Are tattoo's a sin?

[cheddarsox]

when I was a kid, 60’s, early 70’s, I was told Catholics didn’t get tattoos. But then…they were associated with certain lifestyles that were not condoned by the Church.

These days, they are very commonplace, not associated with just bikers and sailors and nere do wells.

Culture changes.

I’ve got my favorite line from the Gospels tatooted around my left ankle.

Often people, in many cultures throughout history, get inked as a rite of passage, to mark a serious comittment, etc. Many people get tats for the same reasons today.

Other’s don’t have to like it, or “get” it, if it is meaningful to you and respectfully represents your spirituality, it doesn’t really matter if someone else thinks it is attractive, appropriate etc.

A few things to consider…it keeps you from being a blood donor, and from getting hired at certain jobs. Just something to think about before you take the plunge.

cheddar

 

[Joseph_Michael]

I am a biker and have a few tats that may be considered inappropriate. One even looks like a devil figure, but really isnt. At least I dont think it is.

When I go to Church, they are covered. One time I was riding and wanted to stop in the Church, but didnt, because I had a cutoff T shirt on. Should I have gone in anyways?

Dude, What possessed you? You have some wild tats there and yes, that one does look like a devilish character. I bet you were not attending church when you go those tats. I could be wrong.

Were you stopping into church for a visit or Mass? If it was just for a visit, i think you should have stopped in. It might have shown that all sorts of people stop in for a prayer and a visit. They might be a bit too distractive for Mass. LOL

Praise the LORD !

Joseph Michael

PS. Do you watch ‘AMERICAN CHOPPER’ on TLC? Paul Jr. is a Christian [not Catholic], but a believer. We should pray for Paul Sr., Mikie and the rest of the guys. I don’t get the sense that the guys on ‘MIAMI INK’ are believers.Our prayers wouldn’t hurt.

 

[Goth_Catholic]

Dude, What possessed you? I don’t get the sense that the guys on ‘MIAMI INK’ are believers.Our prayers wouldn’t hurt.

Kat Von D (who did some of my idol’s tats btw) is a Christian.

 

[Alda]

^I didn’t know that about Kat. Where did you find this out?

 

[LilyM]

My father did it right - waited until he was semiretired, then went on an overseas trip without Mum and came back with a tattoo of the SFO symbol (he’s a member of the Secular Franciscans)

He would go and put it right on his forearm though :doh2:

If I got one it’s probably be on the shoulder or somewhere easily hidden with clothes. Maybe a Sacred Heart image - though I don’t fancy red ink, it’d be black and white.

 

[Goth_Catholic]

^I didn’t know that about Kat. Where did you find this out?

connections, lol idk i don’t remember

 

[outfctrl]

Dude, What possessed you? You have some wild tats there and yes, that one does look like a devilish character. I bet you were not attending church when you go those tats. I could be wrong.

Were you stopping into church for a visit or Mass? If it was just for a visit, i think you should have stopped in. It might have shown that all sorts of people stop in for a prayer and a visit. They might be a bit too distractive for Mass. LOL

Praise the LORD !

Joseph Michael

PS. Do you watch ‘AMERICAN CHOPPER’ on TLC? Paul Jr. is a Christian [not Catholic], but a believer. We should pray for Paul Sr., Mikie and the rest of the guys. I don’t get the sense that the guys on ‘MIAMI INK’ are believers.Our prayers wouldn’t hurt.

Church? You have to be kidding. I just came back to the Catholic church after 30 yrs plus, 4 weeks ago and havent missed a confession or Mass.

I avoided the Church like a plague. I did what I want when I wanted and no one was going to rule my life. You should see the Tats I was going to get.

Now I am back and have a whole new meaning on life. I feel different. I am happier and more content.
Yes I watch American Chopper. I love the way they argue…LOL

 

[Ghosty]

Click on my name to seem my Profile Pic and my Armenian Cross tattoo. I actually got it before becoming a believer, as my mother’s family is Armenian and as the first Christian nation in history their most important symbol is the Armenian-style cross. The bonus is that there’s lots of symbols worked into the Armenian Cross, and it basically summarizes the whole Creed.

Since becoming Catholic I’m even more proud of my tattoo. Currently I’m working towards entering the Dominican Order, and if I end up deciding that’s the route my life will take I’ll likely get some Dominican-themed tattoos. A black-and-white dog carrying a torch in its mouth would be simply awesome!

If I could afford to I’d have my whole body displaying my devotion to God (yes, tattoos ARE addictive), but it’s likely for the best that I’m too poor to do so.

As a relevant side-note, in the Coptic and Ethiopian traditions (Catholic and Orthodox), tattoos are common place. The most common is that of a Cross on one’s hand, originally a forced marking imposed by Muslims on the Christian Copts, now taken as a badge of honor. Crosses were also tattooed on pilgrims, of all traditions, to the Holy Land. Since it was an art practiced only by the local Copts, Europeans used these tattoos as proof of their pilgrimage; this tradition can still be found in the modern day, especially among the Oriental Orthodox.

Peace and God bless!

Peace and God bless!

 

[outfctrl]

Yes, they are addictive. Not sure if it is the pain or the art I like.

I am done for now. Too expensive. I really like your cross, Ghosty. Very beautiful!
Also admire your devotion to the Faith. I am having a hard time with mine, considering how wild I used to be.

 

[Joseph_Michael]

Church? You have to be kidding. I just came back to the Catholic church after 30 yrs plus, 4 weeks ago and havent missed a confession or Mass.

Welcome home to the Church. I was away for a long time too. I now attend Mass every day for strength. I love entering into the prayer and praise that the Mass leads us into. The best part is receiving the body and blood, soul and divinity of our Lord in the Eucharist. It’s a miracle, really.

I avoided the Church like a plague. I did what I want when I wanted and no one was going to rule my life. You should see the Tats I was going to get.

I felt the same way. I walked right passed a huge gathering in Philadelphia in the early 1980s and didn’t even know that Pope John Paul 2 was holding a Mass there. I wish i had been back in communion with the Church back then. I missed out on a real blessing. How often does one get a chance like that? - BTW, i was only wearing a pair of shorts, a baseball cap and flip-flops at the time. LOL

Now I am back and have a whole new meaning on life. I feel different. I am happier and more content.
Yes I watch American Chopper. I love the way they argue…LOL

I’m so glad you have come back to the truth. Again i feel the same way; i have peace, contentment and meaning. We are both witnesses to the Grace of God. Some of your past is obvious in your tats. My past is hidden. We shouldn’t be proud of our pasts, but be thankful God has lead us out of it. Praise God!

We can pray for the guys on American Chopper; why not?

Here is a photo of me from Jan. 1, 2007. I’m still growing my beard and it’s getting much longer. I’m looking like a monk these days.
http://mywebpages.comcast.net/joeyblue/1JAN2007.jpg

Very thankful to God,

Joseph Michael

 

[Dirk_Skene]

Hey guys. Im sure this question has been asked a million times on here but …

Hi Drew You are sooo right. This has come up several times over the last few months. I wrote an essay on the topic a few years ago to refute an error of Fr. John Hardin. He died shortly thereafter so I never tried to present it. Maybe I need to find it & have it ready just for times like this.

Your godparents are well meaning :angel1: but wrong.

 

[Joseph_Michael]

I found a site for ‘religious tattoos’ by Jason Gennaro, a catholic in Canada.

He has lots of info and photos on his site.

religioustattoos.net/

Joseph Michael

 

[Oblaidon]

Too expensive.

Tats are not for everyone. My body is too hairy for tats. I could think of better ways to spend my money. I also think it is a little vain. Kinda says “look at my body.” I feel you can’t really be naked if you have tats (or breasts implants for that matter). I am more into the natural look.

I knew someone when I was young that got the Warner Brothers Tasmanian Devil on his arm. What if he grows out of it? What if you get half your body covered and then you get sick of looking at them? Again, it’s not for me, but I don’t have a problem with others having them. I don’t wish my kids to get them, but it is their life.

That’s my humble oppinion anyways.

 

[PennitentMan]

It’s wrong because the Bible mentions it specifically…

Out of the Catholic Bible.
Leviticus 19:28b
"… and do not tattoo yourselves. I am the LORD. "

Pretty cut and dry.

 

[Dirk_Skene]

It’s wrong because the Bible mentions it specifically…

It also says not to wear 2 kinds of material, cut your beard, eat pork or shell fish. I do all of that. Christians do not have to abide by those old laws. The Church has no teaching aginst being “marked”, no teaching against wearing 2 kinds of material and I can eat shrimp. It’s all OK.

It is not so cut & dry.

 

[PennitentMan]

It also says not to wear 2 kinds of material, cut your beard, eat pork or shell fish. I do all of that. Christians do not have to abide by those old laws. The Church has no teaching aginst being “marked”, no teaching against wearing 2 kinds of material and I can eat shrimp. It’s all OK.

It is not so cut & dry.

Christ came and abolished the teachings on Pork and all that specifically in his talkings to His discpiles and the pharisees. He gave new laws.

He never addressed tatoos as far as I know, but He did address eating habbits.

 

[Joseph_Michael]

I feel you can’t really be naked if you have tats (or breasts implants for that matter). I am more into the natural look.

Dude,
Those two sentences lead me to believe you might be a nudist. Are you? I used to be one. I’m into the natural look too. I think Tattoos are not for me either.

Joseph Michael

 

[Dirk_Skene]

…He never addressed tatoos as far as I know, but He did address eating habbits.

As much as some folks would like for it to be wrong for Christians to have tattoos, the fact remains that it is OK. Folks just have to live with that fact or be upset with no control over the issue.

I have them. It is OK that I do. I am not breaking any Church teaching by doing so. There is nothing anyone can do to change any of the above.

 

[Oblaidon]

Dude,
Those two sentences lead me to believe you might be a nudist. Are you?.

This is kinda off subject but…

I am a wannabe naturist. I have been to a nude beach and loved it. Some day I plan to go to a nudist camp. It is not about looking at other people. Some people say that there are certain people that just shouldn’t go to a nudist camp. I believe in body acceptance. It does not bother me to see naked people who are overwieght, underweight, with tattos, or different body shapes. It is more about just being free of my worldly possesions. It’s a free feeling. You have no pockets -No belongings to worry about. There is a Christian nudist group that I want to look into (some day). Maybe when the kids are moved out I will become more venturesome.

 

[PennitentMan]