Tattoos

[Stars_Fire_17]

What is your take on tattoos?

Do you think they are a sin or just another body modification?

 

[ProseChild]

A few yrs back, I asked someone that same question. Now I can't remember if it was someone at church, my grandma, or whoever. The answer they gave was that our bodies are God's temple, so getting tattoos and piercings are desecrations to God's temple. It makes sense but it doesn't 'feel' wrong...

It would've been nice if someone had told me that before I got my tattoos though....

 

[salvationwriter17]

"Do not cut your bodies for the dead or put tattoo marks on yourselves. I am the Lord." Leviticus 19:28, NIV

 

[LiberatedChick]

"Do not cut your bodies for the dead or put tattoo marks on yourselves. I am the Lord." Leviticus 19:28, NIV

This verse is often quoted as being a reason for not getting tattoos. What is often ignored or misinterpreted is the words "for the dead". This is a reference to the pagan rituals at the time that involved cutting and making tattoo marks "for the dead", in order to protect oneself from the spirit world.

Not to mention that tattoos were dangerous in those times...with no tried and tested inks, sterilised needles it was a risky business and the Lord wanted to protect His children. These days, if you visit a reputable tattoo parlour tattooing is relatively safe though there's still a small risk of being allergic to the inks of course.

The above verse is the only verse that mentions tattoos and besides if you're going to follow the rules in the book of Leviticus you can't just pick and choose...you should follow all of them including...

Verse 19: "Do not plant your field with two kinds of seed. Do not wear clothing woven of two kinds of material."


Verse 26: "Do not eat any meat with the blood still in it." Verse 27: "Do not cut the hair at the sides of your head or clip off the edges of your beard."

Therefore in my mind there's nothing wrong with tattoos.

 

[BlessedVegan]

Well I have many tattoos and will definatly continue to get more, perhaps even with a religious theme. I don't think we need to worry about Leviticus because of the "for the dead" part, and didn't the New Covenant make that not so important? As for you're body being a temple..most religious temples are decorated. I know this is simplistic, but honestly, I cannot see how this is desecrating your body. It is not harmful..sure there's some superficial pain but it heals with no lasting problems (as long as it is done right). My tattoos and piercings make me feel absolutly beautiful.

PS..Blue Impulse..is it considered vanity if you are not trying to show off or be sexually enticing in some way? If you just feel more beautiful to yourself..is that vanity?

 

[BlessedVegan]

Oh I'm not trying to jump down your throat at all!! I'm really curious because I'm not sure what the Biblical idea of vanity is. I'm really new to Christianity. So I ask everyone questions!

 

[hungry4God]

I have a tattoo, and realized that it is in fact against God. We have to think of 666 and how that will be a form of tatoo that the sinners of the world will have or how earings were a sign that you were a slave in biblical times. So I would have to say that as Christains we can not dress, speak, act, or tattoo ourselves like the rest of the pagan world. Therefore I plan to remove mine ASAP and would adive others, In Christ to do the same, for the Lord wants us pure in body, mind and soul. Praise HIM~

 

[Stars_Fire_17]

Well I have many tattoos and will definatly continue to get more, perhaps even with a religious theme.

I have a cross in the middle of my back

 

[Sketcher]

I believe that Acts 15 frees us Gentiles from the "no tattoo" requirement. We have to keep very little of the old law, and tattoos did not make the list.