Tattoos... for the time or for all time?

[Chaotic Void]

I've always wondered about which Commandments [not the '10', but other commandments I will explain shortly] were for the time [when they were given] or for all time [still affect us to this day]. This one has been driving me crazy for a while.

Its been Argued that this one was for the time, as their quota level of sanitation was much lower than it is today [plus I don't think they were aware that re-using needles was DANGEROUS!]. It's been said that Tattoos can be used to witness to others. It all depends on what the tattoo is.

I am unaware of the arguments against Tattoos... could someone provide one for me?

[Glenn P]

The only argument I have seen presented went along the lines of: "The Bible says 'do not cut your bodies for the dead...' so we shouldn't tattoo our bodies."

I think very little of the argument, since tattooing is not cutting one's body for the dead.

[mossrose]

However, you have to ask yourself.......

"What is this going to look like when I'm 80?"

:yuck:

[Em7add11]

However, you have to ask yourself.......

"What is this going to look like when I'm 80?"

:yuck:
True, but what is any part of you gonna look like when you're 80?

[DukeOfEastaboga]

The main thing is that tattos are prohibitted in Le. 19:28 (NLT) however we are no longer under OT Law. Now under NT grace the only question is, what is beneficial ? "Everything is permissible for me"--but not everything is beneficial. "Everything is permissible for me"--but I will not be mastered by anything." 1 Corinthians 6:12

[mossrose]

True, but what is any part of you gonna look like when you're 80?
True. But at least that is natural, and not done-to-oneself.

:teeth:

[Glenn P]

The main thing is that tattos are prohibitted in Le. 19:28 (NLT) however we are no longer under OT Law. Now under NT grace the only question is, what is beneficial ? "Everything is permissible for me"--but not everything is beneficial. "Everything is permissible for me"--but I will not be mastered by anything." 1 Corinthians 6:12That verse speaks of doing things for the dead - clearly a reference to pagan mourning rituals.

There's no need to take the easy fast road of dumping anything just because it's in the OT. The commandment, on its own, is not an outright prohibition on tattooing.

[Chaotic Void]

The only argument I have seen presented went along the lines of: "The Bible says 'do not cut your bodies for the dead...' so we shouldn't tattoo our bodies."

I think very little of the argument, since tattooing is not cutting one's body for the dead.

Indeed... catch is, even if it was prohibited, I don't see why someone would be forced to remove them just to be a Christian [I hear its really expensive... and PAINFUL].

Tattoos can be used to witness, too. A good example of this would be a cook at the summer camp I work at. She has a tattoo of a Cross on her Arm, plain in sight.

[Faramir]

My eldest (old enough to get a tattoo without her dads permission :argh: ) asked me the same question.

It is my understanding that tattooing was used as part of the pagan rituals by the peoples around Israel. One of the main thrust of the Pentateuch law was being a separate people. The idea was the Israel was different from all other people as they alone worshiped the one true God.

As modern day followers we are also called to be "set apart" from the "pagans" of our day. To my knowledge, no one (or very few) people in my culture use tattoos as part of a religious ceremony/religious symbolism. So, IMO the law is not applicable to modern tattooing.

On the other hand, I find most tattoos, well, unattractive. I don't like them. And they do last forever. So even if you are crazy about the idea today, you may change your mind 5-10-40 years down the road.

IMO the do not look very professional (well for most professions, if you work in a tattoo studio it is fine. Or, if you work in a pet store specializing in reptiles and spiders and everyone calls you "spider" and you have spider tattoos all over and your store is right next to a tattoo studio then yeah it's fine) BTW, I do have a pet lizard and two frogs, and there really is a guy named Spider who owns the store where I get my supply of live food, and IMO his tattoos work for him. )

[Storico]

However, you have to ask yourself.......

"What is this going to look like when I'm 80?"

:yuck:

THAT's why she doesn't have any tattoos. She's much more ancient than that, so hers wouldn't even show anymore. :teeth:

[Sir-Think-A-Lot]

I've always wondered about which Commandments [not the '10', but other commandments I will explain shortly] were for the time [when they were given] or for all time [still affect us to this day]. This one has been driving me crazy for a while.

Its been Argued that this one was for the time, as their quota level of sanitation was much lower than it is today [plus I don't think they were aware that re-using needles was DANGEROUS!]. It's been said that Tattoos can be used to witness to others. It all depends on what the tattoo is.

I am unaware of the arguments against Tattoos... could someone provide one for me?

Also many pagen religions used tatoos as a way of showing dedication towards their given god, and to invoke magical powers.

Imho the commandment against tatoos isnt about tatooing per se, as it is about adopting pagen practices.

That said I'm deathly afraid of needles, so there is no way I will ever be getting a tatoo period. But I dont think that makes tatooing immoral.

[Chaotic Void]

That said I'm deathly afraid of needles, so there is no way I will ever be getting a tatoo period. But I dont think that makes tatooing immoral.

I know the Feeling, Sir Think-a-Lot.... I get scared out of my wits whenever I go for Allergy Testing[lotta needles... ugh].

[aardvarkcore]

You got to question your motives for getting "tatt'd up"

I am at the moment working on piece that will cover my whole calf (i.e. from the bottom of my knee down to my ankle). I'm in the design process at the moment. Every design that goes onto my body will be to do with my faith in Jesus Christ. I think most people who get "tatts" get really tacky ones eg. tribal patterns, dragons and spiders.

I will in theory be making calf a canvas to portray my faith in Christ. The only moral issue I am facing is that there are better things in the world to spend money on. Most tacky tattoos like tribals and stuff are rather cheap (and 20 years later look terrible!) but if I go through with it I will only be going to New Zealand's top tattoo artists (as it's going to be on my body for the rest of my life!)

To get tattoos at the "Illicit Studio" (where I want to get mine done) for the best tattoo artist there it can cost up to $400-$500 dollars for a 3 hour session. First I'd need to get outline done for all the designs going on my leg. Then get those coloured (and you have this done numerous times so it lasts and doesn't turn into a random mess on your body) and then, in between all my designs I will get a "fill" which for me will be a sunrise that will fill all the gaps of the rest of designs and give it the effect of one big design, a "sleeve" in tattoo language. That's a lotof money! And I'd kinda rather feed the starving children of the world than turn my leg into a canvas. This guy I have met has "sleeves" on each arm and they both costed around $5000.

So yeah, for me the only moral or ethical side of things is a monetary issue. (If you aren't willing to spend big $$$ I suggest you don't get tattoos, if you're getting them done get them done right).



(PS. Don't dragons, spiders and most importantly tribal patterns ... they look terrible (no offence to people with them))

[Teluog]

I was thinking of getting a permanent tattoo as a way of symbolizing my permanent covenant with God. But I'd much rather symbolize that by the way I live my life, not to mention that I'd rather spendthe money on a book that would come in much more handy than a tat. If I waw more rich and there were a lot of ppl that I knew and hung out with who had tats and piercings etc. then maybe I would go ahead and get a tat as well, but I just don't see what good use a tat would be for me in my life.

[aardvarkcore]

If I was more rich I'd sell all I had and give it to the poor, then go follow Christ

Good on ya mate!:lol:

[Smokering]

I'd say if you're getting a tattoo in order to shock and horrify the pompous old elders at your church, or your parents, that ain't very Christian. And if you're getting a tattoo of Buddha or a busty mermaid, that ain't very Christian. But otherwise, go for it!

I don't like tattoos, although I've seen some pretty cool ones recently, and can see why people like to get them. One woman had the words from a letter her late grandmother had written, penned in the same handwriting, over both her forearms; and I saw another lady's very cute tattoo designed to cover up a scar on her hand. Those kinds of tattoos make more sense to me than just a random flower on the small of one's back, for the sake of it.

A small part of me kinda likes the idea of having my husband's signature--a cute little initial a little like Tolkien's 'JRRT' logo--tattooed somewhere inconspicuous on my person, like my lower back. But I doubt I'll ever get around to it, for reasons of money, pain and laziness!

ETA: Not a moral issue, but as a matter of taste, I find 'Christian' tattoos kinda disturbing. I can't really envisage someone going up to a guy and saying 'Wow, it says 'Jesus' on your bicep, tell me about Him so that I too may follow Him!'. But who knows? Stranger things have happened...

[Teluog]

There's a guy at my bible college who has "Christian" tattoos all over his upper body. He has bible verses and crosses etc on his arms and shoulders.

[aardvarkcore]

I don't like tattoos, although I've seen some pretty cool ones recently, and can see why people like to get them.

I never liked tattoos until I got involved in the music scene and saw the ones people were getting that weren't just meaningless tacky patches of color on their skin

[reformedsb]

I actually have a few tattoos and I am planning on getting a few more. (All religious) I spent a lot of time considering this issue and discussing the issue with my father who is an old school conservative Southern Baptist(lol). He had a lot of good insight for me. Ultimately I think this falls under christian liberty and the best biblical principal to apply to this particular issue is found in Romans 14. You have to ask yourslef the reason you are doing it. Is it to glorify God, rebell, or for acceptance with our culture? Ultimatley I decided to go for it and so far I dont regret them. Personally if I am getting something permanent on my body I want it to have a deep meaning, one that wont change as I get older. As far as using them for witnessing, it can be a good conversation starter or ice breaker but there are several ways to do that. I think that if that is the sole reason for getting one there are several better avenues to pursue.