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So do you think that it's always best to keep tattoos hidden? or do think having the confidence to have them visible sometimes is also reasonable?
Well I guess I could use mine as a cautionary reminder about drinking or something along those lines . LOLPS: @Laish: If you've been following the last few posts, above, clearly some people (such as @Butterfly, for example) have had a strong motivation for getting a tattoo; and it certainly works as a conversation-starter. Does this seem as if it makes sense to you, at least, in the minds of those who are so motivated?
...it is the motive behind the tattoo that determines that. I have a clear conscience and have never regretted getting it done.
God knows my heart and why I chose to have it done.
Rita
I can only speak for myself, there have always been negatives about tattoos , and judgments. I guess I look upon my skin as part of the 'shell " that will decay when I die - I have scars, wrinkles, a birthmark - and now a tattoo - which is a visual reminder to me personally about what God has brought me through and the fact he wants me to be free to fly.( which I do need reminding of sometimes ) If anyone has a problem with that, then it is their problem, not mine and they need to talk to God about it. I never got it with the intention of ' witnessing ' but if it sparks off conversation then , that's a bonus because I am not a confident speaker !! Lol@Butterfly Thank-you for your thoughtful, recent posts.
Clearly you see becoming a tattooed Christian woman as a development that can be good and wholesome.
I guess that the experience for you gave you increasing confidence; you said above also:I can only speak for myself, there have always been negatives about tattoos , and judgments. I guess I look upon my skin as part of the 'shell " that will decay when I die - I have scars, wrinkles, a birthmark - and now a tattoo - which is a visual reminder to me personally about what God has brought me through and the fact he wants me to be free to fly.( which I do need reminding of sometimes ) If anyone has a problem with that, then it is their problem, not mine and they need to talk to God about it. I never got it with the intention of ' witnessing ' but if it sparks off conversation then , that's a bonus because I am not a confident speaker !! Lol
Rita
I was having my teeth done at the dentist shortly after getting my tattoo done and the dentist ask me about it - it opened up a conversation that would not have come about at all
I am not sure I felt vindicated as such, well I honestly felt OK about getting the tattoo in the first place.( I had weighed everything up , talked to my pastor, reflected on scripture ) The conversation surprised me, and it did serve as an encouragment at the time. I have had quite a few conversations at work when people notice it. It's difficult to know if he was impressed or not, and he was only a temp dentist, so I never saw him again !I guess that the experience for you gave you increasing confidence; you said above also:
From what you say he seemed impressed by it, anyway; and you probably felt a sense of vindication when he commented and you were able to tell him, right?
So do you think that it's always best to keep tattoos hidden? or do think having the confidence to have them visible sometimes is also reasonable?
Yes, I can see that, although you yourself don't particularly like tattoos at all, and although your daughter whom you mentioned doesn't like her design now so keeps it covered, yet you do think that for some ppl (e.g., such as for @Butterfly in the immediately previous post to yours) it turns out to be a positive experience. I do wonder if more Christians were prepared to train and work as tattoo artists, whether this would enhance the positive inking experiences for Christians and others (just a thought?)Hello @farouk,
If you have chosen to have a tattoo, it is because you think it decorative, so why hide it?
Hiding it would indicate shame or regret, if you feel neither, then there is no reason to hide.
I do hope that by God's grace your son will be able to sort out his life, as your earnest hope is. Keep praying fervently; I'm sure you do.I am not sure I felt vindicated as such, well I honestly felt OK about getting the tattoo in the first place.( I had weighed everything up , talked to my pastor, reflected on scripture ) The conversation surprised me, and it did serve as an encouragment at the time. I have had quite a few conversations at work when people notice it. It's difficult to know if he was impressed or not, and he was only a temp dentist, so I never saw him again !
I am one of these Christians that believe God can use anything, I don't put him in a box - I mean my son has got cuts all on his face and arms from self harming, when God works in his life ( and I believe he will ) what an amazing testimony those scars will convey - marks on the skin, deliberately made - but they tell a story xxx
Rita
For some ppl it can act as a caution, I'm sure; and others would think in terms of throwing caution to the wind, I suppose.Well I guess I could use mine as a cautionary reminder about drinking or something along those lines . LOL
Blessings
Bill
So you agree that it can be quite good and constructive to make people curious sometimes about one's ink?...having a tattoo can sometime start a curiosity with another person, many people ask me about my butterfly , and from that I can share testimony for what God has brought me through..
Yes, I think it would be good if more Christians worked in tattoo parlors; trained as artists.I believe Christians should give a witness for Christ no matter what they are doing
Keep praying for her fervently; I'm sure you do!As they say...bigger fish to fry! If getting a tattoo is the worst thing she ends up doing, then I shall be a relieved mother! Truth be to tell...the only thing I truly care about, on the "big scale", is her salvation. I might not choose her fashion choices for myself, but I couldn't care less as long as she clings to Christ.
Hi, Ms. @Lady Crosstalk I saw a quote from the Bible Belt which shows just how widespread getting tattoos is. With your counselling experience, I guess that ordinarily - since it's so widespread, you wouldn't find it necessarily problematic in itself?Yes, I can see that is true for people who are emotionally and spiritually healthy--but I would be concerned about those who are not.
I do have an M.S. in counseling psychology but I find the Bible to be much more wise than any system invented by man.
Hi, Ms. @Lady Crosstalk I saw a quote from the Bible Belt which shows just how widespread getting tattoos is. With your counselling experience, I guess that ordinarily - since it's so widespread, you wouldn't find it necessarily problematic in itself?
(I should dig up the quote I saw...)