Posted on 04/28/2008 8:59:26 AM PDT by ChurtleDawg
I was thinking about getting a tattoo of a Byzantine style 3 bar Cross on my upper right arm. I am wondering if that would be considered wrong or somehow sacreligious. Please let me know your opinion because I cannot find any conclusive answer.
It is my understanding that as long as getting a tattoo (any tattoo) isn’t preventing you from funding any necessary expense, it is ok.
If you are paying for the tattoo with money that would otherwise have been used to provide food for your family, for example, then it is not OK.
Of course, the same would be true for anything you spend money on. For example, buying an XBOX with money that should have been used to provide necessary food, clothing, shelter, etc. for your family would be the same kind of no-no.
¡Bienvenida a el FreeRepublic!
Here I have been brought up in the church, baptized at 10, youth group leader, preached on a few occasions and now here you are telling me how I should be a Christian. Thanks, is it little wonder people get tired of people preaching to them?
I wanted to commemorate a great pilgrimage in my christian life and you are telling me how bad it was of me. I appreciate your telling me what God wants of me. Fortunately at the end God will be judging me and not you.
The good sisters did a great job with you! The fallen away Catholic is correct. A Tattoo is considered bodily mutilation. But, as Anonymous Rex commented, you should seek council from a priest before proceeding.
As for the winner, Jagman, here is your prize!
Catholics Come Home . Fabulous web site ... enjoy!
““..I wanted to mark myself as a Christian.”
“Tattooing a cross on your body doesn’t automatically mark you as a Christian. Waste of ink and pain.”
Also narcissistic and a waste of money. The true mark of a Christian is in the believer’s heart.
Lev 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.
That was a good post. Thank you.
Very well stated and Amen.
Last time I checked, Jesus wasn't dead, so this prohibition doesn't apply.
Is being STUPID a good enough reason not to do it, without it being sacrilegious as well?
God forbade the Jews from tattoos, because that was the custom of the idol worshipping surrounding countries. And it still is. Same with cutting your body for the dead( a sign of mourning).
God was very jealous of His nation, which He brought out of bondage from Egypt to give them the Promised Land.
Whether you get a tattoo or not depends on how you see yourself and who owns you.
Do you own you? Or does God own you because you have been purchased by the blood of Jesus Christ? Were you not bought with a price?
The answer to that question will guide you to the right decision.
Jesus didn’t forbid it or condone it.But why do something that God very clearly spoke AGAINST, because He considered it an insult to Him that His people would take on the custom of people doomed for destruction.
It clearly is within the power of the Holy Spirit to bring you to a decision that will honor God.
As far as me judging you, I don't judge anybody. I am however required to judge sin. Your sin seems to be pride more than the tattoo. The tattoo is just a symptom. We have a Saviour that heals the "tattoo" parts of our lives, but you have to repent and tell God He's right and you are wrong. Otherwise, it's not repentance. You will not be judged by me, that's true, but when you come before God and He wants to know why you were presented with His Law on FR, but attacked the poster, instead of contemplating His Law, He may wonder just how much you have submitted to the sovereignty of God. The Word of God judges you, not any person. When you are confronted with the Truth and reject it, that is willful sin and requires repentance. If God can forgive people on death row, He is sure to forgive pride. But you must agree with Him first to be serious. I have counseled women that have had abortions and finally realized their error. God is quick to forgive, but the women wouldn't forgive themselves so easily. Jesus said He didn't come to change the Law, He came to fulfill it. NO LAW HAS CHANGED from the Old Testament. Jesus has just paid the price for our breaking of the Law. When people say the Old Testament doesn't count anymore, they are saying Jesus died for nothing because the Law doesn't matter.
The poster was just asking about tattoo's and now he knows what God thinks of them. No one was judging you. You are judging yourself. If you want to conform to God's Will, then get the tattoo removed and repent. If you get a chance to preach again, you might use the opportunity to bring this up. Another topic to explore is the excessive wearing of makeup, jewelry, revealing clothes, etc, because of vanity. I'll let you look up the verses.
Another thing to remember is that once you get one tattoo, it’s much harder to resist getting two. My brothers convinced our level-headed mother to get one for her 40th birthday- tasteful, small, her kids’ names wrapped around her ankle.
She’s up to four now, and everytime she bends down to pick up her grandbaby, grandson wants to know why Nana wrote Pop-pop’s name on that pretty butterfly on her back.
Consider yourself warned.
Since when is getting a tat illegal?
What is it about “or” that you fail to comprehend?
It’s a Hebrew parallelism. The second clause modifies the first. They refer to the same ancient practice.
Like Madona? Sorry, I just had to comment. The proof of your faith is your love for one another, not tats, symbols, or wristbands.
God’s law. Have you read the rest of the posts?
God has a "law" against tattoos?
Why not just hot brand yourself with a branding iron.
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