Dear Suzanne:

This subject of tattoos comes up periodically. I am going to answer this is a broader fashion than your question to discuss the whole subject of tattoos.

The question is usually whether or not a Christian should have a tattoo in the first place (is it a sin?), and secondly, about the kind of tattoo.

Tattoos are primarily an issue of vanity rather than an objective sin in-an-of-themselves (unless the tattoo is vulgar or blasphemous, or it promotes/glorifies sin, other gods,  or the demonic).

The Bible to my memory does not address the issue of tattoos nor does the Church. To consider it mutilation as some people suggest is a bit much. The Bible, however, does talk about vanity in general and vanity specifically in terms of bodily adornment.

Vanity is an issue that many in our society ignore as a problem and often will glorify. Vanity can lead to various sins and therefore can be very dangerous.

The Bible does tell us to avoid the symbols of false gods.

Another aspect to this (although somewhat off topic) is that tattoos are often things that many people eventually regret getting. There are untold millions spent every year in cosmetic surgeries to remove things that seemed like a good idea at the time.

Bottomline: unless the tattoo is vulgar, blasphemous, promotes/glorifies sin, depicts or represents false gods, is demonic or occultic, or encourages or promotes any other immoral or unChristian act or thought, it is not in-an-of-itself a sin.

The next issue to consider is the pride and vanity. We must examine ourselves to see why we want a tattoo or, for that matter, why we want to wear decorations that come off, like rings, necklaces, ear rings, etc. Ostentatious displays and decorations are generally not consistent with Christian modesty and decorum; and as Christians we are to be modest and to avoid vanity and pride.

So, examine yourself to see why you want this and whether this is merely an expression of vanity, or whether there is a good reason for it within the bounds of modesty and humility. This goes for all jewelry and fashions we wear as well.

For those who want devilish tattoos, such as demons, evil, false gods, Satan, etc., this is outright improper. St. Paul tells us that we are not to even have the appearance of evil.

I think there is a serious question about the person himself who wishes to have tattoos of that depict evil theme. Why would a person want such a thing? Evil is NOT "cool." The "benign" depiction of evil is NOT "cool."

Whatever clothing we wear, jewelry we wear, or tattoos we have is an expression of something about us. It is a message. What message does a tattoo of evil give?

No, there is no justification for a tattoo depicting an evil theme. To those people who want one thinking it is just "cool body art" I would recommend seeing a psychologist. I mean that. There is something deeply wrong when a person thinks that demons, evil, and Satan are "cool" in any context. Having such a tattoo is certainly contrary to the Christian life.

While there might be an issue of vanity that needs to be expressed a tattoo of a Christian symbol such as the Chi Rho, for Fish, or Cross would be permissible.

A tattoo of our Blessed Mother, or of our Lord, on the other hand may not be sinful, but I personally think it is rather tacky. I am not sure if it would be blasphemous, but some may suggest that a tattoo of the image of our Blessed Mother, or of our Lord is disrespectful. I am not sure that is the case. I know that I would not do it and I admit that I would be taken back a little if I saw it on someone else.

Which leads to the final consideration. Even if it is not sin, even if the image is permissible, that does not mean we ought to do it. Tattoos have a negative reputation, a worldly reputation. As such I believe Christians should not get tattoos. As Christians we are to be counter-cultural, to have some detachment from the world. Tattoos I do not believe fits the requirement of detachment.

There is also the issue of how others see us, and even of possible scandal.  We do need to consider how others see us. We need to represent Christ to others. While it may no seem fair, being a good example for Christ is more important then us indulging in our desires and preferences.

Tattoos are generally not seen by the general public as something Christians would do. While we do not need to be enslaved by public opinion, we do need to consider it and try to put the best Christian image forward.

Also, we need to think of the possible scandal. Whether it is fair or not, whether we like it or not, others may see having a tattoo as a bawdy and vulgar thing, even if the tattoo is of our Blessed Mother. As a result they may decide to not become Christian if such things are allowed in Christianity.

Also, is the influence of the tattoo in general. While you may have a tattoo of the Blessed Mother, it is a tattoo. This could inspire others to get a tattoo, but they may not get one that is proper.

Also, once in the tattoo arena, one can get influenced by the negative side of the tattoo culture.

Perhaps you are rolling your eyes at all this. We, as Christians, have an obligation to consider these sorts of things, to analyze things as I have done here.

We are ambassadors of Christ on this planet. As ambassadors our demeanor, behavior, form of dress, forms of recreation, etc. matter. People do watch what we do. Hopefully, we model the holiness of Christ.

God Bless,
Bro. Ignatius Mary