Tattoos and Piercings
A topic of controversy, this week Voice on the Street asked "What is your opinion of tattoos and earrings in Christianity?" We came out with the following lengthy responses:
It depends on your interpretations of the law and your motives behind getting one. For me personally any tattoo that I would consider getting would point to the fact that I am a believer in Christ and would exhibit my passion for seeing His work carried out on earth. Traditionally one of the reasons behind being pierced, tattooed or branded is to distinguish the property of one master from the property of another master. So if you are a Christian and you get a cross tattoo or something else that is of symbolic significance to Christian spirituality then are you not showing that you are the property of, or a slave of Christ and he is your master? A tattoo can also be used as a form of ministry. When people see that someone has a tattoo they often ask what it is or what it means which opens up the possibility to witness and share your beliefs with people.
--Daniel Sage
I think it all really comes down to motive, purpose, and design. Do all things for the glory of God. If you can find a way to glorify God through a tattoo or piercing, then by all means, Ink Yourself! Some may try to ask, well how does one glorify God through a tattoo or piercing? I don't look at it as how you glorify God through the tattoo, but how you glorify God with the tattoo. Two ways are prevalent to me. First is the obvious one, design. What you get can glorify God. For example, a cross, the word Jesus, something biblical, maybe even something that doesn't make sense at first and needs explanation, you can use it as an ice breaker. Maybe people will even come up and ask what it means and then you get to share the story of God in your tattoo. This doesn't really apply to piercings as much. But my second point can relate it. Along with a tattoo or piercing is the community. You see it all over TV nowadays: Miami Ink, people with tattoo filled bodies. Who's going to reach those people? Granted they are not closed off from the rest of the world because of their ink, but I think if more Christians had tattoos it would be a door into that community of people. This works for piercings too. Basically the idea is that you have some common ground with other people with tattoos and piercings. Tattoos and piercings are very much apart of our culture nowadays, and one thing I have always felt strong about is being real in the world, while not being of the world. A Christian with a tattoo or piercing says something to (dare I say it) “secular” people. It shows reality and we're not afraid to be apart of the culture; we don't segregate ourselves because of our beliefs. It makes me think of Jesus when everyone else was terrified of lepers and being unclean, he communed with them; he didn't worry about the rules, he simply cared for the people. In closing, do everything you do for the glory of God. Be in this world not of this world, and be real!
--Mike Sanders
I honestly think that tattoos or piercings are acceptable unless you're Jewish. I view certain areas of the law as cultural direction for the Hebrew people and are not specific to other peoples. These are things such as not marking one another, or piercing yourself, or not weaving two different fabrics, or not breeding hybrid animals like mules etc. These things apply to separating Israel the Hebrew nation and do not have to do with other cultures or the moral code of faithfulness. So if you're not Jewish, I think it is perfectly acceptable as a Christian to be pierced or marked in accordance with context from your 'native' culture. I think you should look into it, and if on some level are not a descendant of a people who have marked or punctured themselves then maybe a consideration is reasonable also not to be tattooed, since it is not part of your heritage. It may also apply to the pull and call God has on your heart. In some situations it may be necessary to be all things to all men, just as Paul circumcised Timothy to avoid unnecessary disagreement and to create commonality with the Jews in the area. This allowed Timothy to be accepted and welcomed into the mission communities to which Paul was journeying. It was as we know not to justify him, but to smooth things over; it may also have served as nothing more than a tradition and perhaps a rite of passage. In the same degree as the lack or presence of circumcision no longer justifies us, markings or lack of markings have nothing to do with that either. I don't think it’s supportable to say that because I don't have a tattoo or piercing that I am more justified than someone who does; it has nothing to do with being justified. It falls to personal and largely cultural habit from the ethnic practices of your ancestors and also the regard God has garnered for your life.
--Curtis Healy
Free will. If you want a tattoo or piercing, then get one. If you have a problem with them then don't. It’s that simple.
--Bethany Wiebe
I think that if you want a tattoo and/or piercing, go ahead; it’s your own personal opinion. Seriously do you think God would judge you based on a tattoo? There are Christians who have them so are you looking down at them? That’s lame! Also, don't get a tattoo just because you want one - they are forever. Think about it and then make the choice for or against it. God is love and acceptance. I personally don't want one because it is forever and that’s not how I am going to express Christ but that doesn't mean you can't do it with a tattoo. It's just not for me. Jesus loves everyone!
--Sarah Kroh
I would be a hypocrite to say that I thought it was wrong. I believe that tattoos are something that needs to be thoroughly thought through if an individual is thinking about getting one. You need to realize that first of all it will NOT wash off. Secondly, you need to evaluate the reason as to why you want one. Is it because you think it just looks cool and you want to because other people are getting them? Tattoos are NOT an impulse decision. There raises the argument that as Christians, we need to be set apart from the world and tattooing is a considered worldly. However, I believe that if you feel that getting a tattoo and the design of the tattoo is not going to make other people question your relationship with God and is something that could potentially edify the church (and by church I mean the body of Christ) by the possibility of your story behind the tattoo (because yes, people do ask), and you feel that God is not against you personally getting a tattoo then go for it.
From personal experience I had to think long and hard before I got a tattoo and it was during a time of feeling completely disconnected from God. (I am not suggesting that when you feel spiritually dissatisfied that you go out and get a tattoo.) However I had come to the realization that whether I wanted to or not I was a child of God. I was marked as His being. I needed to constantly remind myself of that. So I got a tattoo of something that symbolized who I am as a person and marked on top a symbol to remind me of Christ. So now when I see the tattoo or remember that I have it I am constantly reminded that I am a child of God whether I want to at the time or not. Therefore, why wallow in whatever anger I have towards Him when He loves me regardless of what is happening in my life? Am I saying that my answer is correct? No - I do not know what exactly God thinks about it. But I do not feel that God is not unhappy with my decision to get it. There are a lot of things that God does or says that we as mere humans will never understand, and it is at those times I pray and ask God for personal guidance.
--Chantelle Lowes
The issue here is keeping your body as a temple. Because it's a personal issue, it comes down to your interpretation of Scripture. In any case, it's not something for which I'd excommunicate you. Personally, I have no problem with tattoos or piercings – in theory and in practice. What matters is what the tattoo or piercing represents. So, why haven't I gotten a tattoo or piercing that honors the Lord? I think the skin I have, the body I have, is just fine without any modification.
--Brian Blake
I have heard many different arguments against tattoos, but not many for them. Personally I believe that the issue is between the individual and God. I think that if the tattoo is uplifting to God then there is nothing wrong with it. As for piercings, I don't have an opinion either way. I have considered getting one myself, but decided not to because I wasn't sure where I stood on the issue. If God blesses me with a daughter I believe she will get her ears pierced, but that decision will be up to her. Either way, both issues will be between the person that is having it done and God.
--Ben Boogerman
There is quite the amount of controversy when it comes to this lovely topic, and for the sake of space, I will only say a few things about it. When it comes to tattoos, I will say that personally, I am not a fan, particularly for myself. This is simply because a tattoo is permanent. If ever I was to go somewhere, and a tattoo was not culturally accepted, I have now closed opportunities to witness and the chance to accomplish some work for God, all because of my selfish desire to decorate my body. Now I know that for some, tattoos have symbolism, and some are for pleasure; I will not dispute what they have done. If you read in Revelation, the rider on the white horse has his name tattooed on his thigh, so does that make tattoos right? I don't know. But my personal stand point is that I find no personal benefit to make such a permanent decision.
When it comes to earrings (I am not referring to earrings only, but piercing in general) I do not find a problem with them for either male or females. This is partly because they are not permanent thing, but also because I can find a more biblical base for them. As many of you will hear or have heard from John Schuit, an earring was a symbol that showed a slave's dedication/belonging to his master. As slaves for Christ perhaps this could also show our dedication. Then again, these are only thoughts, and it is possible that I may be wrong.
--Jason Edgar
posted by Voice Editorial Staff at 11/20/2006 01:20:00 PM
