Home More advice Religion, Spirituality & Folklore
Do you think getting a Tattoo is a sin?
I think that God gives us a lot of lee way on things of this nature, he set us free from rules and regulations, so that we might pursue love, toward one another, as well as our enemies. I believe he would expect us to pray about any choices that we might wonder about, so that he could help us to make the decision. I believe that he would have us ask our selves, is it edifying? Will this make me closer to God or to the world? He is concerned with anything that we do that will cause a brother to stumble or fall, although he gives us liberty ourselves, we are to always consider others in our decisions, as well as ourselves. I think one should consider what it is going to look like, will it be offensive? Is this something that I want to live with from now on, even though my life may take many turns and twists, in the coming years. What would a future spouse think of this? What about my Sunday School Class, or my children, when they come along, or the unbelievers that I will be witnessing to? Also, we might consider what the origin of tatoos were, where did they come from? Was it Godly people that started this, or was it heathens? When I stand before my Lord, will it bother me, if I have this on my body? And in the event, of someone that gets saved, after having tatoos, we know that everybody has to live with them then, whether they like it or not, as it can't be changed. And it has nothing to do with salvation anyway, it is a matter of preference. So, after prayer, and thinking thru every objection, possible, if you can believe that everything is ok for you to make this decision, then I think it is up to you, after all, we each have to answer for ourselves.
I am Christian, I did not grow up in a churchy family. When I was 13 my Dad was saved and we started getting into the word of God and going to church. I didnt come to know Jesus untill I was 18, I went through a hard time and figured out that I needed JESUS CHRIST in my life! Yay I found him and So did my Husband (who was also not a christian before when we were in high school). Now we are happy and totally livving for God every day! So this is coming from someone who is true and seriouse about a relationship with Jesus not a religion. I got a tattoo summer before last on my lower back. My brother passed away in a car wreck and I got a heart with wings and his inicials. I did not feel any conviction when I got it. I think as long as your not getting something just random and not right, it's not a sin. It does say in the Bible not to destroy the temple of God which is our body, but if it's for a good cause, like to represent christ or to show appreciation for someone you love , I think thats ok! But maybe try to look up a few scriptures in the bible about this and see how you feel after reading. Also you cant go wrong by praying!!!
I hate to be idealistic, but the ISSUE would be personal. Since the bible doesn't SPECIFICALLY state 'getting a tattoo is a sin' ...if you INTERPRET it that way, then DON'T GET ONE. You can decide for yourself, but that doesn't mean YOUR decision is right for everyone.
It so irritating when people pull bits & pieces of scripture from different parts of the Bible, and then put them together, as if they're supposed to correlate.
I'll make this VERY simple. If you get a tattoo:
...to spite your god = BAD ...to glorify your god = GOOD ...in rememberance of a beloved family member, friend, etc. = GOOD ...of your favorite thing = GOOD ...of your boyfiend or girlfriend's name = STUPID (but not necessarily bad) ...because you're drunk & doing it on impulse = STUPID ...because you're dating someone w/ lots of ink, & you think they'll like you more = STUPID & BAD
So... anyone care to ADD to this list?
Leviticus 19:28 states," You shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor tattoo any marks on you: I am the Lord."
Pretty plain really. God gave this and other commands to the Israelites in order for them to remain pure for God's service. God's chosen people, Israel, were to be pure in heart and in deed, so He gave them the various laws and penalties for breaking these laws.
The world has corrputed the "church" and the believers are the one's to blame for this. If people actually lived with the fear of God in their hearts, and no this doesn't mean to be afraid of God, then things on this earth would be very different indeed. As for the plastic surgery etc. It sure is a sin and even more so when it is used to the extreme. When you alter your look you are in an essence saying that you are not happy with the way God made you. We are made in His image, remember?
In addition to the passage most commonly quoted in Leviticus, there is also a passage in Isaiah 44 that says that those who "write" on themselves "the LORD'S" will have certain blessings and that word "write" translates back into Hebrew as: "to mark with permanence, to brand, or tattoo." The passage in Leviticus also specifically says to not cut your body for the dead. "Tattoo" is actually a poor translation.
Basically, there is nothing expressly mentioned in scripture that forbids tattoos as we know them. There is even a biblical precedent that encourages tattoos in some circumstances. I wrestled with this myself and mine comes straight out of the passage in Isaiah that I mentioned.
Whatever you do- honor God with your body since it is the Temple of the Holy Spirit, and just as long as whatever you do does that, I wouldn't worry about it.
I just love it when we become the judazising Christians warned against in the new testament. . . . The laws of the old testament were written to the physical Children of Isreal living under the Mosaic laws ( old covenant). As Christians We are not under the Mosaic laws We are under the new covenant Paul speaks of this in length in the new testament. No rule or regulation mentioning Tatoos was ever mentioned in the new testament. sorta like it doesn't say you can't dring Wine beer or whiskey in the bible it only says not to get drunk. We are also told in the new testament if we keep one of the old laws we are to keep them all. . . When did you last have a levite priest sacrific an animal for you?
this was, like a biiig thing in my family bc my cousin wanted to get a tattoo and he did heavy research on this to prove to his mom that it was ok lol. the Leviticus laws were actually revoked in the New Testament so I'm under the impression that you can get a tattoo. Another thing, in the same sentence of the no-tattoo law thing was also no-pork (and some other things, im a lil rusty sorry). so if getting a tattoo is a sin then so is eating pork. and I totttally disagree with that!
Unless you are living under judism and the Mosaic laws, it is not a sin. Lev. was written to the children of Isreal under the old law which was fulfilled with he crucifiction of Jesus. But if you want to live by Lev. 19:28 I suggest you live by 27 also and not cut your sideburns or beard. . . . . Ever. And remember to. . . Hold it Lev 19 was wrote to the sons of Isreal. . . . Your female. . . Your exempt. :)
to conservative jews getting a tattoo is a sin because they belive there bodys are temples and that it would be destruction of a temple
to many denominations of Christianity anything you do is ok as long as it honers god (even a tattoo) (this leaves some room for personal discretion)
personally I believe god has better things to do than damn you to hell for a tattoo. =)
No, it's not a sin. I do agree with xxlovehutsbabexx - you don't want to get a tattoo like that, but something pretty or tasteful or something you like...why not?
I like watching that program, LA Ink - some of the tattoos those artists do are just plain beautiful and if I was braver, I'd probably get one myself.
There is no direct verse that translates into, "Thou shall not get a tattoo" (except for in Leviticus, which apparently is less applicable to Christians as it is to Jewish people), but if it feels wrong... then don't do it. And if you bothered to ask, it usually felt wrong.
You decide.
I also agree with doodlegirl09, God in King James Version did say that, I don't remember the exact verse, but it's true. Not to be mean but if that's what you want, and you go and ruin God's temple a.k.a your, body, you suffer the consiquences.
Like I said, thank God for the old Laws were done away with through Christ. I couldn't imagine trying to keep the literal thousands of laws in the Old Testament. Besides the altars of today would be a real bloody mess from the sacrifices.
Leviticus 19:2, " Speak unto ALL the congregation of the children of Israel, and say unto them,..." Is states for ALL of the people of Israel not just the men. The Law was done away with through Christ, very true, and thank God for that.
We are also told in the new testament if we keep one of the old laws we are to keep them all. . . When did you last have a levite priest sacrific an animal for you?
Yep... I think overall... God wouldn't care about it...
If you read the Bible, in the King James Verson there is a scripture in there that says. your body is a temple and you sould not harm it. I think that getting one is a sin! because you would be changing it from the way God made
I should also mention that said Catholic priest is a World War II veteran and he got his tattoo while a young soldier on the front lines. If this fine man is a sinner then the world should be filled with more of them.
Wow. Interesting responses. I should show this to a Catholic priest I know. In that he has a small tattoo on his arm, I'm sure he'll be amazed to know that he is a sinner and is destined for Hell.
I wouldnt think so. But whatever you put on your body let it be pleasing to the Lord. Bc in the Bible it says your body is a temple where the Lord dwells.
Oh, Catholics. Those liberal bastards.
Of course, if all sinners go to hell God would feel so lonely in heaven with only Jesus, Enoch, and maybe Mary around.
I think it would be a sin if it was a tattoo with stuff like swear words and rude stuff, but I can't say its a bad thing. I am not a religious person anyways.
i agree with doodlegirl it does say that in the bible so yes it is a sin look it up it really is a sin even if people disagree
Yes it is a sin. if it wasint god would have made you with them
Get at me on myspace.com/shakeemssb
ohh goodness no I am a christian & I just got my new tattoo evryone embraces it ..
I am all for tattoo's
exactly harley1375 it's nothing but a way of expression and there's NOTHING wrong with expressing yourself
...then I guess plastic surgery, liposuction, hair-color, acrylic nails, and make-up are sins too.
Not that i know of.. unless you get one that says anything about saten being cool or god suckin..
Yes,... you are modifing your body that God has made in his own image...its like dissing God
If it is then i'm doomed lol but i've not heard or read that its a sin.
papistgiant That was a really great answer. . . Keep up the good work.
Nope, there ar only 12 sins and tattoos arnt 1 of them
Its art work, body art... nothing more nothing less.
That's not a sin, unless your parents say not to.
no of corse not unless you ar ea bible thumper!
It's your body and you only get to live once.
no... why would it be
Not That I Know Of!
God likes my tats
