In my lifetime, I have watched tattoos shift from just appearing on the arms of a few sailors into being accepted by many who are in the mainstream of America.
Whereas, the old-time sailors, often, wished their tattoos would disappear after their tours of duty ended, not so with today’s aficionados.They love tattoos and want more.
And guess what? Many Christians are going along with the trend. John 3:16, crosses and Jesus are some of the popular tattoos appearing on exposed skin.
As for me, I have struggled with tattoos.
You shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor tattoo any marks on you: I am the Lord. (Leviticus 19:28)
So, what’s your thoughts on tattoos? Like? Don’t like? Could care less? Or what?
Swimming Upstream appears at this blog site on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. It’s a little of this and a little of that, all written to encourage and exhort believers in their Christian journeys.
Larry Who 
Check out seriouswhimsey’s early comment on yesterday’s post:
https://larrywho.wordpress.com/2009/07/11/a-new-baby-on-monday/#comments
I’ve never been a fan of tattoos, but that’s not a religious conviction. I just think it’s kinda dumb to do something permanent to a 20-year-old body that will look ridiculous on a 50-year-old body. Surely there are better ways to spend money/be a patron of the arts/groom one’s body?
I have a tattoo. It’s fairly large (nine inches wide, two tall) and it’s the latin word for Mercy, on my lower back. I got it because of a word of wisdom someone gave me, about wearing grace like a blanket on my shoulders and bearing mercy on my back. I do it now, quite literally.
As for the verse- context. Always context. It was a command not given generally, but given specifically. It was about people who cut themselves or tattooed themselves ritualistically, and I don’t know that there is any way one can say it carries over to today’s culture.
After all, my tattoo isn’t about following an Ancient Egyptian practice- it’s about a permanent reminder of who God made me to be.
(And as for it looking ridiculous when I’m eighty- it’s at a place where people only ever see it if I show it to them. It’s a very private thing.)
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I don’t have a problem with tattoos or people having them on their bodies, if I am honest. It is a personal choice like a hair style or a choice to follow a particular trend of clothing. My issue would be with someone who has a tattoo of anything related to God, the bible or Jesus and who leads a life which does not honour that message displayed on their body or which gives the complete opposite message.
Then again, I do not have any tattoos but I do write a lot about my faith and the church and I too fall short from God’s standards all the time, so who am I to comment anyway?
Be blessed!
ransom 33,
Good point.
I’ve always thought that instead of putting bumper stickers on cars, Christians should paste them on their foreheads. Then, the world will help clean each of us up by pointing out our mistakes and hypocrisies.
Most people close to my age do not like tattoos very much, if at all. I would guess this comes mainly from our younger days, when tattoos were not chic. A few sailors, marines and ex-convicts sported tattoos on their arms, but that was about it.
Now, athletes, rock stars, movie stars, models and other celebrities have tattoos. It’s chic and “in” to have tattoos.
As a Christian, I have struggled with tattoos. Part of it was due to my upbringing and part was due to some of the legalistic teachings I received at the time, especially Lev. 19:28.
I never spoke my beliefs about tattoos aloud nor did I preach them, but they were ingrained in me.
Then, the Lord had me work with numerous men with tattoos. Lots of them. In fact, some looked like lizards with all their etchings on their skin. This was followed by a bunch of Christian punk singers with tattoos all over their skin.
Finally, it dawned on me. Jesus loved these men, why should I judge them?
So, tattoos don’t bother me anymore at all. I personally don’t want one, but if you do that’s up to you.
But I would add this little itsy-bitsy warning: it seems to me, that for some people, tattoos are an addiction. If that is true for you, you might want to seek the Lord and see if the addictive drive to have tattoos is fueled by demonic spirits or not.
So, Lindsey and all others who have tattoos, God bless you.
While I feel it would be wrong for me to have/get a tattoo, (and I don’t want one anyway), I don’t feel inclined to judge those who have them. Judging people scares the bejeebers out of me! That’s the Lord’s job. Not mine!
Isaiah 49:16 Amplified Translation – Behold, I have indelibly imprinted (tattooed a picture of) you on the palm of each of My hands.
tattoos on other people? who cares… tatoos on me? I have to get enough shots, thanks!
@ Larry: I feel confident in saying that my tattoo isn’t a sign of an addictive personality- I’ve had one for eight years, no desire to get another.
And, as you so rightly pointed out- there is a current cultural context for being “marked”, and it is a privilege for me to be able to so well fit into a culture that many Christians either overlook or are repulsed by.
And God bless you for creating a platform for discussing things like this.