Tatoos

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LINK http://forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=39833&highlight=tattoo

QUESTION: *Is getting a tattoo sinful? *
*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? *

REPLY:Michelle Arnold
*Re: Is getting a tattoo sinful? *
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.
 
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kfurey:
What does the Church teach about tatoos?
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I can’t bring to light the church’s standing, but I do know it says not too in the Bible. It talks about not getting peircings or inking the skin because it is a thing of pagans.
 
As you are asking about a church teaching, this thread was moved to the Apologetics forum.
 
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BryPGuy89:
I can’t bring to light the church’s standing, but I do know it says not too in the Bible. It talks about not getting peircings or inking the skin because it is a thing of pagans.
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Can you give a specific verse? Apparently nose rings are acceptable. In Genesis 24: 47 it reads. When I asked her’ Who is your father?" she answered, "My father is Bethel son of Milcah and Nahor. " Then I put the ring in her nose and the bracelets on her arms. This verse is discussing Rebekah, wife of Issac.

This is the only verse that I could find on piercings perhaps you know of another. Could you also list the verse on tattooing?
 
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BryPGuy89:
I can’t bring to light the church’s standing, but I do know it says not too in the Bible. It talks about not getting peircings or inking the skin because it is a thing of pagans.
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This is from the old mosaic law. I beleive it comes from Leviticus. The whole command actually is that one should not get tattoos in rememberence of the dead. As long as it is not a memorial for the dead. I think it is kosher. I am contemplating having a large Sacred Heart of Jesus tattooed in the middle of my chest. I practice this devotion and thought it would be an enhancement to the devotion and a reminder of the devotion. I asked my priest about this and he also htought it would be a good idea and a pious act. So, I think tattoos can be good or bad, based on the subject matter and the intent behind them. As with everything though, moderation is key. Too many would probably not be good. 👍
 
The Old Testament injunction against tattooing is in view of the fact that the practice was then associated with pagan idolatry and witchcraft. As we are not Ancient Hebrews, it does not apply to us, per se.

Some of the Saints and holy folk throughout Church history have been known to tattoo the names or symbols of Jesus and/or Mary upon themselves! Maybe the question should focus then on “What **kind ** of tattoo?”

Not that I recommend it. Something permanent like that deserves a lot of careful thought.
 
Check my profile for what I consider to be a tasteful and faithful tattoo. It’s served as a wonderful conversation starter for me in announcing my faith and ethnic background (Armenian).

Peace and God bless!
 
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deb1:
Can you give a specific verse? Apparently nose rings are acceptable. In Genesis 24: 47 it reads. When I asked her’ Who is your father?" she answered, "My father is Bethel son of Milcah and Nahor. " Then I put the ring in her nose and the bracelets on her arms. This verse is discussing Rebekah, wife of Issac.

This is the only verse that I could find on piercings perhaps you know of another. Could you also list the verse on tattooing?
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To begin in Genesis God’s laws had not been givin to the people, so that would mean that verse doesn’t apply to our conversation.
As to a verse addressin tatoos Lev 19:28:
Do not cut your bodies for the dead or put tatoo marks on yourselves. I am the Lord.
 
I have a papal cross on the back of my neck. My mom who is adamently against tattoos loves it, its small and means a lot to me. A friend of mine who is also Catholic has a huge crucifix on his back with a rosary wrapped around it, its the most beautiful tattoo I think I’ve ever seen.

I obviously don’t think getting tattoos is bad. We only live once. Most of us only get tattoos that represent something important to us. A passing of a loved one, a passion for a certain object or belief, a telling of a story of our lives if you will, etc.

I honestly don’t think God minds, after all, our souls go to heaven, not our bodies.
 
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Lorrie:
I have a papal cross on the back of my neck. My mom who is adamently against tattoos loves it, its small and means a lot to me. A friend of mine who is also Catholic has a huge crucifix on his back with a rosary wrapped around it, its the most beautiful tattoo I think I’ve ever seen.

I obviously don’t think getting tattoos is bad. We only live once. Most of us only get tattoos that represent something important to us. A passing of a loved one, a passion for a certain object or belief, a telling of a story of our lives if you will, etc.

I honestly don’t think God minds, after all, our souls go to heaven, not our bodies.
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All I have to say about that is that in the Bible most of his laws refer to the body’s well being and that is apparently important. It says that this taboo form of expression is a continuation of pagan beleifs. It is like the ashera poles in Israel of the old testiment, in time leads generations astray.
 
Yes, our bodies DO go to Heaven!
That is, they will. :yup:
[Or, to Hell…]

Think over the Apostles’ Creed again, please! (cf. the penultimate article)
Or read I Corinthians 15…
 
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tjmiller:
Yes, our bodies DO go to Heaven!
That is, they will. :yup:
[Or, to Hell…]

Think over the Apostles’ Creed again, please! (cf. the penultimate article)
Or read I Corinthians 15…
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I just read that chapter, it says we will have two differ bodies one of Earth and the other of heaven. 1 Cor. 15:35-16:1, it clearly states a new body in heaven then in Earth.
 
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BryPGuy89:
To begin in Genesis God’s laws had not been givin to the people, so that would mean that verse doesn’t apply to our conversation.
As to a verse addressin tatoos Lev 19:28:
Do not cut your bodies for the dead or put tatoo marks on yourselves. I am the Lord.
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If someone is getting a tatto as a form of ancestor worship or to mark themselves for the dea then yes, tattos are wrong. No one here is doing that.

By the way do you wear garmets with only one type of material, no mixing of cotton or rayon. I ask because in the same chapter verse19 it states that you should not “Put on a garment woven with two different kinds of thread” Also I would imagine that verse 26 would keep us from eating rare steaks It says “Do not eat meat with the blood still in it.” All this is from the same chapter. What rule does one use to decide which verses aren’t applicable in today’s world? If tattoing is wrong based on a verse in chapter 19 of Leviticus then why not follow all the verses?
 
By “heavenly body”, St. Paul refers to the human body in its resurrected, immortal state. Catholic teaching is clear that the just will enjoy the beatitude of heaven in their souls reunited to their bodies, which will be reconstituted in a perfect - i.e., heavenly - state. See the Catechism on the Catholic Church on Article 11 of the Apostles’ Creed: ‘I Believe in the Resurrection of the Body’ (988-1019).

As for tattoos, I imagine that they will not be present on the resurrected body, no more than will ordinary scars, for example.
 
This question has been asked soooooooooo many times. I also have a tattoo and find these answers interesting, however on EWTN Father Levis always has the same answer:

“Your body is a temple for the Holy Spirit, it would be like someone who would graffiti all over a church building, most of us would not appreciate it”

I would like to think a christian symbol would be accetable however its a matter of opionion really. :cool:
 
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tjmiller:
By “heavenly body”, St. Paul refers to the human body in its resurrected, immortal state. Catholic teaching is clear that the just will enjoy the beatitude of heaven in their souls reunited to their bodies, which will be reconstituted in a perfect - i.e., heavenly - state. See the Catechism on the Catholic Church on Article 11 of the Apostles’ Creed: ‘I Believe in the Resurrection of the Body’ (988-1019).

As for tattoos, I imagine that they will not be present on the resurrected body, no more than will ordinary scars, for example.
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Thank you. 👍
 
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Myangel:
This question has been asked soooooooooo many times. I also have a tattoo and find these answers interesting, however on EWTN Father Levis always has the same answer:

“Your body is a temple for the Holy Spirit, it would be like someone who would graffiti all over a church building, most of us would not appreciate it”

I would like to think a christian symbol would be accetable however its a matter of opionion really. :cool:
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Technically, the paintings in the Sistene Chapel could be considered graffiti and I certainly appreciate those works.😛
 
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deb1:
Technically, the paintings in the Sistene Chapel could be considered graffiti and I certainly appreciate those works.😛
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Good point 👍 I guess it really does come down to what type of tattoo one gets, if it has spiritual meaning, I cant anything wrong with it!
 
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