Is Getting a Tattoo a Sin?

[colmcille1]

Hi Lost Wanderer,
Here is what I am saying in a nutshell.
The church/body analogy operates because the poster says that just as we decorate and beautify a church, so too do we adorn our bodies with tattoos. Right, so far?
Now, what I am saying is this: we decorate a church for a purpose. This is to reflect our love of God and we do this by celebrating the Eucharist.

Now, there is no analogous line to be drawn between the celebration of the Eucharist and the “adornment” of one’s body with tattoos. What is the equivalent purpose? If it was universally felt that one’s body should be marked as an personal celebratory equivalent, do you not think there would be millions of Catholics sporting a myriad of tattoos?
Here is where the analogy dies on it’s feet. To suggest that tattoos are a mark of respect for Our Lord is lunacy.

As I pointed out in an earlier post, gangs all over the world use tattoos as a badge of allegiance: allegiance to evil. This is the true realm of tattoos.
And I will never forget seeing the number on the inside forearm an elderly Jewish gentleman in New York many years ago. This too is the true awful realm of tattoos.

God Bless,
Colmcille.

 

[Fone_Bone_2001]

Hi Fone,
So you know one very holy man with a tattoo…? So therefore everything’s fine…

Nice try, but you can’t get away with your generalization so easily.

I did not say that it would never be wrong to get a tattoo, simply because I know someone who has one and lives a moral life.

Rather, I simply gave a counterexample to your blanket statement that tattoos are a sign of vanity.

One counterexample is enough to disprove an assertion. If I know a humble, Godly man with a tattoo, that clearly shows that vanity is not necessarily the motivation behind getting a tattoo.

Now, perhaps you claim that only sometimes are tattoos a sign of vanity. In which case, we needn’t argue anymore at all, as we’ve then agreed that tattoos are in no way sinful. Vanity is.

Tell me something: what would you think about a competition for the best religious tattoo?
Let’s say, in the US and Canada? Do you think that would be a good idea?
I’m really anxious to hear your thinking about this? What criteria would be involved in the judging process, do you reckon? And do you think it would be permissable for a guy whose entire body is bedecked with tatts to enter even if only one of his tattoos was religious? Would you have male/female/other categories?
And would the competition be open to the prison population: would they have their own special category?
Would entered tattoos have to be at least a year-old in order to stop deliberately new and ornate ones from being admissable?
I really want to find out what is the thinking behind tattoos: is that clear enough?
(BTW, my signing off words to my posts are the only moral absolutizing worth bothering with.)
God Bless,
Colmcille.

I think that’s a dumb idea, and such a competition would likely be missing the point entirely of a religious tattoo.

Anyway, that isn’t relevant. If someone gets a tattoo out of vanity, their sin is vanity, not getting a tattoo.

If getting a tattoo is sinful, I challenge anyone in this thread to show me one authoritative source (for Christians) which establishes this. You won’t be able to do it, because it’s just an unfounded opinion. And as has already been absolutely and irrevocably established, Leviticus does not suffice unless you’re prepared never to eat certain kinds of food, never to shave your face if you’re a man, and never to wear a garment made of more than one type of material.

Please, everyone. Literally everything in the world today is far more pressing than tattoos. This thread shouldn’t have lasted two posts…

 

[illmatic]

Hi Lost Wanderer,
Here is what I am saying in a nutshell.
The church/body analogy operates because the poster says that just as we decorate and beautify a church, so too do we adorn our bodies with tattoos. Right, so far?
Now, what I am saying is this: we decorate a church for a purpose. This is to reflect our love of God and we do this by celebrating the Eucharist.

Now, there is no analogous line to be drawn between the celebration of the Eucharist and the “adornment” of one’s body with tattoos. What is the equivalent purpose? If it was universally felt that one’s body should be marked as an personal celebratory equivalent, do you not think there would be millions of Catholics sporting a myriad of tattoos?
Here is where the analogy dies on it’s feet. To suggest that tattoos are a mark of respect for Our Lord is lunacy.

As I pointed out in an earlier post, gangs all over the world use tattoos as a badge of allegiance: allegiance to evil. This is the true realm of tattoos.
And I will never forget seeing the number on the inside forearm an elderly Jewish gentleman in New York many years ago. This too is the true awful realm of tattoos.

God Bless,
Colmcille.

your first paragraph suggests that there is no purpose to tattooing. Everyone I know who has got a tattoo has a tattoo with some meaning to them, a meaning that they wish to have on their body for their life.
Also, some people use God as the justification for evil deeds. The logic in your last paragraph would suggest that God is then bad.

 

[ccpoisonivy]

Hi cc,
Please do me the courtesy of reading sarahelizabeth’s post.
Now, tell me what in the name of all that is holy is she talking about? “Personal hygiene…fashion…”??? And why don’t you ask yourself the same question? What are you people smoking?!?
Yes, we are indeed on a religious forum, Mr. High-and-Mighty, and do you think it would have been pleasant for a member of the Amish community to see her reference to them?
Oh, that’s right, they don’t use computers, so therefore it’s okay to disrespect them, is that it? Is that the sort of warped thinking you subscribe to? Don’t dare talk to me about “religious” forums with the tone of a doorman to an exclusive nightclub!
You have ground-in inky filth besmirching your skin and you waffle on about “hygiene”!!!
Why don’t you go off and set up a ‘Tattoed for Christ’ sect somewhere.
In the meantime, I wish you happiness and true peace,
God Bless,
Colmcille.

*I find it ridiculous to compare having my ex-boyfriend’s name tattooed on me to having a mark of Christ tattooed on me. People change and leave. People are undependable. God and His son Jesus Christ are eternal. Regardless of who I date Jesus Christ is my one true love. I agree that if tattooing is vanity in your opinion then I wonder about your own personal hygiene and fashion habits. Are you Amish? (not that there is anything wrong with that.) Are you against the cross or a crucifix as jewelry or on clothing? My tattoo is my brand. Its like a cross necklace that no one can ever take from me while I live. This is not vanity. It is pride in my faith. Thank you God that I live in America and can show your mark on my body for all the world to see. Thank you God for giving me the confidence to choose never to deny you no matter what the circumstances. * ~ saraelizabeth

Hi colmcille, I have posted saraelizabeth’s post above. I did read it. I feel she was asking a valid question and wanted to know your personal hygiene and fashion habits - maybe asking about shaving and what style of clothing you see as acceptable? Wondering if you were Amish, which is a religion strict on dress, etc. I find it perfectably acceptable to ask those questions - to get a better feel for the person she was conversing with. She was in no way disrespecting anyone. I think you are the type of person who finds disrespect and argument in everything, but that is my opinion.

What I don’t find acceptable is your BASH on her, which I have already addressed. And you did ***not ***address. I feel you owe an apology to a person who was simply stating her love for God and her country. I also find it highly offensive that you assume I, or anyone on here, is smoking anything!!! I find something in nearly every post you have written here laughable. You lash out at others and in no way are addressing the subject at hand… You state that you feel I have ground-in inky filth besmirching my skin and ask me to go set up a Tattooed for Christ sect… REALLY? STOP judging me!!! You have no right! You MAY debate with me in an educated manner, using SOURCES to back up your OPINION. Other than that, if you can’t respond without insulting me, just don’t say anything at all.

Then you say I talked to you like I was a doorman to an exclusive nightclub. I did no such thing! I told you how I felt about your comment about saraelizabeth praising God. If you took it that my written tone was anything but a respectful debate, than I apologize for your misunderstanding. And by the way, I am a Ms. not a Mr.

**All I can say to you is if you can not give VALID PROOF that shows a tattoo is against the Church, your personal OPINION is just that, an OPINION. And that is all. Not fact. **

OP, there is nothing that says as long as you respect your body you can not have a tattoo. You are able to get whatever you choose, as long as it is respectful. This is according to scripture and Church.

 

[colmcille1]

Hi to Fone, illmatic, cc and sarahelizabeth,
May I begin by saying that I am sorry if any of my comments caused offence to anyone here. I believe in robust debate and am the first to admit that I can, at times, be blunt to the point of offensive. Perhaps I have too much of the “fighting Irish” in me. I like a good strong debate and I find these forums excellent for that purpose. Be that as it may, I am truly sorry for any hurt.

I was trying to establish a clear argument about how tattoos cannot be a valid expression of Faith. I was basing my standpoint on my knowledge of the cult of the body; and upon my firm belief that our bodies are sacred and should not be desecrated. I was using the vanity argument because of my knowledge of gangs and their use of tattoos. (A movie called Eastern Promises(2007) about Russian gangs in London has an insightful piece on this aspect of tattoos.) And my assertion about such evil stands: if some gangs claim that it is God-inspired then that is ignorance and blasphemous.
I firmly believe that our true expression of Faith comes from the heart. We do not need window-dressing.
God Bless,
Colmcille.

 

[Fone_Bone_2001]

Don’t worry, I’m not offended, and I don’t think you’ve been too blunt or anything like that.

I think we’ll all still maintain, however, that your opinion on tattoos is simply that: an opinion based on a highly subjective, psychological, variable, even arbitrary basis.

Furthermore, no one in this thread has been able to provide an authoritative citation concerning the supposed intrinsic immorality of getting a tattoo, because there isn’t one.

Some people find them distasteful, vulgar, counterproductive, etc. But clearly they are not against the universal moral law. That much, at least, is clear.

 

[Aboveallbereal]

It is important to understand why tattooing is now so popular if we are to sensibly discuss whether it is “wrong”.

In a Post Christian age the vast majority of our young either do not engage with Christianity at all or else do so in a very superficial and frankly meaningless Baptism/communion/coffirmation day out kind of way. These catholic educated kids are functionally non Christian. However the human need for ritual remains and various runic esoteric or pagan messages carried by so many tattoos are a way of trying to fill the need.

In a sense the popularity of tattoos is a sign of a non Christian culture crying out for meaning. A meaning which can only truly be found in Christ. The labour is plentiful but the workers are few.

 

[sarahelizabeth]

I’m so sorry that I’ve made you this angry to call me names. I didn’t realize that you were so personally offended by my tattoo. In my defense you have never seen it or met me. However, I do understand that some people are offended by certain things. Tongue piercings sort of gross me out , although I don’t deny people the right to have such piercings. You seem very angry and seem to have taken this very personally. I will pray for you. Not that you start liking tattoos or even accepting them but that you find it in your heart to accept other people’s opinions as being as valid as your own. As it has been pointed out many times in this thread, biblical writings on this subject are open to interpretation and church teachings don’t prohibit the practice. I apologize for having offended you. Also I would like to make very clear that I was not insulting Amish people at all. I was simply drawing attention to the fact that Amish practice prohibits physical alteration or exposure much more stringently than does the Catholic church. My apologies to anyone, Amish or otherwise, who may have misunderstood this reference. SE

 

[colmcille1]

I’m so sorry that I’ve made you this angry to call me names. I didn’t realize that you were so personally offended by my tattoo. In my defense you have never seen it or met me. However, I do understand that some people are offended by certain things. Tongue piercings sort of gross me out , although I don’t deny people the right to have such piercings. You seem very angry and seem to have taken this very personally. I will pray for you. Not that you start liking tattoos or even accepting them but that you find it in your heart to accept other people’s opinions as being as valid as your own. As it has been pointed out many times in this thread, biblical writings on this subject are open to interpretation and church teachings don’t prohibit the practice. I apologize for having offended you. Also I would like to make very clear that I was not insulting Amish people at all. I was simply drawing attention to the fact that Amish practice prohibits physical alteration or exposure much more stringently than does the Catholic church. My apologies to anyone, Amish or otherwise, who may have misunderstood this reference. SE

Hi sarahelizabeth,
Thank you for your very kind and courteous post. The fault is mine. As I mentioned in my last post, I am truly sorry for any hurt I have caused. I harbour no especial anger towards people who sport tattoos.
I sincerely hope that this will not prevent us from debating things in the future.
God Bless,
Colmcille.

 

[ccpoisonivy]

It’s my turn now: I had a thread hijacked by people who were carrying on like we were over something that shouldn’t have been debatable. It really hurt my feelings; all I wanted was some information, respect, and advice. Instead it turned into a many-paged monster that went completely off track of what I was looking for. As a newer member, I was a little dissappointed.

So in retrospect, I have a short tolerance (my own need to pray for) when people start to name call and be hurtful. And I will freely point it out. I am aware I should stop with this and I am also sorry if I hurt any feelings with my strongly worded responses. That was not my intention.

Robust debate is something I am all for. Thank you for the apology!

Blessings,

ccpoisonivy

 

[sarahelizabeth]

Hi sarahelizabeth,
Thank you for your very kind and courteous post. The fault is mine. As I mentioned in my last post, I am truly sorry for any hurt I have caused. I harbour no especial anger towards people who sport tattoos.
I sincerely hope that this will not prevent us from debating things in the future.
God Bless,
Colmcille.

I too found out during college that there is a fine line between civilized debate and vehement argument. I also have a offended quite a few people in my day and don’t hold anything against you at all. I understand all your points on this issue and even agree with some of them. My only point from the beginning has been that, while I am new to Catholicism but was raised protestant, I have great respect for the many clergy and laymen who have devoted their entire lives to the study and interpretation of the scriptures. I was amazed to learn that thousands of people spend their entire lives in the academic study of the word of God. This may sound ignorant of me but I honestly had no idea the devotion to study of the Catholic hierarchy. I love my tattoo, which I got before I began to study and take my class and was relieved and pleased to find that it was not forbidden under church doctrine. Either way, it’s too late to change it now and I’m also pleased that I chose a symbol with great meaning for me as a Christian, whatever type. Thanks for your clarification and yes, I also hope to hear from you again. Sarahelizabeth

 

[colmcille1]

I too found out during college that there is a fine line between civilized debate and vehement argument. I also have a offended quite a few people in my day and don’t hold anything against you at all. I understand all your points on this issue and even agree with some of them. My only point from the beginning has been that, while I am new to Catholicism but was raised protestant, I have great respect for the many clergy and laymen who have devoted their entire lives to the study and interpretation of the scriptures. I was amazed to learn that thousands of people spend their entire lives in the academic study of the word of God. This may sound ignorant of me but I honestly had no idea the devotion to study of the Catholic hierarchy. I love my tattoo, which I got before I began to study and take my class and was relieved and pleased to find that it was not forbidden under church doctrine. Either way, it’s too late to change it now and I’m also pleased that I chose a symbol with great meaning for me as a Christian, whatever type. Thanks for your clarification and yes, I also hope to hear from you again. Sarahelizabeth

Hi sarahelizabeth,
Thank you for your post.
I think the entire debate has been a kind of watershed for me. I realize how insensitive words can wound.
I am so happy that you are studying Catholicism. It is indeed, as you point out, a Faith rich in Scripture; and this gives rise to many nuanced interpretations.
You are in my prayers.
God Bless,
Colmcille.

 

[sarahelizabeth]

It’s my turn now: I had a thread hijacked by people who were carrying on like we were over something that shouldn’t have been debatable. It really hurt my feelings; all I wanted was some information, respect, and advice. Instead it turned into a many-paged monster that went completely off track of what I was looking for. As a newer member, I was a little dissappointed.

So in retrospect, I have a short tolerance (my own need to pray for) when people start to name call and be hurtful. And I will freely point it out. I am aware I should stop with this and I am also sorry if I hurt any feelings with my strongly worded responses. That was not my intention.

Robust debate is something I am all for. Thank you for the apology!

Blessings,

ccpoisonivy

Hi poisonivy, I want you to know that I never meant to offend anyone or go off track. I also was surprised when after many answers of “No, tattooing is not prohibited by the church” people who had very strong feelings against tattoos went off on tangents and began to name call and ask the type of leading, accusitory questions one sees on the covers of supermarket tabloids AND then sign these insulting remarks with a very (to my mind) hypocritical “God Bless” or “In Jesus” etc… I also am very new not only to this forum but also to the Catholic faith. I don’t know if you are a “cradle catholic” or a fumbling beginner like myself, but I encourage you not to let a few bad apples spoil the whole barrel for you or to test your faith in God. It is a HUGE disappointment to see those people we view as leaders and mentors fail. As humans we are all weak and sin and fall short of the glory of God. All churches are made up of groups of humans and therefore mistakes are made and feelings are hurt. Never let anyone come between you and your faith. My mom always says “If you let someone stand between you and God then who is closer to God?” I truly wish you the best in your journey of faith. Sarahelizabeth

 

[ccpoisonivy]

Thank you sarahelizabeth. My parents were of different faiths so instead of fighting, they decided to expose us children to many different faiths and let us choose the one that fit us the best. I went to Catholic mass, Jehovah’s Witness services, Presbyterian, and everything in between growing up. When I was 18 I started attending Catholic mass and a year or three later I went through my classes, was baptized and confirmed. I can’t say that I am a “cradel Catholic” although I did grow up going to Mass (along with others), and I think I will always say I am a struggling Catholic. There are aspects I still disagree with, but I feel the Catholic faith fits most with my beliefs and spirit.

I have a tattoo and it is one of the most amazing things I have ever done. It is in a pretty painful spot and I barely felt it. The only thing I dislike is I have to cover it sometimes. I feel like people see the tattoo and instantly say I am trashy or think I’m dirty. If they would ask the meaning of my Latin tattoo they would understand me even more deeply. Oh well. Their loss.

I agree with your momma, by the way. I don’t let anyone stand between God and I. I’ll let them stand next to me anytime though.

Have a great day and it was nice to meet you!!

 

[sarahelizabeth]

Thank you sarahelizabeth. My parents were of different faiths so instead of fighting, they decided to expose us children to many different faiths and let us choose the one that fit us the best. I went to Catholic mass, Jehovah’s Witness services, Presbyterian, and everything in between growing up. When I was 18 I started attending Catholic mass and a year or three later I went through my classes, was baptized and confirmed. I can’t say that I am a “cradel Catholic” although I did grow up going to Mass (along with others), and I think I will always say I am a struggling Catholic. There are aspects I still disagree with, but I feel the Catholic faith fits most with my beliefs and spirit.

I have a tattoo and it is one of the most amazing things I have ever done. It is in a pretty painful spot and I barely felt it. The only thing I dislike is I have to cover it sometimes. I feel like people see the tattoo and instantly say I am trashy or think I’m dirty. If they would ask the meaning of my Latin tattoo they would understand me even more deeply. Oh well. Their loss.

I agree with your momma, by the way. I don’t let anyone stand between God and I. I’ll let them stand next to me anytime though.

Have a great day and it was nice to meet you!!

My tattoos are also in latin and greek. I love the fact that people ask me about them because it always gives me a chance to talk about my faith in a way that isn’t pushy or invasive. I’m glad to meet you too and hope we can all be friends. It is hard to know that people, even Christians, may judge us for our tattoos but as Robert mentioned, tattoos have a bad reputation as being gang related, which can and should be corrected, and people like us are taking them back from the dark side, one tattoo at a time. You, along with this forum in general, are also in my prayers and if you find time to pray for me too, I greatly appreciate it, the journey to, and with God, isn’t always easy. Sarahelizabeth

 

[ccpoisonivy]

I will pray for you as well sarahelizabeth! I agree with you 100%. Like anything in this world, tattoos have a light and a dark side. It always makes me smile when people ask about my tattoo and I can tell them about it. I usually get a response that I gave them goosebumps or shivers.

 

[Sierraja81]

Tattoo’s are sinful and it can be found in the Bible. There are many passages stating that your body is a temple for the holy spirit 1Cor 6:19-20. I know God doesn’t want you to ruin your body. Second, your body is not your property. It is God’s property . Lastly, imagine a priest with a tattoo??? what about your mother or father?? It certainly does not have a respectful nature involved. Why cant a minor get a tattoo if there is nothing wrong?.

Looking at the scientific data, getting a tattoo increases your chance of transmitting or receiving Hepatitis B,C, and possible HIV. It doesn’t matter if there is a 5 percent ,20 percent, or 1 percent chance. Just the fact that there is a chance is not a good idea. Also it is destroying your cells by poisoning them with ink on the skin. I’ve always heard friends say that they want to glorify God by getting a tattoo. Sure God does not want you to destroy the beautiful body he has already given you.

 

[archangel04]

I think both sides have made good arguments on a matter in which the Church really has not said anything about. I once heard Fr. Mitch Pacwa mentioned a story about a mechanic who painted custom motorcycles. He asked Fr. “Why getting a tattoo is wrong?” He responded by saying, “those bikes you have painted are gorgeous and are unique because only you painted them in a customized fashion, now what would you say if I purchased one of the bikes and decided to go ahead and put my name on it with permanent paint?” The biker responded “well it would make me mad and sad because I painted each one in a unique way, and for you to do that would be going against my art work” Fr. responded “how do you think God feels when you mark up His art work?”

Now, I like tattoos and have seen some amazing stuff out there, but you have one crowd that does it out of rebellion and another for a love for something. Tattoos at the moment are part of the culture and all honest see nothing wrong with them when done with modesty and good taste. Tattoos also tell stories and can be markings of life, and remind some of where they came from or even what they are fighting for. I can only imagine having the crucified lord on your right arm and what a powerful reminder on what he did for you, and this is an image that you will have to look at for the rest of your life, and unlike a rosary or prayer card, you never have to worry about forgetting it lol.

 

[Fone_Bone_2001]

Tattoo’s are sinful and it can be found in the Bible. There are many passages stating that your body is a temple for the holy spirit 1Cor 6:19-20. I know God doesn’t want you to ruin your body. Second, your body is not your property. It is God’s property . Lastly, imagine a priest with a tattoo??? what about your mother or father?? It certainly does not have a respectful nature involved. Why cant a minor get a tattoo if there is nothing wrong?.

Looking at the scientific data, getting a tattoo increases your chance of transmitting or receiving Hepatitis B,C, and possible HIV. It doesn’t matter if there is a 5 percent ,20 percent, or 1 percent chance. Just the fact that there is a chance is not a good idea. Also it is destroying your cells by poisoning them with ink on the skin. I’ve always heard friends say that they want to glorify God by getting a tattoo. Sure God does not want you to destroy the beautiful body he has already given you.

Please see my replies #89 and #100, on pages six and seven, respectively. This discussion is over.

And by the way, I know one or two priests with tattoos. It’s not a big deal.

The inability to distinguish one’s aesthetic preferences from the moral dictates of the natural law is disgusting.

 

[Rand_Al_Thor]

When Christ rose from the dead he was recognized by his disciples only after he showed them the nail marks in his hands & feet & Thomas put his finger into the lance wound in his side. Whenever Christ appeared to one of the saints in his adult image they were able to see his crucificion scares.

Here’s something to think about: Our scares and/or tatooes can remain on our resserected bodies for all eternity.

How embarassing it would be to come face to face with The Almighty & have a vulgar tatoo on the body he gave to you. No rocks to hide under in heaven.

I don’t have any tattoos yet, but I have planned out several that I want to get (as soon as the wife gives me the ok). One is the Chi Rho on the underside of my forearm. Another is “A CRUCE SALUS” along the side of my forearm. Finally, the big, artistic one that so far my wife has said I will never be allowed to get (gotta keep workin on her, lol) is a half-sleeve from the shoulder to the elbow depicting Revelation. It will be the image of St. Michael standing over the devil with Gabriel and Rafael on each side, the Lamb on His throne above and an image of the cross on the back of my arm, as if in the background of that scene. I would have NO embarrassment going before the Almighty and being in His presence for eternity with any of those tattoos.

In Christ,
Rand