be sure to pray about it (and listen to God--don't just tell Him what you are planning or what you think is right).

 

[Entertaining_Angels]

I don’t think that Jesus would be frequenting tattoo parlors if He were around today.

I think I might disagree with you there. When you have some free time, read the gospels and see the types of people Jesus spent time with.

back to the topic at hand. I have a tattoo. Got it before I was a Christian but I have no problems with it now and have actually found, it opens up doors into discussing my beliefs with non-Christians, especially teens. God can and will use anything for His good if you let Him.

 

[Oblivious]

I think I might disagree with you there. When you have some free time, read the gospels and see the types of people Jesus spent time with.

Yes-true and I agree.

back to the topic at hand. I have a tattoo. Got it before I was a Christian but I have no problems with it now and have actually found, it opens up doors into discussing my beliefs with non-Christians, especially teens. God can and will use anything for His good if you let Him.

I have one as well. I agree with the poster above, as I don't believe the verse mentioned in Leviticusrelates to us, being as we live by the new law, courtesy of Jesus.

 

[HoneyDew]

I was born in a Christian home and got baptized when I was 9. When I was 25 I got a tattoo of a butterfly, and when I was 28 I got another one. Honestly, I see nothing wrong with mine. Others may. Some people I know have tattoos commemorating dead loved ones, etc and while I would not, I have no problems with them having such.

 

[holo]

Even if they are a "religious image" are they a sin?

Everything is lawful for us.

I don’t think that Jesus would be frequenting tattoo parlors if He were around today.

I'm sure he'd spend more time there than in church. I don't know whether He'd get one Himself though, and it's completely irrelevant. Jesus drank wine, it doesn't mean every believer should. He starved in the desert, it doesn't mean we should blindly copy that.

Personally I love tattoos, especially on women, and I'd like to see more of them, especially on christian women. Yeah.

 

[New_Wineskin]

Even if they are a "religious image" are they a sin?

If you mean a sin for "anyone" ... no . Some of us are not under the Law . You could always ask the Lord about it .

 

[breezynosacek]

You might be interested in reading this article.

http://www.ccg.org/english/s/p005.html

Just a thought.

 

[sesom]

I dont believe that anything we do before we are saved matters, anymore - but I dont believe in getting them afterwards because we are supposed to be focusing on God and His purpose. Getting tattoos, is not keeping your focus on God, because we should think of our bodies as sacred- and mere vessels in which to perform our services to the Lord. I understand that very very few people actually dedicate their entire lives to Jesus, despite what we say- but there are unneccessary things we can avoid like getting tattoos and piercings and well, alot of things. But I am a smoker, so I guess that makes me a hypocrit.

 

[Hookem_Horns]

This is a very difficult question. Personally I don't think Christians should get tatoos. I don't feel tatooing your body is glorifying to God.

 

[orangee725]

i dunno

 

[orangee725]

i dunno...

 

[NewCovenant]

The law in Leviticus specified not getting "tattoo marks for the dead," which was related to pagan cults which tattooed followers while mourning their dead. The people of Israel were forbidden from participating in any activities which would associate themwith pagans because they were a holy people. Although we, as Christians, are not forbidden to wear tattoes (and more specifically, tattoes "for the dead"), I think that any pagan markings would be inappropriate for us. It would be like wearing a pentagram.

Many things which are forbidden in the OT are not mentioned in the NT, yet are still unacceptable in principle. Although we are released from OT law, we still try to keep the commandments, for example, even though many of them are not specifically mentioned in the NT. Other things, such as homosexuality, murder, adultery, etc., ARE mentioned in both the OT and the NT and are condemned in both. (As opposed to ceremonial law, like sacrifices, from which we are released.) Tattooing, cutting of the flesh, and many other things are never mentioned in the NT, but that doesn't mean that God changed His mind about them; God doesn't change.

 

[GodsJewel]

I don't agree with them.

 

[Entertaining_Angels]

Also keep in mind, God convicts us in different areas. For some people having some wine is not sin but for somebody who is prone to excessive drinking, it could be a sin if God put it on their heart not to drink.

For example, I am really convicted about the stories I read to my son. If I read my son a story with witchcraft, I have an instant conviction that this is wrong. This is unusual for me because I read all sorts of books as a child (I was a bookworm) and many books were of the fantasy variety. So, while Harry Potter and its ilk may be okay for some
Christians to read, I avoid those types of books.

 

[blessedxxantidote]

While I do take the message in Leviticus seriously, I don't find it wrong to tattoo yourself with something like a cross.

Yet because of the verse, I'm torn if it is a sin or not. Logic tells me that it would be, but if it's something representing something holy, I don't understand what that would be wrong.

Just a thought.

++

 

[dignitized]

Are tattoos wrong? YES.

Will a Christian burn in hell if they get one? NOPE.

But there will be a price to pay - as there always is

 

[3girls2dogs]

So: Is your motive based on God or self? How do you reconcile a tattoo with biblical verses about tattoos and your body being a temple?

I have always laughed when people say this to me, because most of the temples I have ever seen are pretty ornately decorated. I have 4 tattoos. I am also a Christian. I have never had the smallest bit of guilt for them. I know plenty of "unmarked" Christians who probably think they are better than me for not having them, but they again, if they are judging me, they may want to check their own hearts out first.

I agree with the poster who said it helps them start conversations with younger Christians and non-Christians. I believe that Jesus is my Savior, and I try to live each day with that thought in mind. I think that is what Jesus is probably looking for in his followers...but that is just me.

 

[intricatic]

I think people misconstrue the idea of sin and toss it around without any proper definition. Sin is a disconection from God, an intentional one. Tattoos are a physical thing, done for any given reason, and yes - some of those reasons may be a disconection from God. Tattoos have very personal significance to any individual who gets one (except those superficial spur-of-the-moment tattoos some people get, and those are often a source of regret later in life). They aren't always bad, though.

I'm not going to debate, just wanted to add my two cents.