Tattoos and Leviticus

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In Leviticus 18:28, there is a prohibition on marking the body. Does this apply today, for tattoos printed on the skin?
 
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dziadzio said:
In Leviticus 18:28, there is a prohibition on marking the body. Does this apply today, for tattoos printed on the skin?
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No. Tattoos are a matter of individual conscience and prudence. The practice of tattooing specific to Lev 19:28 is attached to idol worship: the cutting (and presumably tattooing) of the body in response to the dead is noted in Scripture (1 Kings 18:28) as an idolatrous custom amongst some groups in the ancient Middle East.
 
In addition to what Bithynian said, Catholics are not bound by any of the rules in Leviticus. If you want to know the current Church teaching on an issue, you should look to the Catechism, not to Leviticus. Leviticus is part of the old covenant that predating the coming of Christ. Christ put in place a new covenant and the old rules no longer bind his church.
 
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The Church does not condemn tattoos, and anything in Leviticus that is not part of the natural law (e.g., condemnation of homosexual acts) no longer binds us under the new covenant.

I do not like tattoos and it is hard for me to understand how they are not a defilement of the temple of the Holy Spirit. That said, the Church does not condemn them and neither do I. In fact, to underscore the fact that Church teaching (or lack thereof) always trumps individual conscience and judgment, I have recently contemplated getting a small tattoo, perhaps a representation of the St Benedict medal or something similar. (I would first have to find an artist who understands Catholic imagery and could “get it right”.) Just an idea I tumble around in my mind.
 
HomeschoolDad said:
it is hard for me to understand how they are not a defilement of the temple of the Holy Spirit
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I think of tattooing largely in the same vein as earrings: they both involve a physical piercing of the skin, but both are considered - within their cultural bounds - to enhance the beauty of the body. Compare it with Solomon decorating the temple with gold, jewels and carved juniper panels (2 Chr 3).

That being said, oftentimes glorification of the body for the honour of God can be confused with glorification of the body for the body’s sake (narcissism is hardly in short supply in this day and age). So prayerful consideration is, as you noted, very important. As an example, I know of several young gentlemen in my parish who in their youth were involved with various gangs and had such tattoos identifying their allegiances. Upon their conversion, they had their tattoos done over with Catholic imagery.
 
Bithynian said:
both are considered - within their cultural bounds - to enhance the beauty of the body.
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That’s only one reason for people to get a tattoo, and often not the major reason.
For example, people who are getting a tattoo in memory of a deceased loved one are not doing it for body beautiful reasons, although of course they’d like the tatt to look like a nice memorial/ reminder and not like a kid scrawled it with a sharpie.
Other people might get a tattoo to remind them of something important in their life, or because it cheers them up to look at the tattoo.
 
As others have said the Catholic Church doesn’t specifically prohibit tattoos. I am in general agreement with Homeschooldad, I don’t like them and don’t see how they glorify God, except for something that displays your religious faith. In all you do, ask am I doing this for God’s glory? Let’s say you get a tattoo of the American flag. Nothing wrong with displaying your patriotism. However, if you don’t have a religious tattoo also, does it mean you love America more than God, because that is what you choose to publicly advertise?

19 Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? 20 For you have been purchased at a price. Therefore glorify God in your body.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20

Saint Paul used sexual immorality as an example in verses that precede 19 & 20, but can also apply to other things like tattoos, over-eating, over-drinking, drug abuse, slothfulness, etc…
 
The ceremonial laws of the Old Covenant are no longer binding but the moral laws are still very much binding.
 
The Ten Commandments are the only OT laws that are still binding.
The Ten Commandments are in Exodus and Deuteronomy. Not Leviticus.
Leviticus is not binding.
 
This still applies to Judaism, but not to Catholicism or Christianity in general.
 
What is the procedure for a convert to Judaism who already has tattoos?
 
I looked in the Catechism of the Catholic Church and went to the “subject index” and found nothing. Do you know how it would be listed, or what section/paragraph number? Ron Stack imapolack@yahoo.com
 
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The removal of tattoos is optional in the case of conversion to Judaism.
 
So Jews can’t get tattoos? That’s a positive for me. I can’t stand tattoos.
 
Well, my father was an offset printer and commercial artist. So, in the near future I plan for him to draw me a small picture of his interpretation of his relationship with my mom.

I’ll frame it. Then when he passes away I’ll take it to a tattoo artist and put it on my left forearm. My dad is my best friend and it will be painful to lose him. So, I’d love his art on my forearm in memory of him.
 
Why would I if I don’t like them or what is the point of your comment?
 
There’s nothing on tattoos in the Catechism because the Church does not teach against them or forbid them.
It’s the same for dozens of other things the Church does not forbid (some of which might be forbidden in Leviticus, for example mixed fiber clothing).
 
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Or pork and shellfish. Imagine Catholic Europe without its tasty pork dishes.
 
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