Is it okay for a catholic to have a tatoo of Jesus or Mary for evengilizing reasons, a devotion. Rosary on your arm?
1 Corinthians 3:16 You are God's Temple 15If it is burned up, he will suffer loss. He himself will be saved, but only as one being snatched from the fire. 16Do you not know that you yourselves are God’s temple, and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? 17If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him; for God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple.… I sometimes, when I have a question aks myself quite simple, 'Can you picture Our Lady or Our Lord doing this?' Can I picture Our Lady having a tattoo? No; I can't, but I do notice how many tattoo's I do see involve the Dark Side of New Age.. This is telling
A tattoo would seem, to me, a very superficial way of expressing the faith. I just think tattoos are a defacement of God's creation of us. No matter what they depict or how "holy" the subject matter they might represent, to me they are always ugly. In fact, tattoos of "holy" images always strike me as somewhat blasphemous.
Completely agree!!! for God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple and to quote Adoremus above: I just think tattoos are a defacement of God's creation of us. No matter what they depict or how "holy" the subject matter they might represent, to me they are always ugly. In fact, tattoos of "holy" images always strike me as somewhat blasphemous.
We're in a post Christian Culture. I don't want to be too negative about it, but its good to draw red lines. I envy the Amish in this that they have such a big, big red line. So if you see me drive past in buggy and horses with a big beard and a black hat you'll know what has become of me But yeah I do envy the Amish, for many things.
I think that the scriptural quotes speak to things of this nature well. On a personal level however I have always found tattoos depicting the faith to be tasteful, beautiful and a reminder of who we are. The issue I would have with receiving one however is that I would not be comfortable with any tattoo artist placing an image of reverence on me who themselves did not share in that same faith. In fact, I have huge reservations about such a thing. Maybe I am superstitious, but it seems to me that marking ones self for life by the hand of another has deep significance spiritually. It has kept me from getting them in fact. Then again, maybe I am reading too much into it.
Tattoos remind me of a brand , a mark of ownership. Every time I see one I feel uneasy. It reminds me of the, '666' thing.
I don´t know if the "mark of the beast" is a symbolic or literal reference, but I once read somewhere that tattoos and body piercing could be a preparation for chip implants. If people willingly get tattoos and allow their body to be pierced, would they resist getting a chip implanted?
I sometimes wonder why God has allowed the Amish to exist in the midst of our high-tech world. They seem to enjoy some kind of divine protection. They could´ve been easily scattered and gone from this world. Maybe they are meant as a sign. Who knows in a future world where, according to prophecy, "life will be simplified" people will look at those simple, hard-working folks and say: "hey, there´s something to learn there"!
Thank you Fr. Albert. Good ole fashioned common sense We are not truly our own, we were purchased at a price. For you are bought with a great price. Glorify and bear God in your body. -1 Corinthians 6:20
Well I lived near an Amish community in Iowa. The simplicity is one thing that can be cherished, but many of their costumes make life much harder then it needs to be. At any rate, I would not substitute the fullness of the faith and biblical truth for simplicity of life. That said, I wish it were more simple and faithful and this day will come sooner than we realize. I have found myself purchasing allot of shovel's, hoe's, axe's, and hand saw's to cut large and small trees. One of the great essentials to acquire will be the means of creating a fire for cooking and heating. Also, something I have made is a means of getting water from a well without a pump. I have made such with 3"pvc pipe and a flapper valve from the tank of a toilet that fetch 1.5 gallons at a time. I keep thinking of way's to survive without modern means.
The perfect answer imo. Clear, straight answer, which is sorely missing in the church these days. Thank you for posting this and may God bless Fr Albert.
Sponsa, You have actually had some replies on a thread you have started.Why dont you acknowledge them or discuss them before moving on?
Any time we talk about objects, pictorial or status, relics and the like, they are considered works of the Lord. They will all point you towards Jesus Christ. I'm not an advocate for tattoos. I share the same as those believing the the body was made by God and should be treated as a temple. But alas, people have found a loop hole to make tattoos acceptable. I know a woman with the heart of Jesus between her breasts. I do not agree but it is there. I also know that her mom was taken away from her for cancer. This is her way of remembering her mom.
I have no desire for a tattoo. I hope my heart is tattooed enough with my love so that I don't feel like I have to produce outward markings. My love with Jesus is between him and I. That is good enough for me. To show outward love other than evangelism is no one's concern but mine. I will stand before my King on my own asking for mercy without people shouting from the side saying I have great religious tattoos!
