Tattoos (Leviticus 19:28)

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Ok, so many posts about tattoos and closed threads galore! In Leviticus 19:28, it says to me outright “no marks, no tattoos!” Yet, I still wonder in our (United States) for-profit prison system, wouldn’t some religious persons need tattoos being stripped of their articles of faith?

In some photo shoots, I’ve seen a lot of worldwide prison tattoos of major religious body art, namely in Russia. Personally, I’ve only thought about the necessity of a tattoo in this regard, such as a scapular tattoo for preservation. As stated, it has nothing to do with crime, it is the fact that police are on offense with 30% more forces in the forms of bounty hunters and collectors of all various kinds. One can be a victim, so must we prepare if this gets worse?
 
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CatholicSpirit said:
Leviticus 19:28
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Actually that passage needs to be interpreted within the story its put. Its put in Leviticus, where God gives the Israelites many laws that they ought to follow in order to differentiate themselves from other people. The church teaches that, as long as its not a tattoo of something demonic or other sinful stuff, people are free to have tatoos. I still dont recommend them though.

When it comes to the prison part, I am not sure what you are asking, but I don’t think prison people wearing religious tattoos goes to show at all if they are religious, or if them going to prison is a by product of religion. Its a bit silly to think that, as many things factor into people going to prison
 
Regarding prison and arrests: Religious items (articles of faith) are stripped from the accused. It is actually insane to think one can be a Christian without considering prison. Have you never seen a crucifix? Never heard of Paul or the beheading of John the Baptist?
 
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Thats not the point I was trying to make. Sorry I was just a bit confused on what the question you were asking actually was. I thought you asked something like "Do all people who go to prison have religious tattoos, and what should we do about them ? "
I guess I misunderstood.
You dont need religious items to be religious. Your prayers,faith,love,rationality are all things inside your human mind that you have. So I would not say people getting stripped from religious items is a bad thing, as some might use them for means of escaping prison.
I never argued that you cant be a Christian and go to prison. I only argued that not every bad person in prison is necessarily religious.
Hope that clears it up. Sorry my bad 😦
 
No need to apologize. It is just sad that we must have this awareness that we live in a society which violates our religious faith upon being accused. Stigma of why a person remains a Catholic given our scandals, all of the rubbish. Not all believe sitting with a bible is satisfactory, as many are enrolled in Scapulars that must be worn until death, and prison death likely occurs more often than prison evasion. They really do have it backwards and perhaps tattoos are the non-confrontational way of handling it because law enforcement cannot obey St. Michael though they flaunt his patronage?
 
Oh I think I understand now. You mean to say if we were to go to prison, people could tattoo themselves when their religious icons/items get taken ? Its a possibility for sure, but then again I will stick to my word and say that It does not matter in the end as long as we have our faith. People will always persecute, and we should take joy in it sometimes, because it means we are not of this world.
 
Well, I certainly respect those who persecuted the son of God as he asked me to. I just certainly wouldn’t erase the martyrdom of a scapular wearer killed in prison and the shame on those who removed it.
 
Tattoos are a form of mutilation and unless necessary, are sinful imo.

A brown scapular tattoo does not qualify as a legitimate brown scapular which must be wool.
 
Scapular medals are also legitimate and not made of wool. Mine is gold.

-Mary Ellen, toc
 
Mary_Ellen said:
Scapular medals are also legitimate and not made of wool. Mine is gold.
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Pius X allowed a medal to take the place of the woollen scapular after one has been enrolled. I’ve wanted a gold scapular medal for years but they’re difficult to obtain in the UK and are very expensive.

On the issue of tattoos, I have several. It is part of my culture and I see no problem with them. We’re no longer under the ritual observances of the law.
 
Thanks for the (name removed by moderator)ut about Pope Pius X! You learn something new everyday! 🙂
 
I just got a tattoo, my first, on Saturday evening. It’s a cross, purple rose, and below it says Proverbs 3:5. My deacon said it was ok to get it as it’s a chance to evangelize.
 
I have two myself. Not because it was part of my culture in my case, but because I was young, thought they were cool, and thought it would be meaningful to have an Ichthus fish on my shoulder. I’ve never especially regretted it, it has led to some interesting conversations, but for the censure I have received from other Christians I do think my existence would probably have been easier had I not had it done!
 
Evangelization is good, probably better than a “mermaid”… Old Testament… You must be very brave…
 
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Leviticus is Old Testament. Apart from the Ten Commandments, we are not bound to follow Old Testament rules. Many good Catholics and Christians have tattoos nowadays. If they are in good taste, well done, and not interfering with a person’s chosen job or career, I see no issue with them.

I would not, however, tattoo a sacramental onto my body to take the place of a real medal or scapular. in the vast majority of cases, that’s unnecessary and inappropriate.
 
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