Would tattoos offend a traditionalist Catholic?

[bbarrick8383]

Maybe you should get some glasses that allow you to see further then.

 

[PJM]

=CrackerJackie;5024553]Necro gives good advice regarding your choice in artist and cleanliness of shop. I have several, each one meaning something to me, and only me. I also have a piercing. I do these things for me. I do not show them unless I want to, and if someone asks the meaning of any of them, I tell them they are free to discern their own meaning, especially if they are not tattooed and say it with a sneer.

On a side note, I find it curious that throughout this forum, Catholics discuss that Jesus’ coming fulfilled prophesy and we as Christians aren’t bound by the Old Testament. But, in this thread, Leviticus (19:28 " Do not cut your bodies for the dead or put tattoo marks on yourselves. I am the LORD.") is referenced. To quote one of my favorite Saturday Night Live characters, “How convenient.” (Yes, I know I’ll be taken to task for that remark, but it doesn’t wash with me…can’t have it both ways…either men should grow their beards, we should cover our heads, boys should be circumcised, we should still give burnt offering to God, or not.)

Talk this over with your girlfriend. If she would be offended, then you have to decide which is more important to you, the woman or the ink.

Good luck in your decision.

Reply to the #1 OP

It would depend on the size, location and content. If its intended to offend, it generally will.

I’m personaly not in favor of them, but see it in this day and age" as a personal choice. If done professionally, there seems to be almost no risk to health. So if not intended to offend, I doubt that its a sinful practice, except for the MOST PURE of Heart. Intent, is the issue.

Body piercing could be a different matter? One may wish to discuss it with ones Confessor B4 doing it. Still in some cultures it is quite acceptable, even expected. Again intent is the “key.”

Catholic believe in the Old Testament and it is still binding on us. But we are now “under GRACE, no-longer under the old law.” (Rom.6: 12-15) Everything in the Old Testament leads to and is perfected in the New Testament. Thus one must take care in applying OT law to the present times of GRACE.

So would Jesus approve of Tat’s? I think not. It is messing with His Created Masterpiece.

But, it hardly seems probable that it is a Mortal sin? Maybe no sin at-all? Intent!

Love and prayers,

 

[daughteroftruth]

I’ll explain it succintly so you can better understand my point.

All who desire or have tattoos in our culture fall into one or more of the following:

1. They’re immature and do it because others do it, it’s a fad, etc.
2. They’re insecure. Just like those who begin smoking because those around them are doing it.
3. They’re unintelligent.
4. They’re low rent.

So, which do the Saints/Martyrs fall under, the ones who marked themselves for Christ?

Subsequent to the above post I made, another poster claimed that tattoos aren’t ‘fads’ because people from other cultures/times in history have gotten tattoos. My response to that assertion was that most of those who get tattoos in our culture are ignorant of the history of tattooing and few if any use the history of tattoos for wanting or getting one for themself.

Do you realize how “unintelligent” that statement is? Not to mention, contradictory to your above point? One has to wonder if there’s not some insecurity on your part, bashing as you are on “all” (your word) who have tattoos…

 

[daughteroftruth]

So would Jesus approve of Tat’s? I think not. It is messing with His Created Masterpiece.

Yet He approves of the Saints scourging themselves…If He doesn’t approve of tattoos, it’s a sin no matter the intent.

 

[Mike_Searson]

I’ll explain it succintly so you can better understand my point.

All who desire or have tattoos in our culture fall into one or more of the following:

1. They’re immature and do it because others do it, it’s a fad, etc.
2. They’re insecure. Just like those who begin smoking because those around them are doing it.
3. They’re unintelligent.
4. They’re low rent.

1. They don’t care what sheltered immature milqutoste fratboys think.

 

[Chiltepin]

Just so you know, I work in sales

Ooooooooooooh gotcha.

Guys, he’s cranky because he has a job in sales. I’ll explain it succinctly.

All who desire or work in sales in our culture fall into one or more of the following:

1. Yeah I’m not really going to create a list.

 

[Rawb]

All who desire or have tattoos in our culture fall into one or more of the following:

1. They’re immature and do it because others do it, it’s a fad, etc.
2. They’re insecure. Just like those who begin smoking because those around them are doing it.
3. They’re unintelligent.
4. They’re low rent.

So which, ncstevem, do I belong to? I have a tattoo, and as you have no problem judging people based on more information than that you should find it no trouble to categorize me. Enlighten me as to whether I’m immature, insecure, unintelligent, or low-rent.

Or, realize that there is more honor in admitting that you made a hasty assumption, uninformed judgment, and are wrong, then in continually clinging to an obvious falsehood as if it were a cherished toy from your childhood.

Having said that I take my leave, and shake the dust from my sandals at you ncstevem. This thread brings out an uncharitable side of me, and we have duties to avoid near occasions of sin.

 

[Beau_Ouiville]

I attended Catholic schools from 1956 - 1969. In all that time, brothers, sisters, teachers taught us that the body was the temple of the Holy Spirit and one does not place graffitti on the temple. This was unfailing teaching. I do not know when such teaching changed.

I was in high school during the same period. One of my instructors was a priest (who went on to be a principal of a Catholic high school) who was a navy veteran. I should have asked him if he had a tattoo.

Around then the most popular one (among Italians for some reason) was the bleeding head of Jesus. At any rate, my father and my brother had tattoos, my father’s included the name of a woman he knew before he met my mom. So be careful.

At this point I have had a tattoo (my fraternity letters) and a pierced ear for 30 years, souvenirs from my days in the avant garde. I now have a bald head, so I tell my kids that with all three I have anticipated fashion.

You should know: Tattoos change with muscle tone! My straight line on my biceps is a hump because I got into weights!

As for their ethical standing, I would say that a modest, respectful tattoo is fine. Just like pierced ears.

 

[francesca_gen]

The tattoo on my ankle is of a stack of books with a steaming coffee cup on top. They’re bright cheerful colors. I’m 42, have had it for ten years, and love it – I’ve been a confirmed bookworm since before kindergarten, and always have tea or coffee on hand, so it’s not as though I’m likely to feel this isn’t “me” anytime soon.

When people see it, I think they’re much more likely to think “nerd” rather than “trash.” It may help that I look like a librarian anyway.

Having said that, I think you should just ask her. You’ve seen there is a huge spectrum of opinion, so she could fall anywhere on it.

Peace,

F

 

[Beau_Ouiville]

I’ll explain it succintly so you can better understand my point.

All who desire or have tattoos in our culture fall into one or more of the following:

1. They’re immature and do it because others do it, it’s a fad, etc.

I was 21 and the only member of my group to do so.

1. They’re insecure. Just like those who begin smoking because those around them are doing it.

See #1 above.

1. They’re unintelligent.

A college fraternity which had a grade point minimum? You statement is inapplicable.

1. They’re low rent.

A college fraternity which claims MLK as a member? Your statement is highly judgmental.

And a tattoo beats a brand any day. I know a gang of college men who are branded, too.