Tattoo - Is it wrong?

[CrazyScott]

There are some folks out there who think tattoos are not good to put on your body. They seem to think it's not Biblical or something. I don't know where to find this in the Bible but I do remember something about marking your body and worshiping a sign instead of God.

What is your opinion? I want a tattoo but don't know if I would regret it later based on some of my Christian friends and what they say.

If someone could point me to what the Bible says about "markings" that would be awesome.

[4 His Glory]

Check out this site. http://xtat.org/ I am a memeber and have had most of my tattoos done by a CTA shop. I say reasearch it, pray about it, you will find the correct anwser.

[l0stsheep]

I found an old answer from Old School that I agree with:

[ QUOTE ]

No. The command in Leviticus was to seperate Israel from the paganistic practices of other nations.

Israel was to be witness to the world, much as the church is today.

God judges the heart, not the outside:


1 Samuel 16:7
But the LORD said to Samuel,...The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."


But our body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, so we shouldn't abuse it with alcohol, obesity, bad habits, etc.


...


my training partner is a baptists and we have had good debates about tounges, long hair, tatoos, etc.

The main point we both agree upon is the bible doesn't teach uniformity, just unity through Christ.

For example, we'll never get everyone to agree with our particular viewpoints.

For instance with tougnes. There will always be those who say "That's not around anymore", and that's fine. I have studied throughouly and have not come to that conclusion from reading the bible.

For me, it's the one prayer the devil can't understand because he's spiritually dead. So it's a powerful weapon in my life!

My point is,


Quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

You can have a tattoo across your chest that says 'Jesus Saves' and it brings attention to yourself.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



That is, logically, this is no different than me wearing a cross around my neck, or a "Lord's Gym" t-shirt.

I think there is a difference between vanity and personality.

It is in some people's personality to like tatoos. I feel as long as they are not idolatrous there is no problem.

This is the same theology I hold to body building. I am not building muscle to attract attention to myself, but rather it is my personality and as long as I keep it in check with my life, it is not idolatry.

[/ QUOTE ]

[War5475]

Well its weather or not you consider a tatoo. Harmful or disrespectful to your body. Because that would be desecrating the temple "body" I would pray about it and make sure thats what God wants for you.

As for me Im all OEM BABY!!!! 4 LIFE!!!!!!!!

BETTA REP FOO!!!!!!! OEM CLICK!!!!!!!

[CrazyScott]

[ QUOTE ]
Check out this site. http://xtat.org/ I am a memeber and have had most of my tattoos done by a CTA shop. I say reasearch it, pray about it, you will find the correct anwser.

[/ QUOTE ]

Nice work on some of those tats! Wow. I really don't see anything wrong with those kinds of tattoos. It would be different if someone had a skull on their arm or a Devil image. Now those tats I don't agree with. To me that is negative!

[4 His Glory]

Crazyscott the bible references you are looking for are linked on that site dunno if you saw that or not.

[CrazyScott]

It appears there is quite a debate wether tattoos are forbidden or not.

Some say Law is Law (OT) and others say the Law died on the cross and some things don't apply anymore. I guess you are right, it's something someone needs to pray about.

In my opinion, it's where my heart is not the marking itself. If I wish to get a tattoo representing something about Christ then I really don't see how this could be rebellious or wrong in His eyes. He knows your intent.

I am still undecided, mostly because I am not sure what to get as far as artwork. I like the "Thorns" as an armband. Or, maybe something on my lower leg (above the ankle) representing a Cross and something else. Not sure. Again, my intent would be to worship or make an expression in my own way. Plus, it looks cool! I honestly don't see how this could be "wrong".

*sigh*

[Adam Knowlden]

[ QUOTE ]
Plus, it looks cool! I honestly don't see how this could be "wrong".

[/ QUOTE ]

I think it really depends on the motive.

I know many folks at my church are really into bikes. They come in in their leather, chains, long hair and tatoos.

But they glorify God, and are very bold in Christ.

Those that try to compare tatoos to idol worship are the same folks that preach only King James version is accurate, Christian rock is from satan, and other man made traditions. I wouldn't bother with it.

Here is the verse they always quote:

<font color="brown"> You shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor tattoo any marks on you: I am the LORD.
</font>

Read a few verses up:

Leviticus 19:9 the people of Israel were also commanded to avoid mixing fibers in garments:

<font color="red"> Nor shall a garment of mixed linen and wool come upon you. </font>

Tell them to toss out their polyester!

Clearly there is a context here, which is being seriuously abused. You cannot just take one verse and make a doctrine out of it, then lay it on everyone as a burden.

In fact, I laugh at a lot of these guys because if anything there are many verses in the bible that indicate men should have beards, yet these folks judge you if you are not perfectly shaven. But they can pull one verse and condemn people with tatoos. lol The burdens these people lay on young Christians aggrevate me.

Its the same with bodybuiding. We could be judged the same way by the world.

Typically those will long hair, tatoos, etc are labled rebels. However, this is not necessarily true.

Same with bodybuilders, we are ususally labled vain, but this is not true if you do it for Christ.

Some people prefer different looks. For myself, I've never desired piercings or tatoos. But many other have no desire to be muscular. I was talking to a guy the other day looking through a bodybuilding magazine, and asked if he worked out. He said "I have no desire to look like that".

To me that is mindblowing, but to him muscle means nothing. /forum/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

Same with tatoos etc. I have no desire to have one, to others they're all about it.

God gave us all different desires, we do not all have to like the same things.

To me condeming someone for having tatoos, etc is just judging them based on outward appearance.

Now if the person is doing it with the wrong motive its a sin, but that goes for anything, not just looks.

Its just a look, not really idol worship. The bottom line is that the Bible does not clearly define tattoos and body piercing as a sin.

I believe the bible clearly lays out what is sin and what is not.

[Aftar]

To say having a tatoo is idol worship, is like saying wearing a symbol on your tee-shirt such as nike etc.. is idol worship (it doesn't apply)
However the subject of treating your body as a temple is also debateable as the skin fully heals after a tatoo
If you wish to compete and as I understand some federations will mark you down for having a tattoo.

Personally I have four, which is more than enough for me and I feel that tatoos are artistic, creative, expressive and charateristic.

As for my beliefs in what the bible or holy books say, many verses seem to have been misinterpreted by the way man would like them to sound.

[RobCannella]

But for some people the nike symbol is idol worship.
Where Im from tattoos read like books. I can tell where someone been, who they are, whatr standing they have withing their gang if their in one. lol, course Im from the hood /forum/images/graemlins/smile.gifNot that all tats mean that kinda thing. I am persoanlly scarred to get one. Not that it would hurt but that I would keep going and keep getting them.

It was originaly a sign of runes of power or some such foolishness if its not that too you nothing to worry about.

[War5475]

These are some of the reasons you should not have to get a tatoo!


Romans 12

1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.




I Jn. 2: 15

1Jo 2:15 Love not the world, neither the things [that are] in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.


1Jo 2:16 For all that [is] in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.


1Jo 2:17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

[RobCannella]

[ QUOTE ]

Romans 12

1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.


[/ QUOTE ]

"present your bodies a living sacrifice"
To me this says a tat bearing something that symbolizes christ or his influence on our life is acceptable.

"And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind"
Same deal here were all born naked and free of ink

[War5475]

Hey Rob!!!!

What i was pointing out is that he should not be doing it to fit in. Or to be part of this world.

I think he should do what ever the lord tells him to do.

Me Since about 95% of the populace in my age group is all inked up. I have to be differnt. So i cant do the hole tat thing. Im going to be the only 70 year old with no Ink!!!! lol Then after everybody is all tatted up and peirced. Who's going to be the Rebel then? HA!

Oh yea and if you get one. Please Dont get any Tribal or other trendy stuff. Be as differnt as you can. I love makeing fun of all my freinds who have tats and their like Ohh check out my tat and im all like thats cool... Hey thats just like SO and So's and then their sad. /forum/images/graemlins/smile.gif I have a problem being mean. Im really working on it. I just forget to pray before i go into some situations.... /forum/images/graemlins/frown.gif

But anyway at least be original and dont do somthing someone else has done.

Or you can join me and the OEM Click!!!!! Representing Factory pride FOO!!!!

[CrazyScott]

If I were to get one it would represent something I like, not just because someone else wears it. This then would not be conforming to the world because it's my own individuality and unique artwork.

I would like some representation of a cross on the side of my leg, above my ankle. Something unique. Not only would this remind me every day what my priorities are, it would allow others who I do not directly talk to witness the cross.

[4 His Glory]

Pray about it. If you have to travel to one of the CTA shops and pray with them. All the ink I have (which is around 100hrs) was all prayed over. My artist and I prayed before we came up with what to put on me. Almost every christian has a different view on this subject and how the scriptures apply. When I used to teach a college/young adult ministry they would ask the same questions all the time about tattoos that you are asking. The first place I would tell them to search their hearts is with their mothers and fathers. My mother and father love my ink they do not have a hard time with me having it nor are they embarssed by it. But scripture says to honor your mother and father that is clear cut! So....if mom and dad do not think it is a good idea and it would be dishonoring their wishes for you then it is probally not in the cards for you.

The excuse I usually got is well I am over 18 and I can do what I want! (Rebellion!!!) Honor God, Honor Ma and Pa with your decisions.

Hope this helps.