I am considering a tattoo

[JimR-OCDS]

Don’t get a tattoo.

The US military is now forbidding ALL new recruits from having tattoos. Have a tattoo? The US military will reject you, for that reason alone. All presently-enlisted soldiers are being required to self-report all existing tattoos, so it can be verified that soldiers are not getting new ones if they have any already.

Why? According to a friend/US Army Major, because the US military recognizes that tattoos are associated with gang culture, and “the army has had it with low class people covered with tats.”

I happen to agree. Call me names; say my opinion’s obnoxious; whatever. I think tattoos are foolish and low-class looking.

I’m not sure it’s because of the gang identification or not, but also, it’s so you don’t have identifying marks which will keep you out of high security jobs which you may be assigned to.

Jim

 

[Bruised_Reed]

I’m not sure it’s because of the gang identification or not, but also, it’s so you don’t have identifying marks which will keep you out of high security jobs which you may be assigned to.

Jim

That reason could be a very convincing one.

 

[JimR-OCDS]

The desire to get a tattoo, whether secular or religious in nature, is ego driven.

It’s so we can say to people, “hey look at me with my tattoo. I’m a Christian.”

It’s akin to a person who wears all sorts of religious jewelry in order to be noticed, only a tattoo is permanent.

I have a tattoo which I got 44 years ago when I was in the Marines. It was to show people back home that I was a Marine. It was ego driven no two ways about it.

Within 25 years, the details in the tattoo, which is a bulldog wearing a drill instructor’s hat, with the letters U S M C under it. Other than the letters, you can’t tell what the image is, unless you look close and I describe it. It faded and darkened as all tattoos will.

Don’t believe the misinformation that the ink they use today is better than years ago and they don’t fade. They told me that 44 years ago when I got mine.

The think is, it isn’t the ink that fades, but that new skin replaces old skin and it gets covered and cause the fading.

Anyway, getting a tattoo with a Christian message doesn’t make you any more Christian than having a Christian bumper sticker on your car.

Also, it doesn’t lead anyone to Christ. What leads people to Jesus is them seeing you live a life that is holy. That message sticks with them over any religious jewelry or tattoos you wear.

Jim

 

[Bruised_Reed]

Dang it. I have go from agreeing with you to disagreeing in a matter of minutes.

The desire to get a tattoo, whether secular or religious in nature, is ego driven.

It’s so we can say to people, “hey look at me with my tattoo. I’m a Christian.”

It’s akin to a person who wears all sorts of religious jewelry in order to be noticed, only a tattoo is permanent.

Not necessarily. It’s true of some people but not always. Many get one for very personal reasons, as reminders, memorials and some because they like the art. I’ve thought about getting one that has “Love” in my mom’s handwriting on my wrist. It would be visible to others but the reason I’ve chosen that placement is so **I **can see it easily.

I have a tattoo which I got 44 years ago when I was in the Marines. It was to show people back home that I was a Marine. It was ego driven no two ways about it.

Within 25 years, the details in the tattoo, which is a bulldog wearing a drill instructor’s hat, with the letters U S M C under it. Other than the letters, you can’t tell what the image is, unless you look close and I describe it. It faded and darkened as all tattoos will.

Don’t believe the misinformation that the ink they use today is better than years ago and they don’t fade. They told me that 44 years ago when I got mine.

The think is, it isn’t the ink that fades, but that new skin replaces old skin and it gets covered and cause the fading.

Tattoos fade; they can be touched up.

Anyway, getting a tattoo with a Christian message doesn’t make you any more Christian than having a Christian bumper sticker on your car.

Of course not. Those who carefully consider their tattoos understand this and those that don’t are the ones who get tatted up with everything and no planning.

Also, it doesn’t lead anyone to Christ. What leads people to Jesus is them seeing you live a life that is holy. That message sticks with them over any religious jewelry or tattoos you wear.

Jim

You never know. Someone with tattoos and/or piercings might be able to witness to a certain kind of person more easily than some in khakis and a tidy hair cut.

 

[JimR-OCDS]

Bruised Reed

Dang it. I have go from agreeing with you to disagreeing in a matter of minutes.
Not necessarily. It’s true of some people but not always. Many get one for very personal reasons, as reminders, memorials and some because they like the art.

Such affections are desires of the ego, which are not conducive towards spiritual growth.

Tattoos fade; they can be touched up.

It depends, mostly they can not. I use to have breakfast with a tattoo artist and being an artist myself, I know some of the problems involved with touching up an existing tattoo.

He said that without having the template from which the original was made, it’s to risky for most artist to attempt. He looked at mine and said, not possible.

Also, the older the worse it is. I got mine before heading overseas at a tattoo parlor in Oceanside, outside of Camp Pendelton CA. There is no way I can have it touched up.

Of course not. Those who carefully consider their tattoos understand this and those that don’t are the ones who get tatted up with everything and no planning.

LOL, everyone who gets a tattoo believes this about themselves when they get them. However, after 40 years, attitudes change.

You never know. Someone with tattoos and/or piercings might be able to witness to a certain kind of person more easily than some in khakis and a tidy hair cut.

Some one with tattoos and piercings they got after their conversions, will be too flawed to present a true witness to Christ.

The problem is that it comes from a person at an immature level of faith who obtains a tattoo… They still have flaws which can mislead people and will turn people away, should they be seen falling into sin, which Christians will, especially early in their spiritual journey.

People who have grown spiritually, are detached from such things and are not interested in presenting false images of Christ in order to draw attention, regardless of the reasons.

Jim

 

[Yeoman]

The desire to get a tattoo, whether secular or religious in nature, is ego driven.

It’s so we can say to people, “hey look at me with my tattoo. I’m a Christian.”

It’s akin to a person who wears all sorts of religious jewelry in order to be noticed, only a tattoo is permanent.

I have a tattoo which I got 44 years ago when I was in the Marines. It was to show people back home that I was a Marine. It was ego driven no two ways about it.

Within 25 years, the details in the tattoo, which is a bulldog wearing a drill instructor’s hat, with the letters U S M C under it. Other than the letters, you can’t tell what the image is, unless you look close and I describe it. It faded and darkened as all tattoos will.

Don’t believe the misinformation that the ink they use today is better than years ago and they don’t fade. They told me that 44 years ago when I got mine.

The think is, it isn’t the ink that fades, but that new skin replaces old skin and it gets covered and cause the fading.

Anyway, getting a tattoo with a Christian message doesn’t make you any more Christian than having a Christian bumper sticker on your car.

Also, it doesn’t lead anyone to Christ. What leads people to Jesus is them seeing you live a life that is holy. That message sticks with them over any religious jewelry or tattoos you wear.

Jim

It’s funny you mention the Marines. I actually tend to associate tattoos with Marines and sailors. I don’t mean that in a bad way, it’s just that when I was young, that’s who had tattoos.

Now, of course, that’s all changed. But not for everyone. For folks past a certain age, tattoos send a certain message, even if they don’t mean to.

I particularly wish that tattoos had not spread to women. I’m sorry, I know that’s sexist, but I really just don’t like it.

And I will note that in certain professional settings, even now, tattoos are really a problem. For those who appear in those setting, having an employee with a tattoo can send a message that we don’t want.

 

[JimR-OCDS]

Yeoman

I particularly wish that tattoos had not spread to women. I’m sorry, I know that’s sexist, but I really just don’t like it.

I agree especially when women get a large tattoo or a great number of them.

My daughter has a little butterfly tat that she has on the back of her shoulder. When she got it, I told her she’d be sorry, even being small.

Sure enough, when the day came for her to get married, she had to find a wedding dress with a wide enough strap to hide the tattoo. Not that it looks bad close up, but from a distance, it looks more like a large birth mark.

And I will note that in certain professional settings, even now, tattoos are really a problem. For those who appear in those setting, having an employee with a tattoo can send a message that we don’t want.

I don’t know what the regulations are now, but when I looked at becoming a State Cop, you could not have tattoos on your arm below the elbow or any other visible place where your uniform would not cover it.

Jim

 

[Yeoman]

I don’t know what the regulations are now, but when I looked at becoming a State Cop, you could not have tattoos on your arm below the elbow or any other visible place where your uniform would not cover it.

I’ve heard those instructions made to paralegals with tattoos, which for women can be a fairly difficult matter actually as men’s courtroom clothing is pretty routine while women’s is somewhat less so.

 

[ringil]

The Church has no objections to tattoos in and of themselves.

I think the only problem comes up when the person spends excessive treasure on something that should/could be given to the poor. This would apply to hair cuts, make-up, clothing, cars, etc., though.
That said, if someone has the extra money and is contributing to the welfare of the Church, I don’t think the Church has any official opinion.

 

[AKatelijneA]

I love the sun tattoo!!!

BTW: I’m a woman, I have tattoos, they are visible when I don’t wear sleeves. They are not vulgar or distasteful, they are g-rated.

I have a master’s degree. I have a white-collar job. When the occassion arises, I cover them by throwing on a long-sleeve sweater.

I’m married to a man who doesn’t have tattoos. I had three before we met. After being married for a few years, I wanted more. So he and I looked for a good tattoo shop.** He went with me to get the fourth one.** He helped me look through designs. I went on my own to get the fifth and sixth.

After my six tattoos,** I had my son. **He’s a toddler now. He went through a phase of trying to peel off Mommy’s tattoos. That was too cute!

I wear neutral colors, black, grey, tan, and purple, magenta (my tattoos are within the purple family).

Point is, I’m a practicing Catholic who also enjoy ecumenical and Baptist prayer services and fellowship. And I have very visible tattoos. So if you want a tattoo that is tasteful, go for it!

 

[shayneswenson]

The desire to get a tattoo, whether secular or religious in nature, is ego driven.

It’s so we can say to people, “hey look at me with my tattoo. I’m a Christian.”

It’s akin to a person who wears all sorts of religious jewelry in order to be noticed, only a tattoo is permanent.

I have a tattoo which I got 44 years ago when I was in the Marines. It was to show people back home that I was a Marine. It was ego driven no two ways about it.

Within 25 years, the details in the tattoo, which is a bulldog wearing a drill instructor’s hat, with the letters U S M C under it. Other than the letters, you can’t tell what the image is, unless you look close and I describe it. It faded and darkened as all tattoos will.

Don’t believe the misinformation that the ink they use today is better than years ago and they don’t fade. They told me that 44 years ago when I got mine.

The think is, it isn’t the ink that fades, but that new skin replaces old skin and it gets covered and cause the fading.

Anyway, getting a tattoo with a Christian message doesn’t make you any more Christian than having a Christian bumper sticker on your car.

Also, it doesn’t lead anyone to Christ. What leads people to Jesus is them seeing you live a life that is holy. That message sticks with them over any religious jewelry or tattoos you wear.

Jim

I am a tattoo artist by trade for over 10 plus years , and that is a very ignorant comment. I really don’t mean to be rude to you brother, but your opinion may in fact apply only to the reasoning behind your decision to get a tattoo. I have tattoos on the vast majority of my body and not a single one was ever “ego” driven. I’m sorry you regret yours, but don’t demonized something or imply it is sinful due to your dislike or social phobias. That’s disingenuous and besides the intended want of the op.

 

[shayneswenson]

To the original poster, regardless of whatever the design is, really think about where on your body you want to have the tattoo applied, and make sure the person you go to to apply the tattoo has a portfolio of work you really like, and that they have the appropriate a amount of skill necessary to design as well as apply the tattoo. I get sideways looks 24/7 as well as in mass due to my large amount of visible tattoos. It comes with the territory when you put drawings all over your body, hands, neck, and face, and I fully accept the social awkwardness and mistrust from my fellow parishioners. So make sure you can deal with that if you put it somewhere visible. Even a small one will get you raised eyebrows and wide eyed sneers at times. It’s permanent, so make sure you want to make a permanent commitment to not only the design, but the unintended consequences as well.