Wow. 51 pages. Not going to read through them all and anything I might add probably already has been. But I can't resist.
The Bible discourages us from producing 'graven images'. And it also discourages us from WORSHIPING graven images.
I'm 54 years old. And over the years I have actually payed attention to those around me that chose to have their skins "inked". The conclusion is that it is MOST often some sort of 'WORSHIP' of 'someTHING' that leads one to have an image GRAVEN into their SKIN. Some important MESSAGE that they FEEL they NEED to offer those that SEE their 'graven image'.
Could be a 'sports team', someone 'special' in their lives, a habit, addiction, heck, to me the most common is a "false god". You know, like a 'rock band' or particular SUBVERSIVE individual or even depiction of Christ or even some form of GOD, (demons, Satan, the Devil, etc.........).
I don't come to this discussion completely IGNORANT. Having lived a pretty subversive life for my first 30 odd years, MOST everyone I KNOW has a tattoo of one sort or another if not a BUNCH of them. I have ONE myself. SELF administered. And I KNOW WHY I decided to scar myself in such a manner.
If we aren't even suppose to make graven images, then it is APPARENT, obvious that according to the Bible, tattooing one's flesh is NOT a 'good thing'. The Bible encourages us NOT to DO such things.
And then there is the matter of HOW we are BORN. It is my opinion that those that choose to alter their physical makeup with tattoos, piercings, cutting themselves with razors to leave scars, nose jobs, liposuction, etc.......,(I think you get MY drift), do so at least partially out of PURE vanity. And in their attempts to fulfill their own vanity, in essence, they are TELLING God that the manner in which He chose for them to be formed ISN'T GOOD ENOUGH. One that chooses to alter their physical makeup in such a manner is basically telling God that they are NOT satisfied with the manner in which He DESIGNED them and they want a part in their OWN 'creation'. In other words, they are NOT going to be told by ANYONE that they have a MASTER. They are going to SHOW the world that they can do things THEIR way and no matter what, are going to do what they are able to PROVE it. Rebellious children, nothing MORE, nothing LESS.
When I was growing up, ABOUT the ONLY people that had tattoos were Sailors, Bikers, Carnies and harlots. And when you think about it, these were some of the MOST subversive members of society. Vagabonds, tramps, gypsies, people with NO permanent address. It all kind of adds up to REBELS. Rebelling NOT merely against the 'system', but against the WORLD itself. And what BETTER way to show one's disdain for the world and everyone in it than to put POSTERS on one's body that FORCE anyone in their presence to WITNESS them? Same thing with piercings. I find them OFFENSIVE personally. Even pierced ears on a woman take away what I consider femininity and force a woman to treat their bodies as men have so often done.
No where in the Bible are women instructed to treat their ears in the manner that Abraham was instructed to treat the penis of the members of his tribe.
And if we study the history of tattoos and body modification, (we find EXCLUSIVELY), that the ancients that practiced such ritual DID so for RELIGIOUS reasons. They didn't simply have a DESIRE to put ART on their bodies. When ancient tribes and peoples did these things, it was for some RELIGIOUS purpose.
And that leads to what the Bible offers concerning tattooing and CUTTING the body on purpose. The Bible INDICATES that it cannot be done in TRUTH except for a "RELIGIOUS" reason. It doesn't matter that people have LOST their MINDS or ability to REASON. And it doesn't matter WHY people SAY they do what they DO. The Bible basically instructs us as to the REASON regardless of whether one understands it or accepts it.
You know, you can tell me that you drink alcohol because you LIKE the taste. But I would call you a LIAR. You may like the taste of alcohol, but that is NOT the REASON that you drink it.
That would be like saying "I shoot heroine because i like the color of it in the spoon".
People DRINK and people SHOOT heroine in GET HIGH. They may LIKE other aspects of the ritual, but the REASON is to 'get high'.
And tattooing works the SAME way. There is a REASON that any and EVERYONE that chooses to maim their flesh DOES SO. And it's not because it's 'pretty' or they 'just feel like it'. Those are basically words offered by someone that simply doesn't RECOGNIZE or ADMIT the REASON. There is an UNDERLYING reason for tattoos that exists in the hearts of ANY and EVERYONE that chooses to have one placed upon their bodies. And it's the SAME reason that the Bible basically outlines. And you don't really need to be a 'rocket scientist' to UNDERSTAND the REASON God commanded HIS children NOT to DO such things. But you DO need to be a bit 'Spiritual' or at least be able to HEED conviction OF the Spirit.
Blessings,
MEC
Be blessed.
