Is the Bible against tattoos?

Question

I would love to have a tattoo, but I am afraid that the Bible speaks against it, please help me decide. Thanks

Answer 1

I am catholic, female and over forty...got my first at thirty nine..heard the old saying about treating a body like a temple...well I figure I am not defaming the body "I AM ADDING STAINED GLASS WINDOWS TO THE SOUL" Please think LONG and hard about what you want as IT IS PERMANENT..I only have three, and that is all I will have and waiting and THOUGHT a long time about what I wanted..good luck, you are going to get lots of different answers on this one, I almost did not answer...take care, Alda

Answer 2

The scripture most often cited is that your body is a temple of the Lord, etc. However in Matthew 23 Jesus said that it doesn't matter what is on the outside (i.e. flesh) but on the inside that really counts. If the inside is clean, the outside will be clean as well. So I don't think it really matters, so long as your tattoo isn't "evil" in any way, it won't be considered wicked. Consider this: if evil to wear a t-shirt of the cross? No. But you are making that clothing a part of your body, and so what would be the difference from getting a tattoo of a cross? I don't see how people say tattoos are "permanent" - aren't our bodies temporal? Wont we be given new bodies in heaven? So long as we do not use this body for wickedness, it is fine. Tattoos and piercings are not wicked.

Answer 3

I don't think so. The tattoo doesn't make you a bad person. If you're a good-hearted person and have a tatoo then there's jnothing wrong with it. Besides, why are you so afraid? It's not like Christians are gonna shun you if you do something that the Bible speaks against of, unless you killed someone then that's a problem.

Answer 4

I know the Bible says that the body is a temple of God. So you want to treat it with respect. Personally, I don't think that getting raunchy tattoos is good but I don't see anything wrong with getting some cool ones. One other thing to keep in mind is that the Bible says that even though something may be technically okay, it doesn't mean you should do it if it would lead someone else astray. You may have innocent intentions with getting a tattoo but if someone who doesn't realize that you are being selective about your tatoos might get a crazy one. Just be mindful.

Answer 5

See Lev. 19:28. By this the Bible is against it. More modern versions use the word tattoo. There is an article on the Mark of the Beast on the Yahoo group Following The Way that goes into more detail on this. You can link to it ( the group) from my page and search for it in the group.

Answer 6

If you want a tattoo get a tattoo. The old testament is the only place that mentions them.

My first tat I got at age 35. almost ten years later I have 6. They all look great - the age thing is just an excuse and doesn't really hold up. Its all location location location.

There are some great Christian tattoos as well. It is a form of art - just with skin as the canvas.

Answer 7

Yes, the Bible forbids tattooing. This is in the Hebrew Bible, which Christians aren't obliged to follow.

The reason it is in the Torah is tattooing was originally a pagan custom for mourning; all 613 laws in the Torah are designed to differentiate the Israelites from the neighboring pagans.

Answer 8

"What does the Bible say about tattoos / body piercings?"



Answer: The Old Testament law commanded the Israelites, “Do not cut your bodies for the dead or put tattoo marks on yourselves. I am the LORD” (Leviticus 19:28). So, even though believers today are not under the Old Testament law (Romans 10:4; Galatians 3:23-25; Ephesians 2:15), the fact that there was a command against tattoos should cause us to question. The New Testament does not say anything about whether a believer should or should not get a tattoo.



In relation to tattoos and body piercings, a good test is to determine whether we can honestly, in good conscience, ask God to bless and use the particular activity for His own good purposes. "Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God" (1 Corinthians 10:31). The Bible does not command against tattoos or body piercings, but it also does not give us any reason to believe God would have us get tattoos or body piercings.



Another issue to consider is modesty. The Bible instructs us to dress modestly (1 Timothy 2:9). One aspect of dressing modestly is making sure everything that should be covered by clothing is adequately covered. However, the essential meaning of modesty is not drawing attention to yourself. People who dress modestly dress in such a way that they do not draw attention to themselves. Tattoos and body piercings most definitely draw attention. In this sense, tattoos and body piercings are not modest.



An important Scriptural principle on issues that the Bible does not specifically address is that if there is room for doubt as to whether it pleases God, then it is best to not engage in that activity. "For whatsoever is not of faith is sin" (Romans 14:23). We need to remember that our bodies, as well as our souls, have been redeemed and belong to God. Although 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 does not directly apply to tattoos or body piercings, it does give us a principle, "What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price; therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's." This great truth should have a real bearing on what we do and where we go with our bodies. If our bodies belong to God, we should make sure we have His clear "permission" before we "mark it up" with tattoos or body piercings.

Answer 9

If you feel like you will regret it one day, then don't get it because you can end up being angry at yourself about it. The bible says we shouldn't make marks on the skin like the pagans. It was in the midst of worshiping the pagan gods. I don't think you will be worshiping any pagan gods with your tattoo. By the way, I have 6 of them and I am a Christian. If you want to talk a little more about the designs I have and why I got it, you can email me.

Amanda

Answer 10

Yes, the Bible does speak against it.

Leviticus 19:28 New Inernational Version "Do not cut your bodies for the dead or put tattoo marks on yourselves. I am the LORD."

Answer 11

When I was a Kid in 40s and 50s the only place I saw tattos was at the carnival.Sometimes an excon.I don"t understand this self mutalation.Also the ring thru nose what is that?
As to a specific Bible Verse ,I don"t know of one.