Piercings, tattoos etc...

[Vermithrax]

I am curious to know how various Christian individuals regard the human practices of piercings and tattoos, and if they disapprove, then why?

I don't have any tattoos, though I've seen some that I have admired, but my left ear is pierced, and I wear either a 24 carat pirate loop, or a diamond stud set in platinum that my mother gave me for my 40th birthday.

Frankly, either one suits me. So I switch between the two.

My manager is a Seventh Day Adventist. Two more dissimilar people you could not imagine, but we work well together because we share a similar work ethic, and a preference for total honesty.

Now, I know he doesn't approve, but his reaction when I showed up with a thick gold hoop through my ear was "Well, it doesn't affect how you work." We've been known to talk about it with some humor.

Inevitably when it comes to decorating one's self, and that's what I'm doing, after all, tattoo's are also a consideration. The idea does have some attraction, to be honest, though I don't feel particularly inclined.

And so, I am curious. How do Christians here regard both practices, and if you are against either one, what is your justification for being so? I would also ask you to bear in mind the extremely common practice for the ladies amongst us to have their ears pierced.

 

[non-religious]

Hi...

When I was a Christian I had some tattoos done, both before and after. I was actually attending a Pentacostal church at the time and I remember getting a light rebuke from the Pastor at the church regarding my tattoos. Some obscure verse in Leviticus about marking ones body was quoted at me and very much went straight over my head. I didn't in any way feel I did anything wrong, I don't regret them and I will get more done when I feel like it. I kinda see God looking at my heart as opposed to my outward appearance (even though it is a very handsome and attractive outward appearance )

 

[Vermithrax]

I don't specifically recall the verse in Leviticus, though it rings a bell now that you mention it. But if I were to comment, I would say you can mark your body in hunting, combat, or even just falling down, and so to justify one marking from another seems a tad silly.

 

[non-religious]

[Vermithrax]I don't specifically recall the verse in Leviticus, though it rings a bell now that you mention it. But if I were to comment, I would say you can mark your body in hunting, combat, or even just falling down, and so to justify one marking from another seems a tad silly.

Agreed.... I can't see any spiritual connection, however I'm sure someone will no doubt enlighten me as to why Christians should not get tattoos

 

[momalle1]

Agreed.... I can't see any spiritual connection, however I'm sure someone will no doubt enlighten me as to why Christians should not get tattoos

I believe my body was created in God's own image, so I feel it wouldn't be right to mark it. This is MY belief, and in stark contrast to what has come to personify Christians lately (especially American Christians), I do not feel it has to apply to everyone, Christian or not. If you like tattoo's and piercings, have fun with them.

 

[Moros]

I believe my body was created in God's own image, so I feel it wouldn't be right to mark it.

If the bible suggested that Jesus (or god) has(d) tattoos, Christians would be lining up around the block to get them. Tattooing is even a part of Coptic christianity - they get little crosses on their wrist I think.

 

[Lifesaver]

They usually make one look rather barbaric and uncivilized, rebellious. In some extreme cases, the person's appearance becomes one of complete chaos.

These are not good things, and since our external appearance should (and usually does) represent our internal life, tattoos and piercings should generally be avoided.

There is an Old Testament verse against it, but whether it is still binding is a matter of debate as far as I know(is it a moral or a ritualistic prohibition?).

Therefore, if one thinks the piercing or tattoo will indeed improve their image, make them more beautiful and not express some negative sentiment or idea about themselves (women's earrings in the ordinary place fit exactly this description), I don't think there's anything wrong with that. I would never have one myself, though.

 

[NPH]

I was always told something along the lines of tattoo's and piercings defiling the 'temple' of our bodies or somesuch. Someone once mentioned that somewhere in the Bible it spoke of servants (slaves) piercing their ear against the post of their masters home after being freed to show they continued to serve that master willingly, dunno about that though.

Didn't stop me from getting 6 piercings in my ears, 3 in the eyebrows, 2 lips and one tongue Someday I plan on adding some tattoos also. Didn't feel guilty about it when I was a Christian and I certainly won't feel guilty about it now that i'm not ... i'll just care a little less about what Christians think about them since i'm not trying to be a good "club member" anymore lol.

 

[I'ddie4him]

Just as a heads up.
There will be a few that try to throw around the Levitical law about this.
It is utter nonsense to use it since the law was pertaining to a PAGAN ritual of markings and piercings for the dead.

Along with the fact that if you intend to keep one law, Try keeping ALL 613 of them.
Bottom line here.

 

[fillerbunny]

They usually make one look rather barbaric and uncivilized, rebellious.

In your opinion.. which you're entitled to. However, just because one holds said opinion does not make it fact. Clearly there are many who would disagree. Personally, I've never looked at someone who is/was tattooed or pierced and thought they appeared 'barbaric' or 'uncivilized'.

I have to go easy on the piercings (allergic to most metals), but I do intend to invest in a small tattoo of personal significance in the near future. It will not serve as an expression of negative sentiment or an act of rebellion, but as a lifelong physical reminder of the positive influences in my life.

 

[sister_maynard]

I think that they're fine by any Biblical standard, and I've seen some very lovely Christian (and generally spiritual) ones with designs of crosses, doves, flowers, and other nice things. There's nothing morally wrong with tattoos and piercings, but it's probably a good idea to go easy on them and keep any big tattoos out of sight, especially if you're going to be working in an office where the employer would disapprove.

 

[Vermithrax]

Thanks for the diversity of answers. Sorry for the delay getting back to you, but this is my first opportunity. Nice to get such a mixture of views.

Filterbunny, if you do get a piercing, and I'm sure you know this, you'd probably be okay with gold or platinum. Both tend to be completely inert with respect to the human body. Go with 18K gold.

Sister_maynard, your point about employers is a good one. I work in a fairly informal environment. In a different environment I might be in trouble, because even without an earring in, it's pretty obvious it's pierced. I would probably wear my diamond stud, because it's quite small, very tasteful, and more unobtrusive.

 

[fillerbunny]

Filterbunny, if you do get a piercing, and I'm sure you know this, you'd probably be okay with gold or platinum. Both tend to be completely inert with respect to the human body. Go with 18K gold.

Thanks for the tip. I tend to like the cheap, funky earrings, which are invariably a big no for me (even the ones they like to claim are hypo). I'm contemplating having my ears re-pierced.. methinks I'll probably just have to use gold studs and attempt to make my own tacky earrings out of 'em.

As far as tattoos, the employer issue is a good thing to keep in mind. I know someone who covered much of his body in large, conspicuous tattoos when he was younger. He then decided to go to vet school. Unfortunately, unless he opts for dress with the full lab coat and all that (scrubs won't cut it), chances are he'll wind up putting off some potential clients who would otherwise have been very pleased with his practice. Wouldn't bother me, but I'm sure that there are many whose first impressions wouldn't be so favorable.

 

[sister_maynard]

I agree. Too bad that they're so tricky and expensive to remove. There's not a problem with tattoos as such, but some people see lots of them as indicators of dangerous or criminal behavior because so many convicts get large and obvious tattoos. There are obvious exceptions, like my youth pastor's enormous red salmon that leads into some complicated metaphor about sin, but a lot of large tattoos tend to make people uneasy.

 

[Vermithrax]

Thanks for the tip. I tend to like the cheap, funky earrings, which are invariably a big no for me (even the ones they like to claim are hypo). I'm contemplating having my ears re-pierced.. methinks I'll probably just have to use gold studs and attempt to make my own tacky earrings out of 'em.

As far as tattoos, the employer issue is a good thing to keep in mind. I know someone who covered much of his body in large, conspicuous tattoos when he was younger. He then decided to go to vet school. Unfortunately, unless he opts for dress with the full lab coat and all that (scrubs won't cut it), chances are he'll wind up putting off some potential clients who would otherwise have been very pleased with his practice. Wouldn't bother me, but I'm sure that there are many whose first impressions wouldn't be so favorable.

My Mother likes cheap flashy earrings too. I find my ear is somewhat sensitive too. It's been a year and my pirate loop tends to hurt. I think it's the weight. 24K gold is heavy. The original 14K stud and my Mother's gift never bother me.

While my earring has rarely caused comment, mostly the women telling me how much they liked it, a tattoo would be a different story. This is Arizona, so short sleeves are common. The kind of tattoo that I would consider would be verboten. I'm prepared to risk an earring with an employer, but that kind of tattoo, no. I'm in information technology, so that might not be a positive career move.

I wouldn't personally judge a person by their piercings or tattoo's. As my manager implied, "as long as it doesn't affect how they do their job."

 

[Vermithrax]

I agree. Too bad that they're so tricky and expensive to remove. There's not a problem with tattoos as such, but some people see lots of them as indicators of dangerous or criminal behavior because so many convicts get large and obvious tattoos. There are obvious exceptions, like my youth pastor's enormous red salmon that leads into some complicated metaphor about sin, but a lot of large tattoos tend to make people uneasy.

That is true, and it is probably advisable to avoid that look. I have seen some large, complex tattoos that I would say are less likely to cause concern, because they are more like paintings, and present a single, well-thought out concept. I once saw an Asian-American on TV who, proud of his heritage, had a magnificent dragon essentially wrapped around his back and chest. It avoided the Yakuza association, but was something I wouldn't mind myself, except I don't have the figure for it. Plus I'm rather hairy.

I have also seen some Russian prison tattoos, also on TV, where the ink was ground rubber and urine, that were remarkable. Given the primitive conditions under which they were applied, they were incredible. You really don't want to have those.

 

[Mandrake]

I'm moderately pierced (3/4 inch lobes, 2g labret, 10g septum and my nape for visible ones, plus nipples and 2 in my navel) and it's not really an issue for me. I get questions about why I do it and did it hurt (because it makes me happy and not unbearbly), but it's never been a barrier in terms of employment or relationships. I'm an RA at my university, just completed an academic internship, and do landscaping in the summer, and my experience has been that if you're competent and willing to work hard that matters more than what you look like.

 

[Vermithrax]

I have to confess I have no idea what you mean by labret, septum and nape.

 

[Mandrake]

Labret = just below the lower lip

Septum = middle bit of the nose

Nape = back of the neck (very prominent for someone with a shaved head)

 

[fillerbunny]

*EDIT- too late.. fillerbunny lacks mad typing skills.