Expert: Pastor Don Carpenter - 10/21/2008

Question
Hi. I just turned eighteen and decided to get my first tattoo, which I have been wanting for a long time. My parents are both devout Christians(I don't consider myself a Christian, but was raised to be one) and are up in arms about this. They say that it is a sin, and that God specifically forbade it. They are especially upset because they said that it is worse because I am a "young lady" and "decent, resepectable young ladies don't have tattoos". That is totally sexist in my opinion! Anyway, I'm just wondering if what they are saying is actually true. Is tattooing prohibited in the bible? I have heard that some Christians believe this while others do not.

Also, they are upset because of the image I chose. The tattoo is of a vampire, her fangs bared, staring up at the moon, with a little bit of blood dripping down her chin. NO I am NOT a Satanist or anything like that. I chose it because I am a big horror movie fan, and I just thought it was kind of cool. And my boyfriend encouraged me to go for it, cause I was a little nervous. Anyway, they say vampires are "anti christian" but they aren't even real! They are just a fantasy. Just wanting to get an objective second opinion. I feel I am old enough to do what I want now, but they say I still live in their house, and even if I didn't, I should always "honor" them.Thanks a lot.

Jennifer

Answer
Hi Jennifer,

Thanks for this great question.  I am sorry for my late response.  

You certainly have stirred up a hornets nest hanvent you!  :)  Here is the deal.  There is one verse in the Bible that many believers feel is speaking about tatoos.  Here it is:

Leviticus 19:28
28 Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print any marks upon you: I am the LORD.
The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

THe interpretive question is whether or not the marks not to be printed was any marks, or just marks that were a Pagan ritual of honoring the dead.

I can see that your parents would be upset.  These things matter to them a great deal more than they would to you.  Cut them some slack and let them grieve a bit.  Having a young lady make choices radically different than their own is very stressful.

You may find that you will some day regret your decision, and I think that because your parents love you, they wish that you would not have to deal with that regret some day.

I hope that this helps you understand them a bit.

In Christ
Pastor Don