some thoughts on tattoos and the Christian

UPDATE>>>>>>ALL SO - CALLED "TATOOS" ARE BEING CORRECTED TO THEIR SO- CALLED CORRECT SPELLING

So this may be one of the more controversial topics I've approached since actually getting a bit of a readership here on the blog. However, this topic came up in a conversation with some friends today, mainly because I started it with a sharpie and my ankle, but I thought it would be an interesting topic to write about.

Oh and the reason my ankle started this was because I did what every mature 24 year old does and drew a cute little anchor on my ankle.

See?

it looks bomb.com, right?

Ok so anywho, my friends of course asked why I had a little doodad drawn on my ankle and I said I was trying it out to see how I liked it.

Maybe someday in the future I'll actually want something permanent but for now I'm just trying it on for size.

This brought up a whole, very edifying, very nonjudgmental, conversation about the pros and cons of tattoos.

But mostly the cons. Which are obvious...it's permanent, it could ruin your witness, it's a stumbling block, what will your future husband think, what will you family think....etc. etc.

As a Christian, I really don't have a problem with certain tattoos. There are some very beautiful tattoos and I've known some very discerning and wise folks who have decided to express themselves in this way. But I wasn't always this at ease.... I used to be much more conservative about body art. Anything beyond the typical  two ear holes was one hole two many. And well tattoos were certainly out of the question.

I don't blame anyone for this strain of thought. Just myself and my youthful ignorance. As I've gotten older however, my tastes have changed. (And here's the key, my tastes may change again.) I now find certain types of piercings and tattoos to be quite tasteful and, in fact, beautiful.

from my pinterest board :)

Last summer I was this close (picture my squeezy fingers) to getting a tat but couldn't due to money problems.

Now I don't say this to build up my credibility as some sort of relatable Christian. I would hope that if I'm known for anything it's my Lord and Savior, not my tough exterior. But I do say this to show that I've thought from both angles on the issues.


So here are my Pros:

- Way to express yourself
- hopefully get a conversation going that will lead to the gospel
- Shows your liberty as a Christian
- Support a starving tatoo artist

And yep, that's all I could come up with for why it's good to get a tattoo....

Here are my Cons:

- Could make people feel awk
- Future kids may use this tattoo as an argument to get one (Reason provided by my friend Nickie)
- Stumbling block ????
- might end up hating it years down the road
- whatever I get might be ugly in a few years

So notice that none of these reasons, on either side, are really Biblically based because, uh, HELLUR...it's not talked about in the Bible.

also pinterest (this is where the most beautiful images are)

"But Kate," you may say, "What about that one verse in the Old Testament..."

Yes. There is that. And I would hopefully not ignore any part of the Bible but that verse is directly talking to the Israelites.

However there is a verse, rather a whole passage, on liberty of conscience....

Romans 14:13-14

Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather determine this—not to put an obstacle or a stumbling block in a brother’s way. 14 I know and am convinced in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself; but to him who thinks anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean.

This passage has worked to persuade me NOT to get a tattoo at this point in time. Why? Because, in addition to not judging another's weakness, we are also commanded not to tempt each other into sin. Sure, getting a tattoo isn't necessarily right or wrong.

again, pinterest.

But to the generation who grew up believing tatoos are a sign of rebellion....getting a tattoo might be totally wrong to them.

I really don't know how to end this little post...maybe other than asking for some feedback?

Anybody reading this have a tattoo? Anybody disagree? I would love to hear more :)