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Poll: Tattoo art - Christian perspectives: Fight it? Ignore it? appreciate/embrace it?
- Thread starter farouk
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MetalMike said:
1stCenturyLady said:
@CharismaticLady (formerly 1stCenturyLady) : It used to be a man thing. But now it's become so mainstream; women do it, like it, like how it feels; and it opens up a lot of possibilities for faith based art, doesn't it?
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DuckieLady
Well-Known Member
I am technically an anabaptist, though I choose not to use the term because of "let there be no division among you", but I mention it because I wear a head covering. (I spent four years studying the subject and it was not at all an impulsive thing.)
I have tattoo of a dragonfly on the back of my neck from before I was saved and I also have a nose stud. I refuse to take it out. Rebekah also had a nose ring and it was put there because she was chosen by God. I don't mind if people have tattoos but I can't say I prefer them.
I have tattoo of a dragonfly on the back of my neck from before I was saved and I also have a nose stud. I refuse to take it out. Rebekah also had a nose ring and it was put there because she was chosen by God. I don't mind if people have tattoos but I can't say I prefer them.
@FluffyYellowDuck Thanks for your comment. Yes, a nose piercing is something that many Christian women have and it can be a wholesome thing to have something in, even all the time, can't it? Not only the example of Rebekah in Scripture, the Lord Himself in Ezekiel 16.12 gave Zion a nose ring, at least figuratively speaking, and in the passage it is all part of a wholesome picture of imputed righteousness (something external but given by God so that it becomes part of you, so to speak).
Many Christian women would tend to see their ink in a similar light, too. My wife and I talked to a young lady with the whole of John 3.16 tattooed on her wrist area; it was her favorite Bible verse, and mine also, and I'm sure other conversations have arisen as a result of her willingness to have it done. (After all, it's become so mainstream now; and for those prepared to undergo the injecting, it opens up a lot of possibilities for faith based, witness conversation-prompting designs, arguably - if this makes any sense?)
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Its mainstreaming anyway is just self-evident (for both genders - perhaps especially women).Heart2Soul said:
DuckieLady
Well-Known Member
Thanks! I didn't know about the piercing in Ezekiel 16:12, but it's the same thing with other jewelry for me. I think there's a lot of misconceptions about jewelry, but God wouldn't glorify something sinful. I could see tattoos as being a conversational tool for witnessing, absolutely.
As for myself, my tattoo was occultic in nature. In my early 20s, I was into the new age movement and saw the dragonfly as a symbol of prosperity and I was really involved in the law of attraction. I was trying to attract a greater life. (What a mess that was! I lost everything instead.) Anyway, now I see it as more of a testament to God's grace and what he saved me from. So I regret the reason I did it but I also don't. It doesn't bother me.
As for myself, my tattoo was occultic in nature. In my early 20s, I was into the new age movement and saw the dragonfly as a symbol of prosperity and I was really involved in the law of attraction. I was trying to attract a greater life. (What a mess that was! I lost everything instead.) Anyway, now I see it as more of a testament to God's grace and what he saved me from. So I regret the reason I did it but I also don't. It doesn't bother me.
@FluffyYellowDuck It's such a widespread thing; I get what you say about avoiding doing it for the wrong reasons; various demographics of ppl do it especially; and it's indeed used as a conversational tool, esp. by nurses (Christian or not); I saw a quote about this (I'll dig it up....)
@FluffyYellowDuck Some demographics among the tattooed are especially heavily represented; nurses, military wives, etc. (many years ago it used to be really a male thing; sailors, etc., but not any more); here is the quote I referred to, about how it proves to be such an effective conversational tool, like you say, right?
source: allnurses dot com
In a specifically Christian context, it is so often used as a tool in witness (Bible verse or ref., Christian fish sign, <><, on wrist, etc.)
BluegrassRN said:
source: allnurses dot com
In a specifically Christian context, it is so often used as a tool in witness (Bible verse or ref., Christian fish sign, <><, on wrist, etc.)
@FluffyYellowDuck PS: Did you vote yet in the poll, BTW...? :) (no need to, but if you do look at the options they are probably comprehensive and varied, and multiple votes are allowed also...)
DuckieLady
Well-Known Member
I did! I picked the last one. I am hoping I understood it correctly. I took it as "meh it's not anything to worry about and it doesn't affect your salvation" (even though sometimes they are beautiful but I saw a Road Runner one that was atrocious once... and he doesn't know it but we never went out for that reason.)
@FluffyYellowDuck Thanks for your vote! :) ; maybe it's just problems on my screen, but your vote doesn't seem to have taken (maybe if your screen shows the same make sure the click goes through...)
DuckieLady
Well-Known Member
Oh I just tried it again!
it says it went through and it says two now...
...multiple votes are allowed :-/
i broke it
@FluffyYellowDuck Thanks! can be a bit tricky with the technology (yes, you can vote for more than one option.)
It's so topical now, anyway, isn't it?
DuckieLady
Well-Known Member
I think so. I mean there has always been some form of body modification throughout history and various cultures, straight from the beginning in Genesis. Different cultures have different of expressions, meanings, and even remote villages without much outside contact have bones going straight through their noses. I don't see any problem in glorifying Christ, if that is the goal. Tattoos are a big thing these days, but I think it's dying out a bit or it's just because I moved to a hick town.
There are no more punked out looking Christians than the ones of the Naga headhunters. I will post a link if I can figure out how to. It will steal your heart.
edit: oh look at that. I did it.
@FluffyYellowDuck Thanks for the link!
It can be done in a clear and conversation-effective way, like this lady has done, particularly if the person is motivated to talk to people about the faith content.
(Or maybe even just a tiny little Christian fish sign <>< on a wrist, etc.)
DuckieLady
Well-Known Member
I think that one is pretty! I wouldn't want one for myself though. I would be fine with a little one but I basically unintentionally look like a Mennonite. I wear a headcovering, which you already know, but also very modest shirts, and long skirts. (Not because I think pants are a sin, but just because they tend to accentuate and I don't need any accentuating going on display. I like my privacy.)
So, for me it's all out there on the table and people think I'm Amish. So they already seem to be cool with having a conversation, because it's like a giant sign, but they can't tell that I'm an introvert.
So, for me it's all out there on the table and people think I'm Amish. So they already seem to be cool with having a conversation, because it's like a giant sign, but they can't tell that I'm an introvert.
@FluffyYellowDuck Yes, it is pretty, isn't it? but also (and maybe more significantly?) witness-friendly. @Pearl has posted some pretty tattoo pictures also. A lot of Christians do prefer to opt for wholesome little ones, of course.
Some even prefer really tiny ones, but they still can 'work' as witness conversation-starters:
I expect you saw the various quotes in the OP, on the first page of the thread, with many, varied views.
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DuckieLady
Well-Known Member
@farouk those are very pretty, too, but let's be real here for a second because there's something else going on. Looking at the post this is a topic that you've been passionate about since November, at the very least. Are you wanting a tattoo yourself? Do you already have tattoos? Are you worried about being judged?
what's going on
what's up
what's the deal, brosef?
what's going on
what's up
what's the deal, brosef?
@FluffyYellowDuck Thanks for the Q! It's very topical now, as a subject; like you said:
I think maybe the answer is also in some of what you have also said; no need to feel judged, and you also said
You're right that now it's come full circle; it's not only the radical and avant-garde and extroverts that necessarily get ink; it's become something that the conservative or quiet people do in great numbers. A design I got on my arm soon faded. As regards the very conservative ppl who do it confidently, there is a lot of evidence; e.g., quotes:they can't tell that I'm an introvert.
juliannenw said:
