Tattoos?

Paloma2011 · May 19, 2010

I've been trying to figure out if it's against God's Will for Christians to get tattoos?

I'm familiar with the verse in Leviticus about cutting flesh, but it's still ambiguous to me. Looking into the chapter, and reading other people's theology, it seems to be talking about Pagan rituals specifically.

Another ambiguity is that this is from the Old Testament, i.e. the old Law. And as Christians, we follow Jesus who proclaimed a new Law--keeping the 10 Commandments and abolishing everything else, as much of it is irrelevant once Jesus took away our sins.

Am I way off with what I'm understanding?

Anyway, the reason I ask, is that I have a few tattoos from before I was a Christian. I'm not concerned about the fact that I got them, because if it is sinful to get a tattoo, I know my sins have been wiped clean since I gave my life to God. 2 of the tattoos are of fairies (the 3rd is a dove, so that's fine), which I still think are gorgeous, and I got them with a more "Disney" mindset, not the "fantasy" kind of imagery in new-age lifestyles. Although I wasn't a true Christian at that point, I was never into the new-age stuff.

So bottom line, I'm kind of hoping it turns out to be fine to get a tattoo as long as it doesn't represent anything against God's will, because I'd like to turn my fairies into Angels, a more Christian imagery, than having images on my body that people might interpret as new-age/fantasy.

Sorry this is so long! Just trying to make sure I explain my situation and everything I understand about it.

Thanks in advance

simplysaved · May 19, 2010

I say go for it, there's nothing wrong with it.

I recently did a project on a very marginal group of Christian who see their tattoos as an expression of faith, and I was convinced that there's nothing inherently wrong in tattooing oneself. Especially if the subject matter is Christian in nature, tattoos can be great works of art.

Coptic Christians have been tattooing themselves for centuries and they treat it as a very meaningful act that distinguishes them as Christians. For a while I considered getting a cross on my wrist like many Coptics do.

Some will likely say it's a bad idea and will hold to that one single verse in the Old Testament and insist it's against God's will, without considering the role of intent nor the context of the passage. I'd say especially since you're trying to bring your old tattoos into accordance with your current beliefs, it's a great idea.

Thaeoles · May 19, 2010

Even Jesus has a tattoo.

16 On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords. Revelation 19:16

TCat · May 25, 2010

Personally I have gotten two tatoos after I became a Christian. I always liked them and wanted one but never had the courage or know exactly what I liked enough to place it permanently on my body. After much prayer and searching my Bible I believed God was not against it so...I have a cross over a treble clef on my lower leg because I came back to God thru Christian music and now I get to use it to witness to others about my faith.
It has become a really great thing and I love them!

TasManOfGod · Aug 20, 2010

God hates tattoos
The law has not been changed through Jesus -(not one jot or tittle) He came to fulfil the Law not to destroy it

Wolvrin704 · Aug 21, 2010

I wouldn't condemn anyone for getting one and I sure wouldn't say its a sin. But we are keep ourselves holy and apart from the world, be in it but not of it. To get tattoos just because it is the cool thing seems to me to be wanting to belong to the world. Personally I've thought of getting one in the past but I decided not to as I don't want to deface my body with something I may later regret, especially as a senior citizen when the tattoo no longer looks cool.

TasManOfGod · Aug 25, 2010

I think of tattoos like I believe God thinks of them -much like an architect would of a precious building say like the Sydney Opera House if it had graffitti scrawled on it -even if it said:

"I think Mr Utzon is a great architect"

BereanTodd · Aug 26, 2010

TasManOfGod said:
God hates tattoos
The law has not been changed through Jesus -(not one jot or tittle) He came to fulfil the Law not to destroy it

First off Leviticus is not speaking of the modern practice of tattooing. There is no direct correlation.

Secondly, do you wear any clothes with blended fabrics? You fail to pass the same law. You are just as much of a sinner. Eaten shrimp or lobster or crab lately? Yep, you too.

Singermom · Aug 26, 2010

Only 2 things have kept me from getting a tattoo:

1) I feel that it is an incredible waste of $$$, and

2) I just couldn't picture myself as an 80-year-old with a tattoo.

dies-l · Aug 26, 2010

I respect anyone's choice to get a tat or not. But, I look at it like this: What I thought was cool when I was 20 is not necessarily what I would like now. And, likely when I am older my preferences will continue to change. So, why would I want to have a fashion statement (for most people that's what tattoos are) permanently etched into my body?

Scorponok · Aug 26, 2010

I want to get a tattoo but have always been hung up on whether it was a sin or not. I always believed that we are told our bodies are temples and we are not to mess with them in that respect.

I guess it doesn't matter though, in my situation, since the location I want my tattoo in is something no respectable tattoo artist will touch at all in my situation. And I'm not about to put myself in the hands of someone not licensed.

BereanTodd · Aug 26, 2010

Singermom said:
Only 2 things have kept me from getting a tattoo:

1) I feel that it is an incredible waste of $$$, and

Unless you get a very large one, they are not that expensive. I have a medium sized one on my right bicep - a tribal style design of the crown of thorns with 3 spikes going through it. I had it done by one of the top tattoo artists in Houston, and it only cost $180.

Now, if you're talking a large piece - a half sleeve say - you might be talking several hundred dollars. But most things that people on here would want are not all that expensive at all.

BereanTodd · Aug 26, 2010

dies-l said:
I respect anyone's choice to get a tat or not. But, I look at it like this: What I thought was cool when I was 20 is not necessarily what I would like now. And, likely when I am older my preferences will continue to change. So, why would I want to have a fashion statement (for most people that's what tattoos are) permanently etched into my body?

Obviously you know if you are comfortable with getting one or not, but I would not say in any way that it is a "fashion statement". Most people get them as a means of expression. I couldn't care less what anyone else thinks, mine is simply an outward expression of the faith in God that I have. It is something I thought, prayed about and desired literally for 6 or 7 years before I did it. I'll probably get a couple of more when I have the disposable income.

dies-l · Aug 26, 2010

BereanTodd said:
Obviously you know if you are comfortable with getting one or not, but I would not say in any way that it is a "fashion statement". Most people get them as a means of expression.

Po-tay-to/Po-tah-to. A fashion statement is a means of expression by means of attire, hairstyle, and other adjustments of one's appearance. That doesn't mean they're wrong; personally, I see nothing inherently immoral about tattoos. However, let's be honest about their purpose in our culture.

Obviously, it would be different if one got a tattoo because their religion or culture demands it. However, in my opinion the only difference between expressing oneself with a tattoo and with a t-shirt is that the former is permanent and the latter is not. There is nothing intrinsically wrong with either one, but I prefer to use less permanent fashions for self-expression.

Singermom · Aug 26, 2010

BereanTodd said:
Unless you get a very large one, they are not that expensive. I have a medium sized one on my right bicep - a tribal style design of the crown of thorns with 3 spikes going through it. I had it done by one of the top tattoo artists in Houston, and it only cost $180.

ONLY $180? My friend, you and I have incredibly different concepts of "not expensive".

BereanTodd · Aug 27, 2010

A nice dinner out with the wife runs $100, a new outfit from a normal department store (i.e. Penny's/Macy's) can cost $100 or more ... a tattoo is permanent, and a piece of art. I thought they would cost multiple hundreds of dollars so I was quite pleased myself.

dies-l · Aug 27, 2010

BereanTodd said:
A nice dinner out with the wife runs $100, a new outfit from a normal department store (i.e. Penny's/Macy's) can cost $100 or more ... a tattoo is permanent, and a piece of art. I thought they would cost multiple hundreds of dollars so I was quite pleased myself.

For some people (myself included) $100 for a dinner for two is a bit extreme as well. "Expensive" and "inexpensive" are really relative terms.

Znex · Aug 30, 2010

The law may have been changed through Jesus Christ, but his death released us from sin purposefully so that we might become servants of righteousness. God predestined us to be rescued through him so that we might accomplish good works.

Not only this, but we are also now temples of Jesus Christ; like purposefully going and wrecking a church, to damage our bodies would be sacrilege. I am saddened that so many people agree with something that purposefully damages our bodies, and may even lower our chances of bringing people to Christ in certain cultures or places.

Mathetes the kerux · Aug 30, 2010

Paloma2011 said:
I've been trying to figure out if it's against God's Will for Christians to get tattoos?

I'm familiar with the verse in Leviticus about cutting flesh, but it's still ambiguous to me. Looking into the chapter, and reading other people's theology, it seems to be talking about Pagan rituals specifically.

Another ambiguity is that this is from the Old Testament, i.e. the old Law. And as Christians, we follow Jesus who proclaimed a new Law--keeping the 10 Commandments and abolishing everything else, as much of it is irrelevant once Jesus took away our sins.

Am I way off with what I'm understanding?

Anyway, the reason I ask, is that I have a few tattoos from before I was a Christian. I'm not concerned about the fact that I got them, because if it is sinful to get a tattoo, I know my sins have been wiped clean since I gave my life to God. 2 of the tattoos are of fairies (the 3rd is a dove, so that's fine), which I still think are gorgeous, and I got them with a more "Disney" mindset, not the "fantasy" kind of imagery in new-age lifestyles. Although I wasn't a true Christian at that point, I was never into the new-age stuff.

So bottom line, I'm kind of hoping it turns out to be fine to get a tattoo as long as it doesn't represent anything against God's will, because I'd like to turn my fairies into Angels, a more Christian imagery, than having images on my body that people might interpret as new-age/fantasy.

Sorry this is so long! Just trying to make sure I explain my situation and everything I understand about it.

Thanks in advance

The OT passage in context is DONT DO THESE THINGS AS THE SURROUNDING NATIONS DO THEM. So that they would not fall into the same errors.

The question is, does it glorify God . . . does it further His purpose? If so, then why not? The question then becomes a personal matter between the individual and their ability to hear from and be obedient to God

Mathetes the kerux · Aug 30, 2010

Znex said:
The law may have been changed through Jesus Christ, but his death released us from sin purposefully so that we might become servants of righteousness. God predestined us to be rescued through him so that we might accomplish good works.

Not only this, but we are also now temples of Jesus Christ; like purposefully going and wrecking a church, to damage our bodies would be sacrilege. I am saddened that so many people agree with something that purposefully damages our bodies, and may even lower our chances of bringing people to Christ in certain cultures or places.

But we paint our churches and decorate our churches with pictures and flowers and other such things that glorify God.

Sorry . . .

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