Poll: Tattoo art - Christian perspectives: Fight it? Ignore it? appreciate/embrace it?

[GodsGrace]

GodsGrace said: ↑
from back;

@GodsGrace Well, you're right it's what conservative ppl do now, so widely.

(I saw this quote: )

juliannenw said:

allnurses dot com

The fact that so many conservative and traditional people are having it done naturally and confidently probably opens up more opportunities for faith based designs. All the young ppl with Bible verses tattooed with whom I have talked have seemingly had them done for evangelistic reasons, seeing as the fact of having any ink in the first place is so widespread anyway.

Is there metal in the ink?
Why is getting an MRI a problem?
Tomorrow.

 

[farouk]

Is there metal in the ink?
Why is getting an MRI a problem?
Tomorrow.

FYI @GodsGrace

Tattooed and Need MRI? What You Need to Know

 

[farouk]

I think I have seen it more than once, but I cannot recall any specific ones besides the one I shared here.

If I see that gentleman again I will pay more attention to the verse he has on his arm.

from back

@Rudometkin So did you happen to see him again, maybe?

All the young ppl with Bible verses tattooed with whom I have talked seem to have had them done for evangelistic reasons, anyway, as if they would be glad for ppl to comment or think about them...

 

[Rudometkin]

from back

@Rudometkin So did you happen to see him again, maybe?

All the young ppl with Bible verses tattooed with whom I have talked seem to have had them done for evangelistic reasons, anyway, as if they would be glad for ppl to comment or think about them...

Unfortunately I actually haven't ever seen him again. But I do have a co-worker with a cross tattooed on his forearm!

 

[farouk]

Unfortunately I actually haven't ever seen him again. But I do have a co-worker with a cross tattooed on his forearm!

@Rudometkin I see! so do you think what he professes by his ink is matched by what is in his heart?

 

[Rudometkin]

@Rudometkin I see! so do you think what he professes by his ink is matched by what is in his heart?

I truly hope so, but I know he does struggle with outward appearance. Certain comments he makes has him appearing to be quite aggressive and hostile at times, which makes you wonder.

But which of us don't struggle with this at times?

 

[farouk]

I truly hope so, but I know he does struggle with outward appearance. Certain comments he makes has him appearing to be quite aggressive and hostile at times, which makes you wonder.

But which of us don't struggle with this at times?

@Rudometkin Good point there; important indeed for witness ink and what's in the heart to correspond in harmony.

They very widely seem to make effective conversation-starters for someone prepared to use them as such.

As @Heart2Soul said,

I have no problems with others choices to get a tattoo....I really like some of them. .. it is becoming a norm with health professionals.

Heart2Soul is right about the health professionals; many nurses use them as effective conversation-starters with patients and their families.

BluegrassRN said:

More of the nurses that I work with have tattoos than do not. On my shift, only three don't have them (of 13 nurses). We have several nurses (including myself) who have visible tattoos; one gal has them on her wrists. .. I get the most heartfelt compliments from older men with tattoos (or the wives of older men who had tattoos). I love it when a 90 year old fellow pulls up the arm of his gown to compare tattoos with me and then tells me the story (fact or fictionalized, I don't care) behind his tattoo. Usually a war story, often something of a coming-of-age story.... I've had a few wives tell me of their husbands' tattoos after seeing mine. It's such a sweet, intimate, bonding moment, and I feel so privileged to be told a story that may have only been related to close friends and relatives.

ErikadawnRN said:

...one of nursing school classmates.. was also a tatoo artist prior to nursing school. In fact she tattooed alot of our classmates.. I had 2

grinnurse said:

I have 4. .. In the hospital that I work at ...even.. significantly older nurses .. have tattoos.

Whether they are conversation-starters is not seriously in doubt; I guess the point is whether the wearer is prepared to use them as such, for whatever purpose, i.e., as an ice-breakers with patients and their families, or as a witness tool, with Bible verse quotes and other faith based designs.

Heart2Soul is right, anyhow, in what she says about health professionals.

(If this makes any sense?)

 

[Rudometkin]

@Rudometkin Good point there; important indeed for witness ink and what's in the heart to correspond in harmony.

They very widely seem to make effective conversation-starters for someone prepared to use them as such.

As @Heart2Soul said,



Heart2Soul is right about the health professionals; many nurses use them as effective conversation-starters with patients and their families.

BluegrassRN said:


ErikadawnRN said:


grinnurse said:


Whether they are conversation-starters is not seriously in doubt; I guess the point is whether the wearer is prepared to use them as such, for whatever purpose, i.e., as an ice-breakers with patients and their families, or as a witness tool, with Bible verse quotes and other faith based designs.

Heart2Soul is right, anyhow, in what she says about health professionals.

(If this makes any sense?)

Yes this all makes sense to me.

It has me thinking, when I first started in the workforce, I met people full of tattoos who would say things (or post things on social media) like "I didn't get tattoos so you could ask me about them. I got them for me."

It made me not want to talk to people about their tattoos. But I don't think I've met anyone who had that attitude with bible-related tattoos.

 

[farouk]

@Rudometkin PS: I wonder if there is more scope now for Christian tattoo artists, especially since so many Christian young ppl get faith based tattoos, Bible verses, etc. Like I mentioned earlier, all the young ppl with Bible verses tattooed with whom I have talked seem to have had them done for evangelistic reasons; the opportunities seem to be ever expanding for such witness tools.

 

[farouk]

I don't think I've met anyone who had that attitude with bible-related tattoos.

@Rudometkin You are absolutely right about the motive for faith based tattoos. There can be a joyful earnestness in a strongly motivated, deliberate submitting to an inking up that radiates a faith based focus.

Acolyte said: ↑

My son had 7 or 8 tattoos before I even thought about it. ... Those who get scripture must be overjoyed. The money and pain are outweighed by the message they witness to... No more ink for me. ... I do think they are fine for whoever wants one. It's just not something I would do again.

Rita said: ↑

I have never regretted my tattoo.. I love the tattoo..the tattoo was not liberating - the tattoo represented the liberation and freedom that the Lord had brought me through..The tattoo in of itself was merely the means of expression and the reminder. .. I was 50 when I had mine done, and two of my sons had various tattoos long before me. I made the decision with a mature head on my shoulders.

(I'm sure these quotes come across to you as having a real, authentic ring of truth to them, right?)

 

[farouk]

.... it produced a memory I will always have proof of.

I forget it's there.. until this thread comes up..

Different strokes for different folks, or so the saying goes.

Hugs

@Ziggy

Reminds me of 1 Peter 3.15: "...be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear", when the principle is applied to a faith based tattoo design tool for witness, that is always there, even if forgotten about sometimes....

 

[farouk]

I really think it is up to the person to decide. Who are we to judge someone else intentions. We really should focus on our own path.

@ve1nhb

As FHII strongly implies, it's very much an individual choice, but one also which so many individual Christian make in a similar way:

FHII said: ↑

I got my first and only tattoo when I was 25. I was told it was addictive, but for me it was not. .. I don't regret it.... Probably 75% of the congregation have tattoos, including myself and the Pastor .. I have a tattoo, I am not ashamed of it, but it has no bearing on my salvation. ..I also agree that it makes a statement of freedom in Christ.

 

[farouk]

I don't know if "faith" based symbols matter much, faith is based on what we don't see, not what we wear.
Although I also believe that some symbols can stimulate conversation concerning faith, I personally never had this experience.

@Ziggy

I guess it depends to some extent on the symbol, right?

Sometimes a faith based tattoo can be simplicity itself:

pinterest

Sometimes a little tattoo can evoke no comment yet quietly speak volumes, don't you think?

(One can guess at the quiet determination of a more mature lady, above, in getting this done, right?)

 

[Ziggy]

@Ziggy

I guess it depends to some extent on the symbol, right?

Sometimes a faith based tattoo can be simplicity itself:

pinterest

Sometimes a little tattoo can evoke no comment yet quietly speak volumes, don't you think?

You have to be careful with symbology though.
What may mean something to some folks, may mean something entirely different to others.
Even satan bears a cross. Depending on which way the arm is positioned.
Some will see it in a positive light, while others will see it in a negative light.

Symbols can be misleading sometimes.
And depending if ones eye is full of light or full of darkness.

There are some tarot cards that look pretty innocent too.
I just lean on the side of caution.
The person in the picture may be perfectly innocent in their intent to convey a positive message.
While others could use it to reel you in subjectively.

I don't know when I became so paranoid about everything.. lol
I guess I been fooled a few times, now I just think first before jumping to conclusions.
Hugs

 

[farouk]

You have to be careful with symbology though.
What may mean something to some folks, may mean something entirely different to others.
Even satan bears a cross. Depending on which way the arm is positioned.
Some will see it in a positive light, while others will see it in a negative light.

Symbols can be misleading sometimes.
And depending if ones eye is full of light or full of darkness.

There are some tarot cards that look pretty innocent too.
I just lean on the side of caution.
The person in the picture may be perfectly innocent in their intent to convey a positive message.
While others could use it to reel you in subjectively.

I don't know when I became so paranoid about everything.. lol
I guess I been fooled a few times, now I just think first before jumping to conclusions.
Hugs

@Ziggy
Point taken, yes.

Still, I added a comment that one can guess at the quiet determination of a more mature lady, above, in getting this done, right?

A Bible verse tattoo, is, I guess, a more definite statement...

 

[Ziggy]

I visited my dad today to give him a shave and hang out with him for a couple hours.
On my way home I passed a tattoo and piercing parlor.
I never really noticed it before...

just saying...
I have no desire or money lol to consider getting either.
It just stood out for the first time.

I also stopped in this Bakery I never been in before.
$4.00 for 1 Eclair.
I'm staying in my car until I reach my destination from now on.. LOL

Hugs

 

[farouk]

I visited my dad today to give him a shave and hang out with him for a couple hours.
On my way home I passed a tattoo and piercing parlor.
I never really noticed it before...

just saying...
I have no desire or money lol to consider getting either.
It just stood out for the first time.

I also stopped in this Bakery I never been in before.
$4.00 for 1 Eclair.
I'm staying in my car until I reach my destination from now on.. LOL

Hugs

@Ziggy

Glad you live near enough to your father in order to be able to visit from time to time.

Some of us live a huge distance from near and dear ones which makes it impossible...

I hope he is doing okay and I'm sure you are able to encourage him.

Re. the tattoo parlor that you noticed almost for the first time: whatever else, such places really and definitely do seem to fulfill a service which is widely and strongly sought after by so many Christians as well as non-Christians.

FHII is probably being quite accurate when he said:

I got my first and only tattoo when I was 25. I was told it was addictive, but for me it was not. .. I don't regret it.... Probably 75% of the congregation have tattoos, including myself and the Pastor .. I have a tattoo, I am not ashamed of it, but it has no bearing on my salvation. ..I also agree that it makes a statement of freedom in Christ.

So a lot of ppl do go in for ink, of course, but since also parlors have lots of portfolios, ppl can also go in simply to admire the artwork in the portfolios, with no obligation.

So knowing that you don't intend to get more ink, yet if you in any sense appreciate the artwork, I'm sure you would find it interesting to go into that parlor, without obligation, and simply admire the profusion of portfolio graphics.

 

[farouk]

I do have a co-worker with a cross tattooed on his forearm!

@Rudometkin So, a recent development, maybe?

 

[Rudometkin]

@Rudometkin So, a recent development, maybe?

Do you mean to question if he recently got the tattoo? He has actually had it for several years (it is also quite a large tattoo on the forearm).

I remember another coworker of mine mentioned the church he goes to. When questioned by another coworker on what his church denomination specifically taught, he had to do a Google search on his phone to see what his denomination stood for, in order to give an answer. LOL! We gave him a hard time for that.

 

[farouk]

Do you mean to question if he recently got the tattoo? He has actually had it for several years (it is also quite a large tattoo on the forearm).

I remember another coworker of mine mentioned the church he goes to. When questioned by another coworker on what his church denomination specifically taught, he had to do a Google search on his phone to see what his denomination stood for, in order to give an answer. LOL! We gave him a hard time for that.

@Rudometkin Yes, I guess I did mean this; and thanks for the answer...

Sometimes a faith based tattoo can be a slowly maturing conviction that ultimately leads to the ink event; this seems to have been MetalMike's experience:

MetalMike said: ↑

My oldest daughter has multiple tattoos. My wife has a butterfly on the top of her foot...They had their tattoos for a few years before I got mine. I wasn't that interested in one at the time..I got a tattoo back in '08. It's a cross on my forearm with a banner

For others, it seems to be more of a spontaneous event, influenced at least in part by others:

shnarkle said:

One of the churches I go to has three quite elderly women, all widows, who recently went out and got themselves tattoos. .. There was no doubt they were all first tattoos. All three of them went out and got them together.

Personally, the idea of a slowly maturing event that is entered into with a lot of planning, conviction - especially if it's a faith based design - and foresight, seems to be the wiser way of proceeding, don't you think?

But they so undoubtedly seem to represent strongly and widely sought after enhancements among Christians, anyway.