I heard someone say that it is a sin to get a tattoo and its in the Bible and that one shouldn't do it. Is this correct? If so please state where in the Bible. Maybe I am just misinformed, I don't know.
2007-10-30 16:58:12 · 42 answers · asked by ? 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Well, if it is, I'm going to hell! But no, it was in the Mosaic law of the Old Testament, not in the New Testament where we are covered by the blood of Jesus and our need to live by that law was negated because He fulfilled it by offering Himself as the sacrifice for ALL sin.
2007-10-30 17:03:45 · answer #1 · answered by Que bella 3 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Well, different people think different things about this subject. The Christians that I personally know that feel getting a tattoo is wrong say it's because of how the Bible says that our body is a temple and doing so goes against that. That's the scriptures that have always been quoted to me.
But, there are just as many Christians who feel it is totally fine.
The thing with the Bible is, not everything is as black and white as people try to say. I mean, the Bible has been translated so many times over the years that it has made for a lot of gray areas.
Are you a Christian, and this is why you are wondering? Or are you not one, and just curious? It doesn't matter either way, I'm not judging you or anything. If you ARE a Christian, here's what I suggest. Pray about it. I know that sounds so cliche, but sincerely pray and ask God to lead you to the answer. God knows that sometimes we just can't figure out what the truth is, and I believe if you pray with a sincere heart, he will lead you to the truth.
Another thought. The Bible also says that if you think it's a sin, it IS a sin for you. It doesn't mean it's a sin for EVERYONE. Some Christians feel it would be a sin to get a tattoo. In this case, it IS a sin...for THEM. But it doesn't necessarily mean it's a sin for YOU. Does this make sense?
I hope this helps!
2007-10-30 17:06:56 · answer #2 · answered by Southern Gal 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
The book of Leviticus is a list of the old law. In names in great detail "sins" and how a person is to cleanse themselves from these things. A lot of them are things that we look at as ridiculous now but actually made sense for that time.
Leviticus 19:28 says, "You shall not make any cuts in your body for the dead nor make any tattoo marks on yourselves: I am the Lord."
Now at that time they didn't have ways of fighting off infection. This was simply for the protection of the people and the "Law" was basically there to show us that no matter how many rules we tried to keep we would never be able to be perfect. That is used to show us the importance of the sacrifice of Christ. Now the Law is not longer what we rely on for salvation and tattoos are not going to condemn us. I will stop here because I don't want to get to hyper spiritual about it.
2007-10-30 17:17:44 · answer #3 · answered by Upbeat_and_Beatdown 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It depends on where, and what the design is.
The Ten Commandments specifically prohibited bodily markings, but we are not under the Ten Commandments anymore.
...There are other scriptures, though, that speak about modesty- in all parts of life. That covers the subject of tattoos pretty well. It means 'yes,' it's just not a Christian thing.
Ah, heck with it. There are people with crosses on their neck (claiming to be Christian) living with a partner unmarried. People do what they want, and religion is just a prop nowadays.
These days, instead of conforming to a religion, people want a religion to conform to them. How lazy is that, and what is the point of it then?
Now, if a lady gets tattooed eyebrows, permanent eyebrows, that's a different story. Not a sin.
2007-10-30 17:01:58 · answer #4 · answered by perfectlybaked 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If so then call me a sinner!! I don't believe it is a sin, depending on the tattoo. I have tattoos for my kids, family and an awesome bon jovi one!! I believe it is more a personal decision rather a religious one. The bible can be interpreted several ways, and took place in a different place and time. Adam and Eve's kids were incest, if not for that we would not be here, and now days incest is believed to be a sin!! personal judgment would be the best to base that decision on!
2007-10-30 17:08:44 · answer #5 · answered by shawn 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm not a Bible scholar, and I don't know if tattoos are specifically mentioned in the Bible at all, but I do know that the Bible says our body is a temple
and we should not abuse it. So, therefore, I believe that tattoos are not what God wants us to do with our bodies. But, we did have a youth minister at our church once who had many tattoos, all in Greek and Hebrew. No one knew what they meant, and he used them as a witnessing tool. They were all Bible verses about salvation. And that is why he got them. So people would ask questions, and he could witness to them. AWESOME, huh? So, who knows??!! Maybe it's all in the way they are used! If to bring glory to yourself, your pet, hero, etc. , wrong, OR to bring glory to God, OK!!
2007-10-30 17:09:52 · answer #6 · answered by onceisenoughilearnedmylesson 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In Deuteronomy, the Torah forbids "making a wound" unless it is for a constructive purpose (such as surgery). Since we are made in the image of God, tattooing would change the body to something different, and that's forbidden. On a more practical note, Jews do not tattoo because of the Nazi practice of tattooing Jews in the concentration camps - as you might imagine, that's not something we care to remember any more than necessary.
Leviticus 19: 28 says "You shall not make gashes in your flesh for the dead, or incise any marks on yourselves: I am the Lord"
Interestingly enough, most Jews are ok with piercings (except in the genitals, as it would violate the custom of modesty before a stranger), as the wound is for a constructive purpose (display of jewelry, presumably), AND (more importantly) because it can heal.
I'm Jewish, and have pierced ears (just one on each ear :-) ); I can't ever see myself getting a tattoo, though.
2007-10-30 17:07:35 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
I guess your answers lies in whether you believe we fall under the old law or not. But also consider 1 Corinthians 3:16-17 in the bigger picture (and not just in regards to tatoos)
Leviticus 19:28
NIV:'Do not cut your bodies for the dead or put tattoo marks on yourselves. I am the LORD.
AMP: You shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead nor print or tattoo any marks upon you; I am the Lord.
1 Corinthians 3:16-17
Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you? 17If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him; for God's temple is sacred, and you are that temple.
2007-10-30 17:17:27 · answer #8 · answered by Hawk 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That is a common thought. I know a lot of rock solid Christians that have one, people who I know for sure have a personal relationship with God.
Leviticus 19:28 'You shall not make any cuts in your body for the dead nor make any tattoo marks on yourselves: I am the LORD.
This appears to be a part of the levitical law which Jesus' appearance fulfilled. I wouldn't profess to know exactly how that fulfillment plays out, but many of these laws are no longer required.
The New Testament, or new covenant, means that we no longer live our lives by the letter of the law. We live in a daily personal relationship with God, guided by His Holy Spirit. If we do that, we will not walk in sin. That means that to answer your question, you have to develop a personal relationship with God and He will guide you to your answer.
2007-10-30 17:01:06 · answer #9 · answered by BaseballGrrl 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Did they have tattoos back in those days? I got a tattoo of a Cross, not sinful from my guess
2007-10-30 17:01:32 · answer #10 · answered by waratthedoor 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋