Tattoos

[duskyjewel]

Plus tattoos look ugly and scream “I am desperate for your attention! Look at me!”

Funny how people take their own thoughts and think they apply to everyone.

Some people who get tattoos want attention. Some are just making a meaningful statement. My DH’s wolf tattoo, normally never seen, relates to his confirmation name of Wolfgang. The only other tattoo he really wants to get is a Chi Rho. These tattoos have everything to do with his Catholic identity. They are statements of faith.

The one I want but don’t have yet is a beautiful mermaid mother cradling her baby, with my children’s names in a circle around it. I have always had a deep connection to mermaid images and lore, and being a mother is my biggest accomplishment and main identity. Like my husband’s, it would be in a place that would rarely be seen… it just means something to me to have it done.

There are pictures beautifying the walls of my church and the tabernacle itself. I feel comfortable beautifying my own temple of the Holy Spirit with pictures if I so choose. And it has nothing to do with wanting anyone to look at me.

 

[Larowyn]

Mine doesn’t, because it’s covered up by clothes 24/7. =) I thought about it for several years AFTER I decided I wanted it – it was not a spur-of-the-moment decision at all. It’s a line of music (the first two measures of Debussy’s ‘Syrinx’) around my hip, and six years later it’s still absolutely beautiful. It means a lot to ME (me being a classical musician), and that’s really the only person whose opinion matters when it comes to my tattoo.

I know of breast cancer survivors who have gotten tattoos to cover their mastectomy scars, turning something painful into something beautiful. I know of military personnel who have insignia tattoos. I know of mothers who have the names of their children tattooed on their body so they can show the world their family, even when that family isn’t with them at the time.

If you don’t like them, then don’t get one. But I don’t think anyone has the right to assume they know why someone else got a tattoo.

That’s ridiculous. Why in the world would you get a tattoo only to keep it concealed from other people? That just defeats the whole purpose of getting one. If you’re not going to look at it and admire it frequently each day and you’re not going to show it off, why have it done? That’s like buying a really nice painting and keeping it wrapped up and stored, forgotten, in the attic.

 

[os_justi]

That’s ridiculous. Why in the world would you get a tattoo only to keep it concealed from other people? That just defeats the whole purpose of getting one. If you’re not going to look at it and admire it frequently each day and you’re not going to show it off, why have it done? That’s like buying a really nice painting and keeping it wrapped up and stored, forgotten, in the attic.

But that would just look ugly and scream “I am desperate for your attention! Look at me!”

I am well aware that many jobs have rules against tattoos – I got mine in a place that can be easily covered in the workplace. Also, it looks awesome where it is. Also, I got it for ME, not for you.

 

[duskyjewel]

That’s ridiculous. Why in the world would you get a tattoo only to keep it concealed from other people? That just defeats the whole purpose of getting one.

It defeats what you think is the purpose of getting one. As I said, there are many other reasons…

 

[Larowyn]

Like what? Why get something that’s meant to be looked at if you’re going to conceal it?

 

[Sam_Maloney]

I think the question ‘is it sinful?’ has been answered.

As for getting something that will perhaps never be seen by anyone except your doctor and your bathroom mirror, it can still mark a personal event; a rememberance of something important; help remind us of who we are, who we want to be, what really matters.

I think you can draw some conclusions from the kind of tattoo people have, but you shouldn’t base it simply on the *fact *of a tattoo.

Those who don’t-- or won’t-- understand: that’s fine, no one is asking you to LIKE tattoos, let alone GET one. Just be careful not to dress your dislikes up in the disguise of universal truth, or assume you know all about someone based on a single bit of information.

 

[Larowyn]

I think that people are getting so defensive over the point of tattoos because I made them realize that they are pointless and they need to convince themselves that they were justified in getting them.

 

[iluvmybabies]

I think that people are getting so defensive over the point of tattoos because I made them realize that they are pointless and they need to convince themselves that they were justified in getting them.

No actually I think people are just getting annoyed by the fact that they made a decision in getting something they wanted, no matter what the conditions or reasons and someone has decided to share a negative opinion about it…I believe everyone has their rights to their opinions as well as everyone has their rights to get as many tats as they want without explanations…
So those who have tats, that’s awesome for you, and those that don’t well that’s awesome for you as well!!! Everyone makes their own choices and it’s rude for people to come up and try to make it seem as if it was something ridiculous…Kind of like doing your hair? What’s the point if in a couple of hours it’s going to be flat? Hello??? No reason for all the negativities’ here, at all…
I was raised, told by my parents that they were a sin and I would go to hell for it, but I found out in this forum that I actaully am not so I am happy to have found that out and shared in this forum…God bless everyone and hope you have a great day!! And an even better weekend!!

 

[Larowyn]

Wow, comparing having a tattoo done to fixing one’s hair is a pretty weak comparison. Everyone sees a person’s hair, so why not make sure it’s not a mess?

 

[duskyjewel]

I think that people are getting so defensive over the point of tattoos because I made them realize that they are pointless and they need to convince themselves that they were justified in getting them.

I think you’re projecting your own defensiveness over the fact that you just don’t understand the reasons some people get tattoos, and your irritation that we refuse to align with your statement of “universal truth” as to why people get tattoos. You truly do not understand this, so just accept that and move on. There are lots of things I don’t understand… I don’t badger the posters on the board trying to force them into my box so that I feel comfortable with what they do… I debate, but when it becomes clear that there is a chasm there we will never cross, I usually drop it. You might do well to consider doing that instead of insisting to all of us that YOU KNOW why we got or want tattoos, when it is so clear that you don’t. And the fact that you still don’t after many people have tried to explain it to you indicates that you are unwilling to open your mind to a different idea than the one you already hold, so further discussion is pointless.

 

[iluvmybabies]

Wow, comparing having a tattoo done to fixing one’s hair is a pretty weak comparison. Everyone sees a person’s hair, so why not make sure it’s not a mess?

Same thing…if I wear a tank top everyone can see my tats…if I wear a short sleeve shirt, or a dress, or a bathing suit everyone can see them too…what’s the difference? NONE!! There are plenty of people that don’t do anything to their hair every morning and still look decent enough…what’s the big deal if someone doesn’t up-do their hair or not…and no it’s not a weak comparison, you are just too stubborn to let something so insignificant go…you are judging and unfortunately that’s not your job… I was being friendly at explaining that everyone has their own opinions and can make their own choices without the need to be judged…

 

[Larowyn]

You’re judging my incredulity of the usefulness of tattoos. If you want a tattoo, get a henna tattoo so you don’t feel like an idiot a few years down the road.

 

[iluvmybabies]

You’re judging my incredulity of the usefulness of tattoos. If you want a tattoo, get a henna tattoo so you don’t feel like an idiot a few years down the road.

And insulting someone is a definite positive way of showing your ignorance towards someone, their choices and decisions as well as their own beliefs and wants!! Thanks for your wonderfully non-judgemental views!! Take care and hope you have a great day!!!

 

[iluvmybabies]

You’re judging my incredulity of the usefulness of tattoos. If you want a tattoo, get a henna tattoo so you don’t feel like an idiot a few years down the road.

Deal with your own issues and quit trying to “make” others see your point…unless you have a tat you will never understand…so move on and get off your high cloud!!! :ehh: :heaven: :whacky: And hope you have a BLESSED DAY!!

 

[duskyjewel]

You’re judging my incredulity of the usefulness of tattoos. If you want a tattoo, get a henna tattoo so you don’t feel like an idiot a few years down the road.

Wow you really are a piece of work. Just remember that every time you point the finger at someone else, there are at least three fingers pointing right back at you…

My grandfather lived into his 70s and never felt like an idiot for all those military tattoos… he was proud of his service and sad over the colleagues he lost… and his tattoos spoke to that. And his grandkids loved it when he would make the “birdies” (eagles) on his chest “fly.”

 

[Larowyn]

Tattoos are trendy these days, so once the novelty wears off other people may be more receptive to constructive criticism about it. Until then I’ll have to cope with judgmental people who get angry because other people know what mistakes they’ve made and don’t like it. It’s funny how I’m told I can’t say anything about tattoos until I get one myself; people tell me all the time that I can’t say that it’s wrong to have premarital sex until I’ve tried it. I get this kind of **** all the time, so the CAF chapter of the Self Righteous Anti-Dissenters League isn’t doing anything I haven’t seen before.

What? I can’t say ****? I feel bad for John *******, the man who was credited with inventing the flush toilet.

 

[rolltidefan]

iluvmybabies…I wouldn’t even waste my time to get upset and argue with some people. What judgemental people don’t understand is that what they say usually goes in one ear and out the other because people see their heart. Not only do we see it, but God see it. I would NEVER judge anybody or even make such strong statements about anybody getting a tat or anything else for that matter. I agree that a tattoo is not going to send you on a road to hell. I hope not, I have one!!! lol Nothing wrong with stating that you don’t like them and they might not look so good when your 80 and in a nursing home, but I don’t think it is a matter of life and death to be so critical about. I just so happen will be very proud of mine no matter what my age. I got mine because my brother suddenly died in his sleep at the age of 26. It is something I have never regreted in 6 years and never will. I did get it on my shoulder, so 95% of the time it is covered up. I only show it if I want. I didn’t get it for everybody to see, I got it for myself. Anyway, just my 2 cents!

BTW Larowyn…your choice of language on a Christian site is much more offensive than any tattoo.

 

[Larowyn]

I think I’m owed an apology. Nothing I have done or said has warranted the harassment and insults I have received here.

 

[duskyjewel]

Until then I’ll have to cope with judgmental people who get angry because other people know what mistakes they’ve made and don’t like it.

The level of presumption in this sentence is so high, NASA couldn’t measure the altitude!

You think anyone who has a tattoo has made a mistake, and you have not only the right, but the obligation to INFORM them of that?! As you know nothing of the people involved, nor of the people you are writing to, how on God’s green Earth can you claim to KNOW they have made mistakes and what those mistakes are? Yipes…

 

[Larowyn]

It goes without saying that a permanent tattoo is a mistake. Why is this so hard to understand?