Would tattoos offend a traditionalist Catholic?

[HollyDolly]

:coffeeread:Why don’t you ask her what she thinks of the idea.
I’m not that fond of them, though if they are very well done, they can even be artistic.
However you need to find a good tatto artist that runs a clean shop and sterlizes their instruments they use for tattooing.Health risks you know.
I guess the reason I’m not fond of them is because of my parents.My mom and dad belonged to a different generation. My dad was a vetran of three wars,WW2,korea and VietNam, and had no tattos what so ever. For them,especially my dad, tattos were something respectable folks didn’t get. Tattos were reserved for criminals, carnys,etc.
back when they grew up in the 1920s and 30s.

I don’t know how old the priest is, but he might be thinking along the same lines as my parents, plus since God made us in His image, why do you need to alter it.

However, I will tell you this.I would much rather see a real nice looking tatto, then all these piercings people stick in their nose, eyebrow,etc.Those are disgusting, and to me more for a savage in Paupa New Guinea or some place with the bone in thier nose, etc. not supossedly civlized men and women.Though I wonder because of the way we act, if those primitive people aren’t more civilized than us.

 

[tampasteve]

more for a savage in Paupa New Guinea or some place with the bone in their nose, etc. not supposedly civilized men and women.Though I wonder because of the way we act, if those primitive people aren’t more civilized than us.

Civilization is a relative term. People from Papua New Guinea are no less civilized than the rest of us, thinking otherwise is very a ethnocentric way to view the world. And using the word “savage” to describe a whole society is demeaning, in the least. A good read that goes in depth into the development of “civilization” is "Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies " by Jared Diamond. It is a relatively long book, but it is written well and a fascinating read.

Steve

 

[thunderballs75]

I am very traditional and I don’t find tattoos offensive. Just be sure they are covered during Mass please!

 

[ncstevem]

Funny story which illustrates the point I made earlier in this thread.

As I previously stated, those who desire or have a tattoo(s) fall into one or more of the following: immature, fadish (which is just another way of saying immature), unintelligent or low-rent.

I graduated from college in 1984 - several years before the tattoo fad began. I was dumb (immature) enough to join a fraternity during my time in school and returned for a reunion in 1990 or '91. By then the guys wearing earring fad was in high gear. The guys I went to school with and those who preceeded me looked at these undergrads currently in the fraternity and laughed at them. We busted their chops the whole weekend. It was pretty funny to watch several of them remove their earrings during the course of the weekend.

If they were really that strong in their conviction that earings were a good/manly thing, then they would have continued to wear them. They got them originally because it was the latest fad. Placed in a crowd which ridiculed them for partaking in the fad, they were so insecure about who they were and their decision to wear an earring, they removed them.

Catholicism is Truth - i.e. timeless. Therefore it is completely ‘anti-faddish’. Catholics who are serious about their Faith have no desire to be faddish.

Tattoos are nothing but an immature fad. In the same way those who begin smoking in their teens and later regret it, those who get tattoos because it is a fad, often later regret it because it projects who they are (were) in an unflattering way. We all are immature during our youth and some never grow out of their immaturity. Advertising that immaturity by getting a tattoo is not a wise thing to do.

 

[Mike_Searson]

Funny story which illustrates the point I made earlier in this thread.

As I previously stated, those who desire or have a tattoo(s) fall into one or more of the following: immature, fadish (which is just another way of saying immature), unintelligent or low-rent.

I graduated from college in 1984 - several years before the tattoo fad began. I was dumb (immature) enough to join a fraternity during my time in school and returned for a reunion in 1990 or '91. By then the guys wearing earring fad was in high gear. The guys I went to school with and those who preceeded me looked at these undergrads currently in the fraternity and laughed at them. We busted their chops the whole weekend. It was pretty funny to watch several of them remove their earrings during the course of the weekend.

If they were really that strong in their conviction that earings were a good/manly thing, then they would have continued to wear them. They got them originally because it was the latest fad. Placed in a crowd which ridiculed them for partaking in the fad, they were so insecure about who they were and their decision to wear an earring, they removed them.

Catholicism is Truth - i.e. timeless. Therefore it is completely ‘anti-faddish’. Catholics who are serious about their Faith have no desire to be faddish.

Tattoos are nothing but an immature fad. In the same way those who begin smoking in their teens and later regret it, those who get tattoos because it is a fad, often later regret it because it projects who they are (were) in an unflattering way. We all are immature during our youth and some never grow out of their immaturity. Advertising that immaturity by getting a tattoo is not a wise thing to do.

Well you know what they say about opinions…

 

[nmoerbeek]

Funny story which illustrates the point I made earlier in this thread.

As I previously stated, those who desire or have a tattoo(s) fall into one or more of the following: immature, fadish (which is just another way of saying immature), unintelligent or low-rent.

I graduated from college in 1984 - several years before the tattoo fad began. I was dumb (immature) enough to join a fraternity during my time in school and returned for a reunion in 1990 or '91. By then the guys wearing earring fad was in high gear. The guys I went to school with and those who preceeded me looked at these undergrads currently in the fraternity and laughed at them. We busted their chops the whole weekend. It was pretty funny to watch several of them remove their earrings during the course of the weekend.

If they were really that strong in their conviction that earings were a good/manly thing, then they would have continued to wear them. They got them originally because it was the latest fad. Placed in a crowd which ridiculed them for partaking in the fad, they were so insecure about who they were and their decision to wear an earring, they removed them.

Catholicism is Truth - i.e. timeless. Therefore it is completely ‘anti-faddish’. Catholics who are serious about their Faith have no desire to be faddish.

Tattoos are nothing but an immature fad. In the same way those who begin smoking in their teens and later regret it, those who get tattoos because it is a fad, often later regret it because it projects who they are (were) in an unflattering way. We all are immature during our youth and some never grow out of their immaturity. Advertising that immaturity by getting a tattoo is not a wise thing to do.

Kinda hard to call something a fad that has been around for millenniums.

 

[tampasteve]

Funny story which illustrates the point I made earlier in this thread.

As I previously stated, those who desire or have a tattoo(s) fall into one or more of the following: immature, fadish (which is just another way of saying immature), unintelligent or low-rent.

I graduated from college in 1984 - several years before the tattoo fad began. I was dumb (immature) enough to join a fraternity during my time in school and returned for a reunion in 1990 or '91. By then the guys wearing earring fad was in high gear. The guys I went to school with and those who preceeded me looked at these undergrads currently in the fraternity and laughed at them. We busted their chops the whole weekend. It was pretty funny to watch several of them remove their earrings during the course of the weekend.

If they were really that strong in their conviction that earings were a good/manly thing, then they would have continued to wear them. They got them originally because it was the latest fad. Placed in a crowd which ridiculed them for partaking in the fad, they were so insecure about who they were and their decision to wear an earring, they removed them.

Catholicism is Truth - i.e. timeless. Therefore it is completely ‘anti-faddish’. Catholics who are serious about their Faith have no desire to be faddish.

Tattoos are nothing but an immature fad. In the same way those who begin smoking in their teens and later regret it, those who get tattoos because it is a fad, often later regret it because it projects who they are (were) in an unflattering way. We all are immature during our youth and some never grow out of their immaturity. Advertising that immaturity by getting a tattoo is not a wise thing to do.

At least we can all have our own opinions. You do not have to like them, you do not have to allow your family to get one, but to stoop to name calling and stereotyping of people that do is uncalled for. Please do NOT call me, or anyone you know NOTHING about “immature, fadish (which is just another way of saying immature), unintelligent or low-rent.” And on Good Friday non the less.

Steve

 

[ncstevem]

I would suggest that wanting or getting a tattoo today is completely faddish. It will be interesting to see what these tatoos look like when the 20-somethings are 60 and how they proudly display them to their grandchildren.

Those having this mentality don’t look beyond the here and now. They certainly aren’t motivated to get one because of customs from other (previous) cultures.

Nice try though.

 

[tampasteve]

I could agree with you on certain tattoos and their placement - certainly a gorilla on your thigh is a fad that one will tire of. But a distinctly placed mark of your convictions is not something that will fade quickly. I wear my Chi-Rho proudly and it has sparked conversation about my convictions on numerous occasions. I am permanently marked for Christ for all to see anywhere I go. No one can take that from me. Does displaying a sign of Christ signify that I am “low rent” or immature? If it does than I bear that proudly.

Steve

 

[Mike_Searson]

At least we can all have our own opinions. You do not have to like them, you do not have to allow your family to get one, but to stoop to name calling and stereotyping of people that do is uncalled for. Please do NOT call me, or anyone you know NOTHING about “immature, fadish (which is just another way of saying immature), unintelligent or low-rent.” And on Good Friday non the less.

Steve

Hear Hear!
Welcome to the Church, Steve. Hope you have a Happy and Blessed Easter.

 

[daughteroftruth]

I would suggest that wanting or getting a tattoo today is completely faddish. It will be interesting to see what these tatoos look like when the 20-somethings are 60 and how they proudly display them to their grandchildren.

Those having this mentality don’t look beyond the here and now. They certainly aren’t motivated to get one because of customs from other (previous) cultures.

Nice try though.

Interesting opinion, but could you enlighten us as to where the Church condemns a Christian from getting a religious tattoo? Or would you quote a Saint’s condemnation of it?

Not everyone who gets a tattoo gets it to show off. Who cares how it looks at age 60 when the reason wasn’t vanity?

 

[daughteroftruth]

I would suggest that wanting or getting a tattoo today is completely faddish.

Suggest it all you want, as was already pointed out, tattoos aren’t exactly a new thing, and neither is people getting them.

It will be interesting to see what these tatoos look like when the 20-somethings are 60 and how they proudly display them to their grandchildren.

If one got a tattoo for religious reasons (religious art) and not for vanity, why would they care what it looked like 40 years later?

Those having this mentality don’t look beyond the here and now. They certainly aren’t motivated to get one because of customs from other (previous) cultures.

You know the motivations of everyone with a tattoo?

Nice try though.

Agreed.

 

[ncstevem]

You know the motivations of everyone with a tattoo?

Actually if you reread what I wrote then you might understand the point I was making.

My point is that the motivation for todays tattoo crowd wasn’t/isn’t because some in other cultures/time periods got them - as another poster suggested. I maintain that many today are motivated to get them because it is a fad.

 

[Methodi]

I’ve thought about getting one but I doubt I will. Even though I may have an insanely cool Celtic Cross on my arm, that will be hard to explain to my grandchildren or parishioners!

I have tatoos & One of them is a Celtic Cross, But I wouldn`t recommend anyone to get tatooed, I have 5 & I realize how really kind of stupid they are. In summer when i go to mass with short sleeve shirt on I am kind of embarassed by them

 

[daughteroftruth]

Actually if you reread what I wrote then you might understand the point I was making.

My point is that the motivation for todays tattoo crowd wasn’t/isn’t because some in other cultures/time periods got them - as another poster suggested. I maintain that many today are motivated to get them because it is a fad.

I know what point you were making and I still believe it’s wrong. It seems that many tend to get tattoos because of gang associations. Nevertheless, your emphasis hasn’t been on “many,” your statements were rather general, *implying *everyone.

 

[Jacafamala]

Tattoos are Ok, just no clowns…

If you do get a tattoo, make it a little one…
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(Please Note: This uploaded content is no longer available.)

 

[bbarrick8383]

Actually if you reread what I wrote then you might understand the point I was making.

My point is that the motivation for todays tattoo crowd wasn’t/isn’t because some in other cultures/time periods got them - as another poster suggested. I maintain that many today are motivated to get them because it is a fad.

As I previously stated, those who desire or have a tattoo(s) fall into one or more of the following: immature, fadish (which is just another way of saying immature), unintelligent or low-rent.

Well, which one is it…all or many? Wish I knew which category I fit in there, seeing as I run around immaturishly showing my stupid low rent fad off.

You need to loosen up my friend, start small though you might find out there is a whole world out there beyond your nose.

I suggest taking a sip of a non-alcoholic beverage before you move to the hard stuff. Before you know it you may actually be leaving the house one of these days.

 

[Rawb]

The only one, ncstevem, that appears to be acting intelligently or low-rent is you, in your consistently derogatory and rude name-calling and assumptions as to the intelligence and class of people you know absolutely nothing about.

I was joking before when I said some people owed me an apology, but I didn’t know then that grown ups actually acted the way you are behaving now. I’ll take that apology when you’ve realized that you are insulting your Catholic brothers and sisters with no provocation or reason.

I’ll repeat. I am not ‘low-rent’. I am not unintelligent. I am not possessive of low self esteem or have any affiliation with gangs. I am not regretful of my tattoo, and for you to continue to label me such reflects very poorly on you.

 

[Chiltepin]

If you do get a tattoo, make it a little one…
http://epguides.com/FantasyIsland/cast.jpg

Awesome.

Actually if you reread what I wrote then you might understand the point I was making.

My point is that the motivation for todays tattoo crowd wasn’t/isn’t because some in other cultures/time periods got them - as another poster suggested. I maintain that many today are motivated to get them because it is a fad.

Things are getting VERY heated and we all need to chill before this gets shut down or something!

Anyway I think there is some validity to your argument.

I am young-ish (22) and though I will not act on the desire at this time, I am interested in getting a tattoo. In evaluating my own desire to get one I considered that It would be of a religious nature, not in a place that people would see(but also somewhere appropriate for the image) and I would have little reason to tell others that I have it. My initial evaluation was that this could not be motivated by a fad because few would know I even had the thing.

I thought about it a little more and decided that you are right. My attraction to certain religious imagery or artwork as a Catholic is not unusual or particular to this age. Tattoos however, had I been born in another age probably would not be an attractive idea to me. While it would not be to be cool or to fit it, the prevalence of tattoos in the population and in the popular media probably have influenced my view of them in a way that I was not fully aware of.

I would disagree with tattoos overall being a fad. A fad by definition is very short lived. Certain kinds of tattoos might be a fad (tribal style ones, Chinese writing on people who are not Chinese, barbed wire arm bands LOL ) You might say it is in fashion to have them. The current growing acceptability of tattoos is not an irreversible process. It can just as quickly go the other way.

That being said I won’t be getting one any time soon. I would take my own advice a few posts back and invest in a long lasting temporary tattoo. Also, given the way they deteriorate and old skin reacts over time I might wait until I’m 40 or 50(if the world lasts that long) to get one. That gives me a while to gage the attitudes toward tattoos over time.

 

[ncstevem]

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.

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.

Just so you know, I work in sales, travel quite extensively for work and pleasure and generally get out of the house on a fairly regular basis.