What do you think?

[agedman]

As a youth, only certain people had tattoos: sailors, convicts, criminals, perverts, undesirables, bikers, and anyone else that was generally socially questionable.

Not certain why sailors had them. Figured it was a tension release after long months at sea.

Most men were ashamed of being tattooed, especially after salvation, and it was rare to actually see one not covered.

I don't recall a single woman with a tatto.

Places to get tattooed were always in the most seedy part of towns, and they never advertised unless near a Navy base.

What is with all the tattooing not to even mention the piercings?

Especially among the women!

Is it possible to improve ones appearance with someone marking the body?

What influences are pressing people to permanently mar their bodies?

Will there be a time the BB will ban this kind of discussion because it might offend or it is not publicly accepted speech?

 

[Salty]

Excellent questions!
For the life of me - I can not understand why especially a female wants tattoos.
I do NOT find them attractive.
And extra piercings - IMHO are worse than the tattoos.

 

[TCassidy]

It seems to me that body mutilation is a sign of a serious mental illness.

 

[HankD]

It seems to me that body mutilation is a sign of a serious mental illness.

Just wondering Tom - why?

No, I don't have any.

HankD

 

[Deacon]

Most older men that I've come in contact with admit that the tattoos they got as a young man were a mistake.
The skulls and gory one bother me; the comic book characters IMO are just plain stupid.
But I'll admire a well done tattoo; I like the arty colorful ones despite the fact that I'd never get one myself.

Tattoos have become trendy.
In my medical office I've see some new, first tattoos on older women in their 70's
I find that weird.

Rob

 

[Sapper Woody]

I've got a few tattoos. They are all in places not easily seen by the public (but not so private that I can't show them if I wish). To me, my tattoos represent something I want to remember my whole life, and will not be ashamed of later.

They are there for me, and no one else. They aren't there to enhance my looks (most people will never even know I have them).

I agree that tattoos do not enhance someone's looks. I've never seen a tattoo on a woman (or man, for that matter) and said, "Wow. That makes them look so much better!"

I believe that if someone is considering a tattoo, that it is a personal matter between them, God, and their spouse. I would never encourage someone to get one, but neither would I tell them they are won't for getting one, unless it was somewhere they couldn't cover.

Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

 

[TCassidy]

Just wondering Tom - why?

Yes, why? Why put holes in your body where God did not intend holes to be? Why paint pictures (usually bad pictures) on a body that God says is "fearfully and wonderfully made?"

Do we really think we can improve on God's creation?

 

[Revmitchell]

I have on on my upper arm "USMC" it stands for something worth respecting and a remembrance of that time in my life. Getting tattoos is certainly a decision made in the youth of life. As we get older we become less likely to get them. My daughter who is 29 has one on her wrist. It is a Christian fish with scripture attached. She uses it as a tool to open up conversations about her faith.

Tattoos are a personal choice and can be done well or very poorly like anything else.

 

[HankD]

Yes, why? Why put holes in your body where God did not intend holes to be? Why paint pictures (usually bad pictures) on a body that God says is "fearfully and wonderfully made?"

Do we really think we can improve on God's creation?

Thanks. No.

There are those in our local church who have a few from times gone by.

HankD

 

[agedman]

Historically, it seems tattoos were identification and affiliation symbols.

Every continent had tribal or societal groups that used tattoos. There does seem to be a correlation that the more heathen and perverted, the more blatant. I wonder if the use, today, is reflective of the deminishing light and dominance of darkness.

A few acquaintances and a professor I knew had a tattoo on their arm, curtesy of the Germans. They wouldn't say anything about it other than cover it up if noticed. It was too fresh in memories to talk about openly.

Frankly, I have never seen a tattoo that was remarkably good, or enhanced the body.

And I have to be honest by acknowledging that the initial reaction to someone having a tattoo is rather guarded. Seems like I have a longer "get to know you" time before the same level of trust is extended. I admit that is a deficit of my own.

Perhaps, there maybe some initial common bond with tattoos that are identifiers to an event, a group, a creed, or society.

Perhaps, there may be some manner of ability to use that marking as a tool to bring open communication of the gospel.

I just don't see it as necessary or even preferred, and especially if it involves an event or the allegiance to some group.

Just like sin, it costs more to remove than to get, and leaves a scar.

 

[JonC]

Yes, why? Why put holes in your body where God did not intend holes to be? Why paint pictures (usually bad pictures) on a body that God says is "fearfully and wonderfully made?"

Do we really think we can improve on God's creation?

Our body is a temple. Some have stained glass windows?

 

[Reynolds]

I never got any tattoos. I had quite a few piercings at one time. I got a few when I was working under cover. Then after I found out the women loved them, I got a lot more.

 

[SheepWhisperer]

Why look like some primitive heathen tribesman? Why emulate like the world?

 

[agedman]

Are believers to be identified as ungodly or holy?

Not saying tattooing is either, but what the world considers the testimony of one having tattoos.

Same with body piercings, language, books, music, character, posture, temperament...

Does not the Scriptures implore and compel the life and living to be that of ambassador? That in which embodies that reputation and character of our heavenly citizenship?

Is it not good to teach the assembly to guard their body from the influences of the ungodly, and present an example of holy?

 

[Baptist Believer]

Are believers to be identified as ungodly or holy?

Not saying tattooing is either, but what the world considers the testimony of one having tattoos.

My personal preference? I don't like tattoos at all. I don't like them at all on men or women. I don't think I would ever consider getting one. But should I claim that my preferences are somehow more spiritual than the preferences of others? Nope.

While I hate tattoos, I have quite a few scars on my skin from various injuries over the years and a half dozen surgeries. While they are not attractive, they remind me of the very difficult times I have gone through and I wouldn't want them erased. Even the resurrected Jesus is known by His scars.

I can understand those who have served in the military (like RevMitchell and SapperWoody) might want to mark that difficult and noble service to our nation with a mark (a scar) to remind them of what they have achieved, the lessons learned, and perhaps some very difficult memories.

Does not the Scriptures implore and compel the life and living to be that of ambassador? That in which embodies that reputation and character of our heavenly citizenship?

Sure. That's why - if you are going to get a tattoo - you should be mindful of what you are going to display on your body and where it will be located.

Is it not good to teach the assembly to guard their body from the influences of the ungodly, and present an example of holy?

Your assumption is that tattoos are ungodly/unholy. They simply are not, even if you and I don't like them.

 

[agedman]

...

Your assumption is that tattoos are ungodly/unholy. They simply are not, even if you and I don't like them.

Did I state that in my post?

No, I was indicating that the world and worldly desire to assert influence upon and mar the testimony of the believer.

Is not this stated in the post of mine, above?

Are believers to be identified as ungodly or holy?

Not saying tattooing is either, but what the world considers the testimony of one having tattoos.

Same with body piercings, language, books, music, character, posture, temperament...

It is not just a concern about one area, but the subtle influence in any part that the believer must be warned.

The seed planted is never like that which emerges and grows bearing much more seeds that can fall (even unaware) and grow. The results of buried sin, will always grow to look initially attractive, but has the sap is death. The results of the buried seed of holiness, will always grow to look like Godliness, and has the sap of life.

It isn't what is seen that is the seed, but that which is the foundation for all that is seen.

 

[John of Japan]

Used to be in Japan that only the yakuza gangsters had tattoos. These were intended to show identity, and the goal was a full body tattoo, usually of a traditional scene such as a dragon. The traditional tattooing method was quite painful, so for the yakuza a good tattoo was also a sign of toughness.

True story. Back in the day, a missionary I know was getting turned down by the owner of a meeting hall, which the missionary wanted to rent for evangelistic meetings. So he took with him a rookie missionary who was es-navy and had an anchor tattoo. "When I give the word, just rest your arm on the counter, okay?" was the instruction. When the ex-navy man did so, the owner immediately said, "Oh, sure, you can rent the hall!" even though he had just turned the missionary down again.

Unfortunately, nowadays young Japanese men and women are following the American young dummies and getting non-traditional tattoos.

 

[Reynolds]

Why look like some primitive heathen tribesman? Why emulate like the world?

Well, I can't tell you in the open forum. I was backslidden at the time. There is a good reason the women love some of the more strategically placed ones.

 

[SheepWhisperer]

I'm not referring to what one has done in their past as a lost sinner: I'm asking; why would a Christian who has none, want to emulate the world by getting one?

 

[FollowTheWay]

Historically, it seems tattoos were identification and affiliation symbols.

Every continent had tribal or societal groups that used tattoos. There does seem to be a correlation that the more heathen and perverted, the more blatant. I wonder if the use, today, is reflective of the deminishing light and dominance of darkness.

A few acquaintances and a professor I knew had a tattoo on their arm, curtesy of the Germans. They wouldn't say anything about it other than cover it up if noticed. It was too fresh in memories to talk about openly.

Frankly, I have never seen a tattoo that was remarkably good, or enhanced the body.

And I have to be honest by acknowledging that the initial reaction to someone having a tattoo is rather guarded. Seems like I have a longer "get to know you" time before the same level of trust is extended. I admit that is a deficit of my own.

Perhaps, there maybe some initial common bond with tattoos that are identifiers to an event, a group, a creed, or society.

Perhaps, there may be some manner of ability to use that marking as a tool to bring open communication of the gospel.

I just don't see it as necessary or even preferred, and especially if it involves an event or the allegiance to some group.

Just like sin, it costs more to remove than to get, and leaves a scar.

Actually, the son of a former pastor of mine has a small fish tattooed on his ankle. The son is a missionary and uses this like carrying a Bible as a statement of faith. I don't have any and have never liked them especially on women.