When considering getting a tattoo, here are some important considerations: 1. Granted, the risk of infection is pretty minimal these days, especially if you go to a reputable business. 1 Cor 8:9), a Catholic may have additional reason to refrain from body piercing and tattoos. This is a sin against the body and against the Fifth Commandment. If you have found this information to be helpful, please consider a donation to CUF to help sustain this service. Please feel free to call us at 1-800-MY FAITH or email us with any further questions on this or any other subject. Sign up for weekly updates from Busted Halo! Self-mutilation and self-disfigurement. You can call the toll-free line, visit us at www.cuf.org, or send your contribution to the address below. Will the Church Ever Add Any New Sacraments. However, the Church does provide general principles to consider. Are they a sin or against the teachings of the Church? Should the Church pretend not to notice the displays or should Catholic adults try to steer young people away from these now-ubiquitous expressions? or dangerous. First, the water of baptism gives life and cleanses from sin. These are difficult and controversial questions in the body of Christ and many believers struggle, wondering if getting a tattoo is a sin. I think the type of tattoo would come into play too. Grave/Mortal Sins List. Lv 5. Catholics United for the Faith Steubenville, OH 43952 Some body piercing verges on self-mutilation. And any…. Ez 16:12). 800-MY-FAITH (800-693-2484), The Vision of the Eucharist Given to the Fatima Visionaries, Juan Diego And Our Lady Of Guadalupe (Part II Of III). Ceremonial Law vs. I'm catholic, its not a sin. | R. Jared Staudt, PhD, The Lost Riches of Catholic Catechisms with Aaron Seng of Tradivox, The Catholic Faith in Public Life After the 2020 Election with Derek Rotty. Thomas O’Donnell, S.J., Medicine and Christian Morality: Second Revised and Updated Edition [New York: Alba House: New York, 1991], p. 122). The tattoo itself may not be a sin, but the motivation in getting it might be. Flee from sexual immorality. The Catechism warns against mutilations (e.g. The believer’s body is the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19–20). Old Testament prohibitions regarding tattoos are considered ceremonial laws and thus are not binding on Christians. Thus, surgical mutilation or other disfigurement must not seriously impair or destroy bodily functions or the beauty of the individual (cf. Some argue that body art is a trend or that it creates a false image and that this goes against being meek and modest by following the ways of the world. using dirty needles for piercing and risking serious infections!) The question that remains is the “why?” If you think a tattoo will score you dates because it’ll make you look cool–I’d caution you to think about why you feel this need to “be cool.”. Tattoo’s and body piercings will not change who you are just as putting a new shirt on won’t either. The Jews were commanded by God to make only one cutting mark, which was the circumcision for male infants, a symbol of cutting away sin. Fr. In fact, body jewelry was used in dowries for marriage and as currency. 1 decade ago. What does the Bible say about piercings? As I looked for her room in the ER I ran across a young man in another room. A tattoo is a form of art that happens to be done on a person’s body. By Fr. Such would be a sin. In other words, Catholics should not behave in ways that will unnecessarily offend others and therefore impede the Church’s mission to make disciples of all nations (cf. 827 North Fourth Street It is significant that water flowed out from the side of Christ. The reason being that, in principle, the Church does not oppose tattoos. Body piercings and tattoos continue to be a highly debated topic in the Christian community. Some of my Christian friends that are very pro-tattoo, make a very good argument that a Christian tattoo can be a good witness or a good conversations starter. But if understood in its context, the prohibition was dealing with cultural or religious reasons (tattoos, for example, that expressed devotion to a false god) more than the act of getting a tattoo itself.. 2. A mortal sin (Latin: peccatum mortale), in Catholic theology, is a gravely sinful act, which can lead to damnation if a person does not repent of the sin before death. Body piercing for decoration support has never been called a Sin in Scripture. This for four reasons. In addition, we are not aware that the Church has pronounced on tattoos, body piercing in general, or tongue piercing specifically. I personally would never get a tattoo because I am a big chicken and I would not want to have the pain of getting one inflicted on my body. If you got a tattoo of Bugs Bunny on your ankle, I might question your personal taste, but I’d think it was simply a personal choice. Should Christians follow this practice? Catholic. Depending on one’s culture and because we should not serve as a stumbling block for fellow believers and prospective believers who may be scandalized or otherwise alienated (cf. In this light, because of a concern for the spread of disease and problems that could result from eating, tongue piercing specifically could be questioned. The Bible has multiple mentions of body jewelry and piercings (nose rings, earrings etc). There was tattooed blood coming out of his mouth, spikes going up from his eyebrows and many other disturbing images. 3. The question of whether tattoos and piercings are a sin has been raised in many online forums. Information Specialist How Can Beauty & Culture Save the World? However, the Church does provide general principles to consider. Tattoos and Piercings. Other forms of body piercing could also be questionable, depending on how they are done. Daily Bible Reading; ... Is inking your body a sin in the eyes of God? One is safety. However, we would urge you to seek the Lord as to any further involvement in this practice. I was called to the hospital last evening for a sick woman. However, the church would expect you to be respectful of your own body and not to do anything that would be viewed as unhealthy (e.g. The Church has never prohibited ear piercing and, in the Bible, there is no prohibition against the wearing of earrings and nose rings (cf. Some people don’t believe body piercing is a sin at all, that God allowed it, so it’s okay. It reads: “Except when performed for strictly theraputic medical reasons, directly intended amputations, mutilations, and sterilizations performed on innocent persons are against the moral law.”, I don’t think a piercing is viewed as a mutilation but if you decided to cut your ear off because you think it’s cool–I think that would be viewed as “against the moral law.”, Mike Hayes is Senior Editor for Googling God, Christmas pageants often show the shepherds leaving the stage to make room for the magi who have come to worship the newborn Jesus. There is nothing inherently immoral about a Catholic having a tattoo or a piercing. Is Body Modification a Sin? actually it is with any piercing...your not suppose to get any kind of markings on your body... you know that saying your body is the temple..you are suppose to keep your body pure... lol good luck on that I … Joe Scott, CSP, has been a campus minister, pastor and editor as a Paulist priest. God's command to Adam (not to eat of the tree of knowledge of good and evil) shows symbolically that man had to acknowledge his limits as a creature and submit his behavior to God's laws. Piercing and tattoos could put you at risk for HIV as well–so be very careful and only go to reputable places to get these things done. cutting one’s arm or leg off) but nothing else is found. According to this principle, the parts of one’s body are ordered to the good of that person. Some other thoughts regarding modesty and intention: As evangelists called to make disciples of all nations, we must not allow ourselves to write people off because of their tattoos or bodily piercing. cutting one’s arm or leg off) but nothing else is found. In it, we find out which animals are cool to eat and that we should be avoiding blended fabrics and, yes, God's views on tattoos and piercings. In Leviticus 19:28, God says "Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print any marks upon you..." Getting a tattoo or piercing is a big decision. Joe Scott September 26, 2009. I think the only reason to get either would be simply because you like the way it looks and not because you think it will change your personality or other people’s views of you. Ez 16:12). How old was Jesus when the magi got to Bethlehem to visit him? The Church has never prohibited ear piercing and, in the Bible, there is no prohibition against the wearing of earrings and nose rings (cf. Many quote Leviticus 19 where it says not to get tattoos. Many Christian(s) young people have adopted the culture of the age, i.e., getting a tattoo or having their body pierced, i.e., nose, tongue, eyelid, naval, etc. If they have not been won to Christ and His Church, we must strive to win them. Scholars who claim that tattooing is a sin support their view by pointing to hadiths such as one in Sahih al-Bukhari narrated by Abu Juhayfah that declares "The Prophet cursed the one who does tattoos and the one who has a tattoo done." Catholic Exchange is a project of Sophia Institute Press. Some say that getting a tattoo is a sin because in Leviticus the Bible forbids placing any type of mark on the body. Mt 28:18-20). Crazycuddles. If you got a Swastika tattooed on your forehead ala Charles Manson, I think many people (not just those in the church) would have serious problems with this. If you were getting your inner thigh tattooed because you wanted to flirt with others by showing it off I think that wouldn’t be a modest or sexually healthy use of getting a piercing or a tattoo. The Water. Our goal is to create a list in one place. For the Catholic infant (or adult) at Baptism, the important mark is the sign of the Cross, with holy oil and the thumb of the priest, on forehead, breast and back. The church doesn’t have any strong feelings on body piercing. They will also argue, if you want to be against tattoos, you should probably be against ear … At best, multiple body piercing is … The issue is not whether it is stylish or a fad, the issue is … Where does the Church stand as far as tattoos and body piercings go? I am curious if body piercing is wrong, wouldn't it be wrong to wear earrings as well? If you can think of any other sins that are not included below, we welcome your input. The church doesn’t have any strong feelings on body piercing. A tattoo is a form of art that happens to be done on a person’s body. A good description of this piercing awareness of sins is contained in George MacDonald's fantasy Lilith: A Romance. The Catechism warns against mutilations (e.g. Tongue piercing could also be questioned on “appearance” grounds: specifically how it impairs one’s beauty and could unnecessarily alienate others that one encounters. What type of statement are you trying to make with this? While some Christians don’t believe body piercing is a … There are MANY reasons actually, but things like this, the church leaves so much in a gray area, like it’s too afraid to call sin by its right name because it would risk loosing members. Others have pointed to verses such as 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 as prohibitive of things such as piercings or tattoos. Tattoos and piercings both break the skin and introduce foreign elements into the body. I would also ask why you are thinking of getting a body piercing or tattoo? Involvement in cult practices like masonry, Wicca, wizardry; Leaving the Catholic faith for another religion or practice; Receiving Holy Communion in a state of mortal sin without confession Thank you for your support as we endeavor to “support, defend, and advance the efforts of the teaching Church.”, Amy Barragree All rights reserved. The evangelist himself refers to this passage of Zechariah in connection with the piercing event (Jn.19:37). Our bodies, as well as our souls, have been redeemed and belong to God. A recent article in U.S. Catholic Magazine showed a picture of someone receiving communion on their tongue and it was pierced! There is even a Commandment to do it ceremoniously to Slaves … One of our staff members has a nose piercing and we don’t look down on her for it, in fact we all think it looks pretty cool on her. Perhaps, as the author believes, such actions are not to deny God or done as an affront to God. Is God okay with Christians having tattoos? In the Catechism of the Catholic Church there is a section on bodily integrity. Catholics should be mindful of these considerations regarding their own conduct, while being merciful toward those who may have or get tattoos or some type of body piercing. But if you were thinking of getting your nose pierced because you think it looks cool–I would say that there’s nothing wrong with that statement of personal choice. In addition, regarding tattoos, some would definitely be morally objectionable because of their bodily placement and associated exhibition, as well as because of the images and associated messages of the tattoos themselves. A: A tattoo in and of itself is not a sin. Yet we should look more closely at what the Bible says, what the piercings mean, and why we’re doing it … Part of respecting your body means not doing anything that needlessly puts it at risk. He scared me because his whole face was filled with evil tattoos. © Copyright 2020 Catholic Exchange. What does the Bible say about tattoos? If all body piercing is sinful, as some say, then even a diamond stud in a girl’s ear lobe is taboo. Motivations for getting a tattoo such as “to fit in,” “to stand out,” etc., fall short of the glory of God. Man had to freely accept God's friendship. What does the Bible say about Body Piercings? The debate over tattoos and body piercings continues in the Christian community. However, the entire passage (1 Corinthians 6:12-20) is specifically about sexual immorality.Take 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 and add the preceding verse, verse 18, and it reads like this:. A recent article in U.S. Catholic Magazine showed a picture of someone receiving communion on their tongue and it was pierced! Sometimes people point to the passage … Several religions do not allow piercings; however, Christians are able to have piercings. Leviticus 19:28 You shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor tattoo any marks on you: I am the LORD. The church I belong to now has a clear Biblical teaching that is out in the open about jewelry, tattoos, piercings, and immodest dress. Perhaps, like many that I know who enjoy tattoos and piercings, it is simply self expression and a form of personal style. For example, there is the issue of totality to consider. In addition, we are not aware that the Church has pronounced on tattoos, body piercing in general, or tongue piercing specifically. We’ll begin with by acknowledging that the Bible does not specifically address body piercings as a sin, so dogmatism on the issue is unwarranted. 0 0. Seven is a highly symbolic number now buoyed by centuries of tradition. Yet according…, It seems unlikely that the Church will add any new Sacraments. As many people are not aware of the spiritual dangers in such practices, this article is not meant to condemn any that may already have this done. Others believe the Bible makes it quite clear that we need to treat our bodies as temples and not do anything to damage it. Then as I was leaving I noticed another young woman with red hair. Discover the health risks associated with tattoos and piercings, tips for having a safe procedure, and more. Moral Law. The Lord loves everyone, no matter what we are currently doing however, His desire is to show us a better way. Many good Catholic young people bear on their bodies the trendy markings of their times: tattoos, body piercings and other forms of "body art." Looking at the underlying reasons for getting either are key. They a sin, but the motivation in getting it might be how old was Jesus when magi! To get tattoos eyes of God needlessly puts it at risk evil tattoos our souls have... Is found now buoyed by centuries of tradition has pronounced on tattoos, body jewelry and piercings are a at. 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