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Christian Tattoos and Other Contradictions

13 August 2024 Hits:1243

Have you noticed how often the Bible is cherry-picked?

I’m sure we all have our favourite verses—those memorable to us that have encouraged us through tough times and comforted us in grief. But that’s not what I’m referring to here.

It’s a matter of concern when individuals assert, ‘the Bible clearly says…’ but fail to adhere to all of its teachings. They selectively pick and choose the verses that align with their beliefs, using them to condemn those they disagree with while ignoring the more important scriptures that lead to godly transformation.

What About Tattoos?

The Bible clearly says, “Do not cut your bodies for the dead or put tattoo marks on yourselves. I am the LORD” (Leviticus 19:28). Why is it then that a book that is so often quoted to condemn others is neglected when it comes to tattoos? Is it not clear enough?

If you type “Christian Tattoos” into your search engine, the first page gives nothing but suggestions on the best tattoos to get:

• 249 best tattoo images
• 100 Christian tattoos for men
• 125 top Christian tattoos of 2024.
• Christian tattoos – the best ones to show your faith.

It’s all very inkspirational!

Your search will advise you on the best Bible verses or Christian symbols to tattoo on your body. Some famous preachers and worship leaders sport heart-warming, sacred tattoos with deep meaning. Why is this so when the Bible clearly forbids the practice? Do not…put tattoo marks on yourselves.

Other Examples?

While some people use scripture to condemn people’s behaviours, other Bible verses are conveniently ignored. For example, speaking to women in the New Testament church, the apostle Peter wrote, “Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewellery or fine clothes.” Have you watched American Christian television lately? Have they never seen this self-explanatory verse in the Bible they preach from?

How about these? “Does not the very nature of things teach you that if a man has long hair, it is a disgrace to him.” Or, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor.” Or “Everyone who curses his father or his mother shall surely be put to death.” Or, “Whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.” Or, “In the same way, those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciples.”

The apostle Paul didn’t “permit a woman to teach or to assume authority over a man; she must be quiet.” He wrote, “Women should remain silent in the churches.”

These verses from inspired scripture are conveniently ignored, like the verse on tattoos. In contrast, other verses that are just as clear are used, like bullets fired from a gun to wound, ostracise, and demean individuals or groups of people considered to be less worthy.

Persecution with the Bible

Over the centuries, the Bible has been cherry-picked to condemn all sorts of people—Africans, other people of colour, and women; and to condemn practices such as interracial marriages and votes for women. Scriptures were/are used to support things like slavery, the mistreatment of enslaved people, gun ownership, and the death penalty.

Scientists who suggested the earth was not the centre of the universe, that it was a sphere that revolved around the sun, were persecuted by and ostracised from the church. For example, the Bible clearly says the world is a flat disc that rests on foundations and doesn’t move.

Consider these self-explanatory verses: “The world also shall be stable that it not be moved” (Chron. 16: 30), “It is he that sits upon the circle of the earth” (Isaiah 40: 22), “My hand also has laid the foundation of the earth” (Isaiah 58: 13). Isaiah 11:12 speaks of “The four corners of the Earth” an expression we still use today. However, now we realise it’s a metaphor rather than stating reality. But you can imagine how the church quoted these unambiguous verses to state that the scientists were wrong—except they weren’t.

Abolishing the Slave Trade

William Wilberforce is usually accredited with the abolition of the slave trade in the British Empire, although he came many years after the first abolitionist campaigners. He was an unbeliever when he first espoused abolition. Later, as a Christian, Wilberforce could sit in Parliament (which unbelievers were not permitted to do). There, he stood out amongst his fellow Christians as an exception. He noted that those who opposed slavery were nonconformists and godless reformers and that Church people were indifferent to the cause of abolition or else actively obstructed it.

Wilberforce’s support came from Quakers, Utilitarians and assorted freethinkers. Like the freethinkers who had started the movement, he was condemned by the mainstream Churches as presuming to know better than the Bible. Why? Because the Bible allows for slavery and gives instructions to enslaved people and enslavers alike. Some ministers were pro-slavery because people had heard the gospel and been saved as a result of their enslavement. But, as we know, Wilberforce and other abolitionists won the battle, and eventually, slavery was repealed despite many Christians actively opposing abolition because the Bible is so clear!

It’s Not About Tattoos

While the Bible and the Christian faith have been the source of so much good in the world, we must also own the not-so-good stuff. More importantly, we Christians need to stop using scripture to condemn or demean others because it works against the gospel and repels people from the God who loves them and the Saviour who gives them his life.

Instead, let’s read and study the scriptures, striving to live out its truth daily. But let’s not use it as a tool to harm others. That’s not the way to love your neighbour as yourself!

And just to be clear, I don’t believe it’s wrong for a Christian (or anyone else) to have a tattoo. I believe men can choose whether they want to grow their hair long if they are able to, and that women have the right to speak in church. That’s not the purpose of this blog. My aim here is to encourage us all to use scripture to uplift and support others, not as a weapon to condemn and injure. Let’s treat others as we would like to be treated. Jesus taught that this golden rule perfectly summarised all of the scripture.

 

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