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Hi, Jim —
Thanks for the question.
To my knowledge, the Church has not
made any direct statement one way
or the other on the topic of tattoos or tattooing.
Indirectly, I do think tattooing
is against the nature of being a
Christian.
Because God created us the way we
are. He created us Good. (Genesis)
I don't understand where tattooing
(or what I would call "mutilation
of the body") gets us.
- If we are the temple of the Lord
Himself, why would we want to
mutilate what God has given us?
Beside, I would argue we all have
a God-given tattoo: our face! Although
my younger brother thinks I have
an ugly tattoo, I think "The Big Guy" did a
pretty good job. : )
I don't mean to pass any judgments
but most of the time, when people
want to get a tattoo,
I believe it is for one of the following
reasons:
- to impress others due to a lack
of security with themselves
- to get back at a family member
or friend
- to show others that they can "fit
in", or
- because everyone is doing it
All these reasons above have one
or more vices attached to an unhealthy
attitude for the Christian. There
is only one way these vices and attitudes
can turn into virtues and
self-confidence as a holy child of
God: by daily prayer.
The only exception to my view would be religious tattoos, if they can be a means to bringing up faith conversations among family and coworkers.
I may be going out on a limb here,
because I don't really know if any
of my friends have tattoos, but
this is my opinion and I don't mean
to hurt anyone by it.
A previous visitor asked us a similar
question in a private e-mail sent to me:
Is it OK for
me to go ahead and get a tattoo?
______________________________________________________________
I said:
- Well, the main question is
why?
Most of the answers center
around being cool and fitting
in. The Church also reminds
us that we are temples of the
Holy Spirit, tabernacles of
Jesus, the Eucharist living
out His Life in and through
us.
Self mutilation of the
body for secular reasons would
not be a good reason for tattoos
and in general, I believe, should not be encouraged.
A possible reply you may have:
- OK Mike, does this mean that
you would discourage a tattoo
of Jesus or the Blessed Virgin
Mary?
- My answer:
- It depends on why you want
to have it. Only you and the
Lord know why.
If it is for
the Kingdom and to spread the
Gospel, I wouldn't hesitate
— and would say, "Sure,
go ahead!"
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Important End note: This
issue is not a
matter of faith or morals.
Hope this helps,
Mike Humphrey
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