tattoos?

[abhishek92]

i have the word ‘destined’ tattooed across my forearm. i had it done because i believe god made me to achieve something really big…is it a sin, cause my dad thinks so…can anyone help, i would love to have a catholic priest answer my question…

 

[autdrew]

I hope not! After I converted, I got a large Irish cross with a crown of thorns & the word Jesus on my right forearm. It is a visible reminder to myself and shows the world that Jesus is, as I say, “my right hand man” I was told once that tattoos are against God’s command of preserving our body as a temple but couldnt really explain as to why they were against that since we allow other body “modifications” & dont consider them sins.

 

[abhishek92]

he says that ‘our body is god’s holy temple’ and that we cannot desecrate it…i agree but, i don’t think getting something that you really believe in, tattooed on your body is desecration…

 

[Pregustator]

There is nothing in Catholic teaching that supports the notion that it is sinful to get a tattoo. They are, in and of themselves, perfectly harmless.

 

[MerryCatholic]

i asked my priest about it once. and he said tattoos are fine, as long as you cover them up at Mass so as not to cause a distraction.

 

[John_Carlton]

Here’s another thing I’ve wondered about. For one, in the Old Testament tattoos are expressly forbidden. It’s in Leviticus. Can’t remember the verse right and handy and my Bibles are all at home. But what does that mean in light of Christ? I’ve always been confused by His relationship with the law. For what it’s worth, I had the word servant (as in of Christ) tattooed on my left forearm after my Conversion, and then the next day I read in Leviticus that we’re forbidden from getting tattoos, I also know that Jesus stresses personal Salvation as opposed to Pharasaic salvation. If anyone does know I’d be glad to hear your thoughts.

 

[Garyjohn2]

It is in leviticus that says tatoos are forbidden. It also says in the same verse (or the very next one) to obstain from eating blood, and to not cut the corners of your beard.

These are old testament laws deisigned for the Jewish people, to set them apart from the pagans they were living around. I am also not sure exactly how Christ fits in to the old laws, but I know he was the fulfullment of them. Christ said that not one letter of the law will pass away, but still we don’t follow all the old laws since his coming.

I know that this verse in Leviticus is the reason that some people think getting a tattoo is sinful. It has nothing to do with the body as a temple, which is stated in the new testament. (if a temple is decorated permanently with beautiful and religious murals and paintings, why not decorate our bodies in the same way?). I also know that there is no rule in the Church stating that tattoos are sinful in themselves. It depends on what it is depicting.

There are some past posts, especially in “ask an apoligist” that addresses these issues, but I can’t find any posts that expressly addresses why we no longer follow the letter of the old law. I know there is a good reason though.

 

[VetA]

Here’s another thing I’ve wondered about. For one, in the Old Testament tattoos are expressly forbidden. It’s in Leviticus. Can’t remember the verse right and handy and my Bibles are all at home. But what does that mean in light of Christ? I’ve always been confused by His relationship with the law. For what it’s worth, I had the word servant (as in of Christ) tattooed on my left forearm after my Conversion, and then the next day I read in Leviticus that we’re forbidden from getting tattoos, I also know that Jesus stresses personal Salvation as opposed to Pharasaic salvation. If anyone does know I’d be glad to hear your thoughts.

cite the book chapter and verse. i know there is something in there but i would like to see the actual text

 

[Nec5]

To borrow an old Protestant counter to the question of tattoos “Why would you want to mar this beautiful body God has given you?”.

 

[Garyjohn2]

To borrow an old Protestant counter to the question of tattoos “Why would you want to mar this beautiful body God has given you?”.

I would respond, “mar, or decorate?” God has given us beautiful rocks with which to build churches and other buildings of worship. Why would we mar them with stained glass, paintings, and murals?

 

[Garyjohn2]

cite the book chapter and verse. i know there is something in there but i would like to see the actual text

Lev 19:28 (NAB)
“Do not lacerate your bodies for the dead, and do not tattoo yourselves. I am the LORD.”

Looking at this verse, it seems to make total sense, and is very clear. But then again look at verse 19

“do not sow a field of yours with two different kinds of seed; and do not put on a garment woven with two different kinds of thread.”

or verse 27

“Do not clip your hair at the temples, nor trim the edges of your beard.”

Then I say…really? I wish I understood these better. The context of the chapter is God speaking to Moses, to give these commands to the people. Many of them are the same commands given in the 10 commandments, and some are the same as taught by Christ himself. Some of these seem very specific and hard to understand though.

 

[Nec5]

I would respond, “mar, or decorate?” God has given us beautiful rocks with which to build churches and other buildings of worship. Why would we mar them with stained glass, paintings, and murals?

A building is not a person. I would argue that it is not coincidence that the prevalence of tattoos and piercings coincided with a marked decline in morality in the West, a culture which had previously shunned all but female ear rings.

 

[Garyjohn2]

A building is not a person. I would argue that it is not coincidence that the prevalence of tattoos and piercings coincided with a marked decline in morality in the West, a culture which had previously shunned all but female ear rings.

Maybe its a little off topic. I know buildings are not people, but both our bodies and rocks are gifts from God, and beautiful in their natural state. Human art is also a gift from God, and can be used to beautify and honor the gifts we have. I’m just comparing our bodies, the “temple” of our souls, with actual temples. That’s all I’m saying.

 

[VetA]

Lev 19:28 (NAB)
“Do not lacerate your bodies for the dead, and do not tattoo yourselves. I am the LORD.”

Looking at this verse, it seems to make total sense, and is very clear. But then again look at verse 19

or verse 27

Then I say…really? I wish I understood these better. The context of the chapter is God speaking to Moses, to give these commands to the people. Many of them are the same commands given in the 10 commandments, and some are the same as taught by Christ himself. Some of these seem very specific and hard to understand though.

[BIBLEDRB]Leviticus 19:28[/BIBLEDRB]

that seems to be a prohibition against tattooing yourself for the dead, like tattooing as necromancy or something, not a total prohibition against it.