Are tattoo's a sin?

  • Thread starter Thread starter DrewC
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
DRVSVS_VERAVIR said:
That’s a pretty judgemental post in itself. Will it be in YOUR next confession?
Click to expand...
DRVSVS VERAVIR, It’s been in many of my confessions! But this post and rebuttal won’t be, because I don’t feel it’s judgmental at all. Basic tenants of our Faith. I am not the best
Man for quoting The Gospel’s, but I do remember many times Christ teaching those who were quick to judge others why it was wrong, by many word’s and paribles.

If you take time to read my post I said “I for one” and “I would consider” to state my point, using myself as an example of what I myself would be afraid to do.

And “I” speak from experience. I have been guilty in judging others In my Life. When I came back to the church I had an almost sociopathic hate for evangelicals, I needed great amount’s work to over come that.

Also please read the last paragraph of that post, it’s really the most important. :grouphug: GF
 
Gregory_Francis said:
If you take time to read my post I said “I for one” and “I would consider” to state my point, using myself as an example of what I myself would be afraid to do.
Click to expand...
I believe in your original post (which, by the way I read many times), there were many judgments passed by yourself on the supposed judgmentalness of others regarding tattoos. You then exhort them to go to confession about it.

The people here have been posting ad nauseum that tattoos are “not a sin.” How people can have 9 pages of posts saying exactly the same thing is beyond me.

Correct, the church takes no stance on tattoos. That means that those who try to justify tattoos cannot use the church to justify tattoos. Simply because the church is silent on something does not mean it is justiable. So, strictly speaking, you cannot make the statement “tattoos are not a sin,” because we here must acknowledge at least some tattoos are definitely sinful, right? Read my first post on this topic on page 8.

Tattoos are not INHERENTLY sinful. That does not mean tattoos are justifiable IN OUR TIME with our culture the way it is, and tattoos with the stigma they have.
 
This is the wrong question. The proper question should be, “What is my intention, when getting a tatoo?” …and possibly, “Will the tatoo I get possibly lead me, or others, to sinful thoughts?”

God is mostly interested in your intentions…and so you should be, too. Do you want to get a tatoo just to show off? Why, exactly, do you want to get a tatoo? Will your tatoo lead you and others to love God more?..or to sin more in thought, word, or deed? Is it ‘pride’ that is leading you to desire a tatoo?

We also have to ask ourselves these types of questions every time we put on a piece of clothing. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been in church and had to look at girls and women with ‘painted on’ jeans and slacks. It makes it hard to keep my attention of Jesus, and the Mass. And yet, these girls or women think nothing of wearing this type of suggestive clothing! Where is their modesty? 😊

The same thing goes for tatoos, or any other bodily adornment that we choose to use. What is the motive? That’s what God is looking at…and we should too.
 
Maybe not inherently sinful, as previously stated… but nevertheless, quite unnecessary. I’m fairly sure that Jesus did not have any such markings or piercings and, in my quest to become as Christ-like as possible, I wish to keep my body free of all permanent markings. I believe that God created the human body to be unbelievably beautiful and precious, without any need to change it’s appearance (at least permanently). Hair can grow back, piercings can be taken out, but tattoos are usually forever. Just my two cents…
 
DRVSVS_VERAVIR said:
Excellent post!
Click to expand...
I concur! said what i wanted to much better then I did. In fact DRVSVS VERAVIR’s post opinion’s are pretty much the same as mine.

DRVSVS VERAVIR, I agree I should have used first person, ie “I myself would consider addressing these at your next act of contrition”.

But lets cut the sauce here, your posts #109,#113 #120 #122 are as judgmental or more then mine, to the point that IYO this 9 page thread is past it’s due date some time ago, “ad nauseum/saying exactly the same thing is beyond me”

dispite your nausea, I guess they feel what they have to say is important or different enough to warrent a post. this feels like a judgement call on your part, please correct me if I’m wrong.

I again say that our opinions about tattoo’s are pretty much in agreement. In my original post I tried (and failed I agree) to look at the argument some gave to inked “catholics” as a cut below non- inked RC’s.

In closing,(and this will be my last post on this subject/thread)
I again refer to my 1st posts last paragraph. GF
 
Gregory_Francis said:
But lets cut the sauce here, your posts #109,#113 #120 #122 are as judgmental or more then mine, to the point that IYO this 9 page thread is past it’s due date some time ago, “ad nauseum/saying exactly the same thing is beyond me”
Click to expand...
Yes, Gregory, you are correct my posts are “judgmental.” I, however, dispute the idea that being judgmental is wrong. In terms of judging the heart of an individual, it is most CERTAINLY wrong. Only God can judge persons. But as far as judging THINGS (i.e. tattoos and the status of our culture and tediously monotonous posts that go nowhere), I believe I am wholeheartedly justified. My judgment of these things may be true or false logically, but they are not right or wrong morally.

I am very apprehensive of much of the careless nonchalance that I see in this topic about tattoos and am concerned about the prevalent attitudes about these things that, in my opinion, hide very subtle subversions to our faith, though they themselves could be labelled “ok” to do. This question of tattoos is, to me, not so important as to whether getting ink burned to the flesh is inherently wrong (which it isn’t), as much as why do so many people want them? What do they mean? Would Christ look at me and say, “Sweet tat, man. Love the crucifix!”

Something smells here, and it’s not burning flesh.
 
DRVSVS_VERAVIR said:
Yes, Gregory, you are correct my posts are “judgmental.” I, however, dispute the idea that being judgmental is wrong. In terms of judging the heart of an individual, it is most CERTAINLY wrong. Only God can judge persons. But as far as judging THINGS (i.e. tattoos and the status of our culture and tediously monotonous posts that go nowhere), I believe I am wholeheartedly justified. My judgment of these things may be true or false logically, but they are not right or wrong morally.

I am very apprehensive of much of the careless nonchalance that I see in this topic about tattoos and am concerned about the prevalent attitudes about these things that, in my opinion, hide very subtle subversions to our faith, though they themselves could be labelled “ok” to do. This question of tattoos is, to me, not so important as to whether getting ink burned to the flesh is inherently wrong (which it isn’t), as much as why do so many people want them? What do they mean? Would Christ look at me and say, “Sweet tat, man. Love the crucifix!”

Something smells here, and it’s not burning flesh.
Click to expand...
I Know I said I would not post again but,

I agree with you totally and see your point Much clearer. In my first post I mentioned the tat that is an astrological symbol is wrong. I am embarrassed and ashamed of it. I believe
Strongly that astrology is for lack of a better word, pagan, and
And in no way compatible with our faith. When I came back to the Church several yr’s ago I (like many who return) looked at all things differently. For the last few yr’s I have planned to have a cover up done with a simple black Chi-Rho, but I have even wondered if I should leave it as a “mark” of how lost I was, and as you say "why did I want this thing? What’s it mean? I practically want to peel it off my leg with a scalpel now!

In general I see most inoffensive tat’s esp, people with one or two
Not of grave concern, but I do see your point in trends that have ability to be subversive to the Faith. (And boy there are many more then I ever remember!) Like extreme flagellation, or Passion reenactments in some countries, we often miss these “subtle signs” that subvert the true teachings.

Great post! Thank you for opening my mind and Heart. GF
 
Gregory,

I’m not so sure you have much to be ashamed of in terms of your tattoo. Its meaning is insignificant insofar as you do not believe in astrology and are following Christ. If you believe there was any sinfulness in it, confession has already taken care of that. Any shame felt now could possibly be scrupulosity. I’m not saying be proud of it now… that would defeat everything.

One thing to consider in this discussion… I don’t know where, but I believe that a person cannot become a priest if he has even a physical deformity of his body. This was carried over from the Levitical priesthood of Judaism. A priest’s body must be perfect to perform the sacraments.

Now this is obviously something that is set apart for priests and does not apply to the laity. But think on it. A priest cannot have a tattoo. That is unacceptable for presenting the sacrifice of Christ and performing the other sacraments.
 
I had a fleeting consideration of getting the “Shema” in Hebrew letters tattooed around my wrist, just black ink lettering.

Shema = Deuteronomy 6:4
(something like these – pasting breaks it)
ד שְׁמַע, יִשְׂרָאֵל: יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵינוּ, יְהוָה אֶחָד.

Sh’ma Yisrael Adonai Elohaynu Adonai Echad.
Hear, Israel, the Lord is our God, the Lord is One.

The idea for the tattoo came from:
“Hear, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD alone! Therefore, you shall love the LORD, your God, with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength. Take to heart these words which I enjoin on you today. Drill them into your children. Speak of them at home and abroad, whether you are busy or at rest. Bind them at your wrist as a sign and let them be as a pendant on your forehead.”

I was a little concerned when someone said you cannot donate blood if you get a tattoo but that is not 100% accurate, FYI. The Red Cross does not allow blood donations for 12 months after getting a tattoo IF you got your tattoo in a state without certain regulations.

I probably still will not. It just seems like something that I would keep adding to.

I decided instead to just make a bracelet and wear that.🙂
 
soo i pretty much dont think tattoos are bad ! i got one recently on my stomach .and now that i read all these things on gettin tattoos is bad . sooo now i feeel really bad . but then again its for your religion go for it get one .! it means something rite?? soo i actually dont see a problem with it .
 
You don’t think getting a tattoo is bad. You read these posts then “felt” bad. And now you don’t think it’s bad anymore.

Is that an argument? Sounds like your not using your head, you’re just trying to soothe your emotions. This does not mean that your tattoo is morally wrong. It simply means you ought to put more thought into it (assuming your post was the extent of your thought on the subject).

As far as the shema being tattooed around the wrist, I’d be careful about your interpretation being offensive to practicing Jews who follow the tradition of binding the verses around their wrists and foreheads literally.
 
The body is beautiful enough in itself. It is a temple of the Holy Spirit.

The reason why people are having tattoos is because everyone else is doing it. Following a crowd can be like jumping off a cliff.

I myself dislike them…even pierced ears. If you want to “show your faith”…love one another as God has instructed us to do.
 
DRVSVS_VERAVIR said:
Yes, Gregory, you are correct my posts are “judgmental.” I, however, dispute the idea that being judgmental is wrong. In terms of judging the heart of an individual, it is most CERTAINLY wrong. Only God can judge persons. But as far as judging THINGS (i.e. tattoos and the status of our culture and tediously monotonous posts that go nowhere), I believe I am wholeheartedly justified. My judgment of these things may be true or false logically, but they are not right or wrong morally.

I am very apprehensive of much of the careless nonchalance that I see in this topic about tattoos and am concerned about the prevalent attitudes about these things that, in my opinion, hide very subtle subversions to our faith, though they themselves could be labelled “ok” to do. This question of tattoos is, to me, not so important as to whether getting ink burned to the flesh is inherently wrong (which it isn’t), as much as why do so many people want them? What do they mean? Would Christ look at me and say, “Sweet tat, man. Love the crucifix!”

Something smells here, and it’s not burning flesh.
Click to expand...
I don’t think it says in the Bible ‘thou shalt not judge the hearts of men’, it says ‘thou shalt not judge’ period. So maybe it’s inherently sinful to judge people. Are you 100% cetain that you life if perfect in God’s eyes? If not, then you should leave the judging up to God.
I’m a devout catholic and my clothing style is what many would consider ‘punk’. I’m not ashamed in the way I look, and I don’t think God in shaking his head at me either.
I’m thinking about getting a tattoo someday. I’d like to get a small one on my wrist of a Rosary. I have a great devotion to the Rosary, so it would be my way of showing that devotion. If the immage is not immoral than I see nothing wrong with a tattoo. I wouldn’t go overboard like some do, that can be distracting.
Just be careful how you pass your judgement. I would say that passing judgement on people you don’t know, or passing judgement without examining your life first ir more sinful that getting a tattoo.
 
latinmasslover said:
I know how you feel as I’ve been considering this as well, although a different image. As for it being an abomination or violation of one’s body as the temple of the Holy Ghost, I disagree, if the tattoo is religious and not overdone. There are Saints who, while here on earth, had such a love for God that they would take a hot iron and write “Jesus” or “Mary” on their flesh. It’s permanently marking yourself as a Roman Catholic and showing that you’re not afraid of a little pain for that profession. As for it “mutilating” the body, as some have already said, well, to that I say that it was common practice for a religious to scourge himself for penance. I don’t see much difference. Since it’s not intrinsically evil, just be sure of your intentions and be sure not to “get into it.”
Click to expand...
Thank you latinmasslover. I was thinking of something like this on one arm:
http://content.answers.com/main/content/wp/en/7/7e/OurLady.jpg
…and something like this for the other:
http://users.stargate.net/~ejt/ages7g2.jpg

I’ll bet it’d be pretty expensive though.
 
child_of_God85, DRVSVS VERAVIR was not judging people. In fact, as stated, it was the things that were being judged. It is not wrong to judge things… on the contrary, it is healthy to use our reason to evaluate situations. God gave us our intellect to be used for the greater good. I must agree with Anna Rose on the point that the body does not need anything permanently added to it, including tattoos. We should show our devotion through love of one another. If we concentrate on that, then nothing else will be necessary to show our devotion.

As for the Saints, I think it’s safe to say that we should focus on our Precious Lord and then if He lets us know, we should burn His name into our flesh. Until we reach that level, it’s probably best to abstain.
 
I don’t know why this question is even asked. Our bodies are the Temples of the Holy Spirit and should be treated as such. Is it pleasing to Him that you are unnecessarily destroying your own cells to make a statement?
 
Maybe not, but using apostrophes to mangle plurals sure strikes me as being a grammatical sin. 😉
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top