Do You Think A Tattoo Gift Certificate Makes For A Good Birthday Gift For An Adult Christian?

[farouk]

Do you think a tattoo gift certificate makes for a good birthday gift for an adult Christian?
I voted no with this question because I feel anyone getting a Tattoo should do it only after great thought. For me, it's not the "gift certificate' type of thing.

If a Christian has a tattoo already and regrets it, would you want to encourage him/her to consider having it removed by laser (etc.) or maybe have it modified instead to become a preferable, e.g., faith related, design instead?
I voted trying to decide on this because I haven't really given it any thought.

Do you think a faith related tattoo design needs to be somewhere readily visible?
I voted I don't know or don't care on this one. I don't think the "where" the tattoo is matters after you have given thought to why you're getting the tattoo. I have never wanted a tattoo in my life. I am deathly afraid of needles, and yet I have a tattoo.

I made a major change in my life and the thought came to me that I wanted a tattoo of a cross to remind me daily of where I have been and where I need to stay focused. After over 18 months of deciding I had it done.

I put it on my arm, higher up, but there are three small 'drops of blood' just past my elbow on the top side of my arm. I have people come to me many times saying that I am bleeding, and that opens up the door for me to show them my tattoo and give my testimony.

So given that I don't think it 'has' to be in view and it don't have to be hidden..

A pic of my tattoo...

View attachment 24


Jamie

J:

Thanks for the comments. So I guess that for you your faith related tattoo is intended as much a witness to yourself as to other ppl?

 

[JamieinNH]

J:

Thanks for the comments. So I guess that for you your faith related tattoo is intended as much a witness to yourself as to other ppl?

That is correct. After great debate with myself I decided to get it as symbol of my renewed life... As I got it, we added the smaller droplets lower on the arm to drawn just enough attention for some to it to ask about it and that would open doors.

I work in a hospital and you wouldn't believe the times I have shared a message or Jesus Christ with people using that as an ice breaker.


Jamie

 

[farouk]

That is correct. After great debate with myself I decided to get it as symbol of my renewed life... As I got it, we added the smaller droplets lower on the arm to drawn just enough attention for some to it to ask about it and that would open doors.

I work in a hospital and you wouldn't believe the times I have shared a message or Jesus Christ with people using that as an ice breaker.


Jamie

J:

So you would certainly think that tattooing as a witness is a very viable thing to do, because of all the opportunities it gives?

Take care.

 

[sniper762]

i ditto big ape.

tatoos are not christianlike

 

[Brother Mike]

I don't like my daughter drawing on herself. Really interesting if she gets a permanent marker, and we have to be at church within the next day or so.

I am pretty sure that we should not draw on ourselves with something that won't come off very easy. Just does not make sense.

Jesus Is Lord

 

[JamieinNH]

J:

So you would certainly think that tattooing as a witness is a very viable thing to do, because of all the opportunities it gives?

Take care.

Well no, not really.

Getting a Tattoo isn't something I would do for the sole purpose of creating a 'witnessing tool'

Coming out of the lifestyle I did and having been in it so deep I decided after a great deal of time thinking about it to get the tattoo for me, to help me stay on the right path.

In doing so, we added the small drops of blood on the lower arm, which are barely noticeable when wearing a shirt as an added bonus to open the door to those that ask about my tat.

I believe each of us needs to decide on our own if a tattoo is something we want. This thought process needs to take much time. I took 18 months to make this decision. Praying about it , studying it and coming to the conclusion that was ok.

For me, the funniest thing is when someone tells me how I'm not suppose to be 'marked' upon and yet one can see their many faults in their lives. Someone once mentioned to me that I shouldn't have gotten the tattoo because it was sinful, and yet they were at least 150# over weight. In other threads getting to know this guy one could see they simple loved to eat. Being overweight was something he could prevent, but didn't yet he wanted to rush in a thread where we were talking about tattoos and tell me how sinful I was.

Getting a tattoo or not is something personal that requires thought and prayer. My tattoo has reminded me daily of the sinful lifestyle I was in and I have not slipped back into it. Each day I am stronger in my belief and trust in God and what he has in store for me. Believe it or not, this tattoo serves as a simple reminder to me to do right.

Jamie

 

[thurt]

Think that Lev 19:28 is referring to things that were done when someone had died - I guess they were showing how much it upset them. This is based on "for the dead" portion of that scripture.

Technically pierced ears are cuts of the flesh - don't recall seeing posts about people being upset about those.

 

[jayrod4321]

Thoughts, folks?

Faith related or not, the body is the temple of the Lord, and is not to be used as decoration. If one feels the need to express his/her faith, it should be done through jewelry or clothing.

 

[brionne]

I voted no to getting a tattoo because it was a practice stemming from pagan religions. I know it has become a fad in todays world, but it was banned by God in the mosaic law because it was a symbol of false religion.

I also dont think encouraging a christian to get a tattoo is in their best interests, spiritually speaking.

I have tattoos myself and have regretted getting them, so i also voted to encourage a christian who regrets having them to have them removed. I hate that I cannot wear certain clothes because I feel the need to cover them up. I got these a very long time ago....before becoming a christian. I also got them becasue i thought they were cool and I was a bit of showoff in my younger years :lol:


nowdays i just want to be myself and I dont feel the tattoos in any way reflect the person i am today.

 

[Martin W.]

All I can think of is if a tattoo gift certificate decision is occupying a person's religious life , then my concern would be about the religious life of that person.


I would suggest something more exciting. Take the exact amount the gift certificate would cost and place the money in an envelope. Carry the envelope every where you go. Tell the Lord to send someone needy to you requesting that exact amount. Have patience and keep your eyes open. Keep notes and pass on the notes to the person you wanted the gift certificate for.


That's when the magic happens. A high speed needle dripping with India ink pales in comparison.

 

[Jar]

I was pretty hung up on Lev 19:28 as well.. but then, you have to consider WHEN this was written. While yes, it is the word of God, I do believe it was aimed specifically towards Pagans. Because way back thousands of years ago, who were the ones to get tattoos? And what were they of? They were pagans and they got worshipful tattoos of their idols. Nowadays, tattoos can be used and are used for a gamut of reasons and while sometimes they are no less sinful than idolatry, I do believe that it's excellent for a Christian to get a mark of their faith.

Excuse my pasty white arms

The reason I got this tattoo is because, as a lady from my church said, it's my cheat sheet. It's a reminder, a promise, a rebuke and it's my solace. I put it in a visible spot, so that I could read it. And it's in an incredibly painful spot to get a tattoo and the pain of it resonates within me, also telling me that this is nothing compared to what I imagine Jesus felt, dying on the cross for us. This is a permanent mark, one that will never, ever go away and I don't ever want it to. I also think that this is a statement for those who do see it and it's a reminder to myself that this is an incredibly visible tattoo and that I should conduct myself as a proper Christian when sometimes it's easy to forget.

Now, as for giving a tattoo certificate. Well, I voted it depends. It depends on this person's age. It depends on if they've seriously thought about what they wanted. It depends on where they are in their walk of life. As for your second question, I've had a tattoo removed. It'll never completely go away. There will always be scarring. So most people do opt to get it covered up (I did). As for if it should be visible or not, I don't know. Again, it all depends on that person. I believe that getting a tattoo that reflects one's faith should be personal but undeniable.

 

[sniper762]

I voted no to getting a tattoo because it was a practice stemming from pagan religions. I know it has become a fad in todays world, but it was banned by God in the mosaic law because it was a symbol of false religion.

I also dont think encouraging a christian to get a tattoo is in their best interests, spiritually speaking.

I have tattoos myself and have regretted getting them, so i also voted to encourage a christian who regrets having them to have them removed. I hate that I cannot wear certain clothes because I feel the need to cover them up. I got these a very long time ago....before becoming a christian. I also got them becasue i thought they were cool and I was a bit of showoff in my younger years :lol:


nowdays i just want to be myself and I dont feel the tattoos in any way reflect the person i am today.

on a non-religious note, they are just to draw attention to one. i dont need such conceipt.

 

[Anastacia]

Christians should not get tattoos. If they already have tattoos, then I would not suggest having them removed, unless you really want them gone.

Pagans got tattoos. The Bible says not to worship God in their way.You must not worship the Lord your God in their way. Deuteronomy 12:4

So do not even get so-called Christian tattoos. Pagans would tattoo themselves for their way of worship.

In the New Testament Peter says...

1 Peter 1:16 for it is written: "Be holy for I am holy."

Peter is quoting Leviticus 11:44:-45; and Leviticus 20:7. Leviticus is also known as the holiness code.

There is no reason to believe tattoos are now acceptable.

Tattoos are so of the flesh. We are not suppose to live according to the flesh... John 6:63 The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life. [sup][/sup]