Sinful Tattoo

[Geoff m]

Hi I have got loads of tattoos, and wish I never had any of them done all these years later........... Don't worry yourself too much about getting it covered up, it will still show through in time......... very few people are going to know what the symbol represents, I'd never seen it before. My advise would be to leave it as it is, it's not an anti Christian symbol so don't think that there is anything wrong or it is offending the Lord. If you keep it, it will always remind you not to have anymore tattoos done without having a good long think about it first.

 

[faroukfarouk]

It would may or may not be. I can't really say right now, not without praying about it. I also have to consider my environment where issues could arise if I were to get it, work for instance. Many places do not care for exposure of tattoos and require you to cover it. I don't know about you but wearing a long sleeve shirt during summer time in Texas is very toasty! lol. There is just a lot to consider, how it would affect things, and most importantly whether or not I feel like it is something the Lord would want for me to do. If I do not have His consent, then no money will be spent!

(I just made that up on the top of my head too hehe, isn't it catchy?)

LizzyMae:

Yes, well thought out! I think - and correct me if I am wrong? - your reasoning seems to be that you would likely get real joy out of doing it but now it's as much or more about practical and pragmatic aspects (which are linked to the matter of ink placement) than about continuing principled objections.

Even though praying about it is very important, absolutely.

 

[faroukfarouk]

Hi I have got loads of tattoos, and wish I never had any of them done all these years later........... Don't worry yourself too much about getting it covered up, it will still show through in time......... very few people are going to know what the symbol represents, I'd never seen it before. My advise would be to leave it as it is, it's not an anti Christian symbol so don't think that there is anything wrong or it is offending the Lord. If you keep it, it will always remind you not to have anymore tattoos done without having a good long think about it first.

Hi there, Geoff m: interesting to read of your experience as a veteran. So are any of yours faith based? and do you think that you would regret faith based ones if they became a lead in for conversations with people about your faith?

 

[Geoff m]

Hi there, Geoff m: interesting to read of your experience as a veteran. So are any of yours faith based? and do you think that you would regret faith based ones if they became a lead in for conversations with people about your faith?

No none are faith based, I had no faith when I had them done. Norse mythology isn't a faith as far as I can see, it is simply folklore. You don't need to have faith based tattoos to have them brought up in conversation, and besides here in the UK over the past few years there has been an explosion in the amount of people having tattoos and they are generally being accepted as the norm now, and not commented on.

 

[faroukfarouk]

No none are faith based, I had no faith when I had them done. Norse mythology isn't a faith as far as I can see, it is simply folklore. You don't need to have faith based tattoos to have them brought up in conversation, and besides here in the UK over the past few years there has been an explosion in the amount of people having tattoos and they are generally being accepted as the norm now, and not commented on.

Geoff m:

Well, interesting; thanks. I guess that faith based ink might be a bit more widespread in North America than in the UK, though I don't know.

Seems like it's become a rite of passage to do it at 18 in most US states and Canadian provinces where 18 is the age when it can be done. I think with you guys it's uniformly 18 all over the parts of the UK, that is the age when regulations allow it. You say 'explosion': are they mostly good parlors, that are clean and with quality work?

 

[Geoff m]

they are clean these days, but that is about as far as it goes. The tattoo studios here are ten a penny, and the work is generally dreadful. My son had a few done, and I was quite surprised at how bad they were. There is no law here in the UK on who can trade as a tattooist, all you need to do is pass a hygiene inspection.... there has been plenty of cases of people going from one place to the next because they have had a name mis-spelt :/

 

[Geoff m]

by the way farouk, faith based tattoos are quite popular, such a rosaries and crosses, but generally by people who do not follow the Christian faith

 

[faroukfarouk]

they are clean these days, but that is about as far as it goes. The tattoo studios here are ten a penny, and the work is generally dreadful. My son had a few done, and I was quite surprised at how bad they were. There is no law here in the UK on who can trade as a tattooist, all you need to do is pass a hygiene inspection.... there has been plenty of cases of people going from one place to the next because they have had a name mis-spelt :/

So your son was disappointed at how some of his tattoos turned out? (Sometimes young women, who often pay a lot of attention to their appearance, actually plan their tattoos a bit more carefully and delicately; tattoos used to be a man thing in the family, but it certainly isn't now.) Not that it was your son's fault.

 

[Geoff m]

no, he loves them, thinks they are great. At least these days you get a clean needle, I never did :/

 

[faroukfarouk]

by the way farouk, faith based tattoos are quite popular, such a rosaries and crosses, but generally by people who do not follow the Christian faith

Oh okay. In North America, Bible verses are quite popular with some Christians; my wife and I talked to a young lady with the whole of John 3.16 inked on her wrist area; it was her favorite Bible verse and mine also, and I'm sure that other conversations have arisen as a result of her decision to have it done, which maybe was part of the whole point of it. I also talked to a young man with the whole of John 3.16 inked on his arm.

 

[faroukfarouk]

no, he loves them, thinks they are great. At least these days you get a clean needle, I never did :/

Oh so it was you that was a bit disappointed in how some of his tattoos turned out, rather than him.

Like I said, it used to be very much a man thing, but no longer. If you have a wife or daughter, you won't be surprised if they want to do it, I guess. In fact, now over here I read someplace that 59%-70% or more of parlor clients in North America are female.

 

[JellyQuest]

It would may or may not be. I can't really say right now, not without praying about it. I also have to consider my environment where issues could arise if I were to get it, work for instance. Many places do not care for exposure of tattoos and require you to cover it. I don't know about you but wearing a long sleeve shirt during summer time in Texas is very toasty! lol. There is just a lot to consider, how it would affect things, and most importantly whether or not I feel like it is something the Lord would want for me to do. If I do not have His consent, then no money will be spent!

(I just made that up on the top of my head too hehe, isn't it catchy?)

i wish more would display this heart for the lords will

 

[faroukfarouk]

i wish more would display this heart for the lords will

It's commendable that @LizzyMae is praying about it, yes.

 

[Sketcher]

Get it removed, or get it covered with one that suits you better.

 

[Blade]

TurtleAnne... none if us can SPEAK for God ok? Now the WORD does talk about Tattoos as being wrong..one should not do. Yet.. we do so many things in this life blind..we never new it was wrong or a sin. Its what you do NOW that counts. Its ok.. you have one.. great.. I would never get one..knowing what the word says. If I had one.. I would never ever feel guilty or condemned..

 

[faroukfarouk]

You seem to me like a very compassionate person who feels defensive of those who are being persecuted by other people, and I appreciate that, but I see the situation for what it is, as well.

PS:

TurtleAnne:

Well, thanks, but I wasn't looking for compliments, really; and I think there have now also been many others on this thread who are very sympathetic to the situation you are in, don't you think? You mentioned something about becoming a primary school teacher I think; and while some boards might in theory ask for visible tattoos to be covered, I don't think it would become a serious problem; after all, any board trying to hire tattoo-less ppl only would probably find it hard to hire at all.

From the thread responses so far, it seems that, while you would instinctively have a lot of Christians' sympathy, there is also not likely to be a full consensus on such issues which inevitably involve an element of subjectivity. Frankly, it's possible that some of the vehemence which does exist among older Christian men on the subject of tattoos can hide a gender aspect not too far below the surface; while ex-military good ol'boys who are likely tattooed might be indulged, the idea of a tattooed woman is still hard for them to internalize (even though statistics show that in North America now 59%-70% or more of parlor clients are actually female). The sheer prevalence now of women in Bible Belt churches confidently getting ink - demonstrated in the quote in post #5 - probably only serves to heighten the insecurity and anxiety of certain very conservative older men: and of course their knee-jerk reaction is likely to be to try somewhat to dent the sense of positivity of otherwise confidently tattooed Christian women. If this makes any sense?

(Okay, Ms. Anne, so I've stopped being an armchair psychologist...)

 

[TurtleAnne]

PS:

TurtleAnne:

Well, thanks, but I wasn't looking for compliments, really; and I think there have now also been many others on this thread who are very sympathetic to the situation you are in, don't you think? You mentioned something about becoming a primary school teacher I think; and while some boards might in theory ask for visible tattoos to be covered, I don't think it would become a serious problem; after all, any board trying to hire tattoo-less ppl only would probably find it hard to hire at all.

From the thread responses so far, it seems that, while you would instinctively have a lot of Christians' sympathy, there is also not likely to be a full consensus on such issues which inevitably involve an element of subjectivity. Frankly, it's possible that some of the vehemence which does exist among older Christian men on the subject of tattoos can hide a gender aspect not too far below the surface; while ex-military good ol'boys who are likely tattooed might be indulged, the idea of a tattooed woman is still hard for them to internalize (even though statistics show that in North America now 59%-70% or more of parlor clients are actually female). The sheer prevalence now of women in Bible Belt churches confidently getting ink - demonstrated in the quote in post #5 demonstrates - probably only serves to heighten the insecurity and anxiety of certain very conservative older men: and of course their knee-jerk reaction is likely to be to try somewhat to dent the sense of positivity of otherwise confidently tattooed Christian women. If this makes any sense?

(Okay, Ms. Anne, so I've stopped being an armchair psychologist...)

Yeah I'm just going to get it covered with a turtle heh. I haven't read the responses since then, I could sense myself getting testy, though it notified me that you had quoted me. I'm glad I asked the community about this, for sure. I hadn't even considered having it changed, let along what I could try to change it to. I'm such a proud and mistrusting sort, I usually don't ask for advice, but I can feel the internal pressure to get over it and start seeking out fellowship again. Glad I gave it a try, the idea of having it turned into a turtle given what turtles remind me of, seems to sit well internally. I had not even thought of that possibility. And sorry if I came across condescending, wasn't my intention. Guess I'm even still so proud that I feel awkward if it seems like someone is sticking up for me. I'm just ridiculous sometimes, please don't mind me.

 

[faroukfarouk]

Yeah I'm just going to get it covered with a turtle heh. I haven't read the responses since then, I could sense myself getting testy, though it notified me that you had quoted me. I'm glad I asked the community about this, for sure. I hadn't even considered having it changed, let along what I could try to change it to. I'm such a proud and mistrusting sort, I usually don't ask for advice, but I can feel the internal pressure to get over it and start seeking out fellowship again. Glad I gave it a try, the idea of having it turned into a turtle given what turtles remind me of, seems to sit well internally. I had not even thought of that possibility. And sorry if I came across condescending, wasn't my intention. Guess I'm even still so proud that I feel awkward if it seems like someone is sticking up for me. I'm just ridiculous sometimes, please don't mind me.

Condescending? no, you were not at all! More likely, a gracious woman that, like many Christian ladies, happens to be tattooed. (In some ways your posting thought patterns remind me just a bit of the sort of thing that my beloved wife would come out with.)

You may not have the leisure or inclination to scroll back over some of this site's other threads where the subject has been discussed, but for example if you did you would soon see that comments such as these, from another Christian woman, have not been at all unusual among the Christian women as well as men who confidently expect to receive faith based ink without regrets:

i do have 1 tattoo..its a bunch of roses .. I got it when i was 25! i enjoy it. I dont regret it...As far as Christians and Tatoos go. The AOG church i used to belong to the teens/young adults all had tatoos and piercings. Also The Christian Cornerstone Festival of music and arts is loaded with Christians with ..tons of tatoos. its a cultural thing in some Christian circles to get tattoos of Jesus, the cross, and other religous symbols.

Blessings.

 

[roamer_1]

I am curious for others' perceptions and thoughts on this matter.

I have a tattoo [...]

Has anyone been in a similar situation? Does anyone have any thoughts or opinions on this sort of situation?

I have a friend... big bad biker dude... served in Nam, Aryan Nations, been to the pen... Needless to say, he's got a whole lot of offensive ink... Keeps him out of the choir, if you get my drift, but like in Nam, he's a specialist. Turn him loose in a bar full of bikers, and he'll have a beer or two, and walk out having saved somebody. I know, I've seen it happen over and over.

YHWH has a reason. In my life, I have found that he puts people in my way that need my particular testimony - I think this is what confession to our brothers is really about - Really *for*.

And in that need for my testimony, and my confession following, he turns my worst sins into victories. Don't ask me why or how... it just is.

So don't worry about your battle scars... some day, they might be just what the doctor ordered.

 

[HittitesA-muk]

hi There . We say that nobody has to get a tattoo because makeup is better than a tattoo; you can apply and reapply makeup; a princesslike eyebrow pencil can be used to design anywhere on the body and then washes off from water .