Do Christians realize that the Bible forbids getting piercings and tattoos?

Question

I guess all of those women with hoop earrings shouldn't be judging what I do.

Christians still use the Old Testament too. It's laws affect more than the Jews.

Answer 1

exactly. a lot of christians dont reliaze that half the stuff they do and follow now is NOT the original teachings of Jesus. ie: swine, excessive drinking, tatoos, showing off one's body.

Answer 2

Actually, you're incorrect on both counts.

1) Piercings: pierced noses are mentioned three times in the Old Testament -- Exodus 35:22 (which also mentions pierced ears), Isaiah 3:21 and Ezekiel 16:12 (earrings are also mentioned). These last two passages quote God Himself speaking. There is no prohibition of piercings mentioned at all.

2) Leviticus 19:28, as is all of the book of Leviticus, is directed toward JEWS, not Messianic Jews or gentiles. So on that count alone, there is no commandment for us. Further, if you look at the verse more closely, you'll see God commanded His people not to tattoo pagan symbols onto their flesh. Never does He mention battleships, "Mom" in a heart, or "tramp stamps" (although I wish He did).

Peace.

Answer 3

See this article for info on what Judaism and Christianity have to say about tattooing and the source of those views: http://www.answers.com/topic/history-of-tattooing

You should note, though, that the context in which it was forbidden was when it was used as a tribal and polytheist tradition, and this anti-tattoo tradition was established to differentiate the Israelites from their polytheist neighbors and ancestors, and perhaps to discourage people from holding on to those old traditions. Today this ruling is no longer relevant in the same context, since tattooing isn't used in most cultures as a sign of polytheistic faith.

Despite what this article says, even in some orthodox Jewish communities, tattoos aren't considered that bad, just not recommended. TV sitcoms ("The Nanny", for example) sometimes refer to Jews with tattoos not being allowed to be buried in Jewish cemeteries. That might be true in some less-religious cemeteries where commonly known edicts are used to ensure those buried there are truly Jewish, but that's not such a big deal in more religious circles, where a rabbi would probably say that tattoos are strongly discouraged based on rabbinic tradition, but they aren't equated with greater sins such as violating the Sabbath (Shabbat) or adultery.

Answer 4

That's an interesting questions. The actual scripture you are referring to is: “Do not cut your bodies for the dead or put tattoo marks on yourselves. I am the LORD” (Leviticus 19:28) Notice He says "for the dead". (He also said not to wear clothing with mixed fibers) The context of the time was that God was instructing His people not to follow the rituals of the other cultures/pagans around them and follow His commands. Also, believers are not under the Old Testament law (since Jesus...hence the New Testament) However, that does not mean that it is to be completely ignored. The New Testament also says "Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God" (1 Corinthians 10:31). That does not mean that God necessarily wants us to get tattoos either. It's one of those "disputable matters" that Jesus speaks of in Romans. "Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters. One man’s faith allows him to eat everything, but another man, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables." Romans 14:1-2

The below links are helpfull.

Answer 5

The Bible doesnt forbid peircings at all, there are many places where it speaks of wearing earrings and nose rings, it doesnt forbid tattoos either... for one thing the word 'Tattoo" isnt in the original text anyway, its a word to mean "to mark the body" but the verse specifically says not to tattoo (mark) or cut your body FOR THE DEAD. So you really dont have a point to make :)

Answer 6

Leviticus 19:28 forbids tattoos and cutting "for the dead." I missed the rule against piercings though...

Answer 7

I'm not sure about the earrings,

But I know that Jewish law forbids TATTOOS, and despite what another Christian implied,

yes, tattoos existed back then.\

Christians immediately broke Jewish law and marked their body with a cross on their hand as a sign of Christianity in the early days of Christianity

Answer 8

It forbids the Jews to get piercings and tattoos. It's easy to take things out of context and use it for your own agenda. If you're going to attack something, look into it a little more. Try harder.

Answer 9

The tatoos that G-d forbad were specifically used to identify people to specific dieties.
As Jews, we are not to even mention the names of other gods; let alone have their identification marks on our body.

Answer 10

No it does not forbid it. It says nothing about piercings but does comment on the women of Babylon's jewelry being excessive. The tattoos, well it does say not to mark your body but no it doesn't actually forbid ANYTHING.

But I agree that people should not judge you. That's for God to do.

Answer 11

Was there a law against tattoos under the Mosaic law? Yes.
However, the Mosaic law was done away when Christ died on the cross (Hebrews). So if its abolishion was reauthorized; give book, chapter,and verse please!!!!