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Question Title	Posted By	Question Date
re tattoos by Suzanne	Claire	Sunday, August 31, 2008
Question: Hello Br Ignatius, I was reading several posts and came across this question and response posted June 10, 2008. My son recenly got a tattoo along with his girlfriend (of a large cross on their forearm.) He desires to get another one later of a family crest, and I am trying to lovingly discourage him. As you have said, and of which I agree, I have told him along those same thoughts (but not the vanity part - that never occured to me). I have forewarded him that question and your response and hope that he truly considers your wise answer. I just wanted to let you know that the Bible does talk about "tattoos" and here is the passage: Lev 19:28 "You shall not make any gashes in your flesh for the dead or tattoo any marks upon you: I am the Lord." (NRSV) Lev 19:28 "You shall not make any cuttings in your flesh, for the dead: neither shall you make in yourselves any figures or marks. I am the Lord." (DR) The way I comprehend this passage is that ancient tribes would make tattoos (cut their flesh and/or hair as well) for their dead. It was not so much that tattoos were forbidden by God as that they were used back then for paganistic beliefs. Thus God commanded that these pagan rituals were not to be done. Just as cremation used to be a pagan belief for the dead and Christians were forbidden, today a Christian can utilize cremation so long as it has no pagan ties/beliefs. I understand the same applies to tattoos so long as it has no occult/pagan ties. Some people use a religious tattoo to honor their Christian beliefs just as wearing a necklace of a crucifix is an outward sign of their Christian belief. Although not a sin to do so, I agree with your response that much of society holds negative connotations tied with tattoos which can have unwanted consequences - especially later in life with job careers. People do tend to judge even though it is wrong to prejudge another. blessings to you, and much thanks Claire
Question Answered by Bro. Ignatius Mary, OLSM Dear Claire: Yes, I am familiar with that passage, and similar passages such as 1 Kings 18:28 and Isaiah 44:5. As you mentioned these customs of cutting the skin (tattoo) was associated with pagan rituals. Except with certain tribal cultures and occult groups today tattoos are not sought or given for ritualistic purposes, and was certainly not the case with Suzanne. Thus, I did not consider these passages in my previous answer when I said that I could not recall any passage in the Bible about this. I was thinking about tattoos as body art when saying that. But, you are right, the Bible does mention this in the context of pagan ritual practices. The primary problem with tattoos, in my opinion, however, is not so much the public perception as it is the issue of vanity. Public perceptions can change and is changing toward the tattoo, but the issue of vanity remains. God Bless, Bro. Ignatius Mary Footer Notes: This forum is for general questions on the faith. See specific Topic Forums below: Spiritual Warfare, demons, the occult go to our Spiritul Warfare Q&S Forum. Liturgy Questions go to our Liturgy and Liturgical Law Q&A Forum Liturgy of the Hours (Divine Office) Questions go to our Divine Office Q&A Forum Defenfing the Faith Questions go to our Defending the Faith Q&A Forum Church History Questions go to our Church History Q&A Forum

Question Title

Posted By

Question Date

re tattoos by Suzanne

Claire

Sunday, August 31, 2008

Question:

Hello Br Ignatius,

I was reading several posts and came across this question and response posted June 10, 2008.

My son recenly got a tattoo along with his girlfriend (of a large cross on their forearm.) He desires to get another one later of a family crest, and I am trying to lovingly discourage him. As you have said, and of which I agree, I have told him along those same thoughts (but not the vanity part - that never occured to me). I have forewarded him that question and your response and hope that he truly considers your wise answer.

I just wanted to let you know that the Bible does talk about "tattoos" and here is the passage:

Lev 19:28 "You shall not make any gashes in your flesh for the dead or tattoo any marks upon you: I am the Lord." (NRSV)

Lev 19:28 "You shall not make any cuttings in your flesh, for the dead: neither shall you make in yourselves any figures or marks. I am the Lord." (DR)

The way I comprehend this passage is that ancient tribes would make tattoos (cut their flesh and/or hair as well) for their dead. It was not so much that tattoos were forbidden by God as that they were used back then for paganistic beliefs. Thus God commanded that these pagan rituals were not to be done. Just as cremation used to be a pagan belief for the dead and Christians were forbidden, today a Christian can utilize cremation so long as it has no pagan ties/beliefs. I understand the same applies to tattoos so long as it has no occult/pagan ties. Some people use a religious tattoo to honor their Christian beliefs just as wearing a necklace of a crucifix is an outward sign of their Christian belief.

Although not a sin to do so, I agree with your response that much of society holds negative connotations tied with tattoos which can have unwanted consequences - especially later in life with job careers. People do tend to judge even though it is wrong to prejudge another.

blessings to you, and much thanks
Claire

Question Answered by Bro. Ignatius Mary, OLSM

Dear Claire:

Yes, I am familiar with that passage, and similar passages such as 1 Kings 18:28 and Isaiah 44:5.

As you mentioned these customs of cutting the skin (tattoo) was associated with pagan rituals. Except with certain tribal cultures and occult groups today tattoos are not sought or given for ritualistic purposes, and was certainly not the case with Suzanne. Thus, I did not consider these passages in my previous answer when I said that I could not recall any passage in the Bible about this. I was thinking about tattoos as body art when saying that. But, you are right, the Bible does mention this in the context of pagan ritual practices.

The primary problem with tattoos, in my opinion, however, is not so much the public perception as it is the issue of vanity. Public perceptions can change and is changing toward the tattoo, but the issue of vanity remains.

God Bless,
Bro. Ignatius Mary

Footer Notes: This forum is for general questions on the faith. See specific Topic Forums below:
Spiritual Warfare, demons, the occult go to our Spiritul Warfare Q&S Forum.
Liturgy Questions go to our Liturgy and Liturgical Law Q&A Forum
Liturgy of the Hours (Divine Office) Questions go to our Divine Office Q&A Forum
Defenfing the Faith Questions go to our Defending the Faith Q&A Forum
Church History Questions go to our Church History Q&A Forum