Preferred tattoo design faith-based?

Hi there, Deadtosin:

It's been 30C (92F?) here in this part of Canada, too, this week! But all visitors welcome anyway... (We had an exceptionally bad winter this year, though.)

Yes, they are widespread, and I guess that a lot of Christians would simply say these days that they are a medium that they simply embrace seeking God-honoring witness in Bible verse related designs, etc., instead of fighting against them as a medium.

They are particularly widespread among women (60%-70% of parlor clients in North America) and it seems to me that today arguments against tattoos resemble a bit the arguments against women putting on make up that some Fundamentalists would use 70 - 80 years ago. Now most Christian women can wear make up with confidence; and many Christian men and women are also confident to wear a bit of permanent ink, often in designs that honor what they believe.

Blessings.

PS: Deadtosin:

Feel free to vote in the poll also...

Blessings.

Deadtosin: Thanks for your vote!

All votes (and comments) gratefully received.

I don't think that going to historical arguments makes good reasoning. It is only searching for God principles that makes for wisdom.

If we lived in a culture where make up symbolized rebellion, make up would be wrong. In our culture, there is a way of applying make up that symbolizes making the best of what God gave us, and not wearing any symbolizes that you do not care about what God gave you. You can use such as black lipstick as a symbol of rebellion, and that is wrong.

When we do something there is scripture that tells us not to do it, it doesn't matter what our culture thinks, it is wrong. If we read this scripture about tattoos in spirit and truth rather by the letter of the law, it says not to permanently change how God created us, but to trust Him with the right pattern for us. That is what doctors learn surgery and use it for, to make us closer to how God wanted us to be. God didn't give any pattern to us for permanent black ink on our skin.

Thank-you Ms. RedTent for your comments. These are appreciated.

There has been a great change in attitudes at least among some Christians about make up over the past 70 - 80 years, and like you say for Christian women to wear make up can mean they are making the best of what God has given them; indeed, for a women not to wear make up can be taken to mean that you don't care what God gave you.

70 - 80 years ago some Fundamentalists opposed make up but most Christian women today instead embrace it.

I think that a similar process has been happening in recent years with tattoos, among Christian men and women. As you imply, there comes a time when exact historical comparisons do not fit completely. Although also I think there are some basic similarities to the process.

Regarding Leviticus 19, the context seems to be necromancy: the nations around Israel used to practise various things in the course of a cult of the dead: flesh cutting, beard shaving and body printing: and all these things are mentioned in Leviticus 19, seemingly in a necromancy context.

I would however be hard pressed to link say a young Christian with, say, "John 3.16" on his or her wrist, with necromancy. Especially if the motive is to honor the Gospel.

Thanks again.

The problem with a tattoo is if you change your mind about it later, you either have to go through a painful removal process (can they even remove one so that you can't tell you had one?), or you have to learn to live with it.

The problem is not only that black ink is almost permanent, but we are told not to blemish our skin with it. We could always go to Christ and explain He didn't tell us not to, it was his Father that told us and the Father doesn't count, but I don't think that is going to fly with Christ. Christ was an unblemished lamb, so we follow Christ by blemishing ourselves with permanent black ink to honor Him?

Ms. RedTent: Among Christians a faith based tattoo is often obtained with the motive of honoring the Lord and His Word in a way that is proven very effective in witness conversations.

Philippians 1:18

But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.

This is true. Let's hope the motive really is true, but getting the Word out is what counts.

Blessings.