My Tattoo.

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scapularkid8

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I’m thinking of getting a tattoo. I see nothing wrong with it. In fact, I think if done properly could really glorify God. After all, artwork is only done on the most beautiful canvases and what more a compliment to God than use your body as a display of beauty? It’s not insulting Him, it’s magnifying His Wisdom in Creation.

I think it also depends on the content of the tattoo and intent. If you’re just doing it to impress yourself or someone then no. But I’m getting it for a spiritual reason. I’m overcoming a huge spiritual struggle and doubts so I’m getting the Jesus Prayer in Arabic on my right side on the ribs under the arm.

أيها الرب يسوع المسيح ابن الله, إرحمني أنا الخاطئ

Is my logic flawed in this? I know tattoos were outlawed by God in Leviticus, but that was because they were used in Pagan burial rituals and not in a context like I mentioned above, correct?
 
Have you chosen Arabic for a valid reason, such as a family connection, or are you a student of the language?

If so, I think its great. But if you’ve chosen it for the look, I’d reconsider, partly because that indicates your reasons are ultimately more cosmetic than spiritual, and partly because it would be a more powerful tool of evangalization if it were readable by people in your day to day life.
 
Is this your expression of an inward reality expressed in an outward way?
On the body God gave you that he was pleased with?
Is this act, to “help you”? As you said:
" I’m overcoming a huge spiritual struggle and doubts"

Doubts about what if I may ask?
 
scapular kid…your so melodramatic…AND THAT

is exactly what will make you fall back into it. Instead I suggest you humbly thank God for His grace and just sorta move forward with a lighthearted , care free attitude.
 
if i was paid all the wooden nicles in the world except for 4 pieces isnt the 16 liner worse then a tatoo
 
Sam_Maloney said:
Have you chosen Arabic for a valid reason, such as a family connection, or are you a student of the language?
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I’m choosing Arabic for three reasons: one, I’m learning it and it’s becoming “part” of me, two, the language is beautiful written, and three the prayer in Arabic means something slightly different than in Engslish. The last part “ana al-Khaatdi” means specifically “me, The sinner”, not just any sinner, but me, I’m THE sinner Jesus so you need to have mercy on me.
notsmart said:
Is this your expression of an inward reality expressed in an outward way?
On the body God gave you that he was pleased with?
Is this act, to “help you”?
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Yes. I have changed a lot over the past few years, and part of that has been recognizing that I’m not perfect and I fall. I feel like marking my body for this to constantly remind myself of it is valid.
And the doubts have been pertaining to God’s Mercy. I always thought I didn’t need it, like I could handle everything on my own, including my own salvation. Not so anymore.

And I might be melodramatic, but hey, life is interesting for me so I like it this way. I’m never bored haha 😃 . And trust me, a tattoo would be my way of being care-free if you knew me a few years ago! 👍
 
jesu1983 said:
Tatto is forbidden.
Leviticus 19:28
so dont do it.:mad:
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It’s referring to the ways in which the pagans would mourn their dead. I’m not a pagan and I’m not mourning anything.

“You shall not make any cuttings in your flesh on account of the dead or tattoo any marks upon you: I am the LORD.” Lev 19:28

Is my grandfather who’s a Deacon going to hell because he has a tattoo? Or my priest, or uncle, or mom, or aunt? :rolleyes:
 
the catholic church says tattoos are okay but i think they say don’t go overboard with it. i have one a cross on my left leg and i’m going to get the PX (meaning: Jesus) with the alpha and omega sign on it soon on the right leg.
 
scapularkid8 said:
I’m thinking of getting a tattoo. I see nothing wrong with it. In fact, I think if done properly could really glorify God. After all, artwork is only done on the most beautiful canvases and what more a compliment to God than use your body as a display of beauty? It’s not insulting Him, it’s magnifying His Wisdom in Creation.

I think it also depends on the content of the tattoo and intent. If you’re just doing it to impress yourself or someone then no. But I’m getting it for a spiritual reason. I’m overcoming a huge spiritual struggle and doubts so I’m getting the Jesus Prayer in Arabic on my right side on the ribs under the arm.

أيها الرب يسوع المسيح ابن الله, إرحمني أنا الخاطئ

Is my logic flawed in this? I know tattoos were outlawed by God in Leviticus, but that was because they were used in Pagan burial rituals and not in a context like I mentioned above, correct?
Click to expand...
What logic?
 
I never heard of a saint with a tattoo and I don’t think your a new charism.
 
scapularkid8 said:
I don’t understand what this is supposed to mean. Pardon my ignorance.
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If the practice of getting tatooed with Christian symbols or scriptures was a mark of holiness the saints would have been tatooed.

Getting tatooed is a stupid idea, but it is doubtful that anyone will convince you of that.

Maybe you could find a way to put a mark on your soul where only God could see it instead of on the outside of the cup.
 
grandfather said:
Maybe you could find a way to put a mark on your soul where only God could see it instead of on the outside of the cup.
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Hmm, I think that’s what I’m trying to do, but marking my body is the only way I know how in my weak human state?

…I will reconsider though seeing as I don’t want to have it there twenty years later completely regretting 😉
 
Pro_Domina said:
I never heard of a saint with a tattoo and I don’t think your a new charism.
Click to expand...
Many holy martyrs in Egypt have died with a cross tattooed on their right wrist. It’s a tradition that’s always impressed me because they can’t deny their faith even under persecution - the visible mark is always there.
 
shhhh tarwater… they are trying to convince him otherwise.

my two cents: get a tattoo that means something to you. REALLY means something to you. think about where you are putting it and look at your grandfathers skin to see what you think it will look like at that age. think for at least a year before you get the ink done. don’t be like those girls who get something tribal on their lower backs to be trendy. that is lame, unoriginal and boring!
 
jesu1983 said:
Tatto is forbidden.
Leviticus 19:28
so dont do it.:mad:
Click to expand...
Wait a minute - there are a lot of things forbidden in the OT that we go ahead with… What’s with the angry face? I wouldn’t think that a tattoo would be anymore forbidden than eating shell fish.
 
look at your grandfathers skin to see what you think it will look like at that age.
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Oh, yeah! Absolutely!

My niece is pregnant with twins, and HUGE. She’s having a C-section on Thursday. (Please pray for her and the babies!)

She had a lovely tattoo across her lower abdomen, of the hands from God and Adam in the Sistine Chapel. I can’t wait to see what it looks like now, and next year. 🤷 But I will have to be charitable and bite my tongue, and not say “I told you so!”

I also have a friend who had what was probably a lovely parrot on her arm, many years ago… The colors have blurred, and she has developed “chicken skin” just like I have. Not pretty.

If that doesn’t dissuade you, that’s fine. I like looking at a good tattoo, even if I wonder how it will look in 50 years. But why not have the prayer in English, in an Arabic-looking script? Unless you plan to live among Arabs, that is. Otherwise, you might get mistaken for a Muslim. OTOH, it might be a conversion-conversation starter. 🙂

Ruthie
 
I’m a little dissapointed in some of the responses.

‘The saints didn’t, so you shouldn’t either’ is a bit silly.

First: Prove it. Absence of evidence is not evidence of absence.

Second: So what? There was a time when no Saint had worn pants with pockets. Or pants, for that matter. Or eaten corn or potatoes [native to the new world]. We aren’t supposed to be living in a Roman Empire theme park, are we?

‘Think what it will look like when you are older’-- why? Is a non-tattooed 80 year old significantly more pleasant to look at?
 
Sam_Maloney said:
I’m a little dissapointed in some of the responses.

‘The saints didn’t, so you shouldn’t either’ is a bit silly.

First: Prove it. Absence of evidence is not evidence of absence.

Second: So what? There was a time when no Saint had worn pants with pockets. Or pants, for that matter. Or eaten corn or potatoes [native to the new world]. We aren’t supposed to be living in a Roman Empire theme park, are we?

‘Think what it will look like when you are older’-- why? Is a non-tattooed 80 year old significantly more pleasant to look at?
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Good grief! Great logic Sam.

The saints never took cocaine, but that does not mean there is anything wrong with it.

You can change your pants. You can’t get rid of a permanent body engraving.

Who cares what an 80 year old looks like? Poll the ones who got tatoos and have had them 20 or 30 years and figure out what percent regret it.

The reason young people want to get tatoos is it is in. Everybody is doing, so I should join the parade. That is a stupid reason to do anything.
 
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