yet i see so many christians with tattoos of crosses and other religious symbols. does this mean it's okay to disobey god as long as you're praising him in the process?
2007-06-15 02:45:45 · 17 answers · asked by just curious (A.A.A.A.) 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
You shall not make any cuts in your body for the dead, nor make any tattoo marks on yourselves: I am the LORD. Leviticus 19:28
2007-06-15 03:04:52 · update #1
fanofchan, well i think if there is a god he's got more important things to worry about than if i believe someone who lived two thousand years ago was actually his son...
2007-06-15 03:07:15 · update #2
Just another example of the Law not really mattering to believers.
2007-06-15 02:48:28 · answer #1 · answered by ɹɐǝɟsuɐs Blessed Cheese Maker 7 · 4⤊ 2⤋
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.
So for the rest of you who claim the bible says nothing of tattoos you are wrong. I would hope that some of those inside your faith, have actual read and understood what you're supposed to believe. Religion is useless if you don't follow it ENTIRELY.
2007-06-15 02:51:54 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
My first thought was, "Where the heck, in the bible, does any mention of tattoos appear?"
So I looked it up. Here it is:
Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print any marks upon you: I am the LORD.
Leviticus 19:28
I'd have to say that "No" means no. If you follow the Old Testament and it says don't do it, then it's not okay to do it anyway.
But Christians have the new covenant and might well consider the Leviticus prohibition on tattoos as non-binding. However, I have to wonder why anybody would put graffiti on God's temple (the human body).
I'm agnostic. But still, I see it as foolish to have your flesh permanently and indelibly marked with some graphic or image that you might well regret later. After all, we do mature despite our resistance. That great piece of art might look stupid or foolish to you years from now.
Following the crowd and being smart are usually 2 different things.
2007-06-15 03:10:46 · answer #3 · answered by Seeker 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am a Christian and I have a tattoo. I got my tattoo BEFORE I became a Christian. This is the case for many who have the tattoos. There are many people who get even religious tattoos who are not even religious, so that means nothing.
Most people can not afford to have the tattoos removed, though they would like to. That is the case for me.
Point is, there is forgiveness for what you have done prior to becoming a follower of Christ Jesus, a Christian. When we are in eternity with Christ, he will make all things new, including our bodies, and they will be perfect and holy.
Nice try to bash, but its a no go ................
2007-06-15 03:04:34 · answer #4 · answered by Gardener for God(dmd) 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The bible says tattoos of the dead, do not make marking on your body of the dead.
leviticus 19:
28Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print any marks upon you: I am the LORD.
Also this was written to the jews who were under that law of Moses.
†
2007-06-15 02:50:46 · answer #5 · answered by Jeanmarie 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
"does this mean it's okay to disobey god as long as you're praising him in the process?"
No, it means two things. First of all it means that God gave special laws to the Israelites that were designed to demonstrate that God had called out a people from all of the nations through whom He would bring salvation to the rest of the world.
Deuteronomy 4:5 See, I have taught you statutes and rules, as the LORD my God commanded me, that you should do them in the land that you are entering to take possession of it. 6 Keep them and do them, for that will be your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples, who, when they hear all these statutes, will say, 'Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.' 7 For what great nation is there that has a god so near to it as the LORD our God is to us, whenever we call upon him? 8 And what great nation is there, that has statutes and rules so righteous as all this law that I set before you today?
Back in the days of Moses pagans would get tattoos that were a part of their worship of demons whom they thought were gods. God gave many special rules to the Israelites so that there would be a distinct difference between them and the pagans and to keep them from following pagan practices.
Leviticus 19:26 "You shall not eat any flesh with the blood in it. You shall not interpret omens or tell fortunes. 27 You shall not round off the hair on your temples or mar the edges of your beard. 28 You shall not make any cuts on your body for the dead or tattoo yourselves: I am the LORD.
The second thing that it means is that some of the rules God gave were symbolic of things to come. The sacrifice of animals for sins was symbolic of the perfect sacrifice that God himself would supply by sending his one and only Son Jesus to live a sin free life and then lay it down as payment for the sins of all who would believe on Him for their salvation.
Hebrews 10:11 And every priest stands daily at his service, offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. 12 But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, 13 waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet. 14 For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.
Another symbolic rule was the law of circumcision that was an outward symbol of the circumcision of the heart that God would provide by sending his Holy Spirit to believers to sanctify them. God is much more concerned with the condition of a person's heart or inner being than He is with outward symbols that have already served their purpose in revealing His plan of redemption.
Romans 2:28 For no one is a Jew who is merely one outwardly, nor is circumcision outward and physical. 29 But a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter. His praise is not from man but from God.
2007-06-15 02:57:21 · answer #6 · answered by Martin S 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I really believe there are many more pressing issues to God than a tattoo. I don't think He cares either way.
It's like graffiti to me --- but I don't believe it's sin.
I believe it might have been a pagan ritual in biblical days........but today it's just fashionable and sometimes people like to make a statement (why on their own bodies in a permanent way is beyond me)
I think you are safe for heaven with a tattoo...............good grief.
2007-06-15 02:51:50 · answer #7 · answered by fanofchan 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Where does it say no tattoos in the bible? It's a personal preference. God made our bodies to be a temple to him, that we are to keep holy and clean and pure. Some find displaying their faith for Jesus on their "sleeve" persay, is a way to keep it holy, and help them to stay clan and pure.
2007-06-15 02:49:58 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Tattoo prohibitions were part of the Old Testament ceremonial law that was fulfilled in Christ.
2007-06-15 02:52:11 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
The only scripture I have found that even remotely refers to tattoos is the one where God told the Isrealites not to make marks or cuts in their flesh to honor the dead. If you have other scriptures please share them with us.
2007-06-15 02:54:59 · answer #10 · answered by wanda3s48 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well its what pagans did back in the old testament,but I suppose some people think it is ok as long as ot is about God.I'm not real sure about this topic.
2007-06-15 02:54:14 · answer #11 · answered by Meru 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋