Ok, so there is a verse in the bible (Leviticus 19:28) that states "You must not cut your body to show sadness for someone who died or put marks on yourself". However, I've read four different bibles and they all read differently according to when they were published (and I mean the book itself was published, not the actual bible itself before someone picks up on that) Some say tattoos, some just say marks. So what that paticular verse means is open to interpretation.
Now further on in the bible (Matthew 7:1-2) it states "Do not judge others, or you will be judged. You will be judged in the same way that you judge others, and the amount you give to others will be given to you."
As a close family friend said "Do it if you want to, i'm sure God has more pressing issues to worry about than whether or not you're tattooed". She's a Nun by the way, and so has a hotline to God I guess! She also pointed out that the bible was written by man, and transcribed numerous times from different
2006-12-20 08:18:43 · 15 answers · asked by toe_jam_on_toast 3 in Beauty & Style ➔ Skin & Body ➔ Tattoos
languages, including Hebrew and Latin. A lot of what was originally written has more than likely been lost in translation. Also the bible was written by man, not God, and as we all know people have faults and their own opinions. So we cannot take it as a literal way to live our lives.
Therefore, don't quote bible script at people when objectin to their tattoo questions please! It may be what you believe, but what if they aren't christian?
2006-12-20 08:23:05 · update #1
Oh, and I was raised Roman Catholic with nuns as babysitters, who are still very close family friends so yes, I do know what I'm talking about!
So long as I'm a good person they don't worry about me belonging to a particular religion either so please don't think i'm preaching to anyone!
2006-12-20 08:27:17 · update #2
Oh and read the full thing before you comment as well.
I do love all my tattoos and I'm getting another soon.
I'm objecting to people who quote bible verses when saying no to tattoo questions.
2006-12-20 08:30:35 · update #3
I think this is a fascinating question and I've thought a lot about it. My perspective is that I have both tattoos and scarification, and I'm converting to Judaism, which of all the major religions has perhaps the strictest tradition of censure against this sort of body art.
On the one hand it is tempting to let myself off the hook for two reasons: one, the actual biblical verses you cited are so specific (in that they refer to incising and not puncturing the skin), that they might technically be said to not even apply to tattoos. Also, as you say, the Bible was at least mediated by man, so whether it's possible let alone wise to hold yourself to all of it's thousands of precepts is a legitimate question.
On the other hand, my latest thinking is this: both Christianity and Judasim are monotheistic religions, and I think that, deep down, both religions make the case that a person's spiritual power is greatest when focused on God alone. I think this is why they also prohibit idolatry. Basically, as a house divided against itself cannot stand, a person who derives strength and pleasure from symbols on their body is, all other things being equal, not as spiritually strong as a person who is solely focused on one motive power behind all of creation.
I don't know if this makes sense to anyone else. And even if it does I'm sure not everyone would agree with it. But it is my considered opinion after much thought and self-appraisal.
2006-12-20 08:43:02 · answer #1 · answered by Romeo_Svengali 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, I know that in those times, people of other cultures would tattoo themselves in homage to pagan gods. The same also went for cutting their hair a certain way (mohawk, anyone?) and getting certain body piercings. God didn't want the Israelites to become associated with those people and their religions.
Nowadays, a small rose tattoo on the ankle hardly constitutes as a soul-binding pledge to Satan.
I think it's more about the reasons for getting a tattoo. If you got a tattoo as a sign of rebellion, then yes, that would be a problem according to the Bible.
As I read in a Christian magazine on the subject of tattooing:
"If you enjoy pain, don't have an issue with needles, and have no problem with a wrinkled-up Bugs Bunny on your thigh when you're 70, tattoo away!"
2006-12-20 09:01:05 · answer #2 · answered by ATWolf 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I am a Christian and have many Jewish friends. Both the Bible and the Torah say not to mark your bodies. I strongly believe that you should not judge others lest you be judged, if you want a tattoo that should be between you and God.
2006-12-20 08:44:14 · answer #3 · answered by sam 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It depends on which function of the law, that law was supposed to uphold.
Though there are many people much more educated than me on this subject, there are several function of law, including ritual law, which in many ways existed to clearly establish the Jews as a seperate culture. Thus, the dictates of cloth wearing, eating, and other things that don't have to to with the atonement of sin, and don't always make a whole lot of immediate sense as to why they were applied (although many also fall under basic hygiene issues)
I believe the tattooing falls under the category of ritual law, and thus may or may not have much application to modern Christians. I have one myself of a celtic cross. I really think that Christ is more worried about how we live and follow in his footsteps than how what tattooes we have or don't have.
2006-12-20 08:33:18 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
We are not to defile the body BUT i'm a Christian and no matter what the bible says i do not think a tattoo is against God unless it's of a Satanic nature.
2006-12-20 08:28:03 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Tattoos are considered self-mutilation, which is against the bible.
God judges those who are not saved by His grace. Any true, born again Christian (having turned from their sin and confessed Christ as their Savior) has already been judged by God - they're saved, knowing Christ as their Savior and having a new life in Christ and thus, will have eternal life when they die. Those who are NOT saved by God's grace will face judgment when they pass out of this life or when Christ returns to judge the earth -whichever is first because those who deny Christ and refuse to live according to God's word have yet to be judged - judgment awaits them. He judges people according to whether or not they obey His Word and follow Him.
The bible was written by holy men of God inspired by the Holy Spirit - not just mere men on their own free will. The nun is wrong on that account.
2006-12-20 08:43:05 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
My bible says "do not mark or tattoo yourself with lost loved ones"
I have 8 almost 9 tattoos and I have never found in the bible where it says not to get them! Leviticus is the only spot and its pretty clear to me what you cant do! Good luck to you! Happy inking!
2006-12-20 08:28:58 · answer #7 · answered by mamao3boys 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
When you drink When you smoke When you cus When you might have intercourse out of wedlock or anything (I'm no longer announcing you do any of this) however its no extraordinary god forgives you he is not goin to ship you to hell for gettin a tat. He a forgiving god. Its exceptional do not fear approximately it. As a ways because it being no longer a sin considering that its a move is improper nonetheless sin
2016-09-03 17:12:33 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Look, the bible was rewritten by people who didn't like the idea of tattos, and so they used that word in it.
What it's really saying is don't self- mutilate out of sadness.
It isn't talking about tattoos.
Do what you want.
2006-12-20 08:26:05 · answer #9 · answered by blankstares 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
it also says that "your body is a temple" so do you really think that its a good idea to mark yourself up with tattoos?? but then again its your choice and you'll have to account for it later so its really over your head.
2006-12-20 09:05:35 · answer #10 · answered by superchic92 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋