Is getting a tattoo or gettin piercings wrong? r they really wrong? i dont think they are.. but there are many people who think that it is? Is it?

I just recently got my ears done so.... I don't really know.... :)

i dont mean ears...

Oh, you mean eyebrows, nose, lip, tongue, bellybutton and various others?

I say no to those. :)

Don't ask me why.

u need a reason... u cant just say no.. there needs to be a valid reason why u say no to that!

Earrings are jewelry. The others.... are kinda just like mutilation of the skin/body....

i'm still trying to figure out where i stand on this...
tatoos/piercings dont' bug me... i personally don't have any... but i know that my boss won't hire anyone who's got an outrageous piercing or something.. its not the professional look that he wants to portray to his customers.
i think it sorta has somethign to do with your own personal convictions adn wehre you're hearts at... because if you want to get a tatoo or piercing to rebel against something your parents have said, or to try & prove something... then i think you need to rethink what you're doing... but i dunno... still sorting it out.

And, both piercings and tattoos involve pain... :)

but pain isn't always a bad thing though... sometimes you go through something painful and you can really learn a lot through it...

Physical pain. :P

Not emotional, spiritual pain.

Okay, I have 2 really... what's the word... "individual" piercings I guess you could say... I have a barbell going through 2 holes in my ear (Industrial) and a tragus. I don't think that tattoos or piercings are wrong, as long as you don't do it to rebel or something like that... Yes, my church thinks that my piercings are the worst thing in the world but.... I dunno... I like to express my individuality.
(And yes, both my piercings were pretty painful ;))

I Had My Ears Pierced when I was 11 but I end up takeing it out. Mothe leted me to get it done.

I think if your parents let you ( :o) then its ok.

The whole idea is not to go against yer parents wishes, and to obey them.


As a parent I really appreciate that*high five*

Now to the topic..as you guys get to know me you are going to say"man that dude sounds like a broken record" but here goes anyhow....Pray about it!!! ask the Holy Spirit to led you....I cant tell you how many times i have told my own child that but it is always the right way to handle things.
As for if i would get one...in a word no... I read that my body is the temple of the Holy Spirit so i wouldnt get one ...but that is me i wouldnt feel comfortable with either.... but if someone who has one or both tells me that they prayed about getting it and feel comfortable with it then thats good enough for me.
There is one thing to consider....if you need to be prepared to deal with what people say....and if you are a believer to deal with it in a Christlike manner...and its not just believers you will have to deal with....for example I work with a young man who has mulitple piercings and had been turned down for several promotions because management frowns on it.
One more thing....I will leave you with some advice my own dear mama told me years ago...."Pray about it if you still are not sure if its right or wrong...play it safe and dont do it.

God bless

J3

and as far as tattooes...just remember that when you get married and have kids, they'll still be there. and one day your kid(s) may ask you what is that on your arm (for example) - you don't want to be ashamed of it.

if you are gonna mark your body, make sure you really want it because it'll be there....not like hair dye that grows out/washes out.

I think of it this way, my own opinion. But my body is a temple, where God dwells at. Would you go in to a church with a can of spray paint and start spraying the walls with graffiti, or go into a church with gawky nails and just start nailing them half way into the wall? In that same sense, think of your body as the church and tattoo's and piercings as graffiti and big gawky nails. Would you want the church to look like a holy place where God would dwell or rather a worldy place where you cant tell if its a church or a druggie hide out?

** Purg **

if we say that piercings on the eyebrow, lip, tongue, belly button, and other unmentionable locations, are wrong, then what makes the piercing of the ears RIGHT? is it because it's more common?

i think it's hypocritical to say all piercings are wrong except ear piercing.

i only have pierced ears. i don't want piercings anywhere else (sometimes i want a small nose ring, but i don't feel a peace about doing that). i can't picture myself getting a tatoo.

i remember a tatoo of Christ hanging. you could tell by His position of the arms and feet that he was on a cross...but the cross wasn't pictured. it was just the body of Christ. if i ever got a tatoo, that would be the one i would get.

I think of it this way, my own opinion. But my body is a temple, where God dwells at. Would you go in to a church with a can of spray paint and start spraying the walls with graffiti, or go into a church with gawky nails and just start nailing them half way into the wall? In that same sense, think of your body as the church and tattoo's and piercings as graffiti and big gawky nails. Would you want the church to look like a holy place where God would dwell or rather a worldy place where you cant tell if its a church or a druggie hide out?

** Purg **


What do ya guys think of my post? Do you agree, if not, state why ya think im wrong. I just wonder what ya guys think of my comments. And dont just say "I dont agree" ;)

** Purg **

As with what I said on the secular music discussion. I believe that tattoos and/or piercings all depend on a person's heart and their own convictions. I personally do not have any problems with tattoos - I'm tattooed myself. The only time I think they're awful is when they're big and ugly and misplaced.

I think that a person's personal convictions are all that matter on things like that. If you feel it's wrong, don't do it, if you feel it's okay, be sure that you want to do then go for it. I personally don't think it's wrong to be pierced or tattooed. I have my ears pierced, but I won't get anymore piercings until I move out of my parent's house b/c they don't like them.
I don't really like tattoos that much b/c a lot of them are just stupid and ugly and people only got them b/c they thought they were cool at the moment. I think if you get a tattoo it should have a deeper meaning than just the fact that you liked the design. My brother has a tattoo that is the trinity symbol and the Hebrew letters for "prophet", I like his tattoo. It has meaning and importance to him.
Tattoos are gonna be on you for a LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONG time so you shouldn't just get a tattoo b/c you think it's cool right now. You might not think it's cool later. My brother knew a lady who got a dolphin tattooed on her stomach, now it's huge and ugly b/c she got pregnant. You have to think about when you're old and wrinkly and such.

Hmm, seems ya guys just ignore my post. I want somebody to tell me where my opinion in that post is wrong, I really wanna know. Somebody tell me where you think I am wrong at in my post. Time for some good debating and not just throw your opinion down and walk away posts. ;)

** Purg **

I dunno. I think for me the whole 'my body is a temple of God' has to do with things that you let in you inwardly and not outwardly. I dunno that's just my take.

For me, I would love to get a tatoo but I hate pain. But if I could stand it, I'd get Disciple's new dove logo. I think that would be sweet to get on my arm. But I'm considering get my ears pierced.

As for your post Audio, about whether you can tell if the person is worldly or Chrsitian. Remember appearances mean nothing. It's by their fruit can you tell they're Christian.

We may live in the world but we're not of it. Dude, check out Disciple's meaning for the song "Not the same":

I’ll never forget the time that I saw a street preacher in Knoxville one night. I was so impressed that he was out there, and not ashamed of being heard that I had to go and listen. I walked up and stood fairly close to him. As he noticed me, he began to preach in my direction, but not really look at me. He said some very good things. I stood there for a while, and then decided to leave. But before I left I went up to shake his hand and thank him for what he was doing. At was at this point that the man said to me, "Son, how can you be of God when you look, dress, and smell like the world?" I was so shocked by his statement that I had to stop and think. I said, "What do you mean?" He replied, "If you’re a Christian, I can’t tell you apart from any other sinner that is out here tonight." Then I said, "Well I’m sorry that you haven’t been around me long to see the fruit of my life so you can rightly judge. But if we are going to judge only on appearances, then you look no different than every crooked thief on Wall Street in a suit and tie." Never forget that appearances mean absolutely nothing. Because Jesus is sometimes "disguised" as hungry, naked, in prison, and sick (Matthew 25: 35-36). For, "Man looks at the outward appearance, but God looks at the heart" (1 Samuel 16:7).

i've been in on goin discussions as to how they're legit in other places. i've never strayed from my stance in thinking they're ok with God. personally i have none tho. for a long time i've wanted a tat or 2 or 10 ;) but i decline for the sole reason that my father is against it. he sees wrong in it and i wont waste my breath convincing him. (there are verses about respecting your parents as well as other chriostians so i won't disturb him)up untill the day he dies i'll stay unmarked. my first tat will probnably be in rememberance of him and will come after he passes away.

as far as peircings go i don't plan on getting one, but they are much easier to proove ok. with one verse i found my solid stance and have prooven it to others. in Ezekiel 16: 12 it says" and I put a ring on your nose, earrings in your ears and a beautiful crown on your head." that's God talking there too so i hope no has an argument.

usually there's always someone dead set against them in a disscussion. is there ne one who is or who is still unsure about tats(even peircings)? that'll probably be a long discussion so i'll hold out untill i know i have someone to talk to.

I think of it this way, my own opinion. But my body is a temple, where God dwells at. Would you go in to a church with a can of spray paint and start spraying the walls with graffiti, or go into a church with gawky nails and just start nailing them half way into the wall? In that same sense, think of your body as the church and tattoo's and piercings as graffiti and big gawky nails. Would you want the church to look like a holy place where God would dwell or rather a worldy place where you cant tell if its a church or a druggie hide out?

** Purg **


but waht if you take the paint & nails and create something beauitiful to honor God?

Remember appearances mean nothing. It's by their fruit can you tell they're Christian.


Thank you.

sorry @udio @ddict, i usually don't read every post, but i try to get a general idea of what's going from a few different posts.

i agree with AirGuitarRockin. there is beauty in some of these. what ood was Jesus's pain and sacrifice if we can't remember it fully. His life wasn't a beautiful one and he didn't go for beauty and honor with earthly things. check out this site : http://www.axxent.ca/~gennaro/Other_Tattoos/Jesus/index2.html tell me u would not not be honored and proud to wear that. it's a perminent declaration to who u are for you and the world to see and to NEVER forget what Jesus did for us.

Thanks Guys! i dotn see anything wrong with them depending on what u get for tats and all. I mean if u get something that isnt going to honor God or even have a strong personal meaning to urself then why getone? for attention or for looks then i think it is wrong,. and if God says no to u. or to rebel? but yeah i dont think there is anything wrong.

if God personally tells you not to get one - then don't. otherwise you are being disobedient.

good points sis (about_worth). since when is only ear piercings ok?

i agree with what a lot of people have said, about it being a personal conviction. something between you and God. it is a big decision...

yeah it is a personal conviction i think... idk i could be wrong...

i think we've really hit it - I also believe it is really an individual issue. And John316, if you're going to keep reminding people that the first step to making ANY decision is prayer, then you can break all the records you want... i'll even give you some of mine :)


The only time I think they're awful is when they're big and ugly and misplaced.

so tattoos are bad when they are big, ugly and misplaced? and who decides that? this is really missing the original question of whether there are theological reasons not to get tattoos or piercings... not aesthetic ones.

I had the InvincebleWear logo tattooed on my arm a year ago, and since then pretty much everyone who has seen it asks what it means. I then explain the verse it is based on (Gal 2:20) and am now in a position to talk more about Christ and what He is doing in my life. So for me, it has really been an evangelical tool although that wasn't really the original intent. Now this isn't to say that it's okay for everyone to get inked if they use it to evangelize... you should still seek some divine guidance. It's only to say that God can still use something like a tattoo to further His kingdom if He so chooses - don't put Him in your box... no matter how big you may think your box is, He's bigger.

I feel really wishy washy on this issue... I don't have any peircings, but I don't mind them either. I know that it is either right or wrong, but I just feel like it really doesn't bother me either way! I actually want an eyebrow and lip peircing, so I am not going to be judgmental.... I also have a tattoo designed that I drew, and I want that too, so I don't know.... I think that they are fine with me, but it all depends.... *confuses self*.... lol.. :)

don't put Him in your box... no matter how big you may think your box is, He's bigger.


that's good advice for anything. :) thanks will.

personally, i don't see a prob. with either. but i don't think i'd ever get a tattoo. it's just not me. :p but i've been pondering getting an ear pierced (the left one) for a while now. why? in the OT, if you bought a Hebrew slave, he would work for you for 6 years, then you would set him free, without him owing you anything. but if he decided to become your slave for life, then you would take him before the jugdes to let it be known. then the master would pierce the ear of the slave to show that he's a slave for life, a bondslave. :) (this is layed out in Ex. 21.2-6)

i would get a piercing to signify that in my own life. that i am a "Bondslave of the Messiah" (i have a necklace that says that in Hebrew). other than that, i wouldn't get anything.

don't put Him in your box... no matter how big you may think your box is, He's bigger.


that's good advice for anything. :) thanks will.

personally, i don't see a prob. with either. but i don't think i'd ever get a tattoo. it's just not me. :p but i've been pondering getting an ear pierced (the left one) for a while now. why? in the OT, if you bought a Hebrew slave, he would work for you for 6 years, then you would set him free, without him owing you anything. but if he decided to become your slave for life, then you would take him before the jugdes to let it be known. then the master would pierce the ear of the slave to show that he's a slave for life, a bondslave. :) (this is layed out in Ex. 21.2-6)

i would get a piercing to signify that in my own life. that i am a "Bondslave of the Messiah" (i have a necklace that says that in Hebrew). other than that, i wouldn't get anything.


that's awesome, i never knew that, the only thing that stinks about that is it has become a fad now and wont be anything special, atleast not from the Worlds point of veiw.

Hmm, seems ya guys just ignore my post. I want somebody to tell me where my opinion in that post is wrong, I really wanna know. Somebody tell me where you think I am wrong at in my post. Time for some good debating and not just throw your opinion down and walk away posts. ;)

** Purg **


if someone wants to reply, they will. don't worry. sometimes it takes time.

It's only to say that God can still use something like a tattoo to further His kingdom if He so chooses - don't put Him in your box... no matter how big you may think your box is, He's bigger.


that is so true. God isn't limited.

that is awesome how the invincible tat has given you a place to evangelize.

... the only thing that stinks about that is it has become a fad now and wont be anything special, atleast not from the Worlds point of veiw.


how concerened are you with the world's point of view? If something like that would alter your decision one way or the other, I would have to questions your motives in the first place. (just a thought)

well no u missinterprited me and i probably didn't explain my self good enough. my point isn't "owell the world beat u to it so forget it". it's that it's a shame that the world beat u too it. had it not been common for people to peirce their ear and u did it for the above reason then it would be a different story from the worlds eye. lemme explain that part to. either way it shouldn't change it's signicance to u or God, but had u been a lone p[erson with an ear peircing everyone would ask why u got it there and it would be an great evengelical tool as well, and could possibly be a major pysical statment that ur a christian, and all otheres with peirced ears are as well. but now it's just another thing to do. getting one won't make the world think anything of it and the oppertunity for ministering is lost. i'm not saying it's a waste of time to do it now or too worldly. if God wants u to do it, do it. it's just not openly saying ur anything like a tat or t-shirt that says "Jesus saves" on it can do. that is the shame. it's just as outward and meaningfull yet doesn't stand out. if u still don't agree or understand that's cool, this is comming from a freak's perspective.

but had u been a lone p[erson with an ear peircing everyone would ask why u got it there and it would be an great evengelical tool as well,
Yeah, a lot of people come up to me and ask me why I have my ears pierced the way I do, and it could make a great evangelistic tool... You'd be suprized at the number/type of people who come up to me and ask about them...

cool, what is different about them that everyone notices

i like the idea of the Bondslave of the Messiah... i think it sounds like a good band name... lol. Bondslave... hehe. ;) IF ANYONE DOES LIKE IT.... AND USES IT FOR A BAND NAME... I WANT 10% ALL PROFITS... AND ETERNAL 'I KNOW THE BAND' STATUS!! lol...

Excuse me.. What does that have to do with the topic?

geeze, 500 posts in 3 days and ur complaining about some one's else's posts?? just kidding ;)

acutually the idea bondslave was mentioned by Will earlier. his post was on topic

geeze, 500 posts in 3 days and ur complaining about some one's else's posts?? just kidding ;)

acutually the idea bondslave was mentioned by Will earlier. his post was on topic


Well, gee. Thanks. :P

And, I didn't see that part. :P

my next tattoo i want is a cross with blue flames inside of it and then my fav bible verse...

i'm personally against tats (ie: the verses about honoring your body as a temple and yadda yadda yadda) but im seriously considering getting a piercing because you know that verse (cant think of a reference off top of head) about us being slaves to Christ as opposed to being a slave to sin, and back wayt back when they usd to pierce a slave's ear to show that the owner had ownership over him/her and so thats y im thinking of piercing my ear (yes, me piercing my own as i dont wanna pay money to get somethin done i can do for free myself), anyhow, this is rather to say to display to the world that i belong not to this world but the King of the next.

what's the difference with putting a hole in ur skin and a painting on it if they both symbolize ur faith. in my deffinaition, if one is desicrating ur body both are. so either all or none. u can't draw lines to suit ur own opinion.

ill tell you the difference: you see, puting a hole in your skin, as you so diplomatically put it, can grow back at any time, making it not permanent, whereas "painting" on your skin is for as long as you're alive. so if you were to get a tattoo and decide later that tatoos arnt good, then too bad, you'll have to pay hundreds if not thousands to hve it remouved.

i see, so to u the difference in if it's a sin is how well u can cover it up when u realize it's a sin? that's not how it works. if their boths sins, God will frown on either just the same, whether it's still there or not. removing it to make ur conscience feel better wont be any good either.

i see, so to u the difference in if it's a sin is how well u can cover it up when u realize it's a sin? that's not how it works. if their boths sins, God will frown on either just the same, whether it's still there or not. removing it to make ur conscience feel better wont be any good either.


good analogy. a little on the "brutal reality" side :) , but true none the less.

just food for thought... Is it any worse to pierce lets say your belly button than piercing your ears? It's been tradition for girls to pierce thier ears for ever. Same with different cultures tattooing themselves with tribal bands. Yes my ears are pierced, no I would never tattoo myself. Although I once saw a lady that tattooed over a really big scar. It totally masked the scar. I would almost consider it.... almost....

thanx Will, sometimes it has to be that way


just food for thought... Is it any worse to pierce lets say your belly button than piercing your ears? It's been tradition for girls to pierce thier ears for ever. Same with different cultures tattooing themselves with tribal bands. Yes my ears are pierced, no I would never tattoo myself. Although I once saw a lady that tattooed over a really big scar. It totally masked the scar. I would almost consider it.... almost....


what would be ur motive for a belly button peircing tho? when u think about it, the waist can be a sexy area, and that's the point of the peircing, to attract u there. the world doesn't need to see that part of u.

cool, what is different about them that everyone notices

Well, one time I was somewhere... I don't really remeber where, but anyways... I had my Skillet shirt on and somebody came up all looking at my ear and was like "Gah, Didn't that hurt?!?" and I told them Yeah, but I loved it... Then they looked at my shirt and said You're a Christian too? and I told them I was.... They went on to say that it was cool that I was a christian and had the piercing... Then the convo. went on to other things... Works well for me....

cool

Sin is a Sin there is nothing that can justify it.. humans think one sin is worse then another there all the same. im not saying tattooes and all are a sin that is a personal conviction b/w u and God.. but yeah sin is a sin!

I like tats. I want to get one, but I admit, it sounds like they're pretty painful (especially on the back, so I've been told, which is where I originally wanted one).
One of my friends, who is a youth leader at my church, has tats all over. I think it's just fine.
He was at a christian concert once, and after the show while he was walking home some woman came up to him and said- "Don't worry, God still loves even you!" I thought it was hilarious, but still, it's a little lesson about not judging someone by appearance.

You just have to remeber that your body is the temple of God, and is that what God wants happening to his temple? But, on the other hand when one looks at the cultural portion it complicates. Even in American, really, its "tradition" for every girl to get her ears pierced at least by the time she's 12, and all the sudden that doesn't count as "piercing" Hopefully that makes sense. :)

Personally I don't think they're really wrong, depending.

For instance, i have nothing against piercings, as long as thery're not in really wrong places.

And I like tattoos, but I honestly don't think God would like to see someone getting a really grotesque tattoo, something violent or demonic. You just need to know where to draw the line.

But that's just my view. :)

You just have to remeber that your body is the temple of God, and is that what God wants happening to his temple? But, on the other hand when one looks at the cultural portion it complicates. Even in American, really, its "tradition" for every girl to get her ears pierced at least by the time she's 12, and all the sudden that doesn't count as "piercing" Hopefully that makes sense. :)


i belive in putting ur self before ur country and heritage, but not God.

seee this is one of the topics that are hard to agree with... i mean alot of people ?? about this and many other topics...... :'( is it right or is it wrong???/

Personally I don't think they're really wrong, depending.

For instance, i have nothing against piercings, as long as thery're not in really wrong places.

And I like tattoos, but I honestly don't think God would like to see someone getting a really grotesque tattoo, something violent or demonic. You just need to know where to draw the line.

But that's just my view. :)


Yeah, I agree with you on that... All my piercings are on my ears... I probably won't get pierced anywhere else...

see personally piercings and all to me are me.. some tats are me also... im a freak.. i dont know if i should call myself that.. but im a hot topic person,.. the hair the clothing shoes all that.., is me.... its who i am... does that make sense?

For instance, i have nothing against piercings, as long as thery're not in really wrong places.


but who gets to decide where "really wrong places" are?

You just have to remeber that your body is the temple of God, and is that what God wants happening to his temple? But, on the other hand when one looks at the cultural portion it complicates. Even in American, really, its "tradition" for every girl to get her ears pierced at least by the time she's 12, and all the sudden that doesn't count as "piercing" Hopefully that makes sense. :)


Um. I am a girl. And I do not have my ears pierced.

hey, same here!!!

i think that person was talking in General.. it is common for Girls to do it.... ears pierced.. i dont think that person said everyone or every girl;....

Excuse me.. What does that have to do with the topic?

Abosolutley nothing, but then again, why does it matter, and why should I have to explain that to you? But anyway, yea, I do think that the Bondslave for the Messiah sounds like an awesome idea... I would consider doing that. I think that it's a great witnessing tool... lol ;D

I have nothing pierced or tatooed. Too painful :-X

I really don't think that getting tattooes will do anything to upset your body as a 'holy temple'. I discourage getting a tattooe of a demon, though. ;)
So to answer freak for God, I think tattooes (like anything else) can be good or bad, or even possibly niether. *shrug*

For instance, i have nothing against piercings, as long as thery're not in really wrong places.


but who gets to decide where "really wrong places" are?

I dunno. When I say 'really wrong places' I mean places that you shouldn't show to the public.

I dunno. When I say 'really wrong places' I mean places that you shouldn't show to the public.



More food for thought: what about piercing eyebrows, lips, noses, tounges, arms, legs, etc. places visible yet possibly the wrong places.

More food for thought: what about piercing eyebrows, lips, noses, tounges, arms, legs, etc. places visible yet possibly the wrong places.
I'm not entirely sure where I stand on that. Well, I guess i don't mind any facial piercings (eyebrow, lip, nose, etc.) but I have no idea what I think about arms, legs, and such. :-

I get very much confused about that kind of stuff.

More food for thought: what about piercing eyebrows, lips, noses, tounges, arms, legs, etc. places visible yet possibly the wrong places.
I'm not entirely sure where I stand on that. Well, I guess i don't mind any facial piercings (eyebrow, lip, nose, etc.) but I have no idea what I think about arms, legs, and such. :-

I get very much confused about that kind of stuff.


Ezekiel 16: 12 it says" and I put a ring on your nose, earrings in your ears and a beautiful crown on your head." that's God talking there too so i hope no has an argument.

seee people have diff ways of recieving things like this..some people think that God said no u cant do this some people think its ok. so which one is it. or does it basically come down to personal conviction?

Yeah, I think it's more of personal conviction.... You think of your body as a temple... Well, don't you decorate your church? No, you don't go and paint the walls black or something... But you do put nice flowers.. Stuff like that... I'm not saying it's right or wrong, but i do think that ear piercings and stuff are okay... As long as they aren't in places that shouldn't be seen. Same goes for tattoos... As long as they aren't some demon tattoos or something... Keep it real, ya know? If you do go and do this kinda stuff, I would look at it as if, "10 years from now, will I still want this?" I dunno, these are just my views... ???

Yeah, I think it's more of personal conviction.... You think of your body as a temple... Well, don't you decorate your church? No, you don't go and paint the walls black or something... But you do put nice flowers.. Stuff like that...
I never thought of it that way before... :)

Really, no one can tell you if it's right or wrong. This issue is something you have to pray about and decide for yourself.

Really, no one can tell you if it's right or wrong. This issue is something you have to pray about and decide for yourself.


yep ;D

Yeah that is very very very true. I had to pray about Getting what I got done.. and I didnt Hear God say no and I didnt think it was wrong....

Yes, I have many piercings, all in my ears (10). My parents are very ardent Christians and leaders of the church and they had no problem letting me get my ears pierced so many times. I also believe that you must pray and ask God and seek out His will. If you ever have any doubts about what you are doing, then it's probably not right. Just think about it: if it (by it, I mean any action) causes you to sin or be tempted to sin, or any other person to sin, then it's wrong! Yes, we are to be set apart from the word (sin-wise), but we must have some way to reach out to nonbelievers. If they see us as stuffy, goody-two-shoes OR as worldy-living hypocrites, then we will have a MUCH more difficult time reaching out to them. All I'm saying is that you must examine your life and your personal walk with God before you do anything like getting a tattoo or piercing, or many other things, for that matter.

yeah thats very very true......

As far as i can see, if you walk into school with your ears peirced one day, people aren't gonna say, 'Wow, what a cool Christian,' nor are they gonna say, 'She's such a hypocrite,' but I dunno if it depends on culture. I had my ears peirced because earrings suit me, and I can wear them to look nice if I go out or whatever.

Tatoos, I dunno. I don't see that in principle they are especially wrong, it epends on what they are I guess. If you are gonna get one on your bum then that means you are probably gonna go round showing people, which obviously isn't right, but I know this guy who has huge tatoos on his arms of the lion of Judah, and some other character from Revelation. It's his way of reflecting His faith, so I don't think that's a sin.

Live pure, in everything you do, and you won't go wrong.

it also depends on ur reason why u wanna get a tattooo i guesss.. God knows ur intentions of the heart....

yupyupyup ;)

Tatoos, piercings, scarrification, and other things are described in the bible as idol worship in many places. ( a lot of what I'm saying has probably already been said, but I'm providing background). So the main question is why do you want these things? I'll stick with tattoos as an example. If you want just some tattoo of some random symbol or something, why do you want it? Because it looks cool? Well, that's materialism. I think we all understand that we're all materialistic in some ways, but it's still not generally a good thing, thus I speak of it as being wrong. Tattoos are permanent materialism sometimes. Or maybe you want a tattoo of some band you like or something. Isn't that idolizing the band? Putting a permanent advertisement explaining your devotion to the band on your own body.... Or maybe you want a tatto of a cross or something religious like that. God does not consider that worship, and he's displeased if you do. It doesn't please God to see you devoted to Him by putting a cross on your body. He knows how devoted you are, and you don't have to show it like that. And if it's to show the world or even yourself about your commitment to God, it should show through your life enough that you don't have to put it in ink on your body. So God is not neccesarily (sp) displeased with tattoos, but He's not pleased either. And personally, I don't see the point of tattoos, etc. Like I said, it's often permanent materialism.

well, if i wanted a tattoo to show the world how commitment to God i am, that would be stupid (as you stated). but using it as a way to reach out to the world is another thing.

i have a necklace that says "bondslave of the Messiah" in Hebrew on it. within the last 2 weeks, i've had about 5-6 people ask me what it says. those who aren't Christian's ask me what that means. it's a great way to let people know i'm a Christian. & most of the time people ask is when i'm at work! :) if i had an earring to go along with it (see one of my previous posts), then it'd just cement in that idea to people that i'm really serious. anybody can wear a necklace that says that, but if i'm willing to go through pain, then that takes it to another level. it's a great way to get people to start talking about God & my beliefs (& starting the conversation is always the hardest part).

I want to get my cartalege pierced

I have barbell (the really long kind that they pierce your tongue with at first) stuck through 2 holes in my cartilge.... I love it.... Hurt pretty bad though...

for one it says in the bible i think its in levitcus somewhere ill have to look for it... but it says they did it for the dead. so if ur gettin a tattooo for the dead then ur wrong...

well now
i'm not really sure if tattoes or piercing are wrong but i know that if someone is trying to tell you that your body is a temple of God so no piercing, then i have to say that im pretty sure that that passage is talking about sexual purity not piercings
i personally nee nothing really wrong with them
i want tattoe and piercings and id go to church wearing them!

hey yeah I don't think it's wrong within moderation & if you make sure you check your motives first.

I just pierced my ears again today with some studs from the last time!! so now I have 3 in each ear in the lobes. My sister was so freaked out that I did it myself by just pushing the studs through.

Don't do this though unless you have really good studs the newer ones that are a little thinner & way sharper

Genesis 24:22
When the camels had finished drinking, the man took out a gold nose ring weighing a beka [ 24:22 That is, about 1/5 ounce (about 5.5 grams) ] and two gold bracelets weighing ten shekels. [ 24:22 That is, about 4 ounces (about 110 grams) ]

Genesis 24:30
As soon as he had seen the nose ring, and the bracelets on his sister's arms, and had heard Rebekah tell what the man said to her, he went out to the man and found him standing by the camels near the spring.

Genesis 24:47
"I asked her, 'Whose daughter are you?' "She said, 'The daughter of Bethuel son of Nahor, whom Milcah bore to him.' "Then I put the ring in her nose and the bracelets on her arms,


Isaiah 3:21
the signet rings and nose rings,

Ezekiel 16:12
and I put a ring on your nose, earrings on your ears and a beautiful crown on your head.

These scriptures show that nose rings were prevalent in the Word and a sign of beauty. There is nothing wrong with these things. Yes, the body is the temple of Holy Spirit, we need to take care of it. What people believe to be right and wrong, most of the time is man's interpretation of the Word of God.

With that being said, I'm going to sound like I'm contradicting myself. I would not do it personally. Why? Simply because, Paul said many times over, that he has freedom in all things. He refrains from doing alot because of what people may perceive of his actions. Do we live for God or man? Obviously, we live for God. In living for God, we need to be extremely cautious as to how other new Christians see us. Jesus spoke about the little children. He said it would be worse for one person to make one of them fall away from Him. He was not only speaking of little children, He was speaking of new believers, or children in the faith. Paul says that he knows that eating meat that was sacrificed to other gods was not a sin, since there are no other Gods. But he said, if the weaker christian sees him doing it and they decide they can do it to, they believe they are sinning even though they are not. And since the free christian causes the weaker christian to sin, they both sinned.

Getting pierces or tattoos is not a matter of is it right or wrong. It's a matter of not offending other new christians for Jesus Christ's sake, and causing them to stumble and fall. It's also about a heart issue. Why are you desiring such things? Are they purely for your benefit or for the benefit of the Kingdom of God? Jesus did many things that appeared to be contrary to teachings of the law. He did not break any of the laws in doing them. One thing He always did, was give thanks and Glory to God in His actions and words.

If God specifically spoke to someone on getting a tattoo or a piercing, then no doubt, you follow His prompting. Quite often, God does not answer these questions so that we can make the decision based on a heart issue. I can't count the times I asked God to answer questions for me and He did not. So I went on with what I believed He wanted me to do. In actuality, It wasn't what He wanted me to do, rather it was what I wanted to do. Every time I do or did this, God always shows me the selfish motivations of my actions and I pay the consequences. Thankfully, I can repent and He'll forgive me. Now, I know quite a few of the situations, when I come across them, can be done properly because I learned from my mistakes.

Is it a sin to get a tattoo or a piercing? It's a heart issue.

that is true its a heart issue and between u and God... if God convicts u then hes saying its not for u..... just cuz God says no to u doesnt mean no to me..... Pray about it....

i think tattoos and piercing are fine. i myself will be getting a tattoo when i move out since my mom wont let me get one right now. and its gonna be of a celtic cross, under it i'll have the date of when i was saved. i'm probably gonna have it on my upper left arm so it can be covered by a shirt for work.

<>< God Bless ><>
Ashley

I have to say to Jarid Hill, that we are so worried about offending people that we are no longer real we're all trying to be watered down clones!!

oh gosh I can't say that I'm against abortion cuz I might offend someone-- I can't say that being gay is wrong cuz I might offend someone--I can't say I like hunting animals down & killing them & eating them cuz I might offend someone!! I am--it is--I do... that's me get over it!! If you want some unreal wimpy person who refuses to be themselves for fear of offending you go find a PC wishy washy butt kissin suck up!!

If this offends you......


then.....





GET OVER IT!!

:P

Your words do not offend me.

I'm sorry you feel this way. It is obvious you have issues you need to deal with than lash out at someone who has pointed out scripture. Your words wer obviously not done with a Christian heart nor with any sense of compassion.

If you read what I replied with, you will see I said there is nothing wrong with tatoos or piercings. There are obviously many things wrong with abortion and homosexuality. Jesus offended those He needed to offend. He walked with grace and humility in front of those He needed to.

In my post, you will see I attacked no one. I simply used the words of Paul the apostle. If this makes you mad that I used these words, then you truly need to examine your heart before God. If I speak on abortion or homosexuality, I am guaranteed to offend people. I have no problem with that, simply because I speak truth of the Word of God. When it comes to things that are not a sin where people believe they may be, Jesus clearly states the importance of not causing them to stumble. He said it would be more of an advantage to never known Him than cause one of these little ones to stumble and fall. He was speaking of new believers not only children.

I pray that you can open your heart up to God to hear what I am saying instead of smashing me with your offenses.

I just remembered something I heard about getting a tattoo...

"It's a simple equation. Take your current age, subtract 10 from it, were you smart back then? No, you weren't. would you still want something that you drew on your skin from 10 years ago? It will take you 10 years to realize that you aren't as smart as you thought you were back then and regret getting the tattoo."

No, actually I wasn't attacking you because you quoted the Bible or for what you think about piercing & tattooing. I was attacking you (I don't deny that I was attacking you) because you said, "It's a matter of not offending other new christians for Jesus Christ's sake, and causing them to stumble and fall. "
When you said that I have to change who I am to please what someone else thinks it is right for me to be. That I must conform to someone else's idea of "acceptable." Yes I do have a responsiblity to not intentionally cause others to stumble. But no I don't have to change who I am just so someone else is happy with me. Jesus loves me just as I am & I don't have to change for anyone but Him. I won't conform to anything except Him. And when I conform to Jesus that doesn't mean I conform to the church or other believers ideas of what I should be. I am so tired of people trying to change me when the only person in the whole world who has a right to change me is Jesus. So what I'm saying is that if something about me offends people then they can get over it.

Yes I did see you attacked no one. But I'm not you. I'm not PC in the slightest. I enjoy controversy. I like to talk with people who disagree with me. I like people to challenge me in my beliefs & make me support my arguments.

Yes I have issues--- I have serious thrill issues!! ;D ;D

If I come across as mean that's ok--- no one ever said I was nice ;D ;)

hey Jarid e-mail me or IM me or something I'd like talkin with ya don't know if you'd actually like talkin with me but hey!! all my contact stuff's in my profile

No, actually I wasn't attacking you because you quoted the Bible or for what you think about piercing & tattooing. I was attacking you (I don't deny that I was attacking you) because you said, "It's a matter of not offending other new christians for Jesus Christ's sake, and causing them to stumble and fall. "
When you said that I have to change who I am to please what someone else thinks it is right for me to be. That I must conform to someone else's idea of "acceptable." Yes I do have a responsiblity to not intentionally cause others to stumble. But no I don't have to change who I am just so someone else is happy with me. Jesus loves me just as I am & I don't have to change for anyone but Him. I won't conform to anything except Him. And when I conform to Jesus that doesn't mean I conform to the church or other believers ideas of what I should be. I am so tired of people trying to change me when the only person in the whole world who has a right to change me is Jesus. So what I'm saying is that if something about me offends people then they can get over it.

Yes I did see you attacked no one. But I'm not you. I'm not PC in the slightest. I enjoy controversy. I like to talk with people who disagree with me. I like people to challenge me in my beliefs & make me support my arguments.

Yes I have issues--- I have serious thrill issues!! ;D ;D

If I come across as mean that's ok--- no one ever said I was nice ;D ;)


Again, I believe you are misunderstanding the point. I am not telling you to change to conform to other believers views, (believers who have been in the faith for some time), I am saying it is more important to not offend new believers. Jesus says that if this happens, it would be better to have a millstone wrapped around your neck and cast into the sea, then basically what's going to happen to you. So I ask, why risk it? I don't do alot of things that I know I am allowed to. Not because of what other believers think, but because I don't want to confuse a new believer and cause them to do something they may think is a sin.

If I look at someone and see 100 piercings and tattoos, my question is what was the reasoning behind it. Not in condemnation, but as a point of causing people to look at their heart issue. I cannot count the number of times I did something because I had freedom and I didn't care what others thought. Only in the end to realize the deeper issue was selfishness. Paul refrained from alot of things, not because the Pharisees would have judged him, but because he did not want to offend new believers. This is why I refrain from doing quite a bit that I know is not sin.

By the way, I try to truly judge with mercy and compassion. I will try my best to never judge with condemnation. We are human and we do make mistakes. But if you read any of my postings on any one topic, you will see no judgmental words. The Word says that you will be judged in the manner that you judge. I want to judge with mercy and kindness, so on that day, He will judge me with mercy and kindness.

I just remembered something I heard about getting a tattoo...

"It's a simple equation. Take your current age, subtract 10 from it, were you smart back then? No, you weren't. would you still want something that you drew on your skin from 10 years ago? It will take you 10 years to realize that you aren't as smart as you thought you were back then and regret getting the tattoo."


That is a very good point. I know alot of people who got a tatoo because they thought it was cool............and then 10 or 15 years down the road they realized that they didn't like it anymore. Personally I don't really like tatoo's, and the fact that they are so permanent makes them even less desirable to me.

Tatoos do cary a certain connotation with them. People tend to think of you a different way if they see you with tatoos. I don't necessarily think people need to change who they are just to make other people happy..........but I do think we need to take into consideration how our appearance effects other people. I guess there is a ballance in there somewhere.

Just my thoughts. :)

i personally in my own opinion dont think that there is anything wrong with peircings to a certin degree. as long as you dont look like a human pin cushion i think that it is okay. i have 12 peircings and i dont think that there is anything wrong with it as for tattoos as long as they have a christian based theme i dont think there is anything wrong with them, but if they are evil looking or stuff like that then i think that they are wrong.

so a new believer comes to door of the church & the first thing that happens is a girl with a nose ring walks up to them smiles & gives them a hug or hand shake & welcomes them to our church... I can't see how that would make someone fall.

What about all the new believers that already have 100 tattoos & piercings?? Ya know POD?? check out their arms!! they are totally tattooed all over.

Anyway I did have a point but now I've forgotten... brain fart anyway if I find my point I'll be back...

oh yeah my point everyone is always gonna find something to be offended about!! And I can't please everyone!! So I'm not even gonna try!! Hence if someone is offended with/by me then they're just gonna hafta deal with it!!

The point Jarid (and the Bible) makes is one of consideration for others: do not eat meat if it causes your brother to fall. It seems to come down to a choice between ignoring what you want in consideration for others who might not believe that tattoos and piercings are okay, and doing what you want no matter what anyone thinks.

Personally, I think our society takes "self-expression" a little too far. But that's just little jeans-and-tee-shirt conservative me.

It's all really a matter of personal opinion. Also, can God get the glory of it? If you get tattoos of naked women and stuff, then that is definately bad. Whether i get a tattoo or not, i don't know. but i always say (facisiously), that if my body is a "tent," as one translation defines it, it probably wouldn't be so bad to decorate it just a little, you know, pretty it up a bit. ::)

but i always say (facisiously), that if my body is a "tent," as one translation defines it, it probably wouldn't be so bad to decorate it just a little, you know, pretty it up a bit. ::)


LOL! Cute. ;D I like that.

I think that an important issue is this: Are we more concerned with our ability to express ourselves, or are we concerned with how we effect others? I'm not saying tatoos and piercings are bad. I'm just questioning some people's motives, and if they really think about it before they do it.

Yeah I get the point. I'm just tired of trying to please everyone & failing then getting screwed over cuz I'm tryin to make everyone happy!! Just wanna do something that everyone will be mad at me about so I can evenly make everyone mad.
I try to do the "right" thing & get *_____*(insert appropriate expletive here) every time!!


I've been thinking about piercing my eyebrow... I'm just not sure if it would look good on me.

People who get piercings dont bug me... I just wouldn't get one myself... I really dont care

Some people look good with piercings..........and some don't. I know some people who can pull it off really well. I just don't like it when they go overboard, know what I mean? And sometimes I wonder if it hurts.....like when people pierce their lips. Ouch! lol! Like, what if it gets caught on something? :o

What if they hit a vein or something and you die? There is a vein in your tounge that if hit will kill you....

Is getting a tattoo or gettin piercings wrong? r they really wrong? i dont think they are.. but there are many people who think that it is? Is it?


nope, not wrong at all. Jesus only wants our hearts...he only cares about the inside. I personally have 3 piercings and 1 tattoo

One thing I remember is that our bodies are temples of God (1 Cor. 3:16,17) and should be treated as such. Would you like it if some kid from the youth group tagged the outside of your church? You probably wouldn't like it, even if it was a christian slogan or symbol.


1 Cor. 3:16,17
16Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you? 17If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him; for God's temple is sacred, and you are that temple.

One thing I remember is that our bodies are temples of God (1 Cor. 3:16,17) and should be treated as such. Would you like it if some kid from the youth group tagged the outside of your church? You probably wouldn't like it, even if it was a christian slogan or symbol.

true. but what if a youth group had the privilege of taking a wall of the youth room & decorating it for God. a mural, if you will. would that not be pleasing to Him as well? a form of creative expression (as long as there was nothing offensive on it).

what i'm trying to say is, if some guy randomly walked up to you, took out a tattoo gun (or whatever it is) & started tattooing you, that would be wrong. or even if you randomly went into a tattoo parlor & got one, on a whim, that would be wrong. but a prayerful consideration of one i don't think would be wrong (as long as you have nothing against tattoos in the first place).

Good point. I think people should seriously consider this stuff before they jump into it instead of making a random spontaneous decision that is so permanent.

Hmmm......"a form of creative expression"..........I never thought of it that way before. :)

yes you really should think about it alot before you do anything rash!! for me I usually think about it & toy with the idea for at least two weeks then I'll just up and do it!! Little less talk a lot more action.

Lately I've been toying with the idea of getting an eyebrow piercing... it's definitely on my list of things do before I die. ;)

That & I'd really like to get a tattoo only the thing is if you get one then you can't ever have radiation if you get cancer.

And sometimes I wonder if it hurts.....like when people pierce their lips. Ouch!

of course it hurts... that's half the reason to do it. :)

Will always says that. He says that the pain is part of the experience. But I've experienced some of the pain that goes along with those experiences. I think getting a tattoo would be A LOT more fun if it didn't hurt so stinkin bad.

unshakeable,
i would have to disagree completely with. God specifically says (can't remember where, don't have time to look up) that He does not desire scarring and jewelry in His name. That is a form of pagan worship, and to say that a tattoo is for God specifically goes against scripture. that doesn't mean He can't be pleased by you showing your fiath through a tattoo, but it is not a form of worship. you may have only meant that first one, but i think it's dangerous any time to say that tattooing can be for God, because while you know what you mean, someone else may not.
that being said, i do think it's kind of cool to get a tattoo of a cross or something, but how many of those have you seen? (a lot) and how many of those people really cared at all about God? (not many) what i'm saying is that it's not a profession of faith because the world regards the cross as just another icon, not carrying a specific meaning.

to answer the question of whether or not they're wrong, i have this to say: i don't believe tattoos are wrong. but i think they're pointless. sometimes materialistic, sometimes having other social motives. i think they're fine but useless.

and how many of those people really cared at all about God? (not many)
I don't think that is anyone's place to say but for those people..

unshakeable, i would have to disagree completely with. God specifically says (can't remember where, don't have time to look up) that He does not desire scarring and jewelry in His name. That is a form of pagan worship, and to say that a tattoo is for God specifically goes against scripture. that doesn't mean He can't be pleased by you showing your fiath through a tattoo, but it is not a form of worship. you may have only meant that first one, but i think it's dangerous any time to say that tattooing can be for God, because while you know what you mean, someone else may not.

but what about Romans 12.1 that talks about being a living sacrifice for God. isn't that basically saying (since a sacrifice was an act of worship) that we should be living, breathing worshippers of God? is that what we should be? if so, then wouldn't every aspect of your life be an act of worship. whether it's eating or drinking, give all to the Lord. so even the mundane in life belongs to God.

i would say getting a tattoo would fall under an act of worship. sure, it's not singing "God of Wonders" in church or in your room, but it should be an act of worship. just like going to the bathroom should be. ;)

First of all, I'd like to say that if you're struggling with this issue and aren't sure whether or not it's a good idea, don't do it unless you feel God's permission.
One thing I'm concerned with, is why people would get tattoo's if no one would see them. I mean, what's the point of a tattoo in the first place if you are the only one who can see it? I think that if people are to be getting tattoo's to use for witnessing purposes, then it needs to be in a place that is acceptable for people to look at. (That's just something I wanted to say.)
As for whether it's right or wrong...I think that depends all on God and yourself. I want a star tattoo on my arm. But why should I do that? I can't remember the verse, but it talks about doing everything for God. And a star on my arm wouldn't be for God but for me.
I really want a tattoo. But if I am not at a point in my life where the tattoo is completely to further the kingdom of God, then I probably shouldn't get it. I think that tattooing and stuff are very important issues that we need to take to God, and personally, I'm feeling that if I am to get a tattoo, it would be one that reflects God. And as long as we take this issue to God, wait for his decision on it, and have it be something that reflects God, I don't see how it is wrong.

Also, my dad says that if I want to keep living in his house, I won't get one. So...well...I guess I can't at the moment... ::)

I personally don't much care for tattoos. I guess it's just the whole permanence of the thing that scares me away. that and what my dad would do to me if i got a tattoo while still in his house :o

but peircings... personally i'm gonna get my lip pierced right after i'm out of the house. i'm gonna hold off till then because my parents don't like facial piercings. I think that the whole thing is a matter of parental permission (when applicable) and personal conviction.

As one who was formerly pierced(Tongue), the motivation for what you do is all that is important to me, and I feel to God. God knows a man's heart.

its basically what u believe in ... and if ur living under people that dont want u to get it then u shouldnt intill ur out of there house....

I have nothing against peircings or tattoos.
It just depends on the person who has one.
And just because you have a tattoo and/or peircing doesn't mean you're a bad person, or you hang out at bars or anything.
It's been said before, it's what's inside that counts.

What about Leviticus 19:28?

You shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor tattoo any marks on you: I am the LORD.(NKJV)

'Do not cut your bodies for the dead or put tattoo marks on yourselves. I am the LORD (NIV)

'You shall not make any cuts in your body for the dead nor make any tattoo marks on yourselves: I am the LORD. (NASB)

I think the point is pretty clear. What support do you have for justifing getting a tattoo (and "Tattoos for God" don't count)?

yeah thats the point & scriptures my mom read to me dealing with this subject. she said that our bodies are not ours but the Lord's.

well, what if i just want my lip pierced because i like it? i'm not doing it for the dead.

Thank you ur not doin it for the dead and thats what the scriptures says doing unto the dead....

Hey i think that your body is a temple of God and you are just decorating it. Sure it may be "unprofessional" and people may not approve of it, but if it is something that you really want, and wont be ashamed of, then i think it is okay. I dont think that someone should base your spiritual life or your relationship with Jesus, on how you look or whether you have any tatoos or piercings. After all it was body piercing that saved everyone of us. Just really think about what your motive for getting tatoos and piercings are, before you do it.

i recently got back from a missions conference (see the Garden) called Urbana where one of the speakers mentioned some Christians in Cairo, Egypt who do something interesting.

when someone is saved in their community (a area with devote muslim influence & persecution), they get a tattoo of a cross on their wrist. then, if they end up changing their minds & deciding to go against Christ, they would have to cut their wrist to get the tattoo off. so it's basically saying to the community at large "i follow Christ & pledge to live for Him no matter what. i'd rather slit my wrist than renounce Him." it's a very powerful image.

I HAVE MY EYEBROW PIERCED.. WANNA SEE ;D

ILL MOST LIKELY BE GETTING TWO MORE.. IM NOT INTO TATOOS THOUGH

Were those scriptures not ceremonial law?

i think so, i'll have to check the context

So if they were ceremonial laws then we dont really have to keep them.

Whee! I'm a registered member now :D lol

I for one would never get a tattoo. People's ideas change. I can't imagine having something permanent o my skin... Even if it was a scripture or some other witnessing tool. I would rather have something temporary ;) Now as to whether they are wrong or not... Nope, I don't think so.

You said:


What about Leviticus 19:28?

You shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor tattoo any marks on you: I am the LORD.(NKJV)

'Do not cut your bodies for the dead or put tattoo marks on yourselves. I am the LORD (NIV)

'You shall not make any cuts in your body for the dead nor make any tattoo marks on yourselves: I am the LORD. (NASB)

I think the point is pretty clear. What support do you have for justifing getting a tattoo (and "Tattoos for God" don't count)?


That's part of the Mosaic law, which Christ "nullified" when He came... not to say it's not good to follow, but it's certainly not something we are expected to live by-- if it were, you would be sinning by wearing a shirt that's 50 percent polyester and 50 perfect cotton ;) Because it mentions not to use more than one fabric while making a garment...

"James 2:10 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all."

So really if the law were still in effect, we would all be quite guilty ;)

Another good verse is Revelations 19:16:

"On His robe and on His thigh He has this name written KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS"

Now I'm not totally sure, but that sounds like a tat to me :P

--Chris

I didn't want to make a new thread.

How many people would like a tattoo of an Icthus or Cross or similar? Part of me would like to get a permanent branding on my body of an Icthus. I don't know where.

And secondly, is anyone against tattoos of Christian symbols because of moral reasons rather than preference? (if so, give your reasoning and Biblical passages)

One thing I can think of is someone might think "don't tattoo or pierce yourself for the dead, Jesus died, and a cross signifies it. That tattoo would be bad." And under similar reasoning, Christ is alive, He was resurrected by God. Only what symbols are good to signify that? An infinity symbol is cool for that, methinks ... for He is everlasting.

Comments.

really...I don't mind them. For me personally, I like Henna, because it isn't permanant. That's just me.

As far as saying they are evil...it depends on the tattoo, AND your attitude about it. If you're doing it to look 'counter-culture' (even though the counterculture is it's own little culture)than that's a shallow reason to do so.

I know people who have gotten tattoos before meeting Jesus, and after they get saved, they regret ever getting them. Ex-my uncle has tons of tattoos, most of which are satanic, a few anarchy, Eye of Ra, etc. But he is a Christian now, so he regrets getting those ones. He did, however get a few bible verses, about rebirting, and 'SAVED' in big Gothic lettering.

I don't know. It's one of those tough situations...there are so many "rules" that we don't live by today that were mentioned in the Bible...for example girls can't wear men's clothing (no pants?!), no makeup, girls can't cut their hair...stuff like that.

But if I'm not mistaken...isn't there a Bible verse that says Jesus doesn't care what we look like when we worship? I think the same thing goes for tattoos and piercings.

I've been through this arguement a lot with family and stuff, and they don't think there should be like, tons of tats and piercings. I, personally, think if they have a significant meaning (which most tattoos should), like Christ dying for you or whatever, then they rock. Piercings? Same way.

Body piercing saved my life! :D

Um, I think I've said I want some in here somewhere...I found the picture of the tattoo I want! I am sooo happy! I just need to draw it myself and I am good!

Regarding the scripture ^^^
I've been told that back then tattoos were pagen religion markings. So to set apart His people God told them not to. Cause tattoos were STRICTLY religious. SO thet're okay now. Of which I'm happy about....

I think tattoos are a matter of personal preference. I'm not going to tell anyone it's right or wrong based on what they get. Some people get tattoos purely for a good looking design on their skin and some people want it to mean something to them.

Nightcrawler, I think that if you want a tattoo that will remind you of Christ dying for you and being raised from the dead you should get something that will remind you of that. Whether it be an icthus, cross, triquetra, or candy cane because you gave your life to God on Christmas day, I only think it matters what you think of when you look at it.

I don't have any scripture for you, only my opinion.

I dont think that earring and ear pircings are bad, but i dont like pircings other than earsand i dont really like tatoos, but im probally gunna get a cross on my arm anyway ;D

i really want to get 1 chorinthians 15:56-57 tattoed on my back. i love that verse. but my mom tells me that the pastor would kill me if i did that (got a tattoo, that is) but then yeah, what about the verse where Jesus doesn't care what you look like just as long as you love him? i think if someone got john 3:16 or something Jesus may 'appreciate' that...

dude, i just had a weird thought.... sorry if any of you guys are jews , not sorry that you are jews, but.... oh you know what i mean. anyways, im not meaning to bring up anything hurtful, but during the holocaust, when the germans tattooed numbers on their arms (the jews arms, that is), do you think they did that because of what the Bible says about pagan tattooing?

as for piercings, my mom herself told me if i got a lip ring she'd rip it out.... so i guess i'll just have to take it out for thanksgiving and stuff once i get on to college :)

when the germans tattooed numbers on their arms (the jews arms, that is), do you think they did that because of what the Bible says about pagan tattooing?

No, the Germans tattooed the Jews so they could keep track of them( If one went missing or died etc), it was their prisoner ID.

well yeah obviously, but they also shaved their heads so that they could take away all dignity from them.... the germans were sick and they probably gave them tattoos for several reasons, one possibly being the pagan thing...

I heard the reason they shaved their heads is because they thought they had lice.
And I doubt Nazis tatooed Jews because the pagans did it in the bible, it was meant for idenification purposes and nothing more.

I agree with "aliengurl" heh. (Took your name off?)

From Wikipedia.. the only reference of "tattoos" in the holocaust:
Upon having their prisoner ID tattooed on them, older children were sent to work in either a factory, quarry, or some other strenuous and monotonous place of work. Their shifts lasted from 10 to 14 hours. After the day's work was finished, the children were subjected to incredibly long roll calls, during which some even died. This routine continued for what could be months until the prisoners were either sent to the gas chambers or died from malnourishment or exhaustion.


And about hair..

Upon arrival in these camps, all valuables were taken from the prisoners, and the women had to have their hair cut off[4]. According to a Nazi document, the hair was to be used for the manufacture of stockings

Yea, i kind of doubt it though. makes me sad thinking about it :'(

Why do you think Jesus would appreciate putting a quote from him on your body?

While I know that all glory and praise is due God, I am sure some celebrities would roll their eyes, like "oh gosh, couldn't they have done else?" Do you think Jesus would see it as a pious act, or just shallow obsession?

No, the Germans tattooed the Jews so they could keep track of them( If one went missing or died etc), it was their prisoner ID.

one could argue that sowing numbers on all their clothes (the little they had) would be enough to keep track.

one could argue that sowing numbers on all their clothes (the little they had) would be enough to keep track.
I don't necessarily know that they'd get the same clothes back...I kind of would think they'd all change their clothes on "wash day" and get another set of the same size or something. And then they'd get another one the next wash day.

Why do you think Jesus would appreciate putting a quote from him on your body?

While I know that all glory and praise is due God, I am sure some celebrities would roll their eyes, like "oh gosh, couldn't they have done else?" Do you think Jesus would see it as a pious act, or just shallow obsession?

My personal opinion is usually the latter, but each person's heart is their own.

The Jews had their clothes stripped when they first got to the camps. They were issued other clothes that they wore till they literally fell apart. I don't think the NAZIS ( not all Germans did this thank you) really made sure that they had the proper number. And yes, the hair was also because they had lice.

right, and the nazis gave them 'medicine' because the jews were 'sick'. they just accidentally died from having poisons injected into their bodies.... sorry to get so graphic, but it wasn't jsut about lice....



ok back to the topic of the forum... i like tattoos and i really want to get one...

I was reading through a bunch of these replys and some people were talking about pain. Physical pain is a great thing. It's our body telling us that whatever we're doing is not good for our body! I mean think about it. If we couldn't feel pain we wouldnt know the limits of our bodies and we'd probably do a lot of crap our bodies couldnt handle!

On the tattoos and piercings section I would have to say I dont really think there is anything wrong with it. In some countries its merely their culture to get such things done. In the USA here its for recreation and self expression. What's wrong with that? It doesnt say in the bible that you cant get your body pierced or you cant tattoo your body. There is overdoing in my my opinion, and I'm not going to think you look cool when your face looks like a demon.

The fact of the matter is you shouldn't judge people that have piercings or tattoos. That's discriminating because someone has something different. It's almost like a racial issue such as brown skin or light skin. Whatever. We're all the same.

I was reading through a bunch of these replys and some people were talking about pain. Physical pain is a great thing. It's our body telling us that whatever we're doing is not good for our body! I mean think about it. If we couldn't feel pain we wouldnt know the limits of our bodies and we'd probably do a lot of crap our bodies couldnt handle!

On the tattoos and piercings section I would have to say I dont really think there is anything wrong with it. In some countries its merely their culture to get such things done. In the USA here its for recreation and self expression. What's wrong with that? It doesnt say in the bible that you cant get your body pierced or you cant tattoo your body. There is overdoing in my my opinion, and I'm not going to think you look cool when your face looks like a demon.

The fact of the matter is you shouldn't judge people that have piercings or tattoos. That's discriminating because someone has something different. It's almost like a racial issue such as brown skin or light skin. Whatever. We're all the same.



oh yeah.....lets harm our bodies because it shows us our limits!!!

i don't agree with that at all!!!

I don't see a problem with tattoos or piercings if they mean something to you. I think in excess they can look bad, but if it's something that means alot to you, I think it's cool. Like John & Korey's wedding ring tattoos. I love those, & I plan on getting matching tattoos with my husband when I get married. I think it's a cool symbol, because tattoos are something that lasts forever...just like love.

But to each his own.

i asked my pastor about this last night, and the only verse in the Bible that he knows of is the one about pagans doing it so Christians shouldn't (later, i found that it was leviticus 19:28, which says not to get a tattoo in accordance with funeral procedures or death). he said that he personally didn't like them, and people look jsut fine w/o them, so why bother? but he said that it would be a sin if you did it against like your parents will, or against your husband's/wife's will. so i guess if so one says not to, go ahead, just as long as you don't get like demons or something...

ok back to the topic of the forum... i like tattoos and i really want to get one...
So, your reasoning is: You like it.

Very solid. >_>

There is overdoing in my my opinion, and I'm not going to think you look cool when your face looks like a demon.
Have you seen a demon? ; )

The fact of the matter is you shouldn't judge people that have piercings or tattoos. That's discriminating because someone has something different. It's almost like a racial issue such as brown skin or light skin. Whatever. We're all the same.
Actually, no. It is very different from something genetic, because a tattoo is a choice. What you choose to display on your body permanently tells a lot about your choices. If it is something people think is taboo, then you are saying "hey, look at me! I'm taboo!"

oh yeah.....lets harm our bodies because it shows us our limits!!!

i don't agree with that at all!!!
You realize that he never claimed that. His intro-paragraph never made such a claim. I don't even think he implied it.

i asked my pastor about this last night, and the only verse in the Bible that he knows of is the one about pagans doing it so Christians shouldn't (later, i found that it was leviticus 19:28, which says not to get a tattoo in accordance with funeral procedures or death).
Pagans are buying gifts this Christmas, let's not buy gifts. Pagans are holding a winter festival, let's not celebrate anything. Just because [any group of people] does something does not make it right or wrong. Why would tattooing be any different? If anything, he should be saying "we know this is wrong for Christians to do because [reasoning]. If he mentioned a reason not to do it based on WHO is doing it to me, I would laugh at him.

he said that he personally didn't like them, and people look jsut fine w/o them, so why bother? but he said that it would be a sin if you did it against like your parents will, or against your husband's/wife's will. so i guess if so one says not to, go ahead, just as long as you don't get like demons or something...
I think it is important to define "will" in this. He probably means obedience. My wife might go and get an extra sweater than we budgeted for, but unless I told her not to buy anything extra (even though it is assumed), I would not say it is"sin" just disappointing. (I hope that analogy makes sense in this context)

And what do you mean by "get like demons or something"?... Because Christians can't dæmons to my knowledge. That is another discussion/thread, though.

^^^^totally taken out of context ^^^^ pagans also sacrificed their children to bits of wood and clay. 'just because a group of people does something doesn't mean that we shouldn't!' ok.... you be the first to light the match. i'll keep my niece and nephew thank you very much. i think the whole tattooing thing has to do with WHY you are getting the darn thing in the first place. pagans cut themselves and marked their skin when they killed people or someone died. God tells us not to do that... i think He doesn't really care if we get a tattoo unless we are 'disobeying' our guardian's/parents'/spouse's 'will', as in they tell us not to do something, and we do it anyways. if i had a husband and he told me not to have an affair, for example, and i did it anyway, that would be a 'sin' of disobedience, never mind the fact that God tells us not to do that anyways. if you lie to your wife about something, that's a sin. if you do something she asked you not to do, you are 'sinning' against her. sin as a definition to me, is doing what you're not supposed to do. that's basically what sin is. disobeying.

and as for the demon thing, obviously i meant getting a snarling, red-eyed, blood-dripping-from-mouth horror tattooed across your cheek or forehead. come now, let's be logical. :)

Hmmm but I want to get a tattoo of my uncle of this one picture of his, where he has red-eye and he's eating a rare steak he looked so funny with those juices running down his face haha.

Only kidding of course ;)

haha pretty sure you'd live to regret that one.... like ten minutes after getting it done.

^^^^totally taken out of context ^^^^ pagans also sacrificed their children to bits of wood and clay. 'just because a group of people does something doesn't mean that we shouldn't!' ok.... you be the first to light the match. i'll keep my niece and nephew thank you very much. i think the whole tattooing thing has to do with WHY you are getting the darn thing in the first place. pagans cut themselves and marked their skin when they killed people or someone died. God tells us not to do that... i think He doesn't really care if we get a tattoo unless we are 'disobeying' our guardian's/parents'/spouse's 'will', as in they tell us not to do something, and we do it anyways. if i had a husband and he told me not to have an affair, for example, and i did it anyway, that would be a 'sin' of disobedience, never mind the fact that God tells us not to do that anyways. if you lie to your wife about something, that's a sin. if you do something she asked you not to do, you are 'sinning' against her. sin as a definition to me, is doing what you're not supposed to do. that's basically what sin is. disobeying.

and as for the demon thing, obviously i meant getting a snarling, red-eyed, blood-dripping-from-mouth horror tattooed across your cheek or forehead. come now, let's be logical. :)

You totally lost me. This sounds more like a rant -- one that doesn't actually seem to reflect what I said.

Why would it be wrong to get a tattoo of a red-eyed, snarling blood-dripping guy who brings horror? All I can think of is that it will scare the children and make some people stare. Social connotations, mainly.

oh yeah.....lets harm our bodies because it shows us our limits!!!

i don't agree with that at all!!!
omg are you serious? i'm sorry but i really laughed when i read this post.

FWIW, Abraham's servant gave Rebekah a gold nose ring.

I got one tatoo before I got saved. I would only get another tatoo if a)I prayed about it and it felt ok; b) the tatoo glorified Jesus in some way, or perhaps made people ask what it was so I could give them the message of salvation.

That's a good idea. I believe your heart's in the right place.

for the longest time, i didn't know that john has his ears pierced until i saw a picture yesterday.

He also has a piercing in his nose. :)

wow

I don't see any problem with it. http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h29/ssjkakkarotx/tattoo.jpg

My dad walked into the room as I was reading that he said "don't even think about it!!!!!!" He is considering letting me pierce my ear though.

lol. on my 16th birthday im going to (with out my parents premission, just for the heck of it) get my lip and ear pierced. and i want to get a tatoo like the one above. awesome. or maybe just a simple cross on my wrist, like the guitarist for relient k. idk yet.

I'd love to get a tatoo of the trinity simbol on the back side of my elbo somday. For now I'll settle for the ear.

I'd never get a tattoo or piercing, but I have no problem with them as long as the tattoo isn't obscene.

My only concern with getting a tatoo is that when your old with lots of gray hair on your arms:P (excuse me ladies)
I think tatoos look really really wiered.

this is the only tattoo I ever want to get, a star of david around my thumb. Small, and to the point.

I don't think appropriate peircings/tatoos are bad. Just have permission and make sure where you're going is sterile, and you should be ok.

. . .You'll have to take it up with your parents (and God) on whether or not it's appropriate.

My favorite excuse for them is that "its an expressin of myself" cause then I think. Man... you must do nothing! Cause usually to express yourself you need talents and frankly, tattoos and piercings require neither of those! I'm not saying you have to be the best vocalist in the world i'm just saying you dont need tattoos and piercings for people to understand you better... because they wont :-).

And that's why God loves us for who we are and not what we are.

My favorite excuse for them is that "its an expressin of myself" cause then I think. Man... you must do nothing! Cause usually to express yourself you need talents and frankly, tattoos and piercings require neither of those! I'm not saying you have to be the best vocalist in the world i'm just saying you dont need tattoos and piercings for people to understand you better... because they wont :-).

And that's why God loves us for who we are and not what we are.
Neither what? You say tattoos and piercings require neither talent nor ???? What's the second thing? And what do you mean by tattoos take no talent? The drawing? The designing? The wearing? The last doesn't (except the talent to be able to withstand needles and pain), but the first two do. And often, people design their own tattoos, personalize them so they aren't just random images on the skin.

it's not gonna explain us better, it just looks nice if you get the right one in the right place

Neither what? You say tattoos and piercings require neither talent nor ???? What's the second thing? And what do you mean by tattoos take no talent? The drawing? The designing? The wearing? The last doesn't (except the talent to be able to withstand needles and pain), but the first two do. And often, people design their own tattoos, personalize them so they aren't just random images on the skin.

I think the poster meant that using "self expression" as an excuse for having a tattoo or piercing is a poor excuse because the poster believes there are better ways of expressing oneself that require talent such as writing, fine arts, drama, dancing music, etc. than wearing tattoos/piercings as an expressive statement. I suppose they mean that doing something or creating something is superior to expressing oneself through fashion.

i do not see anything wrong with peircings or tatoos...me personally.. i will be getting a lot of both...i am one of those dudes...that will will have tatoos that cover my chest, stomach, back, legs.. i want some on my foot...and i will have the tatoos on my arm start from my upper arm.. just so i can get a job...and when it comes to peircings.. i will have a lot of those too....i want two lip peircings on both sides of my lip...i want gauges(big enough to fit a nickel in my ear).. i want an industrial in my ear... and i want an industrial in my belly button....and i will most likely die my hair....i do see tatoos as art....and i just think peircings look cool....the pain is worth it to me...and i know i will have my tatoos when i have kids... and if they want one, they will have to wait until they are 18....i will not be ashamed by anything i have...and i will let my son have a peircingsi f he wants one.. and i will let him die his hair...same thing with my daughter... i mean... i am just talking lip peircings...ear rings...i see nothing wrong with it...but they will have to be 16 to get a peircing..and probably around 15 to get their hair dyed...woow... now i am talking about my furture family...hehehe well.. :)

Personally, I do not want a tattoo. They seem like something I would be cool with for fifteen minutes and then I'd want clear skin again. I noticed that Lacey Mosley from Flyleaf writes on herself with sharpie pen and I used to do that because it actually washes off really easily. But I'm really not a big tattoo fan, not out of any moral objection though. They just don't appeal to me.

I do like piercings, but on other people. I don't even have my ears pierced (they were at one time but healed and I don't want pierced ears anymore). Piercings always looked kinda cool to me, plus, if you get sick of them, you can just take them out. But I don't like over-generous piercing.

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