Can Baptists Get Tattoos?

[Bella Vita]

What is the Baptist view on tattoos?

My church is Southern Baptist and they don't care about them. Curious as to other Baptist sects views on them.

My husband has 2 and wants more he leads worship for our church. I am getting one for my time in the Navy real soon.

 

[98cwitr]

I have several. Don't see what the fuss is. IF churches can have medieval artwork on them and no one fusses then we should have tattoos without condemnation.

 

[Fireinfolding]

Heres a navy anchor, I posted this on your last thread where you asked about what others thought of tattos.

I would be curious too, given leviticus is often quoted taken up to oppose homosexuality but outwardly adorning ones temple in this sense is not. Its a form of just skin art I suppose, I honestly dont know. My sister has one on her ankle. She loved it (at first) like my uncle loved his (at first) then my uncle detested it later and so much so he paid to have it removed, and thats where my sister is right now. And hers is just on her ankle, nothing too noticeable, but alot of folks change their minds towards them later.

 

[98cwitr]

Mine are all covered by nothing more than a t-shirt, but one day I would like to get my back finished.

 

[Bella Vita]

My church sees it this way...
It's important, however, to look at the verse in context. This passage in Leviticus, including the surrounding text, is specifically dealing with the pagan religious rituals of the people living around the Israelites. God’s desire is to set his people apart from other cultures. The focus here is prohibiting worldly, heathen worship and witchcraft. God forbids his holy people to engage in idolatrous, pagan worship and sorcery which imitates the heathens. He does this out of protection, because he knows this will lead them away from the one true God.

It's interesting to observe verse 26, "Do not eat meat that has not been drained of its blood," and verse 27, "Do not trim off the hair on your temples or trim your beards." Well, certainly many Christians today eat non-kosher meats and get haircuts without participating in the forbidden worship of pagans. Back then these customs were associated with pagan rites and rituals. Today they are not.

We believe it is a heart issue and the motivation behind the tattoo is what is important.

 

[Fireinfolding]

Just dont go nuts 98cwitr, they arent so attractive as you age lol

You hear of elderly woman who might have had one on her breast (up high) at one point but now she can kick it around now (after gravity has taken its toll) lol

What once might have looked kool, sorta looks ridiculous at some later point in life I suppose.

 

[Bella Vita]

I already know what I am getting.... This anchor with the scripture from Hebrews 6:19

 

[Rhamiel]

I have heard that some christians are against tattoos because of the OT verse about mutilation of the body
my church does not have a teaching on this but the opinion among the clergy is thought that, in general, it is a bad idea
I know you asked about what Baptists believe, I hope I did not offend you by adding my 2 cents
personally, I have no problem with them and know several people with rather beautiful artwork on their skin

 

[98cwitr]

Just dont go nuts 98cwitr, they arent so attractive as you age lol

You hear of elderly woman who might have had one on her breast (up high) at one point but now she can kick it around now (after gravity has taken its toll) lol

What once might have looked kool, sorta looks ridiculous at some later point in life I suppose.

True enough....the fiance already says they look "trashy."

 

[Hentenza]

Tatoos are of this world, just as piercings and such, and they will not accompany the Christian to heaven. What is inside is much more important than what is outside though (1 Samuel 16:7). In today's culture, tatoos have become common place and they do not carry the subculture and negative connotations that they used to. In my opinion, the question of whether to get one or not should be whether it is for the glory of God and whether will hinder evangelism or not.

 

[Hentenza]

Just dont go nuts 98cwitr, they arent so attractive as you age lol

You hear of elderly woman who might have had one on her breast (up high) at one point but now she can kick it around now (after gravity has taken its toll) lol

What once might have looked kool, sorta looks ridiculous at some later point in life I suppose.

That's....just...nasty but hilarious.

Many of today's heavily tattooed kids will probably be keeping their shirts on when they are older, I hope.

 

[Fireinfolding]

True enough....the fiance already says they look "trashy."

Awh, she probrobly dont think all those colors on old men skin are a class act either lol

I think you should blow up that picture and put it on your fridge with a note over it, "me in many years from now honey" lol

Kidding, you dont have anything near what this guy has on him do you? From your picture you seem more like that steriotypical clean cut (no skin paintings) types.

Well, you know what I mean.

 

[Fireinfolding]

That's....just...nasty but hilarious.

Many of today's heavily tattooed kids will probably be keeping their shirts on when they are older, I hope.

We sure "do hope" Hencritter. Otherwise we'll all be staring at many of these sorts of old men (trying to keep a straight face) lol

By the time they get that age I hope to be six feet under (so as not to see) lol

 

[Fireinfolding]

Tatoos are of this world, just as piercings and such, and they will not accompany the Christian to heaven. What is inside is much more important than what is outside though (1 Samuel 16:7). In today's culture, tatoos have become common place and they do not carry the subculture and negative connotations that they used to. In my opinion, the question of whether to get one or not should be whether it is for the glory of God and whether will hinder evangelism or not.

Other religions worship their gods the same way too

Though, I dont always think that might be the best way to glorify God, for example to a Jew it might be horrifying, not sure? And the Israelites were told not to inequire how the other nations worship their gods (to worship Him in like manner as they do).

Depends how that is perceived though

 

[Hammster]

Tatoos are of this world, just as piercings and such, and they will not accompany the Christian to heaven. What is inside is much more important than what is outside though (1 Samuel 16:7). In today's culture, tatoos have become common place and they do not carry the subculture and negative connotations that they used to. In my opinion, the question of whether to get one or not should be whether it is for the glory of God and whether will hinder evangelism or not.

This.

 

[baptist4life]

From a strictly personal point of view, I think tattoos are stupid,. Why in heaven's name would you want someone to draw a picture on your body? Tattoos are about THE dumbest thing a person can do to themselves, IMHO.

 

[Hentenza]

From a strictly personal point of view, I think tattoos are stupid,. Why in heaven's name would you want someone to draw a picture on your body? Tattoos are about THE dumbest thing a person can do to themselves, IMHO.

Hi Brother,

One of the most effective, and smart, prison ministers that I have had the pleasure to work with has several tatoos. These have allowed him to gain trust with convicts and has enhanced his ministry. To associate tatoos with a diminish mental faculty is to negate God's work in those that this minister has brought to Christ.

 

[AndOne]

I have more than a few but to be honest if I could I would go back in time and try to talk myself out of them. In my own case they were gotten from a prideful heart and to any one considering them I would just ask you to consider for a moment why you want one. If at the end of the day your conscious is clear about it than I would apply Romans 14 and say have at it.

Bella - in regards to the tattoo you want to get - I would hold off on that one until you make Chief - that one might not go over so well with the boss as it might come across as a bit presumptuous.

 

[SoulBap6]

Justification, excuse, what seems right, no law no fowl, Its ok to drink alcohol, smoke cigarettes, get Tattos, Body piercings and the list goes on, as to how to justify anything you want to do, these are not that bad. lust of he flesh, Lust of the eyes and pride of life.
You can read about this in 1 John 2.

The first words out of many people mouths is this person is a legalist. In many cases its because you want to justify what you are doing or want to do. Ted Bundy a convicted murder try to justify murder, that what he did wasn't bad. Justifying wrecking your health, modifying your body, or living a sinful life style and trying to tell others its ok!

We indeed our Adams Children, born in sin and many of us, have the after effects of the worldly life style. As a Christian were to take up our cross and follow Jesus, Christ; Life style, following the teachings of the Bible. 1 John This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.
[6] If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:
[7] But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
[8] If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
[9] If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
[10] If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

1 John 2:15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
[16] For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
[17] And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.


1Cor.3

1. [16] Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?
2. [17] If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.

How do you justify painting the temple? and all the rest?

 

[Bella Vita]

I have more than a few but to be honest if I could I would go back in time and try to talk myself out of them. In my own case they were gotten from a prideful heart and to any one considering them I would just ask you to consider for a moment why you want one. If at the end of the day your conscious is clear about it than I would apply Romans 14 and say have at it.

Bella - in regards to the tattoo you want to get - I would hold off on that one until you make Chief - that one might not go over so well with the boss as it might come across as a bit presumptuous.

No way that's like another 6 years. I have waited longer than most everyone else got them right out of boot. It is going on my back shoulder blade. So it will be covered in uniform. We are sailors we all have tattoos just not on the hands or neck everything else is fine.

I only want 3 tattoos 2 have to do with my faith and testimony the 3rd will be for my child when I have one.