Christians and Tattoos?

[Mears]

Hey, any Christians with tattoos out there and what is your reasoning for it? The reason I'm asking is all Christian websites use this verse to refute them: You shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor tattoo any marks on you: I am the LORD Lev. 19:28. However, at one time after hours of searching I found a website that gave a bunch of biblical info on tattoos and references that inferred that many famous individuals had them. Unfortunately, after my last windows reinstall I forgot to back up the favorites and I can't find that site on any search engines. I was wondering what some of the Christians on this board felt about this matter and if any of you had any places on the web with biblical references to the subject. Lastly, let's please not turn this into another Christian vs Non-believer debate.

 

[Preyhunter]

I got a few tattoos while in the Marine Corps. The first one was basically a reminder of what I had just been through (boot camp) and the other I got when me and a buddy of mine decided to get the same one, kinda like a sign of brotherhood. I'm not sorry that I got them and they are in places that are easy to cover up (ankle and upper left arm). The hard part may be telling my son why I have them and why he probably shouldn't get them. I feel like it really has to mean something to someone if they are going to get one. Tattoos of rock bands and crap like that I just don't get.

 

[Insanitation]

I have two tattoos b/c I just felt like having them. If we take everything literally from the Bible, I'm sure even the Pope can't live up to those standards.

What about circumcision??

 

[zbalat]

Anyone can make the bible say whatever they want it to. It's a crying shame how christians can paraphrase a paraphrased version of the Good News bible to make it say whatever they want it to say. You see what I'm saying?

 

[syzygy]

well, that depends. ya see, if you are a total zombie for christ,
with no hope of ever freeing yourself from absolute mental
enslavement, then possibly an allowance can be made for you
to have a small tatoo on your bum of something totally
innocent-like, say of a jellybean. ok !:|

 

[Viper GTS]

syzygy...

Wow. 15 posts so far, & I've only seen two. And both of them were the same hate filled drivel.

Guess you won't be around here long.

Viper GTS

 

[Whitedog]

Mears, that verse (Lev 19:28) is taken out of context... That is not a commandment for us, God was very strict with people in those days and required them to follow strict guidelines. I can't explain why? Perhaps because society was so, in general without many laws as we have today and was necessary to keep people in line...?

Anyway, God put forth many rules back then that "sorta" only applied to just those particular instances.. Like someone mentioned, Circumcision. That was something only required for the Jews, and not the Gentiles.

So, I don't believe it is sin to have tattoo's, though I believe if you were a Christain and purposly tattooed yourself God would not appreciate it. You probably would find yourself under conviction if you did.

Most Christains you see with Tattoo's got them prior to their devotion to God.

 

[Mears]

<< So, I don't believe it is sin to have tattoo's, though I believe if you were a Christain and purposly tattooed yourself God would not appreciate it. You probably would find yourself under conviction if you did >>



What exactly did you mean by &quot;purposely?&quot;

 

[WTT0001]

Let me insert a quote into this &quot;conversation&quot;:

&quot;Anything that impedes the tenderness of your conscience, weakens your reason, obscures your deep sense of God, or dulls your desire for [Godly] spiritual things; anything that exalts the authority of your body and your soul [mind] above the authority of your spirit, that thing to you is sin. Some might be able to, but you can't.&quot; - John Wesley's mother

 

[Whitedog]

<<What exactly did you mean by &quot;purposely?&quot; >>

Poor choice of words on my part.

What I was saying is, if you already had tattooed yourself before you became a Christian, God's not going to hold that against you, but if you are already a Christain and go out and Tattoo yourself, this may not be favorable with Him. I don't know that, but assume so. If he told a group of people once, they were not to, I don't think I should say I have the right to do so now.

 

[PCAddict]

My tattoo is a Celtic cross. I don't think God has a problem with that.

 

[hzl eyed grl]

This is an issue I've been wondering about lately. I know that in the Old Testament God gave a lot of laws. But, in Galations we are freed from the old law. And, if we practice ANY part of the old law, we have to practice ALL of it. Not just parts. I've wondered about the whole tatoo thing before. I haven't read enough yet to know whether or not I feel that it is wrong.

 

[bobtist]

I have no problems with tattoos (unless they are conveying a Satanic message or something like that). In today's culture, tattoos are something totally different from what they were in the times where God was talking to the people in Leviticus. Those people used tattoos as symbols of worship to idols and to the dead, not like they are used today. I think people today just want to have that &quot;cool look,&quot; just do it for the fun of it, want to advertise something, or just have something to start conversations with.

I see no difference in having a tattoo or wearing a shirt that says the same thing...

 

[stanger]

<< Hey, any Christians with tattoos out there and what is your reasoning for it? The reason I'm asking is all Christian websites use this verse to refute them: You shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor tattoo any marks on you: I am the LORD Lev. 19:28. However, at one time after hours of searching I found a website that gave a bunch of biblical info on tattoos and references that inferred that many famous individuals had them. Unfortunately, after my last windows reinstall I forgot to back up the favorites and I can't find that site on any search engines. I was wondering what some of the Christians on this board felt about this matter and if any of you had any places on the web with biblical references to the subject. Lastly, let's please not turn this into another Christian vs Non-believer debate. >>



well if you read the whole chapter the israelites were in mourning and it was a custom for them to cut or make scribes upon their bodies in their time of mourning. well at that time in the old testament God had withdrew from them for their disbelief and they were mourning over it as they knew they had done wrong and it was His comandment that they not cut or make any scribes upon themselves........ don't take my word for it read it and see what you determine
stanger

 

[hzl eyed grl]

Stranger

I'm not quite sure I get what you are trying to say. Sorry...blame it on my cold.

 

[Passions]

I would have to say it depends on the reasoning of you getting it. You have to ask yourself what reason am I getting this tattoo exactly? Is it to make yourself look better, thus exalting you above God, then I guess it is a sin.

 

[Insanitation]

But isn't your soul more important than the physical body? It's your soul that goes to heaven (or hell for that matter) while your body returns to ashes.

 

[stanger]

well God wants his people to be a separated people and in the old testament days when there was a time for mourning deaths etc.. the people would cut marks and scribes upon their skin to show their grief. The way i read it is the jewish people had went away from God and worshiped other gods and God turned His back on them and they then realized they had messed up and was in mourning/sorrow , God instructed them not to cut or scribe their skin as the heathen people did..... in the old testament there wasn't just 10 commandments to live by, there was over 500 laws pinned down that they had to live by but the really important thing to remember is that Jesus came and died for us so we would have a way to heaven he knew we are a weak people and couldn't do and we needed a way out. all we need to do is believe and trust in Him to take us . I'm just glad i dont have to live by the old testament laws ( ever ate a ham sandwich ?) at that time the gentile people had no chance and the laws was written for the jewish people but Jesus came and died so we all can have a chance to go to heaven .... if we choose Him and believe. i honestly think a tattoo is a personal thing between each individual and God. Does God care if you get one? Does it condemn you? I mess up alot and i have found that if i pray before i make decisions and ask God which way and the best way that He wants it will work out.


EDIT:... Me i have a tattoo and it doesnt bother me at all but i know of others that it would really condem them and they would feel God didnt want them to have it, that why i say each case is between that individual and God.

&quot;That if thou shall confess with thou mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead thou shalt be saved&quot;
Romans 10:9

 

[hzl eyed grl]

My only thing is what I kind of said in one of my other posts. In Galations, it talks all about the old laws. It says that we are free from all of the old laws. But, if you choose to abide by them, then you must obey ALL of them. Not just ones that you find will fit your lifestyle. (Like you said about ham sandwhiches.)

EDIT: I also still haven't yet read to see what I feel about the whole tatoo thing. If I decide that I really want one, I will make sure I feel it is okay to do so.

 

[Barrak]

Umm.. PCAddict, do you know what a celtic cross truly represents? It is Thor's Hammer,meaning you look to Thor for strength and conviction.

 

[Stark]

hzl is right.

The tattoo prohibition is in the Jewish Bible, or Old Testament for a Christian. All those laws are no longer binding, the only thing that counts is faith in Christ (which leads a person try to live a life pleasing to his/her Lord). The book of Hebrews has lots of good stuff about the old vs. new covenant.

I always view it as &quot;hey, God didn't like this a long time ago, and even though it may not be forbidden today, it's probably something to stay away from.&quot;

 

[UsandThem]

Hope not because I am covered

I don't feel that it is a problem as long as the tattoos aren't naked women and demons and such.

Your body is a temple and I am just painting it

 

[limsandy]

<<What exactly did you mean by &quot;purposely?&quot; >>

You know..... some people got their tattoos accidentally.
One friend of mine was forced to have it and his friend found that he has it when he woke up one day.........

 

[Yzzim]

hzl_eyed_grl - What Galatians is taking about is the law written by Moses, refered to as the 'Law of Moses' or the 'book of the law' (see Galatians 3:10, Deuteronomy 29:21). Moses' law can be found in Leviticus and is part of the Old Covenant. It was put forth by God to help lead the Israelits out of Egypt (God refered to it as &quot;holding their hand&quot and to the promised land (see Jeremiah 31:32).
The Old Covenant (with the Law of Moses) was done away with when Jesus came and setup the New Covenant with us (see Hebrews 8:7).

Getting back on topic here, I'm trying to find the verse where God speaks of our body as a temple and we should not destroy our temple (peircings, tattos, etc.).

 

[Yzzim]

1 Corinthians 6:19: Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? (20) For you were bought at a price; therefore glority God in your body and in your spriti, which are God's.

1 Corinthians 3:16: Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? (17) If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are.

The is the Apostle Paul talking in his letters to the Church of Corinth about the lifestyles of the church and is in no way a part of the old Jewish laws.

Edit: I'm using the NKJV