Is it wrong to get a tattoo?

[Catholic_Wife]

I don’t hire anyone, professional, paraprofessional or staff, with visible tattoos.

Why not??? You’re missing out on a lot of great potential employees, and judging someone based on whether they have visible tattoos or not is similar to judging someone based on their weight, age or skin color.

The hospital I work for has a “no visible tattoo” policy, as do most hospitals, because of what patients may think, but it’s not strictly enforced. There is still the stigma that people with tattoos are less trustworthy than everyone else, which is too bad because this is the first shift I’ve worked since I got my most recent tattoo and I’ve already been able to be a witness for Christ because of it. I will not cover my one visible tattoo when I go for a job interview, but I will cover it during work hours if asked. Hyde Ink, LLC makes a cover up product that is basically flesh colored temporary tattoo material that comes in a wide range of colors to match a person’t skin tone. I like it because it’s waterproof and stands up to a full 12 hours of handwashing.

My main concern would be with contracting an infectious disease like Hep.C or HIV thru dirty needles.

Also, is there anyone else on this thread with concerns for the OP contracting an infectious disease or skin infection thru dirty needles, contaminated water or ink?

This is why you have to do your research into the tattoo shop you go to. It should be “clean” and somewhere you would feel comfortable taking your mother or grandmother to, and they should let you see their certificate from the health department. The regulations that the reputable shops adhere to are just as stict as those for medical facilities. You can ask to see the tattoo artist open the package and insert the needle into the machine. Also, the ink and water should be poured into small disposable cups, so there’s no cross contamination. The tattoo artist should always wear gloves, and they should cover your tattoo and not let you uncover it until after you leave the shop to prevent cross-contamination.

It’s not just employers who may not appreciate your body art, but potential dates (future spouses) too. People have certain impressions of girls with ink, as indicated in the term “tramp stamp”.

Not all men are against skin art. My husband - and his mother - had seen my first tattoo before we got married. It’s nothing I’m ashamed of, and my husband had the opportunity to not date me afterwards. The only thing he asks of me now is that I not get one on my legs - especially if it can be seen when I wear a skirt.

Just a thought, what will happen to the tattoo when our bodies are resurrected in their glorified state in heaven?

I won’t need my Sacred Heart of Jesus tattoo because I’ll have the Real Thing!

 

[peace2u2]

Why not??? You’re missing out on a lot of great potential employees, and judging someone based on whether they have visible tattoos or not is similar to judging someone based on their weight, age or skin color.

I agree with you. Watch “Shallow Hal” if you tend to judge, you’ll see others in a different light after.

The hospital I work for has a “no visible tattoo” policy, as do most hospitals, because of what patients may think, but it’s not strictly enforced. There is still the stigma that people with tattoos are less trustworthy than everyone else, which is too bad because this is the first shift I’ve worked since I got my most recent tattoo and I’ve already been able to be a witness for Christ because of it. I will not cover my one visible tattoo when I go for a job interview, but I will cover it during work hours if asked. Hyde Ink, LLC makes a cover up product that is basically flesh colored temporary tattoo material that comes in a wide range of colors to match a person’t skin tone. I like it because it’s waterproof and stands up to a full 12 hours of handwashing.
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I have never heard of a “no Visible tattoo” policy, interesting. Thats good you provided info regarding the cover up product, I didn’t know that existed either.

This is why you have to do your research into the tattoo shop you go to. It should be “clean” and somewhere you would feel comfortable taking your mother or grandmother to, and they should let you see their certificate from the health department. The regulations that the reputable shops adhere to are just as stict as those for medical facilities. You can ask to see the tattoo artist open the package and insert the needle into the machine. Also, the ink and water should be poured into small disposable cups, so there’s no cross contamination. The tattoo artist should always wear gloves, and they should cover your tattoo and not let you uncover it until after you leave the shop to prevent cross-contamination.
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More good information.

_Wife;10892823]

I won’t need my Sacred Heart of Jesus tattoo because I’ll have the Real Thing!
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Awesone

 

[Patrocinor]

Leviticus 19:28 says you shouldn’t get tattoos if you are looking for an answer in the bible.

I have seen this argument before. I looked it up in the biblical commentary and it stated that this prohibition was because the ancient Canaanites did the cutting of hair, beards, body lacerations and tattooing to ward off the evil spirits of the dead by changing their appearance to avoid recognition. God did not want this imitation for his chosen people.
It is lumped in with other prohibitions because God did not want his chosen people linked with pagan cult rituals. It was the intent of tattooing in this specific instance, not tattooing in and of itself. Therefore, the Church has no specific teaching on it that I am aware of. I personally abhor tattoos. Some may be sinful. Others may not be. That is not for me to determine. I just think it might be an oversweeping generalization to state no one can get a tattoo because of Lev 19:28 standing alone.

 

[Catholic_Wife]

A good article:

What does the Church teach about Tattoos?

 

[dnar]

Hello c:
I have been wanting to get two tattoos. One on my wrists and the other down my left side. In case anyone wants to know. I want to get “Different Not Less” tattooed on my wrists (different on my left not less on my right) and “Sometimes you’ve gotta fall before you fly” down my left side. Both would just be black ink in a cursive script.
Now the real question, are getting tattoos against anything or viewed as wrong by other Catholics and the Church? I’m Roman Catholic and I have heard that they are from some places and that they aren’t from others.
Are tattoos considered sinful or wrong? And if so, where does it say that?
Thank you for any help c:

I feel you. I have been considering the same thing. I have been wanting a cross or a crucifix tattoo on my upper arm. I have even went into a couple of different tattoo places and got prices, but I am still undecided. Since I am still that undecided I have decided to wait for a little while.

I to wonder about the sinfulness of a tattoo. I don’t see how getting a cross tattoo would be sinful, but I am unsure.

I am a little older than you, however, I am 31, not that it matters, just saying, as you get older, its still a puzzle.

 

[Buck_Crosswhite]

Your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit and you’re going to put graffiti all over it? I think getting tattooed is stupid especially when someone has a tattoo of Our Lady of Guadalupe on one arm and the devil on the other.
Women are much more attractive when they don’t look like a billboard.

 

[thewanderer]

Your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit and you’re going to put graffiti all over it? I think getting tattooed is stupid especially when someone has a tattoo of Our Lady of Guadalupe on one arm and the devil on the other.
Women are much more attractive when they don’t look like a billboard.

The same could be said about clothing. “You’re body is a temple of the Holy Spirit and you’re going to put clothing all over it?”

 

[Catholic_Wife]

Your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit and you’re going to put graffiti all over it?

This argument is more convincing (to me) than the Leviticus one, however isn’t that passage talking about sexual immorality??? (ref. 1 Cor 6:12-19) The Church has not said that tattoos are immoral, so why would you?

Anyway, what you call “graffiti”, others call “art”. My tattoos are nothing but colorful works of art that represent my faith and what’s important to me. When you walk into my home, one of the first things you see is a picture of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. When you meet me, one of the first things you see is the Sacred Heart of Jesus tattoo on my left ring finger (yes my husband “approved” of it).

I think getting tattooed is stupid especially when someone has a tattoo of Our Lady of Guadalupe on one arm and the devil on the other.

Have you ever considered that the person had the devil tattoo made when he/she had fallen away from the faith (or had no faith at all) and had the OLoG tattoo made when he/she returned to the faith? To be honest, I have had many opportunities to “evangelize” with my tattoos. Then again, consider my brother-in-law, who has a tattoo of OLoG that takes up his entire back, yet he just left his wife and child for another woman (who just gave birth to his child). Does his tattoo reflect his actions? You can’t judge a book by its cover, nor should you.

Women are much more attractive when they don’t look like a billboard.

This is simply your opinion, which you are more than entitled to. Thankfully, my husband doesn’t seem to mind them (or he’s really good at lying to me). I think that women are much more attractive when they let their natural beauty shine through and don’t color their hair, wear makeup and/or dress in certain fashions, but that’s only my opinion.

 

[scorpio1990]

I won’t (at least that won’t be my main objective) comment on morality here since as a non-Catholic I don’t think my opinion will carry much weight in that aspect.

As an experienced member of the tattooed community however I will post statements of what I believe most tattoo enthusiasts (artists, costumers or often times both) will say about the tattoo experience for those of who you want to know.

First: Sometimes it is about being cool. If you can find a good, EXPERIENCED and professional artist you can have something on you that will simple look AMAZING on your skin.

Second: It is about proving yourself. This is a little more personal but I do have some pride when I say I can handle 5 hours of someone continuously stabbing me with a tiny needle 100’s of times a minute. This is intensified when the area is an extremely painful one to get done (spine and ribs for example). Also I take some pride in knowing once my tattoo has healed up properly I did something properly (if a new tattoo is not properly cared for it can age 20 years in 3 months).

Third: in relation to number 2. This is perhaps me catering to the Catholic community a little but it does in a way show the principle of sacrifice to obtain something good. You sacrifice time, blood, sweat, baths/swimming (submerging it will hurt a newly healing tattoo) and the feeling of painlessness to get this piece of art.

Fourth: It’s sort of in us. Cultures all over the world use it as a rite of passage, as a means of proving yourself (see number 2/3) and as a means of identification to that culture. In some cultures it would be weird NOT to have a tattoo.

Fifth: It’s about self expression. Just like clothes or jewelry it represents a part of you and tells people what you’re about. If it is a Catholic symbol and somebody doesn’t know what it is they may come up and ask you about what is/means. You can see this as a teaching experience.

And now doing my part as a responsible member of the tattooed community:

1. Think/sit on any tattoo idea for at least 6 months (I recommend 1 year). Make sure its what you want.
2. Find a reputable artist. Look around town, visit several shops, and look at portfolios. Just like anything else: there’s the bad, the mediocre, the good and then there are the great.
3. Realize you get what you pay for. If you want a quality piece be prepared to pay a little more. Good tattoos aren’t cheap and cheap tattoos aren’t good.
   4.Look up proper aftercare. It does not matter how good the artist is; if you don’t properly look after your tattoo it will turn out horribly.
   5.Last but not least: prepare to be offended. This is not a conservative part of society. In doing research or even while getting tattooed you will see not bad tattoos but tattoos done in poor taste and some that will be offensive to any Christian (some things offended me and I was strictly agnostic at that point). I am not saying you will, but the possibility is always there.

 

[deezle]

I just got a tattoo of the Sacred Heart of Jesus on my arm. (it’s the only one I have and I don’t care to have anymore). It’s not too big or too small and its just below my wrist on the underside of my arm where I can easily see it. It’s important to note that I have a devotion to His most Sacred Heart and He is also enthroned in our home (Sacred Heart Enthronement). The tattoo came out beautifully and I feel it is my way of consecrating myself to Him as well as honoring and worshiping Him.