??? Is that actually a picture of you??
That is really amazing ink.
How did a really conservative Christian begin to tattoo his body to such an extent?
My opinion of it is: Leviticus is not referring to tattoos that we get today, but branding of the skin. I suppose I would say that it will one day be like The Mark of the Beast, and getting the mark is akin to being branded and joining the AntiChrist.
However, tatts were once used to cover scars.
Today, it seems like tatts are seen on everyone and his grandma, like eyebrow piercings. Some are kind of lame. Some seem too cliche now, like the barbed wire around the bicep. However, I have seen some that I can only say are works of art. One was a guy who had his calf with orange koi and blue and green water and seaweed, in Japanese style. Another had his whole arm filled with a scene from Where the Wild Things Are.
When the colors are vivid, the design thought out and intriguing and unique, the work artistic, I think tattoos are quite amazing.
As for me personally, I keep wanting to get one, but am having a lot of commitment issues. I am going to see that thing until I die, so I don't really want the Dig'em Frog or anything. I don't want a random skull and heart that everyone has. I don't want the Japanese symbol for a random word, like Man, or Truth, unable to read Japanese myself.
I have considered Harold and the Purple Crayon, with Harold drawing around my bicep. I have considered the boy from where the wild things are. And I have considered the yin/yang koi in orange, blue and green because of it's beauty and tranquility.
And then I meditate, imagining myself 90 years old, with saggy skin, and a saggy Harold or Max. Am I happy I did it?
I''m torn. Commitment is not my friend.
Indeed that is a picture of me.
There are more where that came from. I have meant to get photos of my tattoos down for a while now but unfortunately the last ones I did were from a few years ago and died with my old computer.
I agree with everything you said, really, and what I have to say:
- I got into tattoos as an idea when I was young. I was always way into martial arts films and Asian culture as well as underground punk and hardcore music; when I joined the military it just seemed natural that I would start inking up.
I always thought of tattoos as art and decoration, and though both of my parents are hardcore Christians both have a very modern edge to their Christianity in the sense that these are not the Christians who abhor and denounce things that are different, but rather focus on denouncing things engrained within society that are anti-Christian, e.g. Materialism.
I think coming from a good family who keeps a sober view of Christianity helped me to really do whatever I wanted, which I consider a blessing.
- Your commitment phobia is understandable, but here is something to consider about your wrinkled tattoo as you get older:
You will look interesting.
There will be no people looking at you saying, "Wow, that really old guy is very sexually attractive if it wasn't for a wrinkly tattoo.." All your skin will be wrinkled.
Rather, when I see old folks with faded, wrinkled tattoos I think to myself, immediately,
"Wow, they were into it before it was even trendy."
I also make each of my tattoos an extension of myself and my person. Something meaningful and something I want to carry about -- no barbed wire tattoos here.
Part of the fun is sharing the meaning with people.
It can always be said of me that
I wear my heart on my sleeve.
A christian with an assault rifle tattooed on their arm. Every visit I think it won't get more ridiculous.
Well, Walrus, I got it while I was serving in the US Army and I believe that military service is noble.
I agree with the John 18:36 passage that violence is definitely not part of Christ's Kingdom, yet I also believe sort of what St. Augustine said along the lines that part of our punishment on this Earth is the inherent hypocrisy we face of having to fight for peace and to fight to live, in a certainly non-ideal situation.
Do you want to discuss it?
