Tattoos

[Seeker]

What are your thoughts on tattoos? Is it appropriate for a Christian to have get a tattoo? I know that many have tattoos before becoming a JW but what about a brother or sister getting one? I’m not a fan of excessive tattooing but I am interested in getting a small one on my arm.
I was never baptized and I'm not beholden to the Watchtower but I believe in Jehovah and Jesus.
Is it a matter of conscience?

 

[Jonah]

It's a mosaic law prohibition. There is no right or wrong answer, it's use your Bible trained conscience and determine whether you feel it goes against Bible principles.

 

[SusanB]

We are no longer under the Law of Moses, however, this may indicate how Jehovah feels about tattoos.

Leviticus 19:28: “‘You must not make cuts in your flesh for a dead person, and you must not make tattoo markings on yourselves. I am Jehovah.”

 

[Watchman]

"And quit being fashioned after this system of things, but be transformed by making your mind over, that you may prove to yourselves the good and acceptable and perfect will of God." - Romans 12:1

 

[Seeker]

We are no longer under the Law of Moses, however, this may indicate how Jehovah feels about tattoos.

Leviticus 19:28: “‘You must not make cuts in your flesh for a dead person, and you must not make tattoo markings on yourselves. I am Jehovah.”

Did the Mosaic Law not also prohibit eating pork? But since we're no longer under the law we can now eat pork. Isn't it kinda the same thing? (it's like saying "since the Mosaic Law once prohibited pork we should still not eat it) Does that make sense?

 

[Medi-tator]

Did the Mosaic Law not also prohibit eating pork? But since we're no longer under the law we can now eat pork. Isn't it kinda the same thing? (it's like saying "since the Mosaic Law once prohibited pork we should still not eat it) Does that make sense?

Your logic is sound. The principles mentioned by Driven and Robert are also sound. So, it is your conscience to decide. To me, if you want to get a tattoo and you are good with it on a spiritual level (your spiritual level, not anyone else's), go get a tattoo.

 

[SusanB]

Did the Mosaic Law not also prohibit eating pork? But since we're no longer under the law we can now eat pork. Isn't it kinda the same thing? (it's like saying "since the Mosaic Law once prohibited pork we should still not eat it) Does that make sense?

I hear you and it is something to reason on. Regarding pork you might want to consider that it is notorious for having worms and being a health hazzard. So, the nation of Israel at that time, was governed by Jehovah and as a nation had entered into a covenant with him. The Law Covenant did give health regulations. I don’t think that not eating pork was a spiritual issue as much as a health issue and medical therapies were mostly rudimentary. These were things that made the nation of Israel different and likely healthier than the surrounding nations. In today’s world pork is mostly mass produced and generally isn’t as “wormy” as wild pork. But the tattoo in my opinion is more of a spiritual matter because it brands you. So, here are more sciptures that may help you.

Romans 12:1-2: “Therefore, I appeal to you by the compassions of God, brothers, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, a sacred service with your power of reason. And stop being molded by this system of things, but be transformed by making your mind over, so that you may prove to yourselves the good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”

1 Corinthians 10:31: “Therefore, whether you are eating or drinking or doing anything else, do all things for God’s glory.“

 

[Patricia]

Romans 14:23

 

[SusanB]

What are your thoughts on tattoos? Is it appropriate for a Christian to have get a tattoo? I know that many have tattoos before becoming a JW but what about a brother or sister getting one? I’m not a fan of excessive tattooing but I am interested in getting a small one on my arm.
I was never baptized and I'm not beholden to the Watchtower but I believe in Jehovah and Jesus.
Is it a matter of conscience?

Hi Seeker, After thinking more about it, I thought I would add something else to consider. Why are you asking about the tattoo? Is it that you want confirmation that your choice is right or are you concerned about how Jehovah feels about it? I would recommend that you search out appropriate scriptures that explain the principle(s) involved. Then pray on it and then sleep on it. If you are truly looking for Jehovah’s direction, he will guide you. What will the tattoo accomplish? Is a small tattoo any different than a big tattoo? For me, if I am unsure about something, then I don’t do it until I know that it is the right thing to do and not according to my own opinion but according to what I am able to perceive is Jehovah’s opinion. Of course there are many situations where he allows us to make our own choices. For example, Jehovah doesn’t care if I wear a red blouse today or a blue blouse, it is solely my preference. But marking the body is pretty much permanent and so I hope that whatever you decide your conscience will be clear on it. I do realize that there are ways to remove a tattoo but those methods can be expensive and painful and in a practical sense it is a permanent mark.

 

[StillA_WorshiperOfJah]

In the Ink: Do All Tattoo Pigments Use Mercury and Other Toxic Heavy Metals?

Besides infection from unsterile needles, exposure to mercury and other heavy metals is a risk to consider when getting a tattoo

www.scientificamerican.com

 

[Soul Sage]

Getting tattoos tells me how you are easily manipulated by this world. Peer pressure is what makes people want to get tattoos. Some may say they do it cause they like how it looks but that's because you seen others have it making you want one. I thought about it too in the past. Wanting to impress a girl that was into tattoos but after some meditated dialogue and reflection, you don't want a permanent mark on your body. Your body is sacred and a permanent tattoo is a defilement of your being.

 

[The God Pill]

And people very seldom stop at one for whatever reason perhaps spiritual (more susceptible to unclean spirits from not respecting the temple that is the body) it is addictive for most and before you know it people have many often occult tattoos. When someone gets there first tattoo all I ever hear the next few months is there desire and plans for the next one. The assistant manager of my department's entire forearm is saturated with haunted house and tarot card tattoos.

 

[Citrine]

Well I hate to be the party pooper but I can’t help myself 😆! Most people aren’t aware that tattoo ink is actually very toxic and what goes in and on the skin has to be dealt with by the liver. People with multiple tattoos and especially colorful ones often have compromised livers. That’s also why over time tattoos appear to fade - it’s actually the liver eating the ink away. I obviously spend way to much time worrying about peoples organs and yes, I can pretty much ruin absolutely everything! 😆🙈

 

[SingleCell]

Well I hate to be the party pooper but I can’t help myself 😆! Most people aren’t aware that tattoo ink is actually very toxic and what goes in and on the skin has to be dealt with by the liver. People with multiple tattoos and especially colorful ones often have compromised livers. That’s also why over time tattoos appear to fade - it’s actually the liver eating the ink away. I obviously spend way to much time worrying about peoples organs and yes, I can pretty much ruin absolutely everything! 😆🙈

I can't stop laughing at this comment

 

[BillyRay]

Meh…. Just skip the tattoos. You don’t want to be an inky. Even though it’s become more socially and culturally acceptable in much of the western world and elsewhere…. When I see people with tattoo’s I think: “ There’s someone who is capable of making some bad decisions.”

 

[Seeker]

Thank you to all that have shared your thoughts about this. You've all commented so tactfully and out of love. I really appreciate it and you’ve given me a lot to consider.

This forum has been such a blessing. I always enjoy the spiritual food. So grateful.

 

[The Black Sheep]

At this point, it would not surprise me if witnesses praised you for getting a JW.org tattoo lol. Or even a syringe and mask tattoo for that matter.

 

[Nomex]

Thank you to all that have shared your thoughts about this. You've all commented so tactfully and out of love.

Every one made some very good comments, but I will reiterate though that it is in fact a conscience matter. I personally do not like tattoos. But I am also an artist and I appreciate the fact that tattoos are an art form. There are some very talented tattoo artists. I recognize that tattoos for most are an artistic expression. I would also argue the human body does not need any "enhancements." But again, a tactful artistic tattoo IMO is entirely up to you!

 

[Ms_ladyblue]

What are your thoughts on tattoos? Is it appropriate for a Christian to have get a tattoo? I know that many have tattoos before becoming a JW but what about a brother or sister getting one? I’m not a fan of excessive tattooing but I am interested in getting a small one on my arm.
I was never baptized and I'm not beholden to the Watchtower but I believe in Jehovah and Jesus.
Is it a matter of conscience?

I remember hearing about a sister who got a tattoo where nobody would see it and also body piercing…hidden.
I can’t imagine why. 😳

 

[JMJ]

Thank you to all that have shared your thoughts about this. You've all commented so tactfully and out of love. I really appreciate it and you’ve given me a lot to consider.

This forum has been such a blessing. I always enjoy the spiritual food. So grateful.

I have tattoos . Although done when I was young and wild , they do not bring glory to Jehovah , which is what we are all supposed to aim to do . I think if I could have a word with my younger self , I would try to dissuade myself from having them done . The same would be for a lot of other things as well .