Tattoos

[porkwithrice]

I was wondering what people's opinions were on Christians getting tattoos. I spent about three years in the Army and am sad to say I was not following the Lord during that time in my life. I received numerous tattoos during those years, none of which I would consider offensive but just diffrent designs and such. Some of them are visible in my everyday dress, sticking out just below my sleeve. Once I refreshed my walk with the Lord I decide to get a tattoo that expressed my beliefs. That is I got all of Psalms Ch 1 on my back. My tattoos have given me numerous chances at sharing the Word as people see the ones on my arms and ask me if I have any others to which I answer them with the one on my back. I have received many mixed response from people asking why to others stopping the conversation altogether. I was curious what others thought.

 

[Pope Gonzo]

I think tattoos are awesome, when done well My parents really don't like them, so out of respect for them I haven't yet, but I've talked about it with my dad, and he knows I respect his beliefs, and he understands that I can make my own decisions.

 

[Jenna]

Hey, different strokes for different folks. Me, I must be afraid of commitment, because I still haven't gone to get mine yet. lol It would be cool to see a pic of your back, if you had one available.....

 

[Ginsu]

Me, I used to like em, I even wanted some tribal tats around my biceps. But I kinda fell out of that phase. As for the ability for you to share your testimony with people by their intrest in them, well i think thats great man!

 

[KristiXP]

I think tattoo's are fine. I plan on getting one soon along with having my nose pierced. I most definatly want something Christian, but girlie. I was thinking maybe an angel with my favorite verse or something.

 

[Eirenay]

I have a tattoo and I love it. It's a celtic cross. I think though that too many tattoos become a distraction, its like too many clutter the skin.
Cheers

 

[skaaat]

I'm not a big fan of tattoos, don't care too much for them I guess. I think if I were to get a tattoo, it would look very awkward on me

 

[LiberatedChick]

I have a tattoo. I also got mine done before I'd turned to Christianity. I don't think there's anything wrong with them and I have considered getting another one. Any tattoo I get must mean something to me though, I personally wouldn't pick something that I thought there was a chance I may dislike in the future...so they must mean something to me i.e. represent a stage in my life. So I think the fact that your new tattoo reflects this new stage in your life and your belief in christ is very commendable.

 

[Spicy McHaggis]

For me, it depends on the motivation. Getting a tatoo used to be symbolic, now there's so many people getting them because they're "in". How rebelious, you know, in a conformist sort of way.

I could understand a Godly symbol as an expression of your Faith, that makes sense.

But the tribal arm bands, lower back scrawl and chinese lettering? Gimme a break, what tribe are you from? Can you name a city in China? Or does it just look cool?

Has to mean something for me. Everything else is a permanent reminder of how trendy someone is/used to be.

Just my $0.02, so to those I'm sure I offended.

 

[Kepa]

Well seeing as how I'm maori, our culture has a tradition called Ta Moko. Ta Moko is basically the art of chiselling the skin to create patterns that represent your whakapapa, or your geneology. However, there is some scripture (I don't know it off by heart) which has to do with tattooing yourself in relation to dead people. Leviticus or something... I'm not sure. I'm pretty sure it began with an L =] Anywho, so that's basically putting me off from getting Ta Moko

 

[Tuffguy]

Yeah the chinese letter on white kids really crack me up. I saw one kid that had them all down his arm. I asked him what it meant and he was like " strength and power through unity" or some nonsense like that. It probally means,,, "i can't believe this cracker paid 100bucks for this tattoo he can't even read"

 

[Tuffguy]

the tribal ones are silly too,,,i just don't get them. Get something you can relate to.

Intersting story though man.

 

[Spicy McHaggis]

Well seeing as how I'm maori, our culture has a tradition called Ta Moko. Ta Moko is basically the art of chiselling the skin to create patterns that represent your whakapapa, or your geneology. However, there is some scripture (I don't know it off by heart) which has to do with tattooing yourself in relation to dead people. Leviticus or something... I'm not sure. I'm pretty sure it began with an L =] Anywho, so that's basically putting me off from getting Ta Moko

Yeah, Leviticus is the Book that mentions tatooing.

We had a huge discussion with the youth group. They were getting sermoned for some fake tatoos. Lev, IIRC, also says not to shave, or wear clothing made of two fabrics, etc.

I asked the Pastor if his wife prayed for forgiveness for getting her ears pierced. The Pastor's stance changed a bit after we talked about that.

 

[Spicy McHaggis]

the tribal ones are silly too,,,i just don't get them. Get something you can relate to.

Intersting story though man.

A dude I know has an armband tatoo. Not barb wire, not tribal...


Hot Dog Links.



The artist made him come back the next day, he won't tatoo hot dogs on your arm unless you're completely sober.

 

[horuhe00]

I personaly don't like them. They are too permanent. I used to flirt with the idea of one but that's all.

As for girls with tats... I like the female body just as it is

 

[EmSchmem]

Yeah the chinese letter on white kids really crack me up. I saw one kid that had them all down his arm. I asked him what it meant and he was like " strength and power through unity" or some nonsense like that. It probally means,,, "i can't believe this cracker paid 100bucks for this tattoo he can't even read"

This is awesome... My brother has a tattoo from some album cover and he doesn't even know what it means! We always tell him he's a big fat idiot who paid for a tattoo that means big fat idiot. Of course we ALWAYS say it with love!

 

[porkwithrice]

Well, I did not go for the simple armband but have from my shoulders down to about the elbow on both arms almost entirely covered. I would say I have spent over 24 hours getting tattooed altogether. I would like to get more once I have the money to do so. Was planning on getting SAVED BY GRACE down my forearm but am a bit hesitant as I want to get a job other than Costco in the future. As for putting a picture of my back up I will see what I can do, I have it on my laptop and it was on the site of the guy who did it but he has recently moved and changed web addresses. He told me that he is always getting questions about it. I have figured that since I already have some I should make them work for me.

 

[Jenna]

oh, okie dokie. Just as an off the wall comment, your name makes me hungry. *laughs*

 

[Tinydancer19]

I think that hey if you want one and you won't regret it. Then hey go for it! I've always wanted something small. But i duno i've never really put a whole lot of thought into it. Not to mention my dad would kill me. But I duno we'll see.

 

[Out of the Flames]

I just got my first one last week. Mine has a special meaning to me, including the tribal portion of it. I don't see anything wrong with tattoos as long as they're not vulgar or offensive to God.

Some people don't feel a need to explain their tattoos to people they aren't close to. I certainly don't. And if someone doesn't like my tattoo because I put tribal artowrk into it, so be it. I know what it means to me and I didn't get it for them anyway.