Is it wrong to get a tattoo? - MinistryQuestions.com | Ministry questions, answers, advice, and input from other ministry workers

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Is it wrong to get a tattoo?

I am asking for a friend who just tweeted me that question. Knowing that the Bible says that your body is a temple, what would your answer or advice be for my friend?

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4 years ago

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Personally, no! I am sure I am not alone in this, but here is my "issue" with the whole "your body is a temple" argument.

I have had SOOO many people use that on me. However, if that is road that we are going to head down, then you have to take that scripture and apply it to EVERYTHING that can be "damaging" to the temple of God. So no cheeseburgers, sodas, candy, ice cream, etc. because those things are all damaging to the temple. Is obesity ok but not a tattoo?

I'll step off my soap box now. I just hate when people use that as THE excuse not to get tattoos but don't apply it to anything and everything that can damage the temple.

And yes, I do have tattoos

Fuel-st...

4 years ago

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0 Votes I forgot. Again back towards Men Softball ministry. Since I just wear a A-shirt which shows my tattoo of Jesus face with scripture on my left arm. It brought a curious man that did not know Christ which he also had tattoo's. He came to me and had asked about my tattoo, I explained to him about the scripture on my arm. Just talking with him about my tattoo for about 30 mins after the game, came to know Christ right there on the ball field. Goes towards what tattoos you get on your body. Can be good or bad. Note: Time thanks for adding image command to the site. by NickD 4 years ago Attachments: (1) by NickD 4 years ago
0 Votes I love this debate. I get a little scared when people start saying things like "well if you have a clear conscience then go for it" because it kind of sounds like the adult way of saying "do what makes you feel good." That's probably not what you're implying here but we should be careful. I too haven't found anything in Scripture for or against it, therefore we must use sound judgement, wisdom, and prayer b/c it is FOREVER. by Worship... 4 years ago by WorshipCity 4 years ago
0 Votes I say go for it. I've not read anything that is anti tattoo. My understand of the OT passage is that pagan cultures were tattooed and the Hebrew people were not to get tattooed so as not to be identified with them (again this is my understanding but I haven't studied it as much as I'd like). I'm planning on getting one myself. by Jason Lamb 4 years ago by Jason Lamb 4 years ago
0 Votes A tattoo is FOREVER. If they have prayed about it and have a clear conscience, then got for it. Old testament is the only place we see any info about tattoos but I don't see ANYTHING in the new testament. If the tattoo is NOT a distraction to their witness to CHRIST, then one should not have a problem with it. I personally do not or will never get a tattoo but that is my choice, and my conviction. by Pastor Joe 4 years ago by Pastor Joe 4 years ago
0 Votes I'm sure that if someone's conscience won't allow it, almost anything can be wrong. That said, in itself I doubt that God is offended by tattoos, any more than any other form of self-expression. In fact, God puts a mark on Cain, so there's a precedent for doing it. Leviticus 19:28 says "You shall not make any cuts on your body for the dead or tattoo yourselves: I am the Lord," and is talking about obit rituals and customs which set other ancient near eastern religions apart. The same thing goes for not sacrificing children to Moloch. (Ch.20 v.1-9) Back then, the association was best avoided. Similarly, now a person can exclude himself from the job market with a big tattoo on his face. Tattoos transmit something. Make it a good thing! by caughtn... 4 years ago by caughtnottaught 4 years ago
0 Votes I had several parents look at my tattoos when I was wearing my softball uniform at our men's church league. After the game they came to me and asked about my tattoos. One said "Your a Middle School Pastor with tattoos?" Then dumped scripture in my lap from Leviticus. I said, Look in our church, we have tons of pictorial paintings from the bible on our walls. It was painted by someone in our temple/church. I do not see or hear you complaining about it, because it reflects the bible. My tattoo is the same way, it reflects Christ on my left arm. He just turned and walked about his business. If your tattoo reflects Gods word, I see absolutely nothing wrong with it. by NickD 4 years ago by NickD 4 years ago
0 Votes I agree with the other posters, what is the reason for the tattoo. This is what I ask my students when they ask me. If it is a girl getting one for a boyfriend, absolutely not. They will regret it once they break up. I try to let them know this is a permanent fixture on their body, not like a piercing or haircut. A tattoo doesn't go away very easily. by Soulshaper 4 years ago by Soulshaper 4 years ago
0 Votes It depends on the purpose for the tattoo. The only text that I know of that speaks to this issue is Leviticus 19:19-35. What is important to notice is that this passage is speaking specifically about idolatrous practices and slashing yourself in grief (as was practiced in Egypt). In addition it is interesting to note that those who would say getting a tattoo is wrong have no problems getting hair cuts and often say long hair is a sin (vs. 27). Jesus himself gets a tattoo (Rev. 19) and God gets a tattoo (Isaiah 49:16). Of course if a tattoo communicated a message that did not honor God that would be different. by John Byrne 4 years ago by John Byrne 4 years ago

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I forgot. Again back towards Men Softball ministry. Since I just wear a A-shirt which shows my tattoo of Jesus face with scripture on my left arm. It brought a curious man that did not know Christ which he also had tattoo's. He came to me and had asked about my tattoo, I explained to him about the scripture on my arm. Just talking with him about my tattoo for about 30 mins after the game, came to know Christ right there on the ball field.

Goes towards what tattoos you get on your body. Can be good or bad.

Note: Time thanks for adding image command to the site.

NickD

4 years ago

Attachments:
- (1)

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I love this debate. I get a little scared when people start saying things like "well if you have a clear conscience then go for it" because it kind of sounds like the adult way of saying "do what makes you feel good." That's probably not what you're implying here but we should be careful.
I too haven't found anything in Scripture for or against it, therefore we must use sound judgement, wisdom, and prayer b/c it is FOREVER.

Worship...

4 years ago

Votes

I say go for it. I've not read anything that is anti tattoo. My understand of the OT passage is that pagan cultures were tattooed and the Hebrew people were not to get tattooed so as not to be identified with them (again this is my understanding but I haven't studied it as much as I'd like).
I'm planning on getting one myself.

Jason Lamb

4 years ago

Votes

A tattoo is FOREVER. If they have prayed about it and have a clear conscience, then got for it. Old testament is the only place we see any info about tattoos but I don't see ANYTHING in the new testament.

If the tattoo is NOT a distraction to their witness to CHRIST, then one should not have a problem with it.

I personally do not or will never get a tattoo but that is my choice, and my conviction.

Pastor Joe

4 years ago

Votes

I'm sure that if someone's conscience won't allow it, almost anything can be wrong.

That said, in itself I doubt that God is offended by tattoos, any more than any other form of self-expression. In fact, God puts a mark on Cain, so there's a precedent for doing it.

Leviticus 19:28 says "You shall not make any cuts on your body for the dead or tattoo yourselves: I am the Lord," and is talking about obit rituals and customs which set other ancient near eastern religions apart.

The same thing goes for not sacrificing children to Moloch. (Ch.20 v.1-9) Back then, the association was best avoided.

Similarly, now a person can exclude himself from the job market with a big tattoo on his face. Tattoos transmit something. Make it a good thing!

caughtn...

4 years ago

Votes

I had several parents look at my tattoos when I was wearing my softball uniform at our men's church league. After the game they came to me and asked about my tattoos. One said "Your a Middle School Pastor with tattoos?" Then dumped scripture in my lap from Leviticus.

I said, Look in our church, we have tons of pictorial paintings from the bible on our walls. It was painted by someone in our temple/church. I do not see or hear you complaining about it, because it reflects the bible. My tattoo is the same way, it reflects Christ on my left arm. He just turned and walked about his business.

If your tattoo reflects Gods word, I see absolutely nothing wrong with it.

NickD

4 years ago

Votes

I agree with the other posters, what is the reason for the tattoo. This is what I ask my students when they ask me. If it is a girl getting one for a boyfriend, absolutely not. They will regret it once they break up.
I try to let them know this is a permanent fixture on their body, not like a piercing or haircut. A tattoo doesn't go away very easily.

Soulshaper

4 years ago

Votes

It depends on the purpose for the tattoo. The only text that I know of that speaks to this issue is Leviticus 19:19-35. What is important to notice is that this passage is speaking specifically about idolatrous practices and slashing yourself in grief (as was practiced in Egypt). In addition it is interesting to note that those who would say getting a tattoo is wrong have no problems getting hair cuts and often say long hair is a sin (vs. 27). Jesus himself gets a tattoo (Rev. 19) and God gets a tattoo (Isaiah 49:16).

Of course if a tattoo communicated a message that did not honor God that would be different.

John Byrne

4 years ago

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