I have been thinking about getting a tattoo and I looked on the web to see answers about this question, but some say yes and some say no with a lot of reasons.  This is confusing, so I am telling this question on this site and see what people think before I get one.  Thank you for your replies and views.

Well, not really. I do not think. You are not supposed to maim your bodies just because God made you perfect but I guess. I say yes.

Tattoo's are not a sin depending what you have on them (example a serious looking Satan with 666 yes it is bad.
(Example 2 the Epic Smiley face good.






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I wouldn't think so either. People say it's defiling the holy temple of your body or something to that affect. Either way, I don't think it is, unless it's purposely something anit christ kinda tattoo.

The only verse that questions this is in Leviticus. Leviticus 19:28 "Do not cut your bodies for the dead or put tattoo marks on yourselves. I am the Lord.
However, the fact that there is an or in that sentence ties the two subjects of cutting your bodies and putting tattoo marks on yourselves to FOR THE DEAD. I have talked to a lot of pastors about this verse and they all agree with this. So as long as your not getting the tattoo to honor the dead you should be fine according to about 5 different pastors 3 Baptist 2 assembly of god

lilwildwolf21 : So if I get a tattoo like for example, a birth date or a lucky number, is that a bad thing?

I don't think it is a bad thing at all....I myself am looking at getting a tattoo when I have the money. Right now, however, I have better things to spend my money on. So getting a tattoo for me is out of the question until I get some extra cash for it. Also to add my one cents worth to this as  long as the tattoo isn't provocative its fine and as long as your not doing to honor some dead thing its fine 

Some people say that getting a tattoo is a sin yet I don't think it's a sin

yes it is it say's in the bible that you are not supposed to change your body in anyway, so yes tattoo's are bad

I don't think tattoos are bad at all because when we go up to heaven, God wipes us clean of all of out past life. That includes tattoos. That's not to say that you should go out and get a bunch of meaningless tattoos just because they won't follow you to heaven, but getting tattoos that mean something to you (like one that honors the dead. I have one of those) I wouldn't think is a sin.  But unless the tattoo has a personal meaning or feeling to you, you shouldn't get it.

XxChaosxX :  What is your tattoo that is a sin? 

Marcmoney : I never said that any of my tattoos are sins.

According to some people, the tattoo on my lower back would be a sin because it honors the dead. But I would think that a tattoo honoring the dead would be something to be praised, not condemned.

Now my other tattoo may be considered sinful because it is a picture of Betty Boop, but I don't believe it is. While some may see a tattoo of Betty Boop as silly or meaningless, the tattoo means something to me, so it's okay to have it.

My point is, as long as the tattoo has a specific meaning to you, I don't think it is a sin. If you go out, get drunk, and get a meaningless or vulgar tattoo then yes, I believe that would be sinful. I just can't believe that it would be a sin to get a tattoo with a special meaning or feeling behind it.

Sorry about the sandwich post.

One thing that drives me insane is when someone says that tattoos are a sin because you aren't supposed to change your body at all, and I look at them and they have earring(s). Tattoos are no different from having pierced ears, an unsightly mole removed, dying your hair, braces to straiten your teeth, having dental work to have all your teeth capped to make them look perfect, etc. Anyone who has anything like that are being kind of hypocritical when they say tattoos are a sin but those things aren't. Those other things change your body as well, but they aren't associated with deviants, thugs, sinners, etc. 

Marcmoney : if someone tells you that getting a tattoo is a sin, and you notice they have something like the short list I provided, they already lost their credibility. Remember that the bible can be interpreted in many ways, which is why there are so many different branches of religions who use the same bible. It is almost impossible to do something without someone being able to say it is a sin. The question you should be asking yourself is do YOU think it is a sin. What you interpret as a sin is between you and God, and I doubt a loving god would say your going to Hell for your tattoo. 

Honoring the dead is not a sin... if that were true then anyone following religion would be sinning be honoring their dead deity who isn't on earth anymore. What about when your family member dies and you honor them with a funeral? I guess that is sinning too? Whats that cross you are wearing around your neck and the thing you worship in church? It's a cross representing a dead person named Jesus. Is that a sin as well What about the bible itself? How many of those people in the bible are dead yet you are honoring their quotes by reading and praising the bible. The fact that a quote from a dead man was presented to not honor the dead just seems rather silly because your honoring a dead guys quote...

Honoring the dead is not a sin, profiting from the dead is.

As for tattoo's, self-expression isn't a sin unless it's against your religion. Just because a quote in the bible says something is a sin doesn't mean that it is, remember Jesus did not write those quotes himself so take then with a grain of salt. You will know what is and isn't a sin in your gut instinct. Its your choice to decide what is and isn't a sin. If it is a sin and you know it clap your hands lol.

JigSaw :  How can making a funeral a sin? That is just weird.
rcarter2 :  I do not think it is a sin.  The only thing I would get on my body is my birth year and/or my favorite number.  Is that a bad thing?

Marcmoney : haha. No, I do not think it is a bad thing. Unless your favorite number was 666, in which I would assume you get a different favorite number.

Bintsy :  Of course not.  Someone who supports satan will do that.  I am just going to get either a birth year or my favorite number. If I ever.

  I understand that there are a lot of people of religion who believe that getting a tattoo and destroying gods gift to you may be a sin, but most tattoo's are a form of self expression, so I don't see any problem with it, and in fact encourage it to someone who might want one.

Yeah it's all evil thanks god Im broke or i'll be having loads of demonic tattoos on me.

Getting tattoos is a sin because, your body is a temple. I have a few of them. Think about this God wants to save your soul not your flesh.

I really can't see how getting a tattoo is a Sin. I don't have any but a lot of people I know have them and attend church at the same time.

I'll tell you what the bible says:

"Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print any marks upon you: I am the LORD." Leviticus 19:28 (KJV)

Some interpretations of this scripture says that this scripture is God telling the Jews to not adopt the pagan practices of  cutting themselves and marking their bodies with pics of false gods. This verse is in the Old Testament and that leads some people to believe that it doesn't really apply to us, however:

"What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?/ For ye are bought with a price therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's." I Corinthians 6:19-20 (KJV)  

I'm not gonna lie, I've been tempted to get a tattoo when I'm older but once I found these scripture I've decided that it is best not to get one. But just know, having tattoos isn't going to condemn you to Hell. I know lots of saints in church who have had tattoos from their past.

If you are christian its clear cut.
Yes.

I'm sorry but I calling a Tattoo a sin is ridiculous (cite the Bible all you want... the damn thing hasn't been updated in years, it's full of contradictions and it was written by semi-literate shepherds and re-written for political gains).

Bottom line: there is nothing wrong with tattoos. (Just go somewhere clean and safe)

If you believe in God (I'm guessing that you do, since you believe in sin), then you believe that God gave you the ability to THINK for yourself. That God gave you a body to enjoy and appreciate. Tattoos as a form of art, do nothing but enhance the body. Nobody is saying you need to get a tattoo that insults your beliefs (why would you?).

Ask yourself, "what is a sin?" "What does it mean to sin?"  HOW is tattooing really a sin....

Did it ever occur to you that there was an old political reason for this? Tribes would use tattoos, piercings and other markings to designate rites of passage and tribal membership. The church didn't want competition. They outlawed body marking and told people to wear Crucifixes instead. Now, the only "mark" shows your religion -- your bonds to other things have been weakened. The power the church has over you has increased. It's political. The same way they turned Poseidon's Trident into the Devil's pitchfork.

Get whatever tattoo you want. If your priest tells you it's a sin, ask for forgiveness. If he's a good Christian, he'll forgive you.

Personally I don't really understand why people say that doing something to your own body is a "sin"

I honestly have never gotten a tattoo, I have considered it before but now that I am older, I don't really think I will do it. Trust me though, it's not because of what anyone else told me. Honestly, I think I'm different now because I DONT have one. It seems like everyone these days is getting a tattoo. I guess I'm the weird one now.

Don't let anyone else tell you to not do something to your body because of what someone that doesn't know you said. Make your own decisions/mistakes and learn from them. That is what life is all about, and what ultimately helps you become a better person.

Not necessarily a sin as it all depends on what you get, and where you get it in my opinion. For example, my aunt has a tatoo that says blessed on her ankle. THat wouldn't be considered a sin.

You asked if it is a sin, and I'm telling you that IT IS. According to the bible in Leviticus 19:28 " Do not cut your bodies for the dead, or put tattoo marks on yourselves. I am the Lord"  But, it's your choice, your body only you know what you are going to do with it. I don't judge people for the things that they do with their lives because it is their decision. So, in other words about what Leviticus says: Tattoos are marks of Satan. Maybe when you will read, this you will probably think, "whatever she's crazy,"  but, like I said it is your body and only you know what you will do with it.

Leviticus is garbage.

Leviticus also says it's okay to kill women, sell daughters into slavery, etc.

If the rest of it is back-water, ignorant crap... why would you think the bit about Tattoos is someone a magical gem of knowledge.

Buffet style beliefs are why I can't stand religion.

From an Atheist perspective, looking over what could be considered a sin and what sounds like literal idiocy, I think this falls down in the idiocy side. Seriously, you're not messing up anyone's life, and you're not messing up you're own. If it doesn't do harm, then there's no reason to outlaw it.

Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print any marks upon you: I am the Lord. Leviticus 19:28 KJV that is OT but still in tact so yes tattoos ARE sinful 

We're under the new covenant of grace, we're no longer under the law. Therefore, what is sin for one person may not be sin for another. God gave us all a conscience for a reason you know. It bothers me when some people try to condemn others for minuscule things like tatoos or smoking cigarettes, when judging another for this is far worse. Remember what Jesus said: ''Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel.''

But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart
.- 1 Samuel 16:7

God says do not mark your temple (body) but if you do get a tattoo god will forgive you

I will tell you what is sin, taking words from the bible and claiming them to be gods. Telling people can't get to heaven without Jesus. Saying tattoos are bad and you will go to hell for it. Giving you a cheat sheet to life telling you what you can and cant do or you will go to hell. God didn't put you on earth to cheat and follow instruction manuals, humans do that for their own sick and twisted games to control the masses.

666 is not the devil itself, its only a product of the devil who misuses 3rd perception to trick and deceive you from truth. You will never understand who or what is the devil until you unravel the number 3, your 3rd perception. Every story has a truth and a lie. Those who have the power to manipulate and use both truth and lies for their own sick benefit become the devil spinning one story into 3. Those who believe it word for word become sinners (because they bash and discriminate others who are different) and those who deny all sides of it and figure it out for themselves become what god wants you to become, yourself.

What if everything you know about God and Jesus is all misconception? What if Jesus was here to teach you to believe in YOURSELF (not in the ideas of others) no matter if you get crucified for it. I'm afraid that a lot of people just do not understand that concept because they are too busy being someone or something they are not following someone elses ideas of sin and who god is.

I get crucified for my ideas and believes but the funny thing is I feel like I relate more to jesus then a lot of religious people do. Whether Jesus was good or evil, all evil and misconception about jesus is all in the hands of those who wrote the bible. They are the third party spinning the webs. They know what is true and what is a lie and they want you to accept their words as gods. That is a sin especially if you believe for one second that bible quotes are gods words.

God also sees in 3rd perception, ironic isn't it? Father, son, holy spirit. Three entities in one. Get the picture yet? God is who ever and whatever you want him to be as long as you understand the concept of perception. Good and evil is also decided by this, you can use your 3rd perception to benefit others or you can use it to spin stories and make the world a vile place to live in by discriminating others and telling them they will go to hell if you do not believe what they say.

Stockton90 : smoking is not sinful tats are for the same reason they were then

everything is pretty much a sin.. The Bible is full of crap! So I stop living by it's harsh guide lines. I follow three basic rules Don't steal, kill, or cheat and thats all there is to it. So to answer your question no I don't think getting a Tattoo is a Sin 

Tattoo's are not necessarily a sin in them selves although finding a good Christian place to do the tat maybe tough and be sure that you don't accidentally use "witchcraft's" symbology such as astrology signs some, tribal designs, nudity,some Chinese symbols etc

RetroSteve : whats sinfull about chinese'

unknown0s : I do agree with you.  Getting a tattoo is a sin, but not one that will condemn you to hell.

SamB : Your post is not only insulting, but doesn't really offer much to the conversation.  You should read the rules to this forum area.  You should treat all posters with respect. I know you didn't attack anyone specifically, but you really should consider your words.

Astynax27 : I thought you were withdrawing from this conversation because you didn't care what we thought or about impressing your opinion on others?  LOL  Anyways, there is sooo much wrong with your post and interpretations that it isn't even funny. From my perspective, it seems that a huge part of your struggle in understanding a Christian's viewpoint is because you are misconstruing what you read in the bible There are actually no contradictions in the bible... IF you are reading a true bible. This gets into a whole other debate about which bibles are reliable, but this is not the place for that.  I'll simply state that the consensus among people of the faith is that the KJV is the best version of the bible.

That aside, perhaps we could open another thread so that we don't stray from the assigned topic.  Because honestly...almost everything you seem to think about what the bible does or does not say.....well it's wrong.  I'm not trying to insult you, but if you want to understand a Christian's viewpoint, you've got to understand how to read and interpret the bible as well. 

Should I start a new thread for us?

This is an older thread, or it's been merged. My comments were from awhile ago.


However, regarding your comment on there being no contradictions:

http://www.infidels.org/library/modern/jim_meritt/bible-contradictions.html

No problem.

Check out the link I just posted and let me know your thoughts.

Singelli : There are tons of contradictions within the Bible both Old and New Testament. I'm game for having a debate or discussion about them but we should do it in another thread instead of completely derailing this thread about tattoos being sins.