Would tattoos offend a traditionalist Catholic?

[GodIsSalvation]

Godefridus, I can really sympathize with you because I am in situation similar to yours - hopelessly in love with a beautiful SSPX girl. I can tell you for a fact that she was not happy when I got back from Iraq and told her I was going to get a unit tattoo. However, I can tell you from experience that if you talk to her candidly about why you want to get it and what it means to you, she’s likely to be very understanding, if not very, happy with your decision. Best of luck in working it out.

 

[LilyM]

If you got it before 1962…no.

Only if it’s in Latin

 

[bbarrick8383]

Stop! Put down the tattoo needle, and step back!

Tattoos are stupid and sleazy, and having one WILL make a lot of people (Catholic and non-Catholic) think that you’re dumb or scum or both. Sorry tattoo fans, but that’s the truth.

Now, some might say, ‘Be a rebel! If you want it, go for it! What do you care what other people think?’ Obviously, that mentality is inapplicable in your case, because if you thought that way, you wouldn’t have asked this question in the first place.

Dont be so ignorant.

But, you should not have to ask if you should get a tattoo or not. Personally, I do not like to see them on people. But I have two, that you can not see. I do not go around showing them to people, I showed only my closest friends when I first got them. If you get a tattoo, do not get it for the “cool” effect, get it because it means something to you. One is on my upper arm and the other is just behind it on my back.

I know some very classy, traditional women with tattoos as well that you do not know about unless you know them.

 

[LarryRay]

Dont be so ignorant.

How exactly am I ignorant? Please enlighten me.

When I say that a lot of people view tattoos as trashy, I am merely stating a fact – though, obviously, an uncomfortable one for some of the folks who have tattoos. Sorry, but the truth hurts sometimes.

 

[EnchantedEve]

Hello, I thought I would share my personal tale.

I was raised in the Novus Ordo, my wife was baptized but then never again went to church. She received a rather large tattoo on her back and I must confess it is rather gruesome. But as one person posted earlier, her viewing it as a youthful folly she would not repeat helped me to accept it, though I have no idea how the SSPX church we attended would have reacted. BTW, we are extremely ultr-traditional now, so while it is something she can possibly live with, do you really want your beloved to say “Oh, I guess I can live with that.” I know I want her to be as thrilled as possible with me, and I do not think that is your desire to disapoint, or risk disappointing her. Besides, it says in Leviticus we may not mark or "mutilate (i.e. pierce) ourselves in anyway. So her opinion is kind of superfalous to the fact you probably should not do it anyway. Hope this helps!

 

[brigid12]

Well, my personal opinion is that a tattoo is self-mutilation. Besides that, it won’t help you get a job in the future (which would definitely effect your beloved), unless the only people hiring are from your own generation. Yes, there are some late baby-boomers that have tattoos, but not too many. My daughter (just under 30 now) used to have all sorts of piercings, but had to let them close up in order to be hired and keep her job. Her tattoo is only visible when she is partially undressed, so isn’t a problem for work, however I wouldn’t be at all surprised if she wishes it weren’t there in a few years (maybe even now :ehh.

 

[bbarrick8383]

Tattoos are stupid and sleazy,

Now, some might say, ‘Be a rebel! If you want it, go for it! What do you care what other people think?’ Obviously, that mentality is inapplicable in your case, because if you thought that way, you wouldn’t have asked this question in the first place.

If you met me on the streets you would not think that I would even have a tattoo, much less two of them. Not all tattoos are stupid and sleazy, I happen to know many Vietnam Vets that I respect that show their service to this country by displaying tattoos of the Unit in which they were part of. Those are the only tattoos that I do not mind seeing displayed.

Some tattoos are stupid and sleazy, but you ignorantly lumped everyone with a tattoo into a stupid and sleazy category.

If I shared my tattoos with you and what they were(which I rarely do with anyone) then you might have a different opinion.

There are many people who have tattoos done in memory of a lost child or someone close, but according to you they are stupid and sleazy.

 

[brotherhrolf]

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.

After I had graduated from high school, I spent two years running a cash register at a national drug store on Canal St. in New Orleans. It’s hot in the South and most people wear short sleeves. What do you think about numbers visible on inside left forearms on males and females?

I had a colleague at work who served in the Navy during WWII. He wasn’t Catholic and had gotten a hula girl tatooed on his tricep which probably “wiggled” nicely when he was younger and vibrant. It was not a nice sight on a man in his mid-70s.

My oldest son has moved home at age 27. He came into the house Wednesday from the studio apartment out back. It was hot and he was dressed in a “u” shirt, pj bottoms, and a robe. I asked him why the robe. He stated that he did not want to upset me with the sight of tatoos on his shoulders. He was right.

I’ve already been taken to task for my statements on these forums four years ago by a
young woman who no doubt considered me a caveman from the paleolithic. Guess what? I am.

 

[ncjohn]

I’ve already been taken to task for my statements on these forums four years ago by a
young woman who no doubt considered me a caveman from the paleolithic. Guess what? I am.

Maybe to some, but if so you’re one of the nicest cavemen I’ve encountered.

I’m not a big fan of either tatoos or piercings, especially piercings (other than for earings), but they’re not real high on my priority list. I do remember the grafiti on the temple analogy though, brother! Your nuns must have come from the same school mine did.

 

[Volodymyr_988]

After I had graduated from high school, I spent two years running a cash register at a national drug store on Canal St. in New Orleans. It’s hot in the South and most people wear short sleeves. What do you think about numbers visible on inside left forearms on males and females?

If the numbers mean what I think you mean…:crying::nope::bighanky:

I have had the pleasure of dissecting a man who left his body to the Gross Anatomy lab. His tattoos looked like navy blue blobs on his arms at the time. Also, I have had patients who were in their 60s and 70s who had tattoos that also looked like navy blue blobs.

Think about what those things are going to look like when you get old.:sad_yes:

 

[brotherhrolf]

Maybe to some, but if so you’re one of the nicest cavemen I’ve encountered.

I’m not a big fan of either tatoos or piercings, especially piercings (other than for earings), but they’re not real high on my priority list. I do remember the grafiti on the temple analogy though, brother! Your nuns must have come from the same school mine did.

Why thank you Brother John! Oldest son has piercings too. Lip and ears. I tried my best.

Volodymr - the numbers mean what you thought - Nazi concentration camp survivors. I can see the tatoos in my mind’s eye even today.

 

[brigid12]

Volodymr - the numbers mean what you thought - Nazi concentration camp survivors. I can see the tatoos in my mind’s eye even today.

Yes, when you mentioned those tattoos I felt a huge lump in the pit of my stomach. Yes, nazis didn’t mind graffitti on the temple

 

[LarryRay]

There are many people who have tattoos done in memory of a lost child or someone close, but according to you they are stupid and sleazy.

My heart breaks for any parent who loses a child, and I mean that sincerely. I’m very sympathetic to a parent who wants to honor the memory of a lost child, but that doesn’t mean that everything that is done for that purpose is necessarily appropriate or classy. I have the right to my opinion regarding tattoos.

 

[bbarrick8383]

My heart breaks for any parent who loses a child, and I mean that sincerely. I’m very sympathetic to a parent who wants to honor the memory of a lost child, but that doesn’t mean that everything that is done for that purpose is necessarily appropriate or classy. I have the right to my opinion regarding tattoos.

Opinions, just like tattoos…sometimes can be sleazy and make a person look like scum as well.

 

[Alexius]

The response toward tattooing varies from culture to culture. In many ways, a lot (but not all) tattoos are connected to gangs, bikers and (forgive the expression) “white trash.” This is a common image that most people have in their mind. In other countries, such as Ethiopia, there has been a long tradition of religious tattooing. People there don’t get tattoos with “I love mom” on their arm, they get crosses. Even many women tattoo their forehead and around their neck and this is a symbol of religious piety and pride. In Egypt, many Coptic men tattoo a small (very small) cross on the bottom of the wrist on their right arm. This has many meanings, but especially to identify that they desire a Christian burial. The other meaning is to remind them of Christ’s suffering and the piercing of the nail through his wrist. I am not against tatoos such as crosses, but I don’t like the other kinds.

Throughout Church history, the attitude of the fathers toward tattoos has varied. Some accepted small crosses as these were pious, but they rejected other tattoos as “Pagan” (no, I don’t mean the Pagan motorcycle gang, though they are pagan ). Some fathers rejected tattoos outright. The earliest tattoos seem to have been forced, not unlike the ones put on those in Nazi concentration camps. These were unusually given in the form of a cross on the forehead. After the persecution of Christians ended, many people continued to have these tattoos done as a sign of their religious dedication even unto death. During the early Middle Ages, many pilgrims traveling to Jerusalem had crosses tatooed on to their palm or wrist. This was again, a sign of piety and proof of the pilgrimage they made (remember, their were no airplanes, so the trip was very treacherous). Crusaders likewise carried on this tradition, some receiving full-size crosses on their chest or small crosses on their palm or wrist…This is all off the top of my head, so take it how you will.

This is ultimately your decision to make, but I strongly suggest (as others wisely have)that you talk with the princess about this first. It might be best to bring it up informally such as asking how she feels about body art, rather that say that you want to get a tattoo. After all, a tattoo is not worth getting if it means losing someone so special…

Prayers and petitions,
Alexius

 

[LarryRay]

Opinions, just like tattoos…sometimes can be sleazy and make a person look like scum as well.

Absolutely. Some folks thinks that tattoos are sleazy. And some folks think that folks who think that tattoos are sleazy are sleazy. The reality that these viewpoints exist should not be ignored by someone contemplating the acquisition of a tattoo.

 

[daughteroftruth]

I know I’m gonna get figuratively slapped for this, but here it goes:

I love a man with a tattoo, especially if it’s religious and on the back of the right shoulder, not too big, not too small.

I know, I know drops head in shame

 

[deb1]

I know I’m gonna get figuratively slapped for this, but here it goes:

I love a man with a tattoo, especially if it’s religious and on the back of the right shoulder, not too big, not too small.

I know, I know drops head in shame

Don’t be ashamed. A lot of very religious people on this forum have tattoos. I know I have been in discussions with them when tattoos have come up.

People are merely expressing their views on this thread. I have stayed off because I don’t feel this is a thread on whether tattoos are good or bad but rather if this young man’s girlfriend would find them offensive.

 

[daughteroftruth]

Don’t be ashamed. A lot of very religious people on this forum have tattoos. I know I have been in discussions with them when tattoos have come up.

People are merely expressing their views on this thread. I have stayed off because I don’t feel this is a thread on whether tattoos are good or bad but rather if this young man’s girlfriend would find them offensive.

Well, like her, I’m pro-SSPX, but I think she might find them offensive. Of course, she could be awesome like me and be thrilled at the prospect! I know I would be if my bf decided to get Our Lady of Sorrows, or the Crucifix, or something of that nature on his back.

 

[LordNecro]

If she’s shallow enough to care about that, she’s not as perfect as you’re thinking. Don’t get too involved with someone uptight enough to get stressed about this.

Tattoos are fun, and the technology they use these days are much better than they were 10, 20 etc years ago so they will last longer and fade slower.

That said, in the kindest possible way, I think your tattoo design is rubbish. Spiritual tattoos are great, I have an Japanese Koi carp which I have Christianized. We did it to Christmas, Easter and so forth, so I see know problem in taking what is effectively a Japanese pagan symbol for Jesus! If you really like what you’ve done, go for it. I don’t like it, but who on Earth am I?

If this is your first tattoo, and you decide to go through with it, message me. I have tats and am good friends with a tattoo artist, so I know from him and from experience what to look out for in terms of how to find a decent artist, studio hygiene and so forth. Don’t go with the first chump you find.