2007-11-18 16:04:03 · 14 answers · asked by Ace of Spades 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Leviticus 19:28 says "Do not cut your bodies for the dead or put tattoo marks on yourselves. I am the Lord."
Always bearing in mind of course that He loves those with or without tattoos, it's just He doesn't like us marking or mutilating the bodies He gave us as temples. :-)
2007-11-18 16:10:28 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
Leviticus 19:18 , Deut 14:1, there are a few more.
The words mark and cutting or cuts applied to what people did at that time and culture. The actual "tattooing" that we have today is a whole lot different. These Scriptures mainly deal with the principles of why a person is marking or cutting their bodies. As you read the Scriptures you see the reason why.
God Bless you and guide you into His Truth
2007-11-18 16:18:19 · answer #2 · answered by xgarmstrong 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
TATTOO
A permanent mark or design on the skin made by cutting the skin to produce scars or by inserting coloring matter under the skin. The Israelites were forbidden to engage in this practice, one that was common among some other ancient peoples. (Le 19:28) For example, there were times when the Egyptians tattooed the names or symbols of their deities on their breast or arms. By complying with Jehovah's law not to disfigure their bodies, the Israelites would have stood out as different from other nations. (De 14:1, 2) The prohibition would also have impressed upon them a proper respect for the human body as God's creation, to be used in honoring him.-Ps 100:3; 139:13-16; Ro 12:1.
2007-11-18 16:14:04 · answer #3 · answered by EBONY 3 · 5⤊ 0⤋
"While Christians today are not under the Law of Moses, the prohibition it laid on tattooing is sobering. (Ephesians 2:15; Colossians 2:14, 15) If you are a Christian, you would certainly not want to make markings on your body—even temporarily—that smack of paganism or false worship.—2 Corinthians 6:15-18."
Information above taken from the link I provided.
Even IF the restriction only applied to acts of self-mutilation when loved-ones died and even though the old law was done away with, Christians have MUCH to consider before getting a tattoo or piercing.
Christians are told to be separate from unbelievers- so would we want to connect ourselves with a practice that's often regarded as an act of rebelliousness?
Also, health risks need to be taken into consideration.
2007-11-18 18:08:30 · answer #4 · answered by Xyleisha 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The Old Testament laws given by Moses forbade tattoos. You find them in Deuteronomy and Leviticus. However, Christians observe the New Covenant, the Covenant of Blood, and do not have to follow the dietary laws, etc., given by Moses.
I see many Christians with big cross tattoos; some even have a picture of Jesus Christ on their back.
2007-11-18 16:08:15 · answer #5 · answered by Digital Age 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The passage in Leviticus clearly states _for the dead_ . . . so, unless the tattoo in question says "In Memory Of" even xians are in the clear.
Orthodox Jews observe the prohibition, but it probably has more to do with the Holocaust than anything in the Torah.
2007-11-18 16:13:55 · answer #6 · answered by Boar's Heart 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
28. Do not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print any marks upon you: I am the LORD.
- Leviticus 19:28
That was old testament scripture and many christians don't go by old testament laws but it is restated in the new testament in 1st corinthians
16. Know not that ye are the temple of God, and that the spirit of God dwelleth in you?
17. If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy...
2007-11-18 16:13:14 · answer #7 · answered by h.e_edwards 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Leviticus 19:28
This was under the Mosaic Law. God wanted to make sure his people stood out from the rest of the people and refrained from participating in such rituals. Pagans used to tattoo names of their false gods on their bodies and so God didn't want his people to mark their flesh like that.
As Christians, we are no longer under the Mosaic Law, but considering Biblical principles, God would want us to continue standing out from the rest of the world and being different in a good way.
2007-11-18 16:06:32 · answer #8 · answered by aseptic technique 5 · 6⤊ 0⤋
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2007-11-18 16:19:35 · answer #9 · answered by dude 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Your body is a temple and should be treated that way - if you were attending services with your family at a local assembly hall would you go to your vehicle grab a gallon of fuel and attempt to burn down a portion of the building?
2007-11-18 16:08:50 · answer #10 · answered by S.O.S. 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋