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What's your motive for getting a tattoo?
In the past, people got tattoos because they were trying to identify with a rebellious, subversive, counter culture, bent on breaking the rules and violating the law. A tattoo then was your badge of honor, stating that you weren't going to comply with 'rules'.
You shouldn't get a tattoo if you're trying to identify with that stuff.
Currently tattoos are very mainstream and getting one is no different than someone coloring hair. People these days aren't getting tattoos to identify with a subversive counter-culture.
It just comes down to motive. Are you getting a tattoo to rebel against God? Are you trying to identify with a rebellious part of our culture? Or do you think a tattoo just looks nifty and you want one?
In the past, people got tattoos because they were trying to identify with a rebellious, subversive, counter culture, bent on breaking the rules and violating the law. A tattoo then was your badge of honor, stating that you weren't going to comply with 'rules'.
You shouldn't get a tattoo if you're trying to identify with that stuff.
Currently tattoos are very mainstream and getting one is no different than someone coloring hair. People these days aren't getting tattoos to identify with a subversive counter-culture.
It just comes down to motive. Are you getting a tattoo to rebel against God? Are you trying to identify with a rebellious part of our culture? Or do you think a tattoo just looks nifty and you want one?
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You might also want to consider what kind of stigma goes along with having tattoos. For example, if the predominant cultural view still places a negative stigma on tattoos, you might not want to get one. After all, you are a Christian and you don't want to potentially align yourself with something negative.
For example, the KKK is identified with wearing cone shaped white hoods and long flowing white gowns. Now if I got a hankering to wear something in that style, people might identify me with the KKK, even if those were never my intentions! As a result my Christian witness might be in jeopardy.
So just be wise about what kind of image you're trying to portray to the world too.
For example, the KKK is identified with wearing cone shaped white hoods and long flowing white gowns. Now if I got a hankering to wear something in that style, people might identify me with the KKK, even if those were never my intentions! As a result my Christian witness might be in jeopardy.
So just be wise about what kind of image you're trying to portray to the world too.
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Yeah it's a delicate balance. On one hand some of our culture still stigmatizes tattoos, so you might have to take that into consideration. On the other hand, hey, it's just some ink on your body, so what's the big deal.
I'd be really careful with looking like something people would associate with evil. But not to the point of being all legalistic and living in fear.
I'd be really careful with looking like something people would associate with evil. But not to the point of being all legalistic and living in fear.
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Yeah I'm not really talking about any stigma a church would put on something. I'm talking about negative stigma 'the world' might still be placing on something.
I know many unsaved folks, who still cringe at someone with tons of tattoos, simply because that's still identified negatively in many people's minds.
So if that is identified as something negative in the minds of the unsaved, then Christians might want to be careful, because the unsaved will see it and it might hurt your witness.
I agree Christians shouldn't be judgmental of people in tattoos. But I also think Christians should take into consideration, the fact that many in the world still have a negative attitude toward people in tattoos, and if you have a tattoo, it might make such unsaved people identify you with the negativity associated with tattoos.
I'm not saying to avoid having tattoos because of this. I'm just saying take it into consideration.
I know many unsaved folks, who still cringe at someone with tons of tattoos, simply because that's still identified negatively in many people's minds.
So if that is identified as something negative in the minds of the unsaved, then Christians might want to be careful, because the unsaved will see it and it might hurt your witness.
I agree Christians shouldn't be judgmental of people in tattoos. But I also think Christians should take into consideration, the fact that many in the world still have a negative attitude toward people in tattoos, and if you have a tattoo, it might make such unsaved people identify you with the negativity associated with tattoos.
I'm not saying to avoid having tattoos because of this. I'm just saying take it into consideration.
X
i agree with still... but on the other hand just from what i've come in counter with my tattoos... they can also be a unique witnessing tool... a lot of people ask me what the hebrew means on my wrist... i've actually led a few people to christ becasue of them 
... but i definately understand where still is coming from since tattoos are not compleatly accepted today... if your going to get a tattoo get it for the right reasons.... and not one your going to regret having in 3 years.. lol
... but i definately understand where still is coming from since tattoos are not compleatly accepted today... if your going to get a tattoo get it for the right reasons.... and not one your going to regret having in 3 years.. lol
G
we already have a thread about tattoos... here is the link if you care to read it
http://christianchat.com/showthread.php?t=831&highlight=tattoo
http://christianchat.com/showthread.php?t=831&highlight=tattoo
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I am gonna admit, to some ppl im sure my tattoos have kinda thrown them off, till they read it, or seen it, ( from a distance im quite sure they thought, yea, shes prolly a rough person ), to put it delicately, i dont do delicate well. Then when they get close enough to see, or ask what the hebrew means, i actually have had many nice discussions, witnessed to ppl, and had something in common once a conversation started. Did I do it to rebel?No, i was actually 30 years old, when i first started( wayyy past the rebellion stage), I got them because they mean something individually to me, and with my walk with God. Have I faced negetivity ? Of course, from christian ppl and non christian ppl as well. In short, i have been called everything but a child of God, strangly enough in here alot. The way I look at it, in order to be offended by what someones opinion is, you would have to care what they think. Call it rude, whatever, if a person is gonna judge me based solely on looks, and my skin, then i dont wanna get to know em anyways. Blessing in disguise I say. Some folks regret em im sure, Think long and hard about why your doin it, and make sure its something you can live with for the rest of your life. Personally, i have nothing on my body im ashamed to stand in front of the lord with, and he knows that, knew it when I got it even.
I feel it depends on who ya wanna preach to I spose...........
personally I end up playing in bars and the Jesus tee shirts dont get through to folx...they still offer you drugs or alcohol etc.But the tattoos are the first thing they approach me about........Then I get to tell them what the pictures mean........All my tattoos are based on important bible verses........One has Hebrew written in it and sais My eyes are upon God ........God will deliver
Another is a pictorial of the verse
Heb 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Heb 4:13 Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.
so wen they ask me why I have naked folx on my arm I show them the verse
my newest one is the temptation of eve in the garden ........its bigger than the otherones and is an awesome consept and christians and secular alike have talked to me about this consept and artistic rendition......
So i guess it just depends
NOW as far as the For example, the KKK is identified with wearing cone shaped white hoods and long flowing white gowns. Now if I got a hankering to wear something in that style, people might identify me with the KKK, even if those were never my intentions! As a result my Christian witness might be in jeopardy.
Them folx spout off ALL kinds of false doctrine the bible is sposed to say.........
To me, I say were doing damage controll every time theres a ralley here, or any place else for that matter.lol
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