tattoos

[dreamcatcher]

As a Christian, is it ok to have tattoos?

 

[Memory's Flame]

I think it's fine! So long as they are tasteful! I mean having a naked person or something like that wouldn't be ok... but having a star, or a cross or something simple and sweet... I think that's fine!

I have my tongue peirced and my ears... and I think that falls into the same category! Tasteful!

 

[Didymus]

i say no there is a verse against it in leviticus. now to remember the reference.

 

[Dawn Marie]

Yeah, I think it's fine... if tastefully done.

My brother Jay has 3 tattoos - Native American stuff... really pretty.

I might get a small tattoo one day in the future... a heart or flower or a fairy or something.

 

[Jedi]

I really don't see the point in putting graffiti on my body. I don't find it attractive on essentially any person, especially women. I have a hard time imagining Jesus getting a tattoo...

 

[Yahweh Nissi]

Leviticus 19:28 "Do noy cut your bodies for the dead or put tattoo marks on yourselves. I am the LORD" (NIV)
"Never cut your bodies in mourning for the dead or mark your skin with tattoos, for I am the LORD" (NLT)

 

[Yahweh Nissi]

I would certainly be cautious about forbiding something on the grounds of a single OT verse, especially as it sounds like it could be to do with forbiding pagan ancestor worship practices. The previous verse is "Do not cut the hair at the sides of your head or clip the edges off your beard". No one ever says that this aught to be strictly adhered to.

 

[LightHearted]

Today at 04:11 PM Yahweh Nissi said this in Post #6

Leviticus 19:8 "Do noy cut your bodies for the dead or put tattoo marks on yourselves. I am the LORD" (NIV)
"Never cut your bodies in mourning for the dead or mark your skin with tattoos, for I am the LORD" (NLT)

That's Leviticus 19:28.

 

[Memory's Flame]

LOL! There's a lot of things in the bible that don't hold up today... buying slaves from neighboring countries, 13 years olds marrying and having babies with 30 year old men, women being sent to "quarentine" during their period... Things change!!!

I agree that it was probably more significant of other religious practices, saying that you shouldn't tattoo your body. BUT... anymore most religions do not have you tattoo your body, so I think it's a little outdated...

Just My Opinion

 

[Beckijhn]

I believe that verse refers to rituals for the dead.

I don't see anything wrong with a tattoo if you want one. My only warning is that they do fade and wear out and sag (when you're older). Make sure it's something you really like and won't be embarrassed to show your kids. ~smile~

 

[Didymus]

wasn t there a thread on this subject just a little while ago ?

 

[dreamcatcher]

so if i had 13 tattoos before i became a christian, am i going to h---? they are "tastefull" tattoos..roses, tigers,eagles,panthers,hearts.

 

[Memory's Flame]

Dreamcatcher,

You will not go to hell for a few simple tattoos!!

AND you will not go to hell for something you did prior to becoming a Christian!!

Don't let closed minded ness get to you...

 

[dreamcatcher]

Yesterday at 09:44 PM JacqueB said this in Post #13

Dreamcatcher,

You will not go to hell for a few simple tattoos!!

AND you will not go to hell for something you did prior to becoming a Christian!!

Don't let closed minded ness get to you...

JacqueB,

  don't worry closed mindedness will never get to me.however, everyone IS entitled to their own opinion.and i did ask the question about tattoos to get opinions.but that doesn't mean i need to take them to heart.oh,by the way,i also have both my ears pierced AND my belly button pierced.
                              thank you.

 

[LightHearted]

here you go, KTF.

 

[Dewjunkie]

Well, dreamcatcher, I think you know my answer to this. Ink on your skin in no way affects the faith in your heart and mind. God judges what is in your heart, mind, and your actions. If your actions portray a Christ-like lifestyle, and people cannot look beyond your physical choice of self-expression to who you are, then it is they who need to look at their judgemental nature (that whole "judge not" thing)

 

[gwyyn]

Hmmm I have 2 tattoes. I have a daisy chain going roundmy right ankle and a small daisy on inside of my left ankle. My advice is seriously consider what you are going to get and if it's a symbol know what it means. My sister got a celtic design on her thigh but she has no idea what it means.

I want to get a lady bug on my big toe, but have heard it hurts to get tattoe on your toes.

 

[nomad]

6th April 2003 at 04:11 PM Yahweh Nissi said this in Post #6

Leviticus 19:8 "Do noy cut your bodies for the dead or put tattoo marks on yourselves. I am the LORD" (NIV)
"Never cut your bodies in mourning for the dead or mark your skin with tattoos, for I am the LORD" (NLT)

This gets back to knowing the reason behind the law.  In those days they did not know about bacteria and such things.  Even today an unlean needle can can cause lots of health problems if not death due to the Aids virus.

If you examine very carefully some of the Old Testament laws you will discover that these laws were given to promote personal hygene and health.

Leviticus 19:6You must eat it on the same day you offer it or on the next day at the latest. Any leftovers that remain until the third day must be burned.

This is one good example of what I'm trying to say.  They didn't have refrigerators then and we know that if something is left at room temperature for over a day bacteria will contaminate the food and spoil it.  They didn't know this.  So we see the Love of God for His People by having them do something for their own Good.

 

[nomad]

Today at 01:42 PM Dewjunkie said this in Post #16

Well, dreamcatcher, I think you know my answer to this. Ink on your skin in no way affects the faith in your heart and mind. God judges what is in your heart, mind, and your actions. If your actions portray a Christ-like lifestyle, and people cannot look beyond your physical choice of self-expression to who you are, then it is they who need to look at their judgemental nature (that whole "judge not" thing)

Well said.  Now if we could just Tattoo this on our hearts and live it.

 

[dreamcatcher]

dewjunkie,

   you are right,i DO know your answer to this...i sometimes worry about what other people think of me as far as my tattoos are concerned.but at the same time i say "don't judge a book by its cover".for the most part i have this attitude--"if you don't like me for who i am,then who needs you".if my tattoos offend someone then they need not look at them.

     i just get aggrevated sometimes when people start quoting the bible to me about my tattoos when they have TWISTED the scripture around to say what THEY want it to say.i tend to get a little rude when people do that to me face to face.although it has been a long time since anyone has done that to me.that was one of the MANY things that got me to stay at the church i(we) currently attend.i have ALWAYS felt welcome in the church of the nazarene here.i felt 'uncomfortable' when i 1st started going but that eventually went away.  

Yesterday at 11:42 AM Dewjunkie said this in Post #16

Well, dreamcatcher, I think you know my answer to this. Ink on your skin in no way affects the faith in your heart and mind. God judges what is in your heart, mind, and your actions. If your actions portray a Christ-like lifestyle, and people cannot look beyond your physical choice of self-expression to who you are, then it is they who need to look at their judgemental nature (that whole "judge not" thing)