| Author | Message | ||
| Luzisbornagain Registered user Username: Luzisbornagain Post Number: 111 Registered: 7-2007 |
I personally don't see the big deal with tattoos, because they go on your body and this body is gonna die anyways, not that I would do one myself, but my sister did and her friend put up the photos up on myspace and someone from my adventist church saw them and told my friend's mother and she called and made a big deal telling my roommate that how she's gonna disrespect in her house knowing she's a christian and what not. I'm aware that there's a text in leviticus that says do not cut yourself for the dead and about the baal worshippers cutting themselves during the Elijah showdown. Anyways, do you think there's anything wrong with it and does the Bible condemn it besides the passages that I mentioned or is it just an adventist thing? (Message edited by luzisbornagain on August 25, 2007) | ||
| Philharris Registered user Username: Philharris Post Number: 162 Registered: 5-2007  |
Luz, I can not answer your question yes or no. As far as I know, the only thing that pollutes our body is the words that come out of ones mouth. And, I have a tattoo of a Bull Dog (US Marine mascot) on my arm. It just isn't worth the health risk to have it removed. Another example: At one time, I had a pastor, who before he became a Christian had a tattoo of a naked girl put on his arm. Now, when the preaching would get hot and he would take off his coat and roll up his sleeves, there she was for all to see. Actually, the message was clear and spoke of how the Lord can change any of us. For many of us our "tattoos" are not visible but are much worse. The gospel of Jesus Christ had totally changed his life and the tattoo only testified to the this. While I would not want to get another, the one I have is no big deal. Phil | ||
| Agapetos Registered user Username: Agapetos Post Number: 992 Registered: 10-2002  |
In Japan normal people don't get tattoos because traditionally the only people with them are "yakuza" -- that is, Japanese mafia. They get these big painful tattoos of dragons or chrysanthemums or ogres that sometimes cover their whole arms and backs. Public bathhouses often refuse people entry if they have tattoos. Several years ago some yakuza got saved, though, and became ministers. Their lives are a testimony to the saving gospel of Jesus, and they sometimes show their tattoos and preach their message, "If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation -- the old has gone and the new has come!" I put up some links on a thread maybe last year. Search for "Mission Barabbas" if you want to read about them.  | ||
| River Registered user Username: River Post Number: 1350 Registered: 9-2006  |
My answer to that question is this, it necessarily subjects one to pain and danger of infection, which is unnecessary, to me it does not seem a sin, neither is picking your nose and eating your own buggers but I wouldn’t want to do it. Further more a Tattoo is revolting to me to look at, the women nowadays are getting them by the droves and it makes an otherwise beautiful woman ugly as a mud fence dobbed with tadpoles and the ugly ones even uglier. I don’t know why a Tattoo is so very revolting to me but it is, on man or woman. I think it is because my mother would say to me when I was very young “Son, never get one of them old Tattoos, its ugly and you are not supposed to mark up your body” and just before I went into the Navy she pleaded with me yet again, I went through the Navy and the Army and while the troops went and spent a big amount of their pay I didn’t get one, no feather in my hat though because I blew my pay on wine and women at the same time they blew theirs on Tattoo’s. I think I have my mother to thank for me not getting one. While may not be a Sin, it is ugly as Sin, at least to me. Just IMHO as always. River | ||
| Luzisbornagain Registered user Username: Luzisbornagain Post Number: 112 Registered: 7-2007 |
LOL River. My mom used to tell me the same thing. She said never get tattoos because they look ugly on a woman and make them look like trash. Which is true to me as well, not saying my sister looks like trash because hers is nice and colorful, it looks like art. I didn't think it was a salvational issue myself nor saw the big deal. But my mom she takes it way up there, like when my sister got her first tattoo of a little rose she took a knife and threatened to stab her and started carving the walls. When I found that out, I freaked out because that's insane. | ||
| River Registered user Username: River Post Number: 1352 Registered: 9-2006 |
When I thought of my Mom this morning I thought of the gentle and pleading way she used to instruct me when I was a kid. It made me kind of weapy this morning for my Mom is gone now. I remember one time she took the old 12 guage to a fellow who beat up on us kids, that about upended her. She was fined 10 cents, the price of a shot gun shell at that time. Laughter mixed with tears. River | ||
| Grace_alone Registered user Username: Grace_alone Post Number: 761 Registered: 6-2006  |
I miss the days when only guys like Popeye had them... Leigh Anne | ||
| Agapetos Registered user Username: Agapetos Post Number: 999 Registered: 10-2002 |
This must be why there are so many butch guys with tattoos that have a heart which says, "Mom". ("Mom, please don't kill me... see how much I love you?") | ||
| Jim02 Registered user Username: Jim02 Post Number: 202 Registered: 5-2007 |
Who would take a box of magic markers to the Mona Lisa or a Rembrandt? Or what of a brand new car. How about a bucket of paint to touch up that fender? Tatoos mar God's created work. Then there is motive. Tatoos's represent in most cases a desire for attention and an expression in vanity. For others it is a label of belonging to a group, or perhaps even a defense measure as in gangs. I agree with River. It ain't pretty. But assuming what is done is done. It should never be a barrier to the acceptance in the church and personal growth of a rescued soul. The wisdom here is realizing almost without exception. Tatoos are usually regretted later in life. | ||
| Larry Registered user Username: Larry Post Number: 126 Registered: 5-2007 |
I used to want a heart tattoo but instead of "mom" in the middle, have "BEER" !  All things are permissable, not all profitable. But seriously, I am sure Life Assurance Ministries and the good folks at Proclamation could well use the money spent on stuff like this. Consider them very worthy places to donate money and offerings. | ||
| Martinc Registered user Username: Martinc Post Number: 8 Registered: 9-2006 |
Makes me think of the bumper sticker, "Body piercing saved my life," referring to Jesus, not realizing that His piercing was in my place, unique, once and for all. It is hard for me to separate body piercing from the mental illness I have worked with. Tattoos are different from piercing, which remains an open wound. Right Larry, so many things are permissible. Every day I struggle with the desire to remove things from other people (or remove the people themselves) that I find esthetically irritating. It is the same part that wants to say "Raca!" about them in my heart or out loud. Confession: I didn't need Adventism to make me a culture snob, but it didn't help! Here in the Inland Empire there are increasing numbers of the surly, tattoo culture. But so many of the lost are just like I was, untouched and hard. My heart was pierced by grace. The harvest is great and the workers are few. | ||
| Asurprise Registered user Username: Asurprise Post Number: 176 Registered: 7-2007 |
What I would say, is "ask the Lord whether to get a tatoo." Our bodies belong to Him, so it's also up to Him what He wants written on them. My personal impression - not what's "right or wrong" or anything - is that someone either with a tatoo or with way too much make-up, puts me in mind of someone who is insecure. Now that doesn't mean they are REALLY insecure - it just makes me think they are. It makes me think they are trying to create an identity for themselves, instead of accepting the wonderful identity that God has given to us through His Son's death and resurrection. | ||
| River Registered user Username: River Post Number: 1359 Registered: 9-2006 |
Jim said "But assuming what is done is done. It should never be a barrier to the acceptance in the church and personal growth of a rescued soul. The wisdom here is realizing almost without exception. Tatoos are usually regretted later in life." Jim I completely agree with your whole post!! I don't know what to do with it! You didn't even give me an excuse to draw my pistols. Guess I'll just have to start calling you Brother Jim!! River | ||
| Laurie Registered user Username: Laurie Post Number: 88 Registered: 6-2007 |
Well, I am almost afraid to say this. I like tattoos. They are just like everything else... OK when in moderation. I have begged my husband to get one for years. He said he will get one when I buy him a Fat Boy Harley! Laurie | ||
| Martinc Registered user Username: Martinc Post Number: 9 Registered: 9-2006 |
Speaking for myself, some tattoos are repulsive, while others are pretty benign. I also agree with Jim02, but there seem to be degrees of harm. A Marine bulldog for me has a certain message, and the observer is not likely to question sanity or safety. There are many gang members at the high school where I work, and their tattoos are menacing in intent. In the general population, I'm now seeing more tattoos with themes of death, and we see now a preoccupation with death in pop culture. Skulls are showing up on skin, and much else. | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 6659 Registered: 12-2003  |
Martin, I relate to your concerns. Perhaps partly because of my "teacher background", I tend to see tatoos not so much as art forms or "accessorizing" as philosophical expressions (although most people getting them probably wouldn't identify philosophy as part of their motive!). There is an increasing isolation among teens and twenty-somethings, and there's a lot of 'darkness' in their obsessive video games. About four years ago I took our younger son to driving school in our town. Two doors down from the driving school was a tatoo/piercing parlor. It's name summarized the subject for me: "House of Pain". I agree, Jim--tatoos should never be a barrier to welcoming someone to worship. Colleen | ||
| Jim02 Registered user Username: Jim02 Post Number: 206 Registered: 5-2007 |
Thank You River. Jim | ||
| Sara Registered user Username: Sara Post Number: 48 Registered: 5-2007 |
Yuk! This thread reminds me of endless hours of debate as an SDA over jewelry etc. What is functional, what isn't, what is vanity, what is personal expression or art. Could money spent on non-functional ties or scarfs be better spent in the "Lord's work". What is a bigger sin, wearing a simple wedding band, or wasting money on an expensive watch,...... Reading it made me tense. Go for it, those of you who have the stomache for it. I must be to new to freedom to handle these discussions yet. | ||
| Sara Registered user Username: Sara Post Number: 49 Registered: 5-2007 |
Oh, I dont much care for tatoo's, but some of my closest friends have them...(wink) One even got her tatoo after she was born again. (gasp) Martinc, AMEN, well said to the whole post. Sara | ||
| Martinc Registered user Username: Martinc Post Number: 10 Registered: 9-2006 |
Right Sara, I've seen some pretty impressive Christian tattoos on believers and felt, well, relieved. I think of those rough Gauls that Paul preached to long ago, and what sort of disturbing practices they might have had. Paul got after them for the offense of legalistic cutting. Tattoo historian Stephen Gilbert cites several biblical references he believes refer to tattoos, apparently common among the Hebrews. Gilbert also cites the Isaiah passage, "I have graven thee on the palms of my hands," and also Rev. 19:16 where Jesus has a name written on his thigh, King of Kings...Ah well, Gilbert is no biblical scholar, and neither am I. |
