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Christian Q & A - Tattooing and Piercing

Anonymous - Wed Oct 11, 2006 9:37 am
Post subject: Tattooing and Piercing
My wife wants to get a Tattoo. She also wants to get my Daughters' ears pierced. I have voiced my opinion on this matter and I think she brings it up every once in a while just to tease me.

I have told her I believe this is against our faith (Catholic) as I view it as self mutilation. She has backed down, but likes to tease me about getting the girls’ ears pierced when we walk by a booth in the mall, or getting a tattoo if she sees a tattoo parlor.

I want my girls to grow up and have the same experiences as everyone else, but I don’t want to go against my faith. Are these practices OK? I don’t mind the teasing, but should I stand my ground or let my girls get their ears pierced? I know this is a newer issue that might not be referenced in the Bible, but is there anything in the Catholicism or any church documents that talks about this? Would it be considered a sin?

Thanks and God Bless.
Peter - Fri Oct 13, 2006 9:23 am
Post subject: RE: Tattoo and Piercing
When I was younger I got a few tattoos. I can't really comment on the piercing though, I'm not into that.

At first I loved them, but now they don't look like I pictured them. I have had both arms done from my shoulders to wrists. I thought that I would be able to hide them with long sleeve shirts, but you can still see them through my work shirts, and they don't end exactly at my wrists they are just onto my hands.

I started with the name of my girlfriend at the time. Well, shortly after we broke up. So I went back and got more to cover it up. I have a friend that still has his ex-wifes name on his back even though he has remarried.

I now wish that I hadn't got both arms done, but it's too late now. When I walk down the street you can see people edging away just because they look excessive.

I am a Christian, and tattoos shouldn't make any difference to a person, but it does limit me in some things. Some jobs I am unable to attain due to them.

I did get them before I became a Christian though. If I would have been a Christian at the time I probably would not have gotten them. I agree, it is a form of mutilation.

"Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you? If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him; for God's temple is sacred, and you are that temple" (1Cor 3:16-17).

So going by this, getting a tattoo in my mind is almost like spray painting the walls of a church (that can actually be fixed a little easier).

Take it as you will, I am not the smartest or most versed in these matters, but this is how I feel.
Anonymous - Wed Oct 18, 2006 8:42 am
Post subject: RE: Tattoo and Piercing
I personally don't see anything wrong with it. I guess one should look at the reason for doing it. Usually for group acceptance or for personal pleasure. If it is done with evil intention, or the tat or metal is evil in nature than I would say it is certainly wrong.

My wife and I both have Tats. I would say that at this point in our lives we would not get any more, but they come in handy some times. Peter mentioned that there were things he could not do and limitations imposed upon him by his tats, we use them. We are bikers and minister to bikers. Our tats help us to blend in, give us a little credibility amongst the bikers. Sometimes they even help us start a conversation, which we soon turn to teaching about our Savior.

I will admit that most tats I see are evil. The ones that kill me any more is to see a young kid with one of the Asian character tattoos. The last thing I would want to do is to put something on me that I didn't understand. But that is another story.

My advice is to search your heart. Pray on it and God will answer. Do what you think is right. Like I said, we use ours for the greater glory of God. I don't know what to tell you on the piercing though, but if your wife really wants a tattoo, let her get one. Maybe she'll use it. My wife doesn't wear hers anymore. She says they hurt more than they're worth... The ones I really hate are the big hoops I see more and more often where you can see throug it and it make the ear lobes bigger...

To Peter, maybe you can use yours for God's calling. If you are like you said getting tired of them, there are several removal methods I have seen. Laser removal, Intense Pulsed Light Therapy, there are even do-it-yourself cream removal kits you can buy.

Praying,
Bob
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