Christian Tattoos
I have always been fascinated with Tatoos. I can’t help staring if I notice someone has one. And I always want to know what inspired them to put something on their body that will be there for life.
I have fantasised about where I would put one and what it would be. When I was 16 I wanted a little green caterpillar tatooed on my stomach! Thankfully maturity kicked in before my bank balance allowed me to go through with it! I can just imagine a Giant Green Caterpillar stretched around my pregnant belly and what would it look like now post baby! Eeerk!
Anyway, there is an organisation called the Chrisitan Tattoo Association (do I need to tell you they are American?) anyway, they state that they tattoo so they can:
“Spread the gospel to tattoo artists and enthusiasts through the printed page, personal witness, workshops, and small group meetings at local events and national conventions” and “Promote health and safety issues in the field of tattooing and encourage moral and professional standards in the tattoo industry.”
Sounds good. They are doing what Jesus commanded, love each other as I have loved you. Don’t judge someone just because they choose to decorate their skin with art. They are also saying that all you need to do to get into heaven is to believe in Christ as your saviour and the rest is details.
But what of the scripture in Leviticus 19:28. It states, “Do not cut your bodies for the dead or put tattoo marks on yourselves. I am the Lord.” Pretty pointed stuff. But then some would argue that this doesn’t come through the cross so it is probably just a law of the times.
I am also reminded though of this passage; I Corinthians 10:23. It states as follows: “Everything is permissible-but not everything is beneficial. Everything is permissible-but not everything is constructive.”
So while it may be permissable to tatoo yourself, is it constructive?
The Christian Tattoo Association says it is. They say they are witnessing to the masses through their body art. I wonder how many people though are being saved through the signs they are putting on their skin. I do love the thought of going into the tattoo parlours and witnessing to the people in there though.
What are you thoughts? Are Tattoos good or bad? Would you get/have you got one?
May 25th, 2007 at 12:33 pm
I once ragged a friend about a tatoo that I saw poking out from underneath his t.shirt. It wasn’t there the last time that I saw. He let me go on about it for a bit & then silently lifted up the sleeve of his shirt to reveal that the tatoo was in memory of his son Julian who had died recently. He never said a word & I did what I could to change the subject.
I think that some tatoo’s (like my friends) are quite tasteful, & other are just “huh?”. Like sweeteums I’ve often thought, if I got one where would I put it & what would I get. My wifes sister has recentlygot a small musical treble clef on her shoulder. It looks great.
I often wonder how women could ever get one on their boobs. (or how anyone could get a nipple pierced for that matter; doesn’t bear thinking about!)
I did see a Leunig cartoon once where a guy was in a tatoo parlour getting “born loser” tattoed on his arm, except the tattoist mis-spelled the word “Loser” as “Looser”. I often think that if I ever got one I would be tempted to get that one, except no one else would get the joke.
May 28th, 2007 at 4:54 pm
I personally wouldn’t get a tatoo, they’re just not my thing..
But, I do like giving those who are wanting to get one a hard time
I enjoy it in the same way I enjoy asking people why they want to pierce themselves and stick a piece of metal in their face. Pin cushions.
Each to his own on this one - I really don’t hold anything against anyone who has one.
June 5th, 2007 at 8:56 pm
I’ve thought about getting a tatoo for sometime but the thought that it’ll be there for life still makes me think twice. i’ll probably chicken out in the end. i’d want to get sometime personally meaningful though, like something about my heritage or faith .
but nowdays you can get UV tatoos so you could only see it under UV.
June 7th, 2007 at 2:22 pm
A lot of Christians are starting to get words like “Faith” or “Love” tattooed in Hebrew lettering.