Is it a sin to get a tattoo?

Question

I know in Leviticus 19:28 it says "Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print any marks upon you: I am the Lord. So does that mean it is ok to get a tattoo if is not for the dead? and I was wanting to get one of a cross and say Jesus is my savior or something like that so would that be ok or is it even ok to be putting his name on us?? And please no mean answers!!

Answer 1

I don't think that means tattoo's and I don't think God would really care now because it is a common thing and is way different then what it would mean back then. I think you'll be fine.

Answer 2

I used to have a lot of pride about my body not having any scars or marks until one day I had a terrible car accident and a ruptured liver. The surgeons had to cut me open from my ribs all the way down to 3 inches below my belly-button. I realized then that these bodies are just shells that house our souls and spirits. I went out and got a little tattoo of a two-inch dove on my hip afterward. I needed something that was positive because my foot-long scar was so ugly. Life is full of ugly scars. One little tattoo of a cross that is used as a witness of your faith is not going to put you into hell. If you are a Christian you are not bound by the law of the Old Testament. Do you eat bacon? Do you eat lobster? You are bound by Christ to love God and others. How you walk in your faith with Jesus matters more to God than a little tattoo. He knows your heart. He's more concerned about obedience in how you love and treat people and portray Him in your everyday life, unless you hear Him giving you a definite NO about getting a tattoo.

Answer 3

The verse probably does mean "tattoos" as many ancient cultures used tattoos for religious purposes, like you yourself are thinking of doing.

Is it a sin? Well, if it is, then the other laws in Lev. also could be considered sins if not carried out. Things like not burning a home that has mildew/mold on its walls and stuff like that.

Maybe considering it a sin to not follow these laws is a little too strict. But who knows. It probably doesn't matter that much in the end.

Answer 4

Yes, Lev 19:28 is referring to tattoos. Those who mar their bodies will suffer damnation. No 2 ways about it. But if you wear cheap 50/50 sweaters and such, you may as well go ahead and get the tattoos. You're already damned. See Lev 19:19 below.

Leviticus 19:19 -Ye shall keep my statutes. Thou shalt not let thy cattle gender with a diverse kind: thou shalt not sow thy field with mingled seed: NEITHER shall a garment mingled of linen and woollen come upon thee.

Answer 5

The Levitical codes were meant to keep Israel from lapsing into the idolatry of the surrounding cultures. The reference you have cited has to do with Canaanite religious practices (they cut themselves to get Ba'al's attention; they cut themselves to help the deceased loved ones get along in the realm of the dead; they marked themselves to show their affiliation with a local manifestation of Ba'al; and so on). Tattoos don't carry such baggage with them today, in general. Nevertheless, all things we do should be done with decency...where you get the tattoo and what parts of you the tattoo artist may see should factor into your decision.

Answer 6

Is it a sin?
I think it is a lapse in reasoning....
I have enough trouble keeping my skin moistened than to worry about putting a poster of anything. As for You it is Your decision.
To some you defile the temple by eating....say pork
If it feels right do it. It has to be be better than a hula girl .....
you won't be damned to hell but the skin you have is the skin you have.......

Answer 7

Judaism forbids Jews to get tattoos,

Answer 8

Only if it's that God-awful barbed wire.