Tattoos: Good or Bad

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Should Christians get tattoos?

  • Yes, it's perfectly fine.

    Votes: 5 26.3%
  • No, under no circumstance.

    Votes: 10 52.6%
  • Yes, but only if it means something.

    Votes: 2 10.5%
  • I'm not sure what I think.

    Votes: 2 10.5%

  • Total voters
    19
A

ashleyisafreak

Guest
#1
I'm doing a project for Ethics about whether or not its ok for Christians to get tattoos. Let me know what you think after you vote!
 
N

NodMyHeadLikeYeah

Guest
#2
<-- BAD TATTOO


<--- GOOD TATTOO
 
Dec 19, 2009
27,513
128
0
71
#3
I think you do yourself a favor when you don't get a tatoo.
 

grace

Senior Member
Sep 8, 2006
1,064
11
0
51
#5
Ashley, VERY interesting project for your Ethics class. Good choice.

I have a tattoo, and I love it. I acctually would like to get another one. The one I have has meaning, and the one I desire to get has meaning.

I am of course opposed to tattoos of things that are evil, or gross or crude or sexualized.
 
B

blueteardrop

Guest
#6
I have numerous tattoos, there's nothing wrong with them. It's an art-form/body-mod that expresses one's emotions.
 
A

ashleyisafreak

Guest
#7
Thanks for all the input guys, let's keep it comin!

I too have multiple tattoos. You can check them out in my album. They each do mean something very dear to me and it was interesting that the guy that was doing them was very interested in what they meant. While I won't say to get tattoos JUST to minister to the tattoo artist, it's sort of icing on the cake. I've share the Gospel many times by sharing the stories that go with mine.

I understand if you personally don't like tattoos. But let's keep it objective here. Are they ETHICAL? Despite what you think about looks and all... are they MORAL?
 

mystdancer50

Senior Member
Feb 26, 2012
2,522
50
48
#8
Are tattoos sinful? No. Will it affect your salvation? No. Are there some things that a Christian should not have tattooed on their body? Yes.

That being said, here is my complete stance on tattoos:

I have two tattoos myself. I, personally, saw nothing wrong with tattoos back when I got them and, in fact, I wanted and planned to get more. However, what happened was that I had a moment when I realized that by getting a tattoo, I was essentially telling God that He didn't make me right. I was telling Him by my actions that something was 'missing' from His creation of me, and I would have it added myself.

Upon realizing that if God wanted me to have a ladybug on my ankle (one of my tattoos), I would have been born with it there, I decided that I would not get any additional tattoos, because I know that God made me the way He did because that's the way He wanted to make me.

Now, I will go back for just a moment and reiterate that I do not think that tattoos are sinful, I do not feel that they disqualify someone from serving God or being saved, nor does it make the person bad or of any less value. :) I have personally decided to forgo any more tattoos due to my personal convictions on the subject and the revelation I got after getting my second tattoo done, but I do not condemn or judge those that still get tattoos. In fact, I still have moments when I would really, really, really like to get another tattoo. :)
 
Sep 6, 2013
49
0
0
#9
Do you not know that you are the temple of God andthat the Spirit of God dwells in you?
1 Corinthians 3:16

Would you go to church and stray paint your name on the wall or draw pictures? This is a great reason not to get
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]tattoos .

That and God said it himself:
[/FONT]ou shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor tattoo any marks on you: I am the Lord. Leviticus 19:28

Hope this helps
God Bless
 

blue_ladybug

Senior Member
Feb 21, 2014
70,869
9,603
113
#10
Ashley, I am simply going to call you ashley because your sn sounds kind of mean lol. The Bible says that marking the body is wrong--that its a mark of the devil. I personally dont have tattoos and would never get one. They hurt lol, their expensive and their of no importance at all.
"Be the change you wish to see in the world." I have a rainbow picture with that saying on it. :) Have a great day! :)
 
Oct 31, 2011
8,200
182
0
#11
My body contains my soul, I am dedicated to the Lord. I respect that body, I am careful what I do to it and what I put in it. It was created by God. I don't eat food that has been altered a lot. The oil I use is pressed, for instance. My grains are never reprocessed so much I can't recognize them, like boxed breakfast cereals. I wash and oil my body. I would never try to change it permanently with a tattoo.

After I die, this body has no more use for I am gone to be with my Lord, but until then, I respect what God created.
 
J

jkalyna

Guest
#12
Huh, it's like makeup *don't ban makeup, got the solution, get temporary ones, if makeup is not sin, it gos on , and you wash it away, then it's not wronge to do that, what is not good, is taking chances with getting blood infections, or death. *IDK *:)
 
Feb 21, 2014
5,672
18
0
#13
Ashley, I am simply going to call you ashley because your sn sounds kind of mean lol. The Bible says that marking the body is wrong--that its a mark of the devil. I personally dont have tattoos and would never get one. They hurt lol, their expensive and their of no importance at all.
"Be the change you wish to see in the world." I have a rainbow picture with that saying on it. :) Have a great day! :)
Where?....
 
F

FridaysChild

Guest
#14
Hi Ashley :)

First just let me say that 'most' of this is purely my opinion. Opinions are neither right or wrong. It's just how we individually feel about something. Probably where someone takes it personally is the problem.

I've never had a tattoo, nor will I get one, but I do have a birthmark which is sort of like God's tattoo on me.

Tattoos can be removed but it's costly. So to say because their permanent we shouldn't get them probably isn't the best fool prove argument against them.

Tattoos are popular. But will they always be popular? I don't really run with trends. Never have unless I like something.

If I was to get a tattoo, it might have to be someplace that I could easily cover it up such as on the upper arm near the shoulder. I wouldn't want to have a tattoo show that could distract my brother or sister from worship. So there they are gazing at my cool tattoo, or disgusted by it, when they should have their eyes on Christ. That is God's time to shine, not mine. It's not their fault that they're distracted. It's mine for putting it in their path to begin with.

However, what if a person comes to Christ with tattoos already showing? That is a call for grace. Perhaps we're just to love them where they're at and let God do any pruning from their life in His timing.

Also, all Christians are at different levels in their walk with God. What seems right to one might not be right for another. And maybe God is still working to convict that person of such and such. Or perhaps God leaves it there so that I can learn to deal with it in love. Hence, grace again.

If we are considering whether it's moral, I would point to scripture that says we are not our own. We are bought with a price. Our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit. If we are convicted by this, then perhaps it would not be moral before God to get a tattoo. We may be quenching the voice of the Spirit speaking into our lives in order that our desires would be satisfied more so than obedience being embraced. And that...is sin. Not that the tattoo is sin but rather that the disobedience is sin.

I would not put a tattoo on my body only because I see no need for them. However, if someone else has one, then I just accept it the best I can.

And that's pretty much it in a nut shell. :)
 
W

Wildflower

Guest
#15
Tattoo, I don't have one. I change my mind to much, as well as my interests, things I desire or find pleasure in. My husband does not like tattoo or piercing, I don't have piercing either. I love art and expression. Tattoos are not for me and some people get addicted to them, yes. That is a bad thing like any consuming addiction, smoking, food, tv, video games, on and on. Some in my family have so many tattoos and they regret some or would like to rearrange some, tattoos can pose a negative, yes. Being a christian I offer this in love;

know we no man after the flesh;

man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.
 
F

FridaysChild

Guest
#16
May i add this great quote I just ran across in another forum...

... The Bible clearly instructs us to "pursue holiness" Heb. 12:14 NIV, which to me simply means allowing the Holy Spirit to shape us on the inside and lead our choices on the outside...
 

Toska

Senior Member
Nov 16, 2013
1,857
22
38
#18
I have 3 tattoos that I got before becoming a Christian. I waited until I was 40 to get any tattoos to make sure that I really wanted them and was not just doing it on a whim. Each of my tattoos have special meaning to me. I do not regret any of them at all.

I plan to get one more tattoo, one that shows my faith. I have not decided yet where it will be or exactly what it will be. I am in no hurry, I want to make sure I get exactly what I want. I agree about it being a witness opportunity, I want people to ask me about my tattoo so I can tell them about all of the wonderful things God has done in my life.

About the ethics of it, people will quote scripture that goes both ways--for and against tattoos. I know that I will stand before God one day and be judged by Him. If my tattoos displease Him, He will let me know about it. Until then, I will not be judged by other people for the choices I make in my life. I think the scripture on judging people is pretty clear, right? I do not mean to sound snarky in this last paragraph, I am just telling you my opinion.

God Bless and good luck on your project. I hope you get a lot of information that will help you.
 
Feb 21, 2014
5,672
18
0
#19
I have 3 tattoos that I got before becoming a Christian. I waited until I was 40 to get any tattoos to make sure that I really wanted them and was not just doing it on a whim. Each of my tattoos have special meaning to me. I do not regret any of them at all.

I plan to get one more tattoo, one that shows my faith. I have not decided yet where it will be or exactly what it will be. I am in no hurry, I want to make sure I get exactly what I want. I agree about it being a witness opportunity, I want people to ask me about my tattoo so I can tell them about all of the wonderful things God has done in my life.

..
The prospect of the testimony aspect being involved - tattoos are proven, effective conversation-starters - can simply and maybe profoundly add joy to the anticipation of the inking needle.

Blessings.