What does a tattoo say to you? (To my sunday school students, I said "a lack of trust")

Seattle Times ^ | August 12, 2005 | Florangela Davila

[gobucks]

Meet Damon Conklin, organizer of this weekend's Seattle Tattoo Convention.

See him in his milieu, his roomy Super Genius shop on Capitol Hill. The music blares. Sample racks of tribal, skull and voluptuous-women tattoos hang from the ochre-colored walls.

See him in his milieu much later one evening, still in his shop, but with a blue "Bible Study" binder in his lap.

"If it's one point I always try to drive home, it's that you cannot judge a book by its cover," Conklin, 38, says. Tattoo enthusiasts have long been at the receiving end of gawks or scornful remarks. The heavily tattooed Conklin (arms, neck, back and hands) has had his share of looks. Moreover, in a tattoo world that embraces rock and heavy metal, Conklin is a rap, jazz and classical-music fan. And he's black.

"I've stood outside my shop and I've said, 'Hey, how's it goin,' to guys and they've walked right past me and they go inside asking to speak to a tattoo artist. I don't look like what society thinks a tattoo artist looks like," says Conklin, gold hoop in each ear; hair worn in an Afro. He also sports a skinny mustache and beard resembling the sort worn by Samuel L. Jackson in "Pulp Fiction."

The Seattle Tattoo Convention, which begins tomorrow, is in its fourth year, exploding to 72 booths and 200 tattooists.

Sure, there's still something taboo about tattoos. Needles in skin; blood, pain.

But when tattoos are appreciated by both hobbits (Elijah Wood, et al.) and bubble-gum actresses (Mandy Moore), we're not talking subversive anymore.

One in seven adults, according to a 2003 survey by Scripps Howard News Service and Ohio University, has a tattoo. There are now tattoo-themed reality TV shows. There are some 68 tattoo shops in Seattle; 273 statewide.

[gobucks]

I wonder, do Freepers, as a group, have fewer, more more, tatoos on average? I am betting less than 1 Freeper in 50 has a tatoo...esp if they're Christian; but I never would have guessed the average was as high as 1 in 7 DO have a tatoo.

fwiw, I don't have a single one.

Oh yes, the three pics from the article:

Now folks, if you happen to have some leanings toward trusting Christ, perhaps, if you are a reader sitting on the fence, which way would this article push you??

That said, I'm pretty hard line to my high school students in my Methodist Sunday School class abou this topic. They think I'm time warped from the 1880's.

Your thoughts on this are welcome, for despite the fact I don't have tatoos, I can't say that about all the Sunday School Teachers at my church...

[gobucks]

by a 'lack of trust' what I clarified to them was this: a tatoo is a permanent mark ... a symbol, thus it is 'loaded'. But scripture forbids it, I think for the reason that it is basically a form of idolatry, but at minimum, you as a professing Christian, are sending a mixed message: you don't trust God is big enough to do what needs to be done w/o the help of symbols....

[Jersey Republican Biker Chick]

A tattoo is putting a little of your inner self on your outer self.

[thoughtomator]

Tattoos say "I have a poor self-image".

[Clemenza]

Tatoo on a woman = white trash slut.

[dakine]

Tattoos are cool, I prefer the homemade indian ink ones...

[cripplecreek]

I don't mind tattoos if they're tastefull but they DO NOT belong on the face, hands, or neck.

Ive got one small one on my forearm that I intend to have removed at some point.

[ArrogantBustard]

Heh...

Tattoo n : "A permanent memorial to a momentary lapse of reason."

:'}

[cripplecreek]

It's true in my case.

[gobucks]

"Ive got one small one on my forearm that I intend to have removed at some point."

Would information you have now have prevented you from getting it put on 'then' have prevented you from getting it?

If you don't mind my asking, would you plan to ever get another one??

[Jersey Republican Biker Chick]

"Tatoo on a woman = white trash slut."

I have tattoos and I am not a white trash slut!! Try watching what you call people when you paint with such a broad brush!!

[garyhope]

For me, the old "generation gap" is tattoos, piercings and rap "music".

I don't have any or listen to any.

I agree with #5

[Osage Orange]

A tattoo won't help or hinder one's entry into the Kingdom of God.

[atomicpossum]

My personal opinion is that, as formerly an artist for 20 years, there's no piece of artwork I want to see so much I want it engraved into my skin. Scribbling on yourself with a ballpoint would seem to be the same thing to me, but at least that has the option of changing pictures if you want to.

[pa mom]

Not a fan of tattoos. Don't have one, don't want my kids to get one. Don't know anybody with one. I live in a very white bread place.

Although, if you want one, fine, just put it where I don't have to see it when it gets all saggy and old.

[Hoodlum91]

But if you don't get a tattoo, how are you supposed to remember that night in Tijuana?

[cripplecreek]

"Would information you have now have prevented you from getting it put on 'then' have prevented you from getting it?"


I wouldn't call it information. It's really more a matter of having matured. When you're 15 or 16 years old "forever" is a concept that's a little hard to grasp.

[najida]

I think tattoos are cool on the right people.

And the right tattoo. I don't have one, but only because I change my mind in the middle of making breakfast....I can't see me with something that permanent

Reason #12456 why I do marriage as well as I iron.

[HitmanLV]

A tattoo is putting a little of your inner self on your outer self.

That reminds me of something an old galpal used to tell me. You know how most people get the advice 'just be yourself?'

Well, she would always tell me 'Hitman, whatever you do, just tonight, don't be yourself! Be someone else!'

I guess a little of my inner self just isn't too palatable... ;-)

[atomicpossum]

But if you don't get a tattoo, how are you supposed to remember that night in Tijuana?

The clap?