Christians Shouldn't Get Tattoos!

Posted by Scott Williams
19 Comments
August 4, 2008
Controversy | Hmmmmm

“Christians Shouldn’t Get Tattoos” is definitely the point of view of so many people, and especially so many Christians.  As a Pastor it’s a common question that I am asked… and I personally don’t have a problem with tattoos and this topic has been debated thoroughly with people outlining scripture for both points of view.  I think that we should use good judgement; specifically on what we permanently tattoo on our bodies. 

I got a tattoo when I was in college and it was relative to my Fraternity; I have thought about getting something added to it, or over it… I have come to the realization that it represents a part of my story, so I have left it alone (I personally wouldn’t get anything below the short-sleeve line… however there are some great-looking sleeve tats, just not my deal).  There are a lot of staff members and pastors at LifeChurch.tv that have tattoos… many of which are evangelistic in nature.

What are your thoughts: tat or no tat?  Share your thoughts/opinions!  Do you have a tattoo? 

If you have never seen Mr. Ragamuffin Soul Carlos Whittaker’s  LA Ink segment you should check it out here! 

  • http://www.dustytakle.com Dusty Takle

    Doesn’t God look on the heart and not the tatooed skin? Anyhoo, my husband has a loverly tatoo on his back of viking helmet with wings behind it. (He is a pilot and is 1/2 Norwegian.) It has meaning, and I find it rather cool. As for me, I’m way too chicken. But, tatoos I like.

  • http://paravane.wordpress.com/ jimmy paravane

    Oh well it’s simple, really. If you have a tattoo, yer going to hell. Doesn’t even matter if you have it removed. Still going. What? That’s only if it’s the mark of the beast? oh.
    Nevermind. (grin)

  • http://www.manymeadows.blogspot.com Robin Meadows

    Don’t have one….but I sure have been thinking about it! : )

  • http://www.abeautifulimageblog.com ~abi~

    i have a tiny one, but i plan on getting more. obviously, i don’t see a problem w/ it. :)

  • http://www.retread.wordpress.com Kyle Stickens

    Good thing I’m a “Christ Follower” and not a “Christian.”

  • Mike

    Scott,

    I’m with you on this. I got one before I was saved, but for no other reason than wanting to be cool and look tough. It’s nothing controversial–just a simple pattern design.

    I’m not proud of it, and I’ve even pondered getting it removed, but it wouldn’t be a wise financial investment. God is merciful in either scenario. And, like you said, it’s part of my story.

    I’m always wondering what I’ll tell my future children when they start asking about it. I don’t want it to be a stumbling block for them. What have you told yours?

    Mike

  • http://rollmentalcamera.blogspot.com roger

    Yep got 2 in college. Still trying to find something else that I would like but haven’t settled on anything

  • http://ichilly.typepad.com Chilly

    I do not have a tattoo – and, not because I’m a “Christian” and not a “Christ Follower” (what incredibly stupid reasoning). I don’t think a tattoo is sin but, like lots of impulsive things, it can be done as an act of sin (like rebellion). The reason I don’t want a tattoo is simply because what looks cool now may look pretty ridiculous later. I’ve seen elderly men who probably got tats during the war or other times as young guys – the tatoos are now stretched, faded, distorted, etc… they look like something smeared on their arms. It would be like us taking our hairstyle today, putting it in a box, then bringing it out again in 40 years and putting it on our heads. Ridiculous. You may see my reasoning as vanity, I see it as sanity. Lots of people I love have tats – I don’t have a ‘church stance’ on the subject, this was just my personal feelings.
    ~ peace.

  • http://mcalvitti.blogspot.com misti

    i have 4 tattoo’s and each one has a special story. i got each one before i was saved. God has even used the last one i got to reveal a special part of my walk with Him. So for me my tattoos are special. I did them for myself – but God has used them to help me grow in my relationship with Him.

  • http://patricksievert.wordpress.com Patrick Sievert

    I’ve got big plans for a sermon series entitled “Tattoo” in the fall of ’09. Stay tuned… :D

  • Scott Williams

    Thanks for all your comments… it seems like everyone is either tatted, doesn’t have a problem w/ tattoos or just encourages using good judgement.

  • http://www.unveilinghope.com Hope

    Do I have “a” tattoo? Well, er – yes – at least one. I’ve struggled with whether I should have them – I mean it – removed ever since I became a Christian. There is a little bit of shame attached to them, not because of what they are but because of who I was when I had them done. God is working on this issue however. I think they’ve become a small part of my testimony. Would I recommend it … no. For the very reason that no matter how long you think it over, one day, you might wish you hadn’t, especially when it is 2″ lower than it was when you first had it done. Yeah, it’s an age thing.

  • http://jaycurlee.blogspot.com Jason Curlee

    Now….either way…I agree…you can argue both ways…I would say people need to think of the why before they do….

  • Suzanne Wild

    I see tattoos as neutral, depending on the content. Now if someone is tattooed in an…shall we say…intimate place? I DON’T want to see it, so please don’t show it off to me.

    Mostly, when I see a tattoo, all I can think is “OW OW OW OW!” Same with piercings.

  • http://www.michaelhigh.com Mike High

    I want a tattoo, but I am finding it hard to come up with an idea that I would be comfortable with putting on myself permanently. I had a 15-year anniversary tattoo planned, but it didn’t work out.

  • http://www.withoutwax.tv Pete Wilson

    I want one really bad. Why? I have no idea. Maybe I think it will make me a better blogger like Los.

  • http://jameyjohnson.org jamey johnson

    Scott Hodge and I have both seriously thought about getting a tat…I’m getting closer and closer…both of us are pastors, and I have no problem with them…at all!

  • http://whosreadsthisstuff.blogspot.com/ K Ford

    I’m with Suzanne. I have no probs with tats. They’re not for me though. The only tattoo I’ll be getting will have to come from the Almighty himself.

  • http://paravane.wordpress.com/ jimmy paravane

    oooh! Oooh! Scott, yer gonna have to forgive me for this one, but I don’t get to do it online much anymore. I mean, that’s one of the things that was so “fun” about message boards(grin)…

    Fight! Fight! Ding ding ding! It’s one alien vs. the other! Place yer bets! psst…hey Kyle…You just got called “stupid”, kinda. Fight! Fight! Let’s all gather round and watch!

    Oh, and can somebody please tell me how to stand so I look like I have a “church stance”? I bet it looks really kewl to yer god.

    you aliens are fun. what? (grin)

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