Are tattoo's a sin?

  • Thread starter Thread starter DrewC
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
My profile shows my tattoo.
I got it last year as a Father’s Day gift from my wife.
It is my design that I’ve had in my head for quite a while.
I just didn’t put it on my arm until I was 36 years old.
I’m not somebody that you would think had a tattoo.
I’m a fairly straight-laced, rule-following, good boy.

My tattoo is the Chi Rho (XP) represented as 3 old nails piercing the skin.
It’s just as someone in here said, it’s a permanent reminder of my closeness to Jesus and his suffering.

I did mention it to my priest during confession.
He said that what I had was not offensive to the faith or to God so was okay.

Oh … .and the OT reference to not having tattoos was a verse right after another stating that we should not trim our beards.
Obviously these references were to keep the faithful from participating in pagan idolotries and was not forbidding all tattooing or beard trimming.

michel
 
Myself I don’t have tatoos and that is a miracle, being an Army veteran and motorcycle enthusiast (biker) and I don’t pass judgement on those that already have them, but if you don’t have one before you get one, consider these verses which are used to speak against them.

**

  1. *]**“You shall not make ANY CUTTINGS IN YOUR FLESH for the dead, nor TATTOO ANY MARKS on you: I am the Lord” (Leviticus 19:28) **
Click to expand...

  1. *]“Do NOT think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did NOT come to destroy but to fulfill. For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled.” (Matthew 5:17-18)
    *]“Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?” (1 Corinthians 3:16)
    *]“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? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.” (1 Corinthians 6:19) **
    *]    “If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are.” (1 Corinthians 3:17)**

    Now there isn’t anything you can do if you already got them, but if you don’t have one yet, why get one? then to be on the “pop” culture bandwagon? 🤷
    a thought to consider.

    PAX JMJ

    From Jimmy Atkins Blog:

    Tatoos

    Still More on Tattoos

    The Church does indeed have something to say about mutilation. Here’s what the Catechism says (CCC 2296-2297):

    **
 
Bennie_P said:
… consider these verses which are used to speak against them. …
Click to expand...
You are so right Bennie. They are used to speak out against them, but either they do not apply to Christians or they have nothing to do with tattoos. It is just like the irritating Protestant trick of misquoting Scripture.
 
Dirk_Skene said:
You are so right Bennie. They are used to speak out against them, but either they do not apply to Christians or they have nothing to do with tattoos. It is just like the irritating Protestant trick of misquoting Scripture.
Click to expand...
I am sorry if you took it that way. Not my intent, but I as Catholics before we jump unto the “pop” culture band wagon, I , that is ‘me’ think we should considered the message we are presenting to the rest of the world. I not judging those that already got tatoos, both my Grandfathers and one of my uncles have them, and most of my friends have them. But before one goes out and do what the rest of the world is doing, one might ask themselves ‘what am I saying’ if I get this tatoo, about myself, about my faith, etc. That s all…🤷 I didn’t misquote anything, just offered it out there for consideration.
 
Bennie_P said:
"If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are." (1 Corinthians 3:17)
Click to expand...
i thought what defiled a man was what came out of his mouth, not what he put in it … or on himself for that matter.

(Matthew 15:10-11) **He summoned the crowd and said to them, “Hear and understand.
It is not what enters one’s mouth that defiles that person; but what comes out of the mouth is what defiles one.” **

michel
 
cazayoux said:
Bennie P;2435335** said:
“If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are.” (1 Corinthians 3:17)
Click to expand...
i thought what defiled a man was what came out of his mouth, not what he put in it … or on himself for that matter.

michel
Click to expand...
Well tattoos can be a form of “speech”🤷 so what you put on your body can give a ‘wrong’ message…
Click to expand...
 
Bennie_P said:
Well tattoos can be a form of “speech”🤷 so what you put on your body can give a ‘wrong’ message…
Click to expand...
Right! … So what you ‘say’ with a tattoo is important, not the manner of ‘speech’.

michel
 
Here is my tattoo. A lot of people, Catholics included, don’t recognize it as coming from the back of the miraculous medal. I like when people ask about it. It gives me an opportunity to talk about Blessed Mother, and for the right person, Mary as Co-Redemptrix.
 
Goth_Catholic said:
Kat Von D (who did some of my idol’s tats btw) is a Christian.
Click to expand...
I watch Miami Ink all the time. I was concerned when she and her husband went to the fortune teller about their marriage. In my opinion that could not have helped.
 
Dirk_Skene said:
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.
Click to expand...
I would be careful how far you go with that argument. It is the same one my Bishop used to justify same sex unions (ie we don’t follow all the old testament laws). Don’t bother with Paul says because that is open to interpretation in terms of etymology.

As for Tatoos. I don’t know that there is anything wrong with them at a basic level. The issue of not marking your body in the bible had more to do with pagan practices.

On a personal note…I think they look ugly and make me think the person is dirty (when I see all that ink). I also think tacky and low class. When I see all of those stupid looking back tattoos (etc) poking out I just laugh because it reminds me of someone insecure who wants to stand out. I remember reading an article by an army doctor complaining about young and stupid GI’s who got tatooed and then started showing up in the clinic wanting this and that removed. BUT those are MY prejudices. Not God’s words and not even the last word. Having siad all of that I like the Marian Tatoo (though I don’t agree with the co remdeptrix theology) as it is nicely done and simple.👍

God loves you regardless of whether you got drunk one night and had I love Dunkin Donuts tattoed on your eyelids, you lips pierced and so on. He is less concerned about externals than what is in your heart.

North (Gen X dude - tatooless but with PLENTY of his own problems and issues)
 
Conciliar said:
Here is my tattoo. A lot of people, Catholics included, don’t recognize it as coming from the back of the miraculous medal. I like when people ask about it. It gives me an opportunity to talk about Blessed Mother, and for the right person, Mary as Co-Redemptrix.
Click to expand...
Your tattoo is beautiful. I also have one that noone can make out! It doesnt look like a Cross or anything Christian, however its what most martyrs used on their tombs (I found the design at the Catacombs in Rome 👍 )
 
Myangel said:
Your tattoo is beautiful. I also have one that noone can make out! It doesnt look like a Cross or anything Christian, however its what most martyrs used on their tombs (I found the design at the Catacombs in Rome 👍 )
Click to expand...
I’d like to see it, please post a pic or link to pic.

michel
 
Good News…

What ever you decide about tattoos, wait till this Fall to do it.

A new tattoo ink will be available that allows a tatoo to be removed with one pass of a Laser. News item about 2 weeks ago. Check it out…😉

ceebee1
 
ceebee1 said:
Good News…

What ever you decide about tattoos, wait till this Fall to do it.

A new tattoo ink will be available that allows a tatoo to be removed with one pass of a Laser. News item about 2 weeks ago. Check it out…😉

ceebee1
Click to expand...
OOH Bring it on!!! Might get one meself if that’s the case!

Check carefully with the person doing the inking first though - sounds too good to be true.
 
Thats ridiculous
Why would you get a tattooo that can be removed. I like mine.
You get tattoos to stay, not remove.

Blah!
Go get a sticker tattooo instead
ceebee1 said:
Good News…

What ever you decide about tattoos, wait till this Fall to do it.

A new tattoo ink will be available that allows a tatoo to be removed with one pass of a Laser. News item about 2 weeks ago. Check it out…😉

ceebee1
Click to expand...
 
outfctrl said:
Thats ridiculous
Why would you get a tattooo that can be removed. I like mine.
You get tattoos to stay, not remove.

Blah!
Go get a sticker tattooo instead
Click to expand...
Well if I got one I’d want it … say till I was about 70 or so. No way no how tattoos look good on a little old lady.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top