I have been considering getting a tattoo for about four years now. Excluding any inappropriate imagery or wording, would receiving the tattoo in general be considered a sinful act?
Other than a general injunction that there is an obligation to be mindful of bodily health and to avoid spending on luxuries money that one cannot afford, the Church does not take a position on body enhancements such as tattoos. So long as you take the proper precautions to safeguard your health and so long as the money it would cost is not needed for personal obligations, you are free to get a tattoo.
DISCLAIMER: Catholic Answers has turned over the archive to Catholic-Questions.org and no longer owns, manages, or moderates the forums. For additional apologetics resources please visit www.catholic.com.
