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Question Title Posted By Question Date
animal question Suzanne Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Question:

hello brother,
do tigers or wolves mean anything negative in our religion. I'm making a religious tattoo and i want either one apart of it but i want to make sure first.

ty brother



Question Answered by Bro. Ignatius Mary, OLSM

Dear Suzanne:

To my knowledge there is no symbolic universal meaning in Christianity to an image of a wolf or tiger. It is possible that some local culture of Christians may attach some symbol to these images that relate to Christianity.

On the subject of tattoos: Tattoos are not inherently evil or idolatrous. We have to look at what the tattoo depicts, what it represents, what the person intended with the tattoo, what it means to the person, why the person wanted the tattoo, etc. before we can pass judgment.

There two other aspect to consider. First, tattoos tend to be an item of vanity. As such, any tattoo desired for vanity reasons would be improper. (Same goes for jewelry and clothing and even hair style)

Second, there is also the scandal aspect. Is wearing a tattoo, or especially multiple tattoos good for our Christian witness because of how our society views tattoos? Is it the image we want to present as a Christian? Tattoos tend to be associated with non-Christian people and activities, and even trashiness sometimes. Tattoos are certainly "optional" and thus if having tattoos offended the sensibilities of those to whom we should be a testimony of Christ, then perhaps we should choose prudence over our desire to have a tattoo. This test also goes for jewelry, clothing, and all other external things in our lives that may serve to glorify or not glorify God in other people's eyes.

While we cannot be slaves to other people's sensitivities the Bible does teach us that we are not to be a stumblingblock to our weaker brethren.

I suppose if one were an evangelist to motorcycle gangs, a tattoo might open some doors Laughing

God Bless,
Bro. Ignatius Mary


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