Religion & Spirituality

The Christian view on tattoos

What is it? The only reason I can see against it is the body being a temple bit. But as Christianity and art have gone hand in hand for centuries maybe its an ideal opportunity for Christians to worship God via the medium of tattooing.

Booldawg Wed 25/06/08 08:25

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Oneeyedvic
Wed 25/06/08
08:57

"You shall not make any cuttings in your flesh on account of the dead or tattoo any marks upon you: I am the Lord" (Lev. 19:28).

Booldawg
Wed 25/06/08
09:13

Question Author

off at a tangent - Isnt the Old Testament more of a 'Rules for Jews written by Jews', rather than generally viewed as 'gospel' by Christians?

Octavius
Wed 25/06/08
10:09

I would say that if you are remotely tempted to follow one of Levitticus' codes, then you should follow all of them! and only a nutter would do that!

"The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." (I Samuel 16:7)

If someone is so concerned about the religious impact of having a tattoo, then maybe they really shouldn't get one. Depending on the actual artwork concerned, I believe some of them are fantastic. I would probably roll my eyes and laugh at a 666 or shudder at a swastika though!

Oneeyedvic
Wed 25/06/08
10:12

Booldawg - you are right - Christians follow the New Testament and Leviticus is Old Testament - my apologies.

Oneeyedvic
Wed 25/06/08
10:15

Octavius - don't forget that a swastika is a religious symbol.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swastika#Religion _and_mythology

Octavius
Wed 25/06/08
10:53

Yes, and indeed can look very artistic, I was however referring more to post war fascist idolatry.

http://www.indymedia.org.uk/images/2006/11/357 264.jpg

Theland1
Thurs 26/06/08
01:33

They have to be spelled correctly.

Quinlad
Mon 30/06/08
15:21

In Cape Fear, De Niro is a devout Christian with biblical passages tattooed on his torso.

And I draw my religious knowledge excusively from Scorcese films.

So - in short - tattoos are fine.

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