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September 2006

My Invisible Tattoo

For a long time I've wanted to get a tattoo. The only thing that stopped me was that I was not sure it was "alright" with God.

After searching online, I found out that most people must be equally confused because there are a lot of Christians who say it's ok among the many who say it's not.

When it came down to me, I put my faith in the Bible - Leviticus 19:28 - that says "Do not cut your bodies for the dead or put tattoo marks on yourselves. I am the Lord."

This however doesn't seem to be enough for all Christians. Many seem to think that because it's 'Old Testament' it somehow excuses them from following it.

Many say that since this is the one & only reference to tattoos in the Bible & because it's in the 'Old Testament', we need not pay it great heed. It's interesting to note that the very next verse (Leviticus 19:29) is the only verse in the Bible that expressly forbids one to prostitute their daughter. Does that mean that since it's 'Old Testament' it's ok for people to prostitute their daughters now?

Sadly, even this is not enough to convince some people. A lot of them go through great lengths to dissect different passages in Leviticus and show their irrelevance in today's world hence trying to show that Lev 19:28 too must be irrelevant.

Initially when I started my search online I admit - I wanted to get a tattoo. I was in fact hoping, praying, desiring for Biblical proof to convince me that it was in line with God's Word. All I got was not-so-convincing justifications on why some people feel it's ok. By the time I was through reading the first couple of sites, the answer was already obvious to me - I was going to have to choose whether I put my faith in certain people's feelings or what was hard and fast written evidence in the Bible. After all it's in the Bible (Old Testament or not) - what Bible is their justification in?

The Catechism of the Catholic Church doesn't offer any outright answer to this debate but instead offer principles by which to discern whether, in particular situations, it is sinful to be tattooed or have one's body pierced. For example: Prudence dictates that persons considering tattoos or body piercing research any health risks that may be involved. If a particular act of tattooing or body piercing entails a likely risk to health, it would be more or less sinful depending upon the gravity of the risk. If a particular act involves mutilation—if the act renders a bodily organ unable to perform its function—the act is immoral (Catechism, no. 2297).

In making my final decision I came to this conclusion - there are three and only three possibilities:

  1. God wants us to have tattoo - it is a necessity
  2. God doesn't care one way or the other
  3. God doesn't want us to have tattoos - it isn't a necessity

I firmly believe that if God wanted us to have a tattoo, He would have never stated that we shouldn't have one with such conviction in Leviticus. If He really wanted us to be tattooed, we'd have a rich history of saints in the Catholic and Christian world supporting tattoos. Possibly St. Therese of the Child Jesus would have had a "little flower" tattooed on her arm. Sounds ridiculous? It is. It is so ridiculous that even the ones sporting tattoos don't buy this; they prefer to go in for the "neutral" argument - that God doesn't care one way or the other - and of course, to confuse you, they add "as long as your heart is pure".

But can the "God doesn't care one way or the other" argument hold any good to a real discerning Christian too? After all, if it were such a non-issue, why would it have been expressly mentioned in the book of Law? And if was really a law made redundant in the New Testament wouldn't that be clearly mentioned? The old redundant law of clean/unclean foods of the Old Testament was very clearly mentioned in the New Testament, giving us a clearer understanding of the same. As was the "Eye for an Eye" law. Definitely, if God felt that the tattoo was misunderstood or now redundant, He would have told us in the New Testament.

Since He however did no such thing, we must accept the teaching of the Old Testament to be correct in this matter. If God didn't want us to have tattoos back then and since He didn't say it was alright now - it means that He still doesn't want us to have tattoos.

It doesn't matter if you do or don't understand the reasons why God forbids tattoos. It doesn't matter if you do or don't agree with them. What does matter is if you obey or not.

I prayed one day & I told God that I didn't understand why He didn't want me to have a tattoo, but that I'd obey Him anyway. He told me that every time He looked at my un-tattooed body He'd remember my obedience in this small tiny matter.

Does God really give you all the desires of your heart? He does!  He gave me an invisible tattoo - something that only He can see which reminds Him of my love for Him.

In no way am I judging those who have tattoos already - it is not up to us to judge anyone - that would a sin as well. I would however discourage Christians who are trying to be faithful from getting any (or any more). Remember, following a herd doesn't make you "cool" in anyway. It takes a far greater, stronger person to stand against the tide.

Finally, as my dad always says, "When in doubt, don't". If you're still unconvinced about the whole tattoo thing, pray and study the Word of God. Because the Word is truth. And the truth will set you free.

Melody
September 2006

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