Blogger's note: the tattoo pictured above is my own tattoo.
Tattoos are a taboo subject, and from what I have personally observed through speaking with a number of Catholics, there are two camps or two mindsets. There are:
1.) Catholics should not get a tattoo/tattoos at all; and
2.) Catholics who sincerely believe that there is nothing wrong with a Catholic getting a tattoo/tattoos although depending on a few things (which I will explain in detail a bit later).
Officially the Catholic Church does not have a position on tattoos, specifically as to whether a Catholic should get a tattoo. Some clergy may have strong opinions against them while others may not not openly support a Catholic getting a tattoo, they will not openly oppose it either. So unfortunately it is not as easy as going to your copy of the Catechism of the Catholic Church for the answer to this question.
The reasons against getting a tattoo? Let's take a look at this from a scriptural point of view, from - at least - the parts of scripture that are referred to the most frequently when arguing the case against tattoos:
"You shall not make any cuttings in your flesh on account of the dead or tattoo any marks upon you: I am the LORD." - Leviticus 19:28
The Lord certainly asserts his authority with this instruction, but there are two things we have to consider when reading this verse. Firstly, the context: let's read the verses 26 and 27:
"You shall not eat any flesh with the blood in it. You shall not practice augury or witchcraft. You shall not round off the hair on your temples or mar the edges of your beard."
Blogger's note: "augury" is divination, interpreting dreams as an omen, or interpreting omens themselves.
It's important to read that verse in context. If we were to take it literally and on face value then we'd have to take the surrounding it on face value too; we need to assume this premise: if the Lord is forbidding tattoos today from these instructions, then today it would also be forbidden to:
- eat red meat (verse 26) or any other animal meat for that matter; and
- shave and groom your hair to a particular style (verse 27) even if you think it looks good and others don't;
I happen to agree that no person should practice or be involved in divination or interpret omens as this is clearly outlined in the Catechism of the Catholic Church (par. 2115-2117), but as far as the other two are concerned, these are not forbidden by the Church and never have been. Catholics, of course, abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday and all Fridays of Lent (and, for the record, recommends that all Catholics abstain from meat on all Fridays of the year, but this is an exercise of penance and differs greatly to the prohibitions outlined in the Old Law.
On the topic of the Old Law: we also have to consider Christ as the fulfilment of it; the Law of Moses, i.e. the Old Covenant. This is the reason why we don't have to be worried about eating "flesh with the blood in it", being circumcised or partaking in any works of the law. We are still, however, subject to the moral law (the Ten Commandments) and there is nothing immoral about eating red meat, shaving your hair (even if the style is peculiar), or getting a tattoo. There are, however, a few caveats we should make note of on the morality of tattoos. I'll address those very soon but another argument against tattoos needs to put under the microscope.
Those not in favour of a Catholic getting a tattoo may also cite the "your body is a temple..." passages from 1 Corinthians which reads as follows:
"Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, which you have from God? You are not your own; you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body." - 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
Now it reads like St. Paul is exhorting the Corinthians here to take good care of their bodies in general and this is something that is taught by the Church today (CCC par. 2288-2291), but this is not the context of his letter. We have to bear in mind that chapters and verses were later added to the scriptures as a means to easily locate a specific event, verse, etc.; the scriptures weren't written with chapters and verses in there already.
St. Paul in those parts of 1 Corinthians is writing to the community after it has been reported to him that they (or certain members within their community) are behaving immorally, sexually immoral to be specific (1 Cor. 5:1; 1 Cor. 7:1-2, 9). St. Paul then writes to exhort the Corinthians to avoid all types of immorality, to avoid consorting with immoral people and to treat their own bodies with dignity, and right before the "your body is a temple..." verse, we read this:
"Shun immorality. Every other sin which a man commits is outside the body; but the immoral man sins against his own body." - 1 Corinthians 6:18
The message is very clear in 1 Corinthians: remain pure and shun immorality. There is nothing there to suggest that a Christian cannot or should not get a tattoo.
So we've established that there is nothing inherently wrong or evil about tattoos or getting a tattoo, but there are few things someone should consider before getting one:
1.) Why do I want a tattoo?
Tattoos can be used as a form of devotional to demonstrate or remind a person about their love of God, Christ, the Church, and/or their faith itself. If you want a tattoo for the sake of getting a tattoo, then you probably shouldn't get one. If you want a tattoo only because you want to draw attention to yourself, then you probably shouldn't get one.
2.) Will anyone close to me object to me getting a tattoo?
If it is foreseeable or beyond reasonable doubt that you getting a tattoo will cause some division between yourself and a close friend or family member, then it isn't worth it! If the mere mention of you getting a tattoo evokes anger or disgust in these other people or creates conflict, then forget about it; the relationship you have with these people is too important to lose it over getting "inked".
3.) As a Catholic, by getting a tattoo will I lead others into scandal?
Scandal, as defined by the Catholic Church, is "... an attitude or behavior which leads another to do evil. The person who gives scandal becomes his neighbor's tempter. He damages virtue and integrity; he may even draw his brother into spiritual death. Scandal is a grave offense if by deed or omission another is deliberately led into a grave offense" (CCC, par. 2284).
By getting a tattoo it may inadvertently lead others (namely the younger and more impressionable) to think that tattoos are okay in every circumstance and may make a decision to get a tattoo themselves carelessly and with either no or little discernment. This will only trigger regret.
4.) Have I sought the approval of my parents?
This one relates to point number two, but I don't care how old you are or how mature you think you are, abiding by the fourth commandment is paramount. I got my own tattoo done when I was 28 and I still went to both my parents to get their approval. I showed them the design I wanted and thankfully they both liked it. I would never have gone and gotten the tattoo done if either of them disapproved. This principle also applies if you're married: if your spouse disapproves, then you can forget about it.
5.) Where do I put it?
It's all about modesty. There is a disturbing trend in society at the moment to get "sleeve" tattoo(a tattoo that runs the length and all over the arm), a tattoo on the neck, or otherwise any other place on the body that cannot typically be covered by articles of clothing. You might ask then, "What's the point of getting a tattoo if no one else is going to see it?" But remember: this is a devotional; something for you that will be a constant reminder of your love of God, Christ, the Church, and/or your faith itself. Just in the same way you may have a crucifix hanging in a prominent place in your home or office, it's there as a symbol of your devotion and a reminder of the message it speaks to you. Even if the tattoo is placed in a position that would not typically be seen if not for articles of clothing, there may be opportunities for you to evangelise if the tattoo is noticed and/or noticed by somebody else. When I'm at the gym - because my tattoo is written in Aramaic - I quite often have others coming up to me to ask me what it means and the response is usually positive.
And finally...
6.) What do I get?
Assuming you've got points one to five checked off and everything is fine there, this is probably the most important point to consider. Remember: a tattoo is for life!! This tattoo is something you're going to take with you until your earthly body expires. Think very, very carefully about what you want printed in your body; it is a permanent decision and there is no "undo" button and tattoo removals can be very, very costly.
Choose a symbol or message that is meaningful to you and that it is something that you would feel comfortable sharing about if it is asked about or noticed. At this stage you should be pleased with what you've got so you should have no shame in showing it and discussing it.
Tattoos, if tasteful, can be beautiful pieces of artwork. Enter into this decision with a lot of thought, discernment, and especially prayer! If you feel an inkling from God himself that maybe this isn't the right thing to do, be humble; for the Lord knows your heart's true desires (Pslams 37:4).
May the Lord be with you.
0 comments:
Post a Comment