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Former Adventist Fellowship Forum » ARCHIVED DISCUSSIONS 6 » Are tattoos, a taboo? » Archive through August 28, 2007 « Previous Next »

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Luzisbornagain
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Username: Luzisbornagain

Post Number: 111
Registered: 7-2007
Posted on Saturday, August 25, 2007 - 8:50 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I personally don't see the big deal with tattoos, because they go on your body and this body is gonna die anyways, not that I would do one myself, but my sister did and her friend put up the photos up on myspace and someone from my adventist church saw them and told my friend's mother and she called and made a big deal telling my roommate that how she's gonna disrespect in her house knowing she's a christian and what not. I'm aware that there's a text in leviticus that says do not cut yourself for the dead and about the baal worshippers cutting themselves during the Elijah showdown. Anyways, do you think there's anything wrong with it and does the Bible condemn it besides the passages that I mentioned or is it just an adventist thing?

(Message edited by luzisbornagain on August 25, 2007)
Philharris
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Username: Philharris

Post Number: 162
Registered: 5-2007


Posted on Saturday, August 25, 2007 - 9:13 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Luz,

I can not answer your question yes or no. As far as I know, the only thing that pollutes our body is the words that come out of ones mouth. And, I have a tattoo of a Bull Dog (US Marine mascot) on my arm. It just isn't worth the health risk to have it removed.

Another example: At one time, I had a pastor, who before he became a Christian had a tattoo of a naked girl put on his arm. Now, when the preaching would get hot and he would take off his coat and roll up his sleeves, there she was for all to see. Actually, the message was clear and spoke of how the Lord can change any of us. For many of us our "tattoos" are not visible but are much worse. The gospel of Jesus Christ had totally changed his life and the tattoo only testified to the this.

While I would not want to get another, the one I have is no big deal.

Phil
Agapetos
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Username: Agapetos

Post Number: 992
Registered: 10-2002


Posted on Saturday, August 25, 2007 - 10:11 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

In Japan normal people don't get tattoos because traditionally the only people with them are "yakuza" -- that is, Japanese mafia. They get these big painful tattoos of dragons or chrysanthemums or ogres that sometimes cover their whole arms and backs. Public bathhouses often refuse people entry if they have tattoos.

Several years ago some yakuza got saved, though, and became ministers. Their lives are a testimony to the saving gospel of Jesus, and they sometimes show their tattoos and preach their message, "If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation -- the old has gone and the new has come!"

I put up some links on a thread maybe last year. Search for "Mission Barabbas" if you want to read about them. :-)
River
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Username: River

Post Number: 1350
Registered: 9-2006


Posted on Sunday, August 26, 2007 - 8:04 am:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

My answer to that question is this, it necessarily subjects one to pain and danger of infection, which is unnecessary, to me it does not seem a sin, neither is picking your nose and eating your own buggers but I wouldn’t want to do it.

Further more a Tattoo is revolting to me to look at, the women nowadays are getting them by the droves and it makes an otherwise beautiful woman ugly as a mud fence dobbed with tadpoles and the ugly ones even uglier. I don’t know why a Tattoo is so very revolting to me but it is, on man or woman.

I think it is because my mother would say to me when I was very young “Son, never get one of them old Tattoos, its ugly and you are not supposed to mark up your body” and just before I went into the Navy she pleaded with me yet again, I went through the Navy and the Army and while the troops went and spent a big amount of their pay I didn’t get one, no feather in my hat though because I blew my pay on wine and women at the same time they blew theirs on Tattoo’s. I think I have my mother to thank for me not getting one.

While may not be a Sin, it is ugly as Sin, at least to me.
Just IMHO as always.

River
Luzisbornagain
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Username: Luzisbornagain

Post Number: 112
Registered: 7-2007
Posted on Sunday, August 26, 2007 - 8:21 am:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

LOL River. My mom used to tell me the same thing. She said never get tattoos because they look ugly on a woman and make them look like trash. Which is true to me as well, not saying my sister looks like trash because hers is nice and colorful, it looks like art. I didn't think it was a salvational issue myself nor saw the big deal. But my mom she takes it way up there, like when my sister got her first tattoo of a little rose she took a knife and threatened to stab her and started carving the walls. When I found that out, I freaked out because that's insane.
River
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Username: River

Post Number: 1352
Registered: 9-2006


Posted on Sunday, August 26, 2007 - 8:41 am:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

When I thought of my Mom this morning I thought of the gentle and pleading way she used to instruct me when I was a kid.

It made me kind of weapy this morning for my Mom is gone now.
I remember one time she took the old 12 guage to a fellow who beat up on us kids, that about upended her. She was fined 10 cents, the price of a shot gun shell at that time. Laughter mixed with tears.
River
Grace_alone
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Username: Grace_alone

Post Number: 761
Registered: 6-2006


Posted on Sunday, August 26, 2007 - 2:00 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I miss the days when only guys like Popeye had them...


:-) Leigh Anne
Agapetos
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Username: Agapetos

Post Number: 999
Registered: 10-2002


Posted on Sunday, August 26, 2007 - 8:24 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

This must be why there are so many butch guys with tattoos that have a heart which says, "Mom". :-) ("Mom, please don't kill me... see how much I love you?")
Jim02
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Username: Jim02

Post Number: 202
Registered: 5-2007
Posted on Monday, August 27, 2007 - 6:43 am:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Who would take a box of magic markers to the Mona Lisa or a Rembrandt?
Or what of a brand new car. How about a bucket of paint to touch up that fender?

Tatoos mar God's created work.

Then there is motive.
Tatoos's represent in most cases a desire for attention and an expression in vanity.
For others it is a label of belonging to a group, or perhaps even a defense measure as in gangs.

I agree with River. It ain't pretty.

But assuming what is done is done.
It should never be a barrier to the acceptance in the church and personal growth of a rescued soul.

The wisdom here is realizing almost without exception. Tatoos are usually regretted later in life.
Larry
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Username: Larry

Post Number: 126
Registered: 5-2007
Posted on Monday, August 27, 2007 - 8:26 am:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I used to want a heart tattoo but instead of "mom" in the middle, have "BEER" !

All things are permissable, not all profitable.

But seriously, I am sure Life Assurance Ministries and the good folks at Proclamation could well use the money spent on stuff like this. Consider them very worthy places to donate money and offerings.
Martinc
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Username: Martinc

Post Number: 8
Registered: 9-2006
Posted on Monday, August 27, 2007 - 9:12 am:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Makes me think of the bumper sticker, "Body piercing saved my life," referring to Jesus, not realizing that His piercing was in my place, unique, once and for all. It is hard for me to separate body piercing from the mental illness I have worked with. Tattoos are different from piercing, which remains an open wound. Right Larry, so many things are permissible. Every day I struggle with the desire to remove things from other people (or remove the people themselves) that I find esthetically irritating. It is the same part that wants to say "Raca!" about them in my heart or out loud. Confession: I didn't need Adventism to make me a culture snob, but it didn't help! Here in the Inland Empire there are increasing numbers of the surly, tattoo culture. But so many of the lost are just like I was, untouched and hard. My heart was pierced by grace. The harvest is great and the workers are few.
Asurprise
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Username: Asurprise

Post Number: 176
Registered: 7-2007
Posted on Monday, August 27, 2007 - 10:03 am:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

What I would say, is "ask the Lord whether to get a tatoo." Our bodies belong to Him, so it's also up to Him what He wants written on them.

My personal impression - not what's "right or wrong" or anything - is that someone either with a tatoo or with way too much make-up, puts me in mind of someone who is insecure. Now that doesn't mean they are REALLY insecure - it just makes me think they are. It makes me think they are trying to create an identity for themselves, instead of accepting the wonderful identity that God has given to us through His Son's death and resurrection.
River
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Username: River

Post Number: 1359
Registered: 9-2006


Posted on Monday, August 27, 2007 - 10:38 am:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Jim said "But assuming what is done is done.
It should never be a barrier to the acceptance in the church and personal growth of a rescued soul.

The wisdom here is realizing almost without exception. Tatoos are usually regretted later in life."

Jim I completely agree with your whole post!!
I don't know what to do with it! You didn't even give me an excuse to draw my pistols.

Guess I'll just have to start calling you Brother Jim!! :-)

River
Laurie
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Username: Laurie

Post Number: 88
Registered: 6-2007
Posted on Monday, August 27, 2007 - 1:38 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Well, I am almost afraid to say this. I like tattoos. They are just like everything else... OK when in moderation. I have begged my husband to get one for years. He said he will get one when I buy him a Fat Boy Harley!

Laurie
Martinc
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Username: Martinc

Post Number: 9
Registered: 9-2006
Posted on Monday, August 27, 2007 - 2:11 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Speaking for myself, some tattoos are repulsive, while others are pretty benign. I also agree with Jim02, but there seem to be degrees of harm. A Marine bulldog for me has a certain message, and the observer is not likely to question sanity or safety. There are many gang members at the high school where I work, and their tattoos are menacing in intent. In the general population, I'm now seeing more tattoos with themes of death, and we see now a preoccupation with death in pop culture. Skulls are showing up on skin, and much else.
Colleentinker
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Username: Colleentinker

Post Number: 6659
Registered: 12-2003


Posted on Monday, August 27, 2007 - 3:19 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Martin, I relate to your concerns. Perhaps partly because of my "teacher background", I tend to see tatoos not so much as art forms or "accessorizing" as philosophical expressions (although most people getting them probably wouldn't identify philosophy as part of their motive!).

There is an increasing isolation among teens and twenty-somethings, and there's a lot of 'darkness' in their obsessive video games. About four years ago I took our younger son to driving school in our town. Two doors down from the driving school was a tatoo/piercing parlor. It's name summarized the subject for me: "House of Pain".

I agree, Jim--tatoos should never be a barrier to welcoming someone to worship.

Colleen
Jim02
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Username: Jim02

Post Number: 206
Registered: 5-2007
Posted on Tuesday, August 28, 2007 - 7:08 am:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Thank You River.
Jim
Sara
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Username: Sara

Post Number: 48
Registered: 5-2007
Posted on Tuesday, August 28, 2007 - 7:32 am:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Yuk! This thread reminds me of endless hours of debate as an SDA over jewelry etc. What is functional, what isn't, what is vanity, what is personal expression or art. Could money spent on non-functional ties or scarfs be better spent in the "Lord's work". What is a bigger sin, wearing a simple wedding band, or wasting money on an expensive watch,...... Reading it made me tense.

:-) Go for it, those of you who have the stomache for it. I must be to new to freedom to handle these discussions yet.
Sara
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Username: Sara

Post Number: 49
Registered: 5-2007
Posted on Tuesday, August 28, 2007 - 7:41 am:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Oh, I dont much care for tatoo's, but some of my closest friends have them...(wink)
One even got her tatoo after she was born again. (gasp)

Martinc, AMEN, well said to the whole post.

Sara
Martinc
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Username: Martinc

Post Number: 10
Registered: 9-2006
Posted on Tuesday, August 28, 2007 - 9:39 am:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Right Sara, I've seen some pretty impressive Christian tattoos on believers and felt, well, relieved. I think of those rough Gauls that Paul preached to long ago, and what sort of disturbing practices they might have had. Paul got after them for the offense of legalistic cutting. Tattoo historian Stephen Gilbert cites several biblical references he believes refer to tattoos, apparently common among the Hebrews. Gilbert also cites the Isaiah passage, "I have graven thee on the palms of my hands," and also Rev. 19:16 where Jesus has a name written on his thigh, King of Kings...Ah well, Gilbert is no biblical scholar, and neither am I.

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