What does the Bible say about tattoos / body piercings?

Answer 1

Does it really matter? The bible's so full of loopholes that everything and every sort of person is condemned and praised at least once. Jesus himself is confused about his stature, stating at one point that he's as great as his father, while afterwards saying that he himself is but an insect under his paternal founder's glare. I'm a Christian, but one can't remain so naive as to follow a hypocritical book written countless years ago for the majority of his life, ya?

Anyways, from a less, ah, illogical standpoint, both really freaking hurt. Unless you're secure with jamming some metal into your body or having a unicorn cut into your back, I'd stay away from either. It's your decision, though.

I and my father are one.
- John 10:30

... I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I.
- John 14:28

Quotes of Jesus.

Answer 2

Not much. It does mention NOT to tatoo the body to mourn the dead like the pagan societies do. This was a law for the Jewish people. It also says the body is our temple to God. Now some people say well we adorn temples don't we? So I guess that argument can go both ways. I suppose it depends on what you "adorn" it with (is hard to think of putting a skull on a temple or a half naked lady or tribal tats those would all be sacreligeous in a christian or jewish temple)
The only mention of Piercings I remember is the one that says to pierce the ear of someone who wanted to become a servant for life rather than leave a bondage whose time had run out. There is also an admonisment not to have too much jewelry. Earings are mentioned in the bible often and it is usually not clear if the wearers were Men or Women but usually they were removed and given to God as an offering. So if you have earings maybe you should do that? I think if the piercings are tastefull and not to an "xtreme" then there is nothing against it in the bible.

Answer 3

The Bible is silent about many things such as you mention however certain principals do apply and carry over. Any Christian should be conscience of the witness they present to others. There is nothing sinful or bad about tattoos or body piercings even if some people would want to misapply scripture to suit their specific taboos. Just remember that tattoos are permanent but if you are a Christian you already have the permanent tattoo of the Holy Spirit upon your heart and soul. As a Christian just be sensitive to the things that might hamper or stand in the way of your witness but if you are confident in your heart and sincere in your faith then I know of no Biblical prohibitions against such. The only possible application one could make is to consider it abuse of your body and therefore the container of the Holy Spirit.

Answer 4

The Bible says: The body is the temple of the Lord. And plainly states, do not mark your body with tattoos.
Leviticus 19:28 - Do not cut your bodies for the dead or put tattoo marks on yourselves. I am the LORD.

Answer 5

Rand GE is right Leviticus 19:28: “You must not make cuts in your flesh for a deceased soul, and you must not put tattoo marking upon yourselves." That is what is says and he is right about the reason: because it was the mark of the Heathens who lived in the surrounding area and the Israelites were supposed to be a nation dedicated to the One God, their God Jehovah of the Old Testament

Answer 6

Leviticus 19:28 says it directly
Roman 12:1 makes an allusion.
AND:
An article in American Demographics magazine observed:
“It is clear that most Americans consider it risky to have visible body art. Eighty-five percent [of youths] agree with the statement, ‘people who have visible tattoos . . . should realize that this form of self-expression is likely to create obstacles in their career or personal relationships.’”

Answer 7

Hello friend,
Have a look at Leviticus 19:28 and then 1 Cor. 3:16,17 for a small sample.
Keep it in context.
God bless,
2 Tim 2:7

Answer 8

Thou shalt not tattoo a mom anchor on thy arm, which is the temple of God. Ad nosiem, latte, ponchas pilot.

No, I'm being silly. Actually, I think it refers to the body as the temple of God, so you wouldn't write graffiti on a church, but then again we do a lot of decorative things to our bodies. Are they really sins? I guess that's why it's so important to have strong bonds of communication with God. He'll let you know what you do and don't need to be doing in your life.

Answer 9

Henna tattooing was a common practice in the culture of the time, so I bet there isn't any Biblical restrictions on tattoos.

Answer 10

Nothing in the new testament. However my husband has his ears pierced and some of the older people at our church want him to take them out because they are worldly. To this he told them that their expensive suits and gold watches were world.