Tattoo

[Lorrie]

Is there such a kind?

Yes. *

Tell me why, for the purpose of disclosure,did your friend go into the great expense (several hundred dollars) of removing it?

I’m not sure why, I never asked.

I wonder why.There is fun, music , interesting people, and art

I think children aren’t allowed in a tattoo shop because of possible health department rules. Also, if mom or dad is getting a tattoo who is going to be watching the little one? They can’t just jump up at a moment’s notice.

Truthfully, I am curious.I like to know what motivates different people.
But,in the end,as you say,after we exchange our ideas,we may have to leave it at that. Agree to disagree.

Like someone said above, we all spend some money buying things that we enjoy. but some things have more lasting consequences than others.

*I agree. And I definitely like the lasting effects of tattoos, why would I get one if it was only going to last a few days?

 

[Sunflower15]

ok then all…I need a good design for my left leg…maybe a cross, crucifix, or sacred heart…not sure.

any thoughts?

DU

May I suggest that you pray and ask God what exactly would He like you to show to others when they see you? Offer yourself as a gift - a ‘canvas’ for a message of hope, faith & love for others…or of praise to Him…and only proceed after you are certain in your heart that you know the ‘right’ symbol to portray…

Personally, I would like a symbol of the Trinity…I’ve seen the Father holding Jesus on the cross and the ‘dove’ within them…but it’s up to God what He thinks is YOUR message to the world!

 

[Tamsulosin]

I am curious if you know of any priest, saint or Pope that had tattoos done to
proclaim the Lord.
Are sure that is what HE would like you to do?
Talk to your confessor before you go for it,just to be sure you are doing the right thing,
and since you are doing it for God’s sake and to make a religious statement.
It would take only a few minutes, considering the tattoo lasts a lifetime.
If you were to follow my advise, let us know what your spiritual director said.

 

[Lost_Wanderer]

I am curious if you know of any priest, saint or Pope that had tattoos done to
proclaim the Lord.
Are sure that is what HE would like from you to do?
Talk to your confessor before you go for it,just to be sure you are doing the right thing.

Oh for heaven’s sakes. The person’s getting a tattoo not an abortion.

 

[Tamsulosin]

If it were an abortion there would not be a need to ask,since we know the answer.
But go to post #1,he wanted to know what the Catholic Church stand is in relation to tattoos.That was his very question.A priest would answer better than any of us.

 

[Babalu41]

What’s wrong with you people thinking that tattoo’s are alright! God mad it quite clear that you are not to get tattoo’s.

Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print any marks upon you: I am the LORD.
Leviticus 19:28

so i assume you follow all of the levitical laws?

 

[Lost_Wanderer]

If it were an abortion there would not be a need to ask,since we know the answer.
But go to post #1,he wanted to know what the Catholic Church stand is in relation to tattoos.That was his very question.A priest would answer better than any of us.

Priests can be opinionated too.
Seriously, do you really need a statement from the bishop to use your common sense?

What damage have tattoos done that’s comparable to the damage done by abortion, euthanasia, and the rest of other graver moral offenses hm?

 

[Tamsulosin]

You keep bringing the subject of abortions.What do abortions have to do with tattoos?
Stay on topic.

 

[Babalu41]

One day you will face the Lord, and he may ask you what you did with the resources he allowed you to have. You could answer" I sent $100 and fed a hungry child for a month" or"I tattooed myself"

I you want to make a statement use a bumper sticker, and lots of people will see it.
Good luck with your decision

now this is just absurd you have never spent $100 on yourself? are you telling me you live essentially the life of a poor hermit and put all your to feeding the poor? if not this statement is nonsensical because that can be said for anything you have ever spent money on…

i obviously have tattoos, i’m not a jew so i feel no obligation to follow levitical laws which were given to the hebrews a long time ago. i have a memorial tattoo of mary for my son, a few celtic symbols on my arms i got from my visit to newgrange, a marine eagle globe and anchor, and stars on my right forearm. i like them well enough never regretted them.

 

[ricmat]

Priests can be opinionated too.
Seriously, do you really need a statement from the bishop to use your common sense?

What damage have tattoos done that’s comparable to the damage done by abortion, euthanasia, and the rest of other graver moral offenses hm?

So you seem to be saying that venial sins are OK, because they’re not mortal sins. Or perhaps you are saying that “the bar” for sin is at the abortion & euthanasia level. Anything less than that is not a sin.

And you also seem to be saying “Don’t talk to your priest about it, because he is not open to my own suggestions about what is sin, and what is not sin (he is opinionated).”

 

[Lost_Wanderer]

You keep bringing the subject of abortions.What do abortions have to do with tattoos?
Stay on topic.

You don’t get my point. I’m simply saying you should think for yourself. Are we really all blind religious sheep that can’t live a second of their lives without self-discernment and have to depend on the clergy to know everything?

So you seem to be saying that venial sins are OK, because they’re not mortal sins. Or perhaps you are saying that “the bar” for sin is at the abortion & euthanasia level. Anything less than that is not a sin.

And you also seem to be saying “Don’t talk to your priest about it, because he is not open to my own suggestions about what is sin, and what is not sin (he is opinionated).”

I’m simply making the comparison for the sake of the argument. Tattoos are a trivial issue compared to what I’ve cited which is why its something you’re better off discerning for yourself without troubling a priest when he’s probably got bigger moral concerns.

 

[Babalu41]

and lastly the folks talking about “vanity” and getting tattoos for “superficial reasons” i hope they aren’t wasting money that can go to the poor of the world on things like make-up getting your hair and nails done, designer clothes or any one of 1000 things you probably do to make your physical appearance more appealing.

 

[Tamsulosin]

I need a straight out answer: are tattoos wrong according to the Church’s official teaching?

DU

This is the original question.I did not pose the question.Snowman started the thread and wants to know the Church’s official teaching on the subject.He is interested himself in the church’s stand.So the priest is the logical person to ask.
If you want to tattoo yourself, and are not concerned with the church’s opinion,be my guest.
We were given free will .Likewise we are entitled to an opinion.
You think that hurting your body for good is “common sense”
Go for it.

 

[Lost_Wanderer]

This is the original question.I did not pose the question.Snowman started the thread and wants to know the Church’s official teaching on the subject.He is interested himself in the church’s stand.So the priest is the logical person to ask.
If you want to tattoo yourself, and are not concerned with the church’s opinion,be my guest.
We were given free will .Likewise we are entitled to an opinion.
You think that hurting your body for good is “common sense”
Go for it.

The problem is this is something the Church really doesn’t have any explicit position so you might as well be going off and asking for an opinion instead of anything binding.

P.S.

Oh and in case you (deliberately or not) missed my first post here. I mentioned temporary tattoos. Putting them on is completely painless.

 

[celticsfan1983]

IF it was sinful, the Catechism would mention tattoos. But it doesn’t, which makes it a personal choice, much like what color shirt to wear or whether you order squash* for dinner.

Please stop trying to make people feel guilty by turning your personal opinions into a new section of the Catechism.

*Had squash jelly today. Good stuff!

 

[ricmat]

IF it was sinful, the Catechism would mention tattoos. But it doesn’t, which makes it a personal choice, much like what color shirt to wear or whether you order squash* for dinner.

Well, you got that wrong. If you think the Catechism enumerates all sins in detail, and that if you can’t find it there, then it’s not a sin…I guess that opens up a lot of doors for you.

In a previous post I quoted from the book we use for Confirmation students (has an imprimatur) which said that tattoos can be sinful in some circumstances. See post number 32.

Here it is again:

In “Introduction to Catholicism” (Didache Series) page 313 it says in the section on the 5th commandment…

“No exterior reason or end justifies the mutiliation of the body. The following conclusions may be drawn:”
…

“The fad of having oneself tattooed could be a mutilation with no necessary or just reason.”

The argument is that today’s society puts too much emphasis on the perfection of the body whilst ignoring the perfection of the soul.

So, I guess the question should be "What is a just or necessary reason for getting a tattoo?"

So - what is the answer to that question?

 

[Tamsulosin]

The problem is this is something the Church really doesn’t have any explicit position so you might as well be going off and asking for an opinion instead of anything binding.

P.S.

Oh and in case you (deliberately or not) missed my first post here. I mentioned temporary tattoos. Putting them on is completely painless.

Lost Wanderer.I must say we finally agree on something.See my post #21,last line.
I also suggest temporary tattos, just for the fun without lasting commitment.

 

[celticsfan1983]

Well, you got that wrong. If you think the Catechism enumerates all sins in detail, and that if you can’t find it there, then it’s not a sin…I guess that opens up a lot of doors for you.

In a previous post I quoted from the book we use for Confirmation students (has an imprimatur) which said that tattoos can be sinful in some circumstances. See post number 32.

Here it is again:

So - what is the answer to that question?

What’s a just reason to do anything fun? Why rent a movie when you can pray? Why order a nice dinner when you can probably survive on beans and rice? Why spend the time to make Kool-Aid when you can drink water?

If tattooing was a serious issue, I think the Catechism would mention it. It mentions other serious issues, so the fact that tattooing is not mentioned probably means that the Church is not against it. Mutilation is more of a physical injury that does the body harm. Tattoos, while you may think they look tacky and could cause sickness, aren’t always going to do that. One could easily make the argument that they beautify the body, which would be the opposite of personal injury.

The fact that you so personally despise ink makes me look at any arguments you present against tattoos with a wary eye.

 

[Lorrie]

I am curious if you know of any priest, saint or Pope that had tattoos done to proclaim the Lord.

I know of a priest that has the Papal cross on his upper arm.

It would take only a few minutes, considering the tattoo lasts a lifetime.

LASER SURGERY. I thought we already discussed this, darling.

You think that hurting your body for good is “common sense” Go for it.

Sigh. I’m not sure what to do with you. Is this simply deep seeded anger because your son got two tattoos? How in the **** is getting tattoos hurting your body?! I don’t understand how someone can have such a one-track mind. I literally don’t get it.

IF it was sinful, the Catechism would mention tattoos. But it doesn’t, which makes it a personal choice, much like what color shirt to wear or whether you order squash* for dinner.

Please stop trying to make people feel guilty by turning your personal opinions into a new section of the Catechism.

Thank you.

You don’t get my point. I’m simply saying you should think for yourself. Are we really all blind religious sheep that can’t live a second of their lives without self-discernment and have to depend on the clergy to know everything?

I’ve wanted to say this on so many different threads. Thank you for having the guts to say it. So tired of the over-analyzing.

 

[workingman]

I don’t think this is a moral issue. I have seen priest and known other pastors who have tats. I have two. One from when I was in the service (usmc) and another from my surfing days a tribal. I am currently working on drawing a third. It is going to start from my chest on the left side and end on my left hand. It will be a rosary coming in and out of the skin. I say do the tat. I do not see how this is a sin especialy if glorifying the faith.