BellaOnline Forums Religion and Spirituality Bible Basics Re:tattoos

I have a question, is there somewhere in the bible that says you shouldn't get tattoos? I thought so but have not been able to find it. Thank you.

Sarah Redhawk

Sarah, tattoos are mentioned in Scripture. Only one verse (and only in some translations) uses the word tattoo, and that is:
Leviticus 19:28 "You shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor tattoo any marks on you: I am the LORD."

This command is in a long list of laws for the Israelites, given to them through Moses. Some are moral laws, and some cultural or ceremonial. They're all mixed together. So, you're going to get different opinions from different Christians about whether tattoos are prohibited for us.

My personal view is that we have many liberties as part of the body of Christ. In making permanent decisions, we need to determine #1 is this allowed? #2 is this beneficial? #3 will it put a stumbling block in anyone's path?

Some will tell you that tattoos are not allowed, and that the prohibition in Leviticus is a moral law we are bound to follow. I don't believe it's that cut and dried. It's right between "don't shave around the sides of your head", which clearly isn't a moral issue, and "don't prostitute your daughter", which clearly IS! In that day, tattoos were associated with pagan worship (and you could argue that many today are, too). The Jews were not to blend with the surrounding pagan cultures by looking or acting like them. Christians shouldn't act like the culture at large, but looking like them? That's more of a gray area.
#2 Hard to see how a tattoo could be beneficial, #3 you have to prayerfully consider whether getting a tattoo might cause someone who looks up to you, to stumble in any way in their walk with (or toward) God. You know your life. I've seen some beautiful, seemingly harmless secular tattoos, and some gorgeous God-honoring tattoos. Also lots of horrid trash that makes me grieve for the person bearing it in their flesh.

That's my take on it...kind of mushy, I know. I've chosen to forgo permanent decoration of this type--it's just not important enough to bother with.

If someone's pressuring you toward getting a tattoo, that's another matter. Resist and make your own decisions after praying about it thoroughly.

Other viewpoints welcome...

Tattoos can be and are a very powerful thing. They can and also are very spiritual and can be used as tools. I look at it as a way to express my faith and my spiritual side in addition to an outword expression of an inward faith.

But thats me. My tattoos represent many things. They are reminders of my faith. They remind me I am a strong person and that Hashem only gives me what I can deal with.

From what I have studied, there was a particular tribe of nomads that worshipped their Ancestors as their gods at the time of this passage - and Moses and his wandering group of Israelites (whom I suppose would have also technically been nomads at the time) had dealings with. They would mark their flesh with tattoos and brandings during ceremonies to call upon their gods. So that is specifically what this verse is referring to, (and I will have to go do some diggin to find the name of the tribe that worshipped this way).

There are many rules and laws that were specific to the time of Moses' wandering that do not apply today - such as the rules for eating Mannah. Also laws about how women were treated while menstruating no longer apply - because we live in much more sanitary times. It is really fascinating to read many of the laws that concerned health and sanitation that we have rendered unnecessary because of the times we live in. (I had a microbiology teacher that was also a Methodist minister - amazing and fascinating teacher!!!!)

So, at least in my opinion, there is nothing against God in getting a tatoo - as long as there is nothing IN the tattoo that is against God.

I try to compare my feelings about a topic with what Scripture teaches, so I can see how far off I am and how I need to adjust course.
Another verse relevant to tattoos came to me this morning, and that is: "For the LORD does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." 1 Samuel 16:7.
No matter what you say is your reason for getting or not getting a tattoo, God knows your heart (better than you do!) and knows what's really going on--whether you are aiming to please Him, or have some self-centered agenda from which you are making your decisions.
In some ways I think our liberty in Christ makes these decisions harder, because we must always be aware of our motives and our heart toward God, and can't just check to be sure we're obeying the rules and regulations. He desires for us to become more like Jesus, moment by moment, and decision by decision.

Thank you everyone for all your replies. you have helped me alot.

Glad to hear, it, Linda!

Just to give you all the viewpoint of a child, I would like to share this with you. (I truly hope it does not offend anyone, for we each have our own thoughts on this subject). Anyway, my grandson and his Mom were talking about some tattoos some friends of ours have and my grandson said:

"Well, I don't know if tattoos are right to get, because, I think that God sent us here clean and He wants us to come home clean."

Phyllis:

What a smart child your grandson is , how awesome for him to think of that. Tell him I said good job.