-
Christian Chat is a moderated online Christian community allowing Christians around the world to fellowship with each other in real time chat via webcam, voice, and text, with the Christian Chat app. You can also start or participate in a Bible-based discussion here in the Christian Chat Forums, where members can also share with each other their own videos, pictures, or favorite Christian music.
If you are a Christian and need encouragement and fellowship, we're here for you! If you are not a Christian but interested in knowing more about Jesus our Lord, you're also welcome! Want to know what the Bible says, and how you can apply it to your life? Join us!
To make new Christian friends now around the world, click here to join Christian Chat.
What are your thoughts on them? Do you have some or want some?
Would you date someone with tattoos? Do you think they are evil or okay for a Christian person to have?
Personally, I don't think I would get any. I am afraid that I would change my mind about getting one later on. I do find them attractive on men...as long as they are not evil things like the number 6 done 3 times, a skull, the enemy, or the name of another girl. I am interested in reading your thoughts on the subject.
Would you date someone with tattoos? Do you think they are evil or okay for a Christian person to have?
Personally, I don't think I would get any. I am afraid that I would change my mind about getting one later on. I do find them attractive on men...as long as they are not evil things like the number 6 done 3 times, a skull, the enemy, or the name of another girl. I am interested in reading your thoughts on the subject.
"You shall not make any cuts in your body for the dead nor make any tattoo marks on yourselves: I am the LORD."
Personally, I think that for the most part, that tattooing and body piercing is an extension of the sinful nature more or less and a Segway to the coming mark.
Now, that is not saying that anyone who is tattooed cannot be saved, because they can be. I just think that for the most part that there is something more to it than body art. Regarding the Segway, if a person is willing to be tattooed and body pierced, then receiving a device in the right hand or forehead to replace ones debit card is not much of a stretch.
Thanks Tourist. I would have a few scriptures to toss up between if I were to have it done. But quite honestly I have heard it is a painful procedure so I wouldn' t be too keen. I would rather have the scriptures on a TShirt
-
1
-
1
- Show all
It would have to be an extra long shirt.
lol for those who have a few long scriptures that they can't seem to choose from.
-
1
- Show all
I hesitate to answer because I do not want to make people who already have them feel bad about themselves.
However since this might help a lady who is thinking about getting one make a better decision I will tell you my opinion which is also shared by millions of other men just like me. If God has given you a beautiful body and skin, why would you mar that canvass with a flaw? Remember when "she is flawless" was a compliment of a woman's beauty? If you get a tattoo it is like "awwww.... look, now she has a flaw" "why did she do that? What was she thinking?" The same goes for holes in your nose, lips or eyebrows. etc...
Also I don't care what anyone tells you there are millions of people who think if you get tattoos you probably are a drug user or a drinker and party girl and probably immoral. Now many of us who understand being born again know not to judge and so the next thought is usually "maybe she used to be, and now she is saved and those are from her past." Rarely does anyone think, "she got them after she got saved to witness to people and they might be scripture verses"
And finally at the very best we think that she got them because she is trying to fit in with a certain generation but she is going to regret them later and so we think she is stubborn, self willed, foolish, impulsive, and not good relationship material.
They all look like bad decisions, and scars to me and I have never seen one on a woman or a man that did not make them look dirty like they needed to wash it off. But they look especially like tragic decisions on a beautiful woman. Like jewels in pigs snout only in reverse, like pig snouts in jewels. They don't belong there.
Now if you already have a tattoo please do not send me hate mail, I will not respond.
However since this might help a lady who is thinking about getting one make a better decision I will tell you my opinion which is also shared by millions of other men just like me. If God has given you a beautiful body and skin, why would you mar that canvass with a flaw? Remember when "she is flawless" was a compliment of a woman's beauty? If you get a tattoo it is like "awwww.... look, now she has a flaw" "why did she do that? What was she thinking?" The same goes for holes in your nose, lips or eyebrows. etc...
Also I don't care what anyone tells you there are millions of people who think if you get tattoos you probably are a drug user or a drinker and party girl and probably immoral. Now many of us who understand being born again know not to judge and so the next thought is usually "maybe she used to be, and now she is saved and those are from her past." Rarely does anyone think, "she got them after she got saved to witness to people and they might be scripture verses"
And finally at the very best we think that she got them because she is trying to fit in with a certain generation but she is going to regret them later and so we think she is stubborn, self willed, foolish, impulsive, and not good relationship material.
They all look like bad decisions, and scars to me and I have never seen one on a woman or a man that did not make them look dirty like they needed to wash it off. But they look especially like tragic decisions on a beautiful woman. Like jewels in pigs snout only in reverse, like pig snouts in jewels. They don't belong there.
Now if you already have a tattoo please do not send me hate mail, I will not respond.
-
1
- Show all
They're fine, long as your motives are right. I got some when younger, and while I don't regret getting tattoo's I wish I'd been smarter going about it.
Now in my mid 40s I'm still thinking about getting some. But I'm not rushing it like I did when I was younger.
I find generic tats boring and pointless. Those are the ones people tend to regret. People that spend time picking something meaningful rarely regret their choice.
When done correctly they can be beautiful personal expressions of an individual, their life and experiences.
Personally I tend not to find them attractive in who I'd consider dating, but I wouldn't rule someone out by default, either. Depending on what it is, where it is, etc... it could be overlooked.
But many people anymore, men and women don't share my view. Tats are quite common anymore and as such people are often unfazed by a potential romantic partner having them. It really comes down to individual preferences, as is pretty much always the case when it comes to what people like and dislike.
Tats got popular when I was a teen. And they've remained popular ever since. That means people ranging from their 50s, and some possibly 60s, and younger all grew up with tats being common. So I'm not sure who these "millions" are that think everyone with tats is a drug user. My dad is 86 and has one from when he was younger.
My guess is it's small town people and uptight religious people are most likely to think that. Because most of society are used to them anymore. And have been for decades.
Now in my mid 40s I'm still thinking about getting some. But I'm not rushing it like I did when I was younger.
I find generic tats boring and pointless. Those are the ones people tend to regret. People that spend time picking something meaningful rarely regret their choice.
When done correctly they can be beautiful personal expressions of an individual, their life and experiences.
Personally I tend not to find them attractive in who I'd consider dating, but I wouldn't rule someone out by default, either. Depending on what it is, where it is, etc... it could be overlooked.
But many people anymore, men and women don't share my view. Tats are quite common anymore and as such people are often unfazed by a potential romantic partner having them. It really comes down to individual preferences, as is pretty much always the case when it comes to what people like and dislike.
Tats got popular when I was a teen. And they've remained popular ever since. That means people ranging from their 50s, and some possibly 60s, and younger all grew up with tats being common. So I'm not sure who these "millions" are that think everyone with tats is a drug user. My dad is 86 and has one from when he was younger.
My guess is it's small town people and uptight religious people are most likely to think that. Because most of society are used to them anymore. And have been for decades.
Ink is a difficult subject. Apologies if this is rather long. I had expected to be rather short but due to a BDF thread I seem to just want to drone.
I appreciate the artistry of tattoos and once had an idea for a scripture on my wrist as a continual reminder. Then again, phylacteries in the OT could be removed and the Lord didn't ask for what "is written" to be carved on one's flesh. So while practical seemingly, it might represent a narrowing that is counterproductive. Like having a life verse or something. Line upon line... not one verse or word grouping having preeminence over others in such a fashion.
I'm not saying that people that feel this strongly are wrong if they hold such a verse to be so. Consider epitaphs...but I think it wise to discipline myself against that generally speaking though a small collection of verses are firmly fixed within me as promises.
That said. I haven't ever felt an overwhelming desire for tattoos. Thinking back...my father was very against even fake tattoos (the lick and peel ones) and when we came to his house we had to scrub them off. This sort of put even henna out of mind for a LONG time. I don't even recall noticing them until my 20s except I probably did.
It's curious but I also don't ever recall seeing mushrooms until partway through my 20s. I knew they were real but I just didn't "see" them if that makes sense. Tattoos I vaguely recall seeing but not much. I legit have no memories of mushrooms at all.
Then I began to notice ink and seeing the person behind it and learning to appreciate the art of it. I applied this to non-believers though and it wasn't until I saw someone within the International house of prayer movement that I considered to be very close to the Lord as far as fervency and sweetness of spirit have one (that I noticed on a rafting trip) that I just was a bit baffled.
I thought of tattooing my animals that died as a memorial when I was 23 or so. Bessie 2012-2015 as you have to have a cow named bessie surely? Of course, that was just an vain imagination as I have no animals and although I someday want to farm, the idea has no real hold on me for a tattoo in their memory. Stuffing them perhaps as I see no moral quandary there.
There was just a thread on BDF about the verse in Deut about cross dressing and this falls in the same category. Some say it doesn't apply under grace and while the Lord obviously took the time to say it and expected people to follow it, ah we are free from all that "trifling" fun-ruining works righteousness stuff. Still others that we are still under the full weight of the law...like Jesus saved us from that and picked it up for a second just to let us know that and then slammed the yoke back down and said "Just do your best".
Personally I think it's a blend between the two. There is a heart behind the law and there is a reason why it is written. Much like saying not to cross dress it says not to get tattoos.
I can't personally say if it applies or not in the sense that it's a salvation issue. I rather doubt it as these are surface things...but they hearken unto potentially quite deep issues in our walk with the Lord. Do they always? Not necessarily. Some things are just more visible than others.
A smoker or someone heavily tattooed is easily seen as having their flesh manifest. A gossiper or someone who is covetous not as much. Pride can be one of the deepest (if not the) roots of sin and is invisible to some, especially if masked in humility (sometimes unintentional).
In any case, it is easy to call something sin that a person has no particular inclination or desire to do and that is clearly commanded against in scripture. I myself have very little inclination to ever get a tattoo because I like me. At the same time someone with this overwhelming attraction to tattoos (like smoking) may use whatever rationale suits them and once it is done, may feel little compunction/conviction about it afterward. Were they right? It wouldn't be for me.
This is most likely one of those "work out your own salvation" issues but don't forget the second part of that verse "with fear and trembling".
I haven't ever parsed a verse like that before but I have heard pastors do that a bit and I think it works here.
I am disinclined to encourage anyone to get one and if I'm ever a pastor I'll probably have more insight if I were to shepherd other people with this issue. I think it's sin, but we all sin and I'm not judging anyone for it but I'll do my best to steer them away from it when the time arises.
In the past year or so a super serious attempt at that occurred with someone close to me but they were dead set. I was so against it for them that I had to check my motives and heart. Am I being pharisaical about this? Why do they even want one so badly? They felt led to do so and I questioned this but based on this I eventually ended up privately pursuing this. I used the channels I could and even my own parental figures said casually recently that they might get some tattoos. I couldn't really tell if they were serious but it was a bit bizarre so I didn't comment.
I have strong views on ink for believers but since some of these might be rooted in my flesh based on the anger I'm not sure if they are of God exactly.
Long I realize but I felt like I couldn't really leave much out. It's a strange issue for me as it brings up the law and the serious confusion within the church about that which in turn confuses me. So again, work out your own salvation
If someone does want to discuss it because it is causing a crisis of conscience feel free to reach out. I understand in my own way how it feels when you have one over a seemingly tiny thing that no one you meet really thinks important at all. I don't understand tattoos but I do understand private burdens that "seemingly" no one else has.
I appreciate the artistry of tattoos and once had an idea for a scripture on my wrist as a continual reminder. Then again, phylacteries in the OT could be removed and the Lord didn't ask for what "is written" to be carved on one's flesh. So while practical seemingly, it might represent a narrowing that is counterproductive. Like having a life verse or something. Line upon line... not one verse or word grouping having preeminence over others in such a fashion.
I'm not saying that people that feel this strongly are wrong if they hold such a verse to be so. Consider epitaphs...but I think it wise to discipline myself against that generally speaking though a small collection of verses are firmly fixed within me as promises.
That said. I haven't ever felt an overwhelming desire for tattoos. Thinking back...my father was very against even fake tattoos (the lick and peel ones) and when we came to his house we had to scrub them off. This sort of put even henna out of mind for a LONG time. I don't even recall noticing them until my 20s except I probably did.
It's curious but I also don't ever recall seeing mushrooms until partway through my 20s. I knew they were real but I just didn't "see" them if that makes sense. Tattoos I vaguely recall seeing but not much. I legit have no memories of mushrooms at all.
Then I began to notice ink and seeing the person behind it and learning to appreciate the art of it. I applied this to non-believers though and it wasn't until I saw someone within the International house of prayer movement that I considered to be very close to the Lord as far as fervency and sweetness of spirit have one (that I noticed on a rafting trip) that I just was a bit baffled.
I thought of tattooing my animals that died as a memorial when I was 23 or so. Bessie 2012-2015 as you have to have a cow named bessie surely? Of course, that was just an vain imagination as I have no animals and although I someday want to farm, the idea has no real hold on me for a tattoo in their memory. Stuffing them perhaps as I see no moral quandary there.
There was just a thread on BDF about the verse in Deut about cross dressing and this falls in the same category. Some say it doesn't apply under grace and while the Lord obviously took the time to say it and expected people to follow it, ah we are free from all that "trifling" fun-ruining works righteousness stuff. Still others that we are still under the full weight of the law...like Jesus saved us from that and picked it up for a second just to let us know that and then slammed the yoke back down and said "Just do your best".
Personally I think it's a blend between the two. There is a heart behind the law and there is a reason why it is written. Much like saying not to cross dress it says not to get tattoos.
I can't personally say if it applies or not in the sense that it's a salvation issue. I rather doubt it as these are surface things...but they hearken unto potentially quite deep issues in our walk with the Lord. Do they always? Not necessarily. Some things are just more visible than others.
A smoker or someone heavily tattooed is easily seen as having their flesh manifest. A gossiper or someone who is covetous not as much. Pride can be one of the deepest (if not the) roots of sin and is invisible to some, especially if masked in humility (sometimes unintentional).
In any case, it is easy to call something sin that a person has no particular inclination or desire to do and that is clearly commanded against in scripture. I myself have very little inclination to ever get a tattoo because I like me. At the same time someone with this overwhelming attraction to tattoos (like smoking) may use whatever rationale suits them and once it is done, may feel little compunction/conviction about it afterward. Were they right? It wouldn't be for me.
This is most likely one of those "work out your own salvation" issues but don't forget the second part of that verse "with fear and trembling".
I haven't ever parsed a verse like that before but I have heard pastors do that a bit and I think it works here.
I am disinclined to encourage anyone to get one and if I'm ever a pastor I'll probably have more insight if I were to shepherd other people with this issue. I think it's sin, but we all sin and I'm not judging anyone for it but I'll do my best to steer them away from it when the time arises.
In the past year or so a super serious attempt at that occurred with someone close to me but they were dead set. I was so against it for them that I had to check my motives and heart. Am I being pharisaical about this? Why do they even want one so badly? They felt led to do so and I questioned this but based on this I eventually ended up privately pursuing this. I used the channels I could and even my own parental figures said casually recently that they might get some tattoos. I couldn't really tell if they were serious but it was a bit bizarre so I didn't comment.
I have strong views on ink for believers but since some of these might be rooted in my flesh based on the anger I'm not sure if they are of God exactly.
Long I realize but I felt like I couldn't really leave much out. It's a strange issue for me as it brings up the law and the serious confusion within the church about that which in turn confuses me. So again, work out your own salvation
If someone does want to discuss it because it is causing a crisis of conscience feel free to reach out. I understand in my own way how it feels when you have one over a seemingly tiny thing that no one you meet really thinks important at all. I don't understand tattoos but I do understand private burdens that "seemingly" no one else has.
I agree with this, although also believe the mark of the Beast might be metaphorical.
The only body cutting that was allowed in the bible was ear piercing, and circumcision. So instead of getting a tattoo, maybe people should think about getting their ears pierced. Although this was done as a sign of permanent enslavement...
Ex 21:6 Then his master shall bring him unto the judges; he shall also bring him to the door, or unto the door post; and his master shall bore his ear through with an aul; and he shall serve him for ever.
Gen 17:10 This is my covenant, which ye shall keep, between me and you and thy seed after thee; Every man child among you shall be circumcised.
The only body cutting that was allowed in the bible was ear piercing, and circumcision. So instead of getting a tattoo, maybe people should think about getting their ears pierced. Although this was done as a sign of permanent enslavement...
Ex 21:6 Then his master shall bring him unto the judges; he shall also bring him to the door, or unto the door post; and his master shall bore his ear through with an aul; and he shall serve him for ever.
Gen 17:10 This is my covenant, which ye shall keep, between me and you and thy seed after thee; Every man child among you shall be circumcised.
-
1
- Show all
I would ask, how could it be metaphorical when it is happening before our very eyes? In addition, there is nothing in the context of that scripture regarding the mark, that would lead the reader to apply for a metaphorical meaning. Therefore, the mark will go in/on the literal hand or forehead and that without it no one will literally be able to buy or sell. This electronic crediting and debiting system is already set up and has been evolving and most people are oblivious to it. Below are some secular videos of this mark technology. I say secular because these videos are not Christian based to demonstrate this technology, but is just demonstrating what Sweden is doing to replace card swiping.
https://www.bing.com/videos/search?...C5293894ECC971F10B69C5293894ECC971F&FORM=VIRE
https://www.bing.com/videos/search?...2743370E610BFFE708A4274&view=detail&FORM=VIRE
https://www.bing.com/videos/search?...11162254663A99D9F832111&view=detail&FORM=VIRE
https://www.bing.com/videos/search?...C5293894ECC971F10B69C5293894ECC971F&FORM=VIRE
https://www.bing.com/videos/search?...2743370E610BFFE708A4274&view=detail&FORM=VIRE
https://www.bing.com/videos/search?...11162254663A99D9F832111&view=detail&FORM=VIRE
-
1
- Show all
This whole issue of quoting out of context is disturbing. People
Keep saying God forbids tattoos. The verse directly before the verse about marking your body forbids trimming facial hair. No one seems to think this apples to us today.
The mode of dress and visual appearance listed in the law is clearly to distinguish Israelites from the people around them, just as money and land were external evidences, and the temple was an Physical evidence of God being with them.
Our evidences are the fruit of the spirit and love. by this they will know! Our blessings are not temporal physical evidences such as wealth and health etc but internal. We are Gods temple and it is within this jar of clay the Lord makes His dwelling. The hidden work of God in our lives is seen by works and fruits of love. Not a specific dress code or look, not a set or rituals or feast days etc.
Many of the moral laws carry though to the New Testament of course and no one disputes that. But even Paul explains the food offered to idols is not evil in and of itself, it’s just food. Jesus says it doesn’t matter what goes in but what comes out of a man that defiles him. His scars and wounds defiled him not One bit!
God Himself sets a mark on His people in revelation ... let’s not just use the mark of the beast as a reason for not marking your body, as if God would never make a mark on anyone! We must be balanced and consistent in our reasoning and understanding of scripture.
The entire principle is a matter of not causing others to stumble - in eating food offered to idols we may be seeming to make it look ok to offer food To Idols. If I wear a jumper with nasty words on it in a Language I don’t understand, it simply means I am wearing a jumper. The words do not defile me. If I know they are evil I won’t wear it just because it may encourage others to think I believe that these words are good. But the jumper isn’t evil. It’s just a jumper. Ink isn’t evil it’s just ink. If we use it to
Represent something bad on us then we will give the impression of evil. That’s all. “The temple” of God being Holy - our bodies, is about not engaging in sexual sin because we become one with the person we sleep with in some way. And we must not sleep with anyone other than our spouse if we have the Lord dwelling in us. context is really everything.
Taking random rules from Old Testament don’t help us if we don’t use them properly. If we think tattooing is a sin for us, that’s fine, we don’t have to do it.
But Please let’s not tar others as defying God’s word because they trimmed their beard or got a tattoo or wear mixed fibres of their clothing or did some shopping band made a fire on Saturday.
Keep saying God forbids tattoos. The verse directly before the verse about marking your body forbids trimming facial hair. No one seems to think this apples to us today.
The mode of dress and visual appearance listed in the law is clearly to distinguish Israelites from the people around them, just as money and land were external evidences, and the temple was an Physical evidence of God being with them.
Our evidences are the fruit of the spirit and love. by this they will know! Our blessings are not temporal physical evidences such as wealth and health etc but internal. We are Gods temple and it is within this jar of clay the Lord makes His dwelling. The hidden work of God in our lives is seen by works and fruits of love. Not a specific dress code or look, not a set or rituals or feast days etc.
Many of the moral laws carry though to the New Testament of course and no one disputes that. But even Paul explains the food offered to idols is not evil in and of itself, it’s just food. Jesus says it doesn’t matter what goes in but what comes out of a man that defiles him. His scars and wounds defiled him not One bit!
God Himself sets a mark on His people in revelation ... let’s not just use the mark of the beast as a reason for not marking your body, as if God would never make a mark on anyone! We must be balanced and consistent in our reasoning and understanding of scripture.
The entire principle is a matter of not causing others to stumble - in eating food offered to idols we may be seeming to make it look ok to offer food To Idols. If I wear a jumper with nasty words on it in a Language I don’t understand, it simply means I am wearing a jumper. The words do not defile me. If I know they are evil I won’t wear it just because it may encourage others to think I believe that these words are good. But the jumper isn’t evil. It’s just a jumper. Ink isn’t evil it’s just ink. If we use it to
Represent something bad on us then we will give the impression of evil. That’s all. “The temple” of God being Holy - our bodies, is about not engaging in sexual sin because we become one with the person we sleep with in some way. And we must not sleep with anyone other than our spouse if we have the Lord dwelling in us. context is really everything.
Taking random rules from Old Testament don’t help us if we don’t use them properly. If we think tattooing is a sin for us, that’s fine, we don’t have to do it.
But Please let’s not tar others as defying God’s word because they trimmed their beard or got a tattoo or wear mixed fibres of their clothing or did some shopping band made a fire on Saturday.
-
1
- Show all
Exactly! And it is the same for us who are in Christ. My point was/is that for those who are not in Christ, I believe that tattooing is an extension of the sinful nature, especially those who have hardcore tattoos of skulls, demons and many other evil depictions. Those in Christ are to be different from the world, as the definition of hagios translated as Saints makes clear. By the way, I don't quote out of context. People usually say that to circumvent a truth that was said. God did not want His people Israel to be tattooed and since we belong to God as well, we should also keep ourselves from tattoos. However, being tattooed is not something that would keep someone from being saved.
hágios – properly, different (unlike), other ("otherness"), holy; for the believer, 40 (hágios) means "likeness of nature with the Lord" because "different from the world."
hágios – properly, different (unlike), other ("otherness"), holy; for the believer, 40 (hágios) means "likeness of nature with the Lord" because "different from the world."
-
1
- Show all
Neither does He want you to cut your hair or trim your beard then... that was my reference to context. Cutting your hair or beard is Either as evil or as innocent as having a tattoo IF you take it in context.
Now there is no danger that a tattoo of a butterfly or a scripture will give others the impression we are appeasing a false deity or attempting to affect the welfare of one who has died - Like Cutting themselves, their hair and beard and marking (Branding with hot metal) themselves in very specific pagan rituals as those other nations surrounding isreal did. This is what God was forbidding. Idolirary. Just as putting pictures Of people or scenery etc up in our homes is not idol worship despite God saying not to make an image of anything of earth in the law.
Now there is no danger that a tattoo of a butterfly or a scripture will give others the impression we are appeasing a false deity or attempting to affect the welfare of one who has died - Like Cutting themselves, their hair and beard and marking (Branding with hot metal) themselves in very specific pagan rituals as those other nations surrounding isreal did. This is what God was forbidding. Idolirary. Just as putting pictures Of people or scenery etc up in our homes is not idol worship despite God saying not to make an image of anything of earth in the law.