Tattoos? Are they a sin?

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Darren488

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Would it be a sin to get a tattoo on my back of an ancient Norse symbol? Its also a symbol of an ancient fath but in the Norse culture it means protection… would this be a sin?
 
Darren! What are you thinking !!! :eek:

The sign of Christian protection is the cross which gives us eternal salvation and reminds us of our Baptism.

I don’t have any particular theological view on tattoos as such. I am aware that they are fashionable and trendy among teenagers and personalities. I do think that they deface our bodies and, if crudely executed can be quite ugly, actually. Also, you have to be careful about hygeine or you can get blood poisoning, or worse.I don’t have any tattoos.

This thing about tattoos really surprises me. When I was younger (born in the 1950’s so not that old) the only people who had tattoos were some blue collar, soldiers and sailors (or ex) and delinquents/people who had done time in prison. If you saw a gal with a tattoo (very rare) then they were a certain sort of gal if you get my drift. We call them ‘working girls’ over here - prostitutes.

For Christ’s sake,buck the trend and don’t get a tattoo
 
Darren. I’ve got tattoos on both arms and legs acquired through many years of Military and Police work. I have never thought of them as a sin, although I would feel very uncomfortable displaying them in church. There are biblical passages that condemn the practice in theory, but I don’t think anything is concrete.

Just an aside many Catholics in Ethiopa and the Sudan in Africa have crosses tattooed on the sides of their head. They do it so they will recognize each other in that horrible place. Unfortunately it also makes them easily identifible to the Muslems, with whom they are engaged in brutal warfare. Makes them easy targets. But their belief in the Lord and their Catholic community is so strong, they refuse to stop the practice, saying it is better that they know each other and display their reverence and love of Christ.

My advice to a young person would be think LONG and HARD about it. And if you do get one be pretty sure you can take seeing it everyday for the rest of your life. And whatever you do DON’T LET A FRIEND TATTOO YOU AT HOME
 
Having a tattoo is, to me, not a sin. The problem comes in when you consider the type of tattoo and how many one has. To get you’re whole body covered in tattoos is definately a problem And certain ones could be as well. I’ve always wanted a tattoo. I have ever since I was in the army over twenty years ago. I may yet get one. But I’d definately be picky about what it is and where it would be put.
 
Whatever happened to the body being a temple of the Holy Spirit?
 
While I do not have any tattoos, I don’t necessarily think having one is a sin. Someone told me the story of the first soldier wounded in Afghanistan. It is against military regulations to wear something around your neck other than your dogtags. He was devoted to the Blessed Mother and wore a rosary as a sign of his devotion to her. Since he could no longer do this he had one tattooed on him. The one thing I can tell you though is if you want to be buried in a Jewish cemetary - tattoos are :tsktsk:
 
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buffalo:
Whatever happened to the body being a temple of the Holy Spirit?
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It would still be a temple, except it would have graffiti on it.
 
Catholic Dude:
It would still be a temple, except it would have graffiti on it.
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And what do we usually do to graffiti?

Many get tattoos because of insecurity, believing that a tattoo will somehow improve their image.

What is it that you are trying to broadcast about yourself? And why?
 
buffalo-
And what do we usually do to graffiti?
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Even gangster graffiti isnt nearly as bad as tattoos. In this case its worse because it cant be removed easily. The thing I hate the most about tattoos is those people who think they can put the Cross or some other Christian symbol on their body and still think its a “Christian” thing to do.
Many get tattoos because of insecurity, believing that a tattoo will somehow improve their image.
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Yes! This thread reminded me of the men with earrings thread.
What is it that you are trying to broadcast about yourself? And why?
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I dont have any foreign objects on my body except a shirt and pants.
 
I have tattooes, I want them gone, They cause me to burden others in judgement and presumption, They are scars to me, battle scars. They are thorns I havent been able to get rid of.
Tim
 
Tattoos really shouldn’t be taken so seriously. If the person who got the tattoo likes it, they shouldn’t be judged for having one. And concerning tattoos with Christian symbols, I don’t see any problem with them. I have a sacred heard, a celtic cross and a sign of the fish, and though some older adults look at them judgingly, most people like them. There are times, of course, that I wish they wouldn’t draw so much attention, and I don’t feel right about showing them in church. But I don’t think having them is a sin. A person should definitely think deeply before getting a tattoo. Many of my Christian friends have tattoos. One guy I know got a tattoo when he quit drinking, and everytime he sees it, he is reminded of his commitment. Whatever reason a person has for getting a tattoo, it’s usually very personal. Try to not judge people based on their tattoos. And remember that even tattoos that seem very inappropriate, and perhaps even demonic could be worn by a person who has since converted to the faith. They can be very visible signs of a difficult past.
 
If you take the bible literally than it is most certianly a sin, but as a Catholic I find Sola Scriptora to be ludacrist.

Lev 19:26 You shall not eat with blood. You shall not divine nor observe dreams.
Lev 19:27 Nor shall you cut your hair roundwise: nor shave your beard.
Lev 19:28 You shall not make any cuttings in your flesh, for the dead: neither shall you make in yourselves any figures or marks. I am the Lord. (DRB)

Note that the tattoos are linked with “cuttings in your flesh, for the dead” this does not seem to be an act of sorrow or mourning, but taking v26 as a clue it seems to be an act of necromancy. As decoration I see no problem with Tat’s but as a good luck charm, or for protection or any other similiar reason I think that they would be sinful as it would be placing trust in something other than God and the Cross of Christ
 
Tatoos are a permanent reminder of a passing fad or temporary feeling. Nothing worse that an old faded tatoo on wrinkly old skin … (gag)
 
As others have said, think about what you would be doing. A tattoo is practically permanent, painful, and un-natural. Since the Bible seems to be against tattoos, I am naturally inclined to oppose them. However, it it also true that intentions are often as bad as actions.

Ask yourself this: “Do I need a tattoo on my body? Would it help me to glorify God?”

You should concentrate mostly on improving your spiritual rather than physical appearance, because your spirit is the most important thing you have.
 
Everyone has made some valid points. We should not judge. I never in all my years thought I would ever get a tattoo but I did about 10 years ago. It has my seven children’s names on hearts surrounding my arm. It is only visible when I remove my shirt. I am proud to have their names there. It is an individual’s choice. I can honestly say that I wouldn’t feel ashamed of telling Jesus I had done this. If you feel it is wrong, don’t do it. Nothing in excess is good, so be careful and tasteful and be honest with yourself. Take care, Pray hard 🙂
Joe
 
I’ve always wanted a tattoo, but hate needles! So I’ll probably never get one…
 
TOP said:
I have tattooes, I want them gone, They cause me to burden others in judgement and presumption, They are scars to me, battle scars. They are thorns I havent been able to get rid of.
Tim
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So true, so true. I recieved my first tattoo shortly after I turned 18 and it was the stupidest thing I have ever done. I was in a lot of pain emotionally and used to cut myself so I got a tattoo of a cut with blood running down it. Now I completely regret it. Of course, I didn’t learn my lesson the first time; I had to go get another tattoo. Which is in an extremely innapropriate place and I also regret very much. However, some people do not regret their tattoos. My advice would be to wait until you’re 50 🙂 … When you’re young, you think you know who you are and how you’re going to be for the rest of your life, but that changes. Drasticly.
Christy_Beth said:
Having a tattoo is, to me, not a sin. The problem comes in when you consider the type of tattoo and how many one has. To get you’re whole body covered in tattoos is definately a problem And certain ones could be as well. I’ve always wanted a tattoo. I have ever since I was in the army over twenty years ago. I may yet get one. But I’d definately be picky about what it is and where it would be put.
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It could just be me, but this reply seems like when teenagers ask how far is too far (sexually). They are trying to get as close to sin as possible without actually sinning. I have two tattoos so I am not condemning anyone. I regret my decision to get them. I ask myself, “If Jesus were here today would he get a tattoo?” I don’t know exactly what Jesus would do, but I don’t belive that he would get one or condone it. I believe that one tattoo is just as bad as your whole body being covered in them. Once again… I am not condemning.

Bri
 
Yes, the body is a temple.

Are ear piercings sinful? How about three piercings on the ears? Or what about an eyebrow piercing? At what point would this be considered defacement of the temple? Who is to say that one earring per ear is not sinful, but an eyebrow ring is? I believe this issue is left to the conscience of each person to decide. Perhaps at one point, ear piercings were not the norm either, and these were assumed to be sinful.

While it is true that tattoos are seen by some as rebellious or a cry for attention, most young people today, at least the ones that I know, do not see them as such. Tattoos are much more common than they were fifty years ago, and these days most people would not assume someone had emotional issues or a rebellious attitude just for having a tattoo.

To say that getting a tattoo is sinful, or “nearly” sin, is a very bold statement, considering most people’s mothers, wives, and daughters have pierced ears and are not hassled for that.
 
Tattoos are self- mutilization. Multiple piercings can be as well. They are both on the sinful side because they are vanity and pride.

If we are to conform to Jesus Christ and His most Blessed Mother–how would they act and how would they treat their bodies?

Can you imagine Our Lady piecing her tongue or getting a tramp stamp? Can you see Our Lord wasting time and money in planning a permanent scarring on His body for the sake of vanity?

No.

They are not a good idea and to not further the soul towards heaven–you know.
 
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