In the history of our American culture, men who were tattooed or pierced were probably sailors at best, and pirates at worst. Sailors and pirates often pierced their ears so if they died at sea there would be enough gold in their ear to pay for their burial. Tattoos have existed in many cultures for thousands of years, but came to America from sailors who traveled to the South Pacific. Today, nobody considers the morality behind a woman getting her ears pierced. But if a man gets his ear pierced, there are many who think this is a sign of a troublemaker or homosexual. Some say it is OK to pierce your ears, but no other part of your body. Some say that tattoos are signs of low social class, while others boast the beauty of the artwork on their bodies. With all these questions, we need to ask ourselves, “What does the Bible have to say about it?” As Christians, are we supposed to take our cue from social convention, or from the Scriptures?


First, let’s talk about body piercing. In Genesis 24, we read the story of Abraham’s servant seeking a bride for Isaac. When he tells Rebecca’s father about how he met the young woman, he says, that the Lord brought them together. “So I put the ring on her nose, and the bracelets on her arms. Then I bowed my head and worshiped the LORD (Verses 47-48).” A ring in the nose! Now that’s different than the American norm! In Ezekiel 16, God speaks to Israel as if the country were his bride. He says, “I adorned you with ornaments: I put bracelets on your arms, a chain on your neck, a ring on your nose, earrings in your ears, and a beautiful crown upon your head (Verses 11-12).” Yes, this is very different than what Americans are used to. But if God uses such language, how can we condemn it? In fact, God commands body piercing in Exodus 21:5-6. If a slave loved his master so much that he wanted to become part of the family, the Scripture says, His master shall bring him before God. He shall be brought to the door or the doorpost; and his master shall pierce his ear with an awl; and he shall serve him for life.” So it appears here that nobody who condemns ear or body piercing can use Scripture to back it up. That is a matter of personal taste and style.


Some who are opposed to body piercing quote Leviticus 19:28. Here, I will quote the first part. Later I will quote the second part. It says, “You shall not make any gashes in your flesh for the dead.” During the time the Israelites were entering the land of Canaan, the pagans who lived there had a practice of cutting themselves in mourning. They would also cut themselves as part of their fervent idol worship (See 1 Kings 18:28). Today, there are people who have psychological issues regarding self-abuse. These “cutters” often say they cut themselves to make life seem more real, or to punish themselves for their perceived low self-worth. These practices have nothing to do with body decoration. People who engage in such activities are in need of psychological help. As the verse quoted above involves such practices, and not body decoration, it cannot be used to condemn body piercing.



There is one kind of "mark on the body for the dead" that I want to talk about. I've known many people who have lost someone dear to them, and they want to commemorate that person's life with a "memorial tattoo." Christians and non-Christians alike should be careful with this. Often when a person constantly sees a deceased loved one's name or image tattooed on his or her body every day, it becomes very difficult to come to the end of the grieving process. Mark 12:27 says that God is "not the God of the dead, but of the living." God wants you to be able to heal from your hurt. When you get a memorial tattoo, instead of eventually being able to let go of the hurt of loss, the constant reminder can keep the pain fresh. Jesus said, "I have come that they may have life, and have it more abundantly (John 10:10)." He wants you to live in His life, not become obsessed with death. So you might want to think very carefully about memorial tattoos, because you don't want to make an idol out of your dearly departed.



But what about tattooing in general? Encyclopedia Britannica says, “Tattooing has been practiced in most parts of the world, and examples have been found on Egyptian and Nubian mummies dating from 2000 BC.” In the Canaanite religion, tattoos were associated with idol worship. Leviticus 19:26-28 says, “You shall not eat anything with its blood. You shall not practice augury or witchcraft. You shall not round off the hair on your temples or mar the edges of your beard. You shall not make any gashes in your flesh for the dead or tattoo any marks upon you: I am the LORD.” It is certainly clear what the Scripture passage says, but what does it mean? Drinking blood was also associated with idol worship. Hebrews wouldn’t even eat a rare steak! Trimming your beard was associated with witchcraft. Ironically the long beards that good Hebrew men were supposed to have are today mostly found on tattooed bikers! Clearly these verses are meant to be taken in social context. Remember, these rules were meant for the Hebrews as they were moving into Canaan. If you live in a culture where trimming your beard is a sign that you’re a witch, don’t trim your beard. If you live in a culture where trimming your beard is more acceptable, then go for it! The same is true for tattoos.



Some will use 1 Corinthians 3:16-17 to say that tattoos are sinful. These verses say, “Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy that person. For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple.” First, the temple that is being referred to here is the Church. Again, we have to look at context. Paul is writing to the Corinthian church about divisions that are threatening to destroy the church. It is not referring to the human body at all. Second, in no way does a tattoo or piercing destroy the body.



So, what is the proper attitude to have regarding tattoos and body piercings? Let’s look at 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, which says, “Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, which you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you were bought with a price; therefore glorify God in your body.” Now, in this Scripture, Paul is talking about the human body! Whatever we do with it should honor God (or at least not bring dishonor to God). So a cute little butterfly or motorcycle, or a tattoo that honors Jesus like a cross or fish symbol, would be just fine. What about a tattoo to mark a significant place in your spiritual journey with the Lord? But let’s stay away from the pentagrams and skulls with bloody daggers stuck through them, OK? Of course, remember Exodus 20:12 – “Honor your father and your mother.” If you’re considering one, try a big red heart that says MOM. But wait until you’re 18.

Finally, just for fun…



God was the first tattoo artist – Genesis 4:15 – “And the LORD put a mark on Cain.”
Paul said, “I carry the marks of Jesus branded on my body (Galatians 6:17).”
God says in Isaiah 49:16 – “See, I have inscribed you on the palms of my hands.”

Sauce : http://revgregsmith..in/2009/05/is-it-sin-to-get-pierced-or-tatooed.html?m=1

No, if you Ve it on your cheek

Qaisar1:




SAUCE : http://revgregsmith..in/2009/05/is-it-sin-to-get-pierced-or-tatooed.html?m=1

K

If piercing is a sin, That means almost all the Christian women are sinners excluding Deeper lifers and others that belong to that category.

personally, I don't see anything wrong with it. It is a matter of choice.

SeverusSnape:
If piercing is a sin, That means almost all the Christian women are sinners excluding Deeper lifers and others that belong to that category.

personally, I don't see anything wrong with it. It is a matter of choice.

Well am thinking of getting a tatoo ooh..... Not "skulls &bloody daggers" just meaningful designs and quotes...

Ring one the nose, braclet bla bla. About that piercing i think it's refering to feminine.

.

Qaisar1:


Well am thinking of getting a tatoo ooh..... Not "skulls &bloody daggers" just meaningful designs and quotes...

Not bad, but make sure it's a bit hidden.

SeverusSnape:
If piercing is a sin, That means almost all the Christian women are sinners excluding Deeper lifers and others that belong to that category.

personally, I don't see anything wrong with it. It is a matter of choice.

wetin this 1 dey talk self

AJ01:
wetin this 1 dey talk self

what I'm saying is this... most Christian ladies pierce their ears,does it mean, they are all sinners?...If they are,which means only deeper life ladies are holy. I also said I don't see anything wrong with it though.

Hope you understand now?

SeverusSnape:

Not bad, but make sure it's a bit hidden.

If am hiding it.. Then it should be labelled "bad"

Qaisar1:


If am hiding it.. Then it should be labelled "bad"

You may not understand, but some employers don't recruit people with tattoos, There are places where you enter and people will see you as irresponsible; that's just the perception people have about tattoos.

SeverusSnape:

You may not understand, but some employers don't recruit people with tattoos, There are places where you enter and people will see you as irresponsible; that's just the perception people have about tattoos.

I got ur point... Initially, i planned mapping my entire back, stomach and few on arms(hidden with long sleaves)

Qaisar1:


I got ur point... Initially, i planned mapping my entire back, stomach and few on arms(hidden with long sleaves)

The back and stomach is much better. You can't be going around in long sleeves always

SeverusSnape:

The back and stomach is much better. You can't be going around in long sleeves always

Sleeves should be just for office... I won't be hiding at home

Qaisar1:



Sleeves should be just for office... I won't be hiding at home

Okay boss