Originally Posted by strypes

I have a Question.....How many people that don't have tattos...eat their steak rare?....just a thought.....

Liviticus 19 : 26 "Do not eat any meat with blood still in it. Do not practice any kind of magic. 27 Do not cut the hair on the sides of your head or trim your beard 28 or tattoo yourselves or cut gashes in your body to mourn for the dead. I am the Lord. 29 "Do not disgrace your daughters by making them temple prostitutes; if you do, you will turn to other gods and the land will be full of immorality.

Dear Strypes,

Its is rare that I eat steak..lol! Mostly meats like chicken, some fish, lots of veggies, fruits, water, and dried cereals.

Your brother in Christ Jesus.

Originally Posted by Chad

Well said Pappa.

Pagans were/are truly against GOD is just about every way possible. Very traditional and abominational in all their practices.

Thanks Chad....

I would like to know if the articles you post on this forum represent your point of view or if you put them out there for information and discussion.

I am a bit confused on this point, because your sticky implies they do represent your opinion.

Over the years I have had 4 tatoos done,solely for the reason each meant something to me and i thought they looked cool.On reading the posts so far I do agree that in Gods eyes they are wrong,our body is a temple on loan from God and tatoos defile it in much the same way as smoking,drugs and alchol abuse do.On reflection I will think twice about having any more done.Having said that the original thread bothers me somewhat.It is very easy to condemn tatoos based on the fact that they have pagan origins but what else does in our life?For starters christmas,May day,easter and valentines day to mention a few.How many of us celebrate these?How many of you are even aware of the pagan conotations?May day in England involves children dancing around a May pole each attatched to it with a piece of ribbon.Harmless enough you may think?It is a pagan ritual that goes back hundreds of years denoting a fertility rite the may pole being the penis and the children being the sperm.Disgusting!Matthew 23v24 warns us against straining out the knat but gulping down the camel,we cannot just take out singular issues from the bible and not look at the bigger context. Your brother-Sparky

Pappa, a few things.
First, I highly respect all content on bible.com. Second, if I disagreed with them, I would not bother putting it here so for sure I agree and also posted for others' sake to learn. You do not know this but I do as I am the admin who receives numerous emails/pm but this "bible answer" section has helped so many people in so many ways.

Second, in your previous posts you said

"It's taking the truth of the scripture and turning it into a lie or a personal opinion."

Scripture is provided for Truth of what GOD says is right or wrong.

"I don't mind if you continue to put articles like this on the forum. But when someone presents an article like this one ... I will question it and call them on it ... because it's just not right."

I'm not sure what's to mind here. GOD is authority, not you to mind it nor myself or the author. What is not right when Scripture is provided as evidence for Truth?

"the author makes the connection therefore it is opinion"

"This is what the author of this article did... and it's not right to impose one's opinion on others as if it is the truth. To make someone who has a tattoo feel bad or question their spirituality because you have a thing about it is judgemental and inappropriate. Not you personally but the author."

Let us step back to the article. The article's author provides ample Scripture evidence (as I personally do not settle for anything less on this board of mine as well). Scripture is Truth as told by GOD not man or man's opinions.

Now about "making somoneone feel bad". Well, let me tell you something from a while back. When I first started Talk Jesus 2 years ago this month, it was version 1.0 and different, had a different system (phpbb) and different photo album, etc. Reason I'm mentioning this is so the v2.0 members do not get confused as to what happened to that content originally (was lost, hence v2.0 now). Now, I had a photo album there with my personal picture of me in my room with a Guns N' Roses banner in the background on my wall. You left a comment on my picture (member's had the ability to leave comments about pictures). You basically questioned by Christian belief and where I stood because of that banner. That shows that it "makes someone feel bad" and I myself think "its just not right" to do so. Do you? Well, you don't because you wouldn't have left such a "judgemental" comment. Too bad the proof is gone but I'm not here to put you down anyway, but to clarify some "opinions" of your own. I remember that comment very very clearly pappa, it made me very mad. I responded back to you, and you did not respond back to me but another member on the board defended me dearly and you still did not reply. That goes to show judgmentalism and "opinions" for that matter.

Don't take it personal but you should be careful about saying someone else's article is opinion or not. Scripture is not opinion and Scripture was provided abundantly in the article (as all other articles in this forum). Also, it was explained clearly and not taken out of context.

I hope you understand my point here now. Just to avoid confusion or criticism or even hostile views, I still love your presence here on the board as I do equally everyone else. If it weren't so, you would've been long gone and banned by now LOL. (jokingly)

Originally Posted by sparky

Over the years I have had 4 tatoos done,solely for the reason each meant something to me and i thought they looked cool.On reading the posts so far I do agree that in Gods eyes they are wrong,our body is a temple on loan from God and tatoos defile it in much the same way as smoking,drugs and alchol abuse do.On reflection I will think twice about having any more done.Having said that the original thread bothers me somewhat.It is very easy to condemn tatoos based on the fact that they have pagan origins but what else does in our life?For starters christmas,May day,easter and valentines day to mention a few.How many of us celebrate these?How many of you are even aware of the pagan conotations?May day in England involves children dancing around a May pole each attatched to it with a piece of ribbon.Harmless enough you may think?It is a pagan ritual that goes back hundreds of years denoting a fertility rite the may pole being the penis and the children being the sperm.Disgusting!Matthew 23v24 warns us against straining out the knat but gulping down the camel,we cannot just take out singular issues from the bible and not look at the bigger context. Your brother-Sparky

Excellent post sparky. You should not be mad at it as well (original article) because yes,it condemsn tattoos but who said tattoos are wrong? GOD did. GOD also said many other things wrong. Everything, in equal sesnse that are wrong are sinful against GOD. It is either right or wrong. But let us remember, the ONLY SIN NOT FORGIVABLE IS BLASPHEMY AGAINST THE HOLY SPIRIT!

Now, if we ask for forgiveness for virtually every sin possible, sincerely and humbly does GOD not forgive us immmediatley and wash our sins away with the blood of Christ? Thats a truly AWESOME GOD!

Originally Posted by Chad

Pappa, a few things.
First, I highly respect all content on bible.com. Second, if I disagreed with them, I would not bother putting it here so for sure I agree and also posted for others' sake to learn. You do not know this but I do as I am the admin who receives numerous emails/pm but this "bible answer" section has helped so many people in so many ways.

Second, in your previous posts you said

"It's taking the truth of the scripture and turning it into a lie or a personal opinion."

Scripture is provided for Truth of what GOD says is right or wrong.

"I don't mind if you continue to put articles like this on the forum. But when someone presents an article like this one ... I will question it and call them on it ... because it's just not right."

I'm not sure what's to mind here. GOD is authority, not you to mind it nor myself or the author. What is not right when Scripture is provided as evidence for Truth?

"the author makes the connection therefore it is opinion"

"This is what the author of this article did... and it's not right to impose one's opinion on others as if it is the truth. To make someone who has a tattoo feel bad or question their spirituality because you have a thing about it is judgemental and inappropriate. Not you personally but the author."

Let us step back to the article. The article's author provides ample Scripture evidence (as I personally do not settle for anything less on this board of mine as well). Scripture is Truth as told by GOD not man or man's opinions.

Now about "making somoneone feel bad". Well, let me tell you something from a while back. When I first started Talk Jesus 2 years ago this month, it was version 1.0 and different, had a different system (phpbb) and different photo album, etc. Reason I'm mentioning this is so the v2.0 members do not get confused as to what happened to that content originally (was lost, hence v2.0 now). Now, I had a photo album there with my personal picture of me in my room with a Guns N' Roses banner in the background on my wall. You left a comment on my picture (member's had the ability to leave comments about pictures). You basically questioned by Christian belief and where I stood because of that banner. That shows that it "makes someone feel bad" and I myself think "its just not right" to do so. Do you? Well, you don't because you wouldn't have left such a "judgemental" comment. Too bad the proof is gone but I'm not here to put you down anyway, but to clarify some "opinions" of your own. I remember that comment very very clearly pappa, it made me very mad. I responded back to you, and you did not respond back to me but another member on the board defended me dearly and you still did not reply. That goes to show judgmentalism and "opinions" for that matter.

Don't take it personal but you should be careful about saying someone else's article is opinion or not. Scripture is not opinion and Scripture was provided abundantly in the article (as all other articles in this forum). Also, it was explained clearly and not taken out of context.

I hope you understand my point here now. Just to avoid confusion or criticism or even hostile views, I still love your presence here on the board as I do equally everyone else. If it weren't so, you would've been long gone and banned by now LOL. (jokingly)

Interesting response ..... I guess the question here is whether you want different opinions on the issues presented. I too base my comments on scriptures ... but I try to understand the scriptures inthe context in which they are presented. It's the only way to interpret correctly. To reinvent the context as the author of the Tattooing article did risks misinterpreting. Now I don't mind if someone wants to interpret scriptures in the this way as long as they represent their conclusions as "opinion". When they equate their conclusions as biblical truth they are pushing their opinions on others in the name of truth... I call this turning the truth of God into a lie.

Yes the author of the Tattooing article had lot's of scriptures. But if you read it carefully you will see that the author has an issues with body tattoos and has used the scriptures (most of which don't even talk about tattooing) to proof text his/her point. In all cases the scriptures were taken out of context. In my opinion this is misusing the scripture to support his/her opinion. It's misleading and not right.

My comments on this issue are to let the other members on this forum know this and to not get all upset because someone has a thing about tattoos. It's another point of view.

I don't take very much personally ... but it is a bit disconcerting when you equate an article written by someone as biblical truth. The scriptures were clearly taken out of context and I explained to you why. See your comment below.

"Don't take it personal but you should be careful about saying someone else's article is opinion or not. Scripture is not opinion and Scripture was provided abundantly in the article (as all other articles in this forum). Also, it was explained clearly and not taken out of context."

Actually whenever someone picks a topic then goes to scriptures to find support for their point of view... that's opinion. Almost all so called biblical topical studies are opinion based on how the author interprets scriptures.
So the bottom line is that if you or I agree with article then we conclude it's Biblical. Which may or may not be correct. If we are honest we will recognize that there are many topics that can have different interpretationsand opinions. The question is if we are big enough to accept others opinons in love.

The bottom line is that I felt this article grossly misrepresents the scriptures and is misleading and potentially discouraging to young and new christians. A stumbling block.

As to the supposed comment about your picture .... I don't even recall looking at pictures on this forum much less commenting on them... so you must be confusing me with someone else. As far as I am concerned whatever picture you want to us and it's backdrop are fine with me.

I respect what you are doing opening a forum like this. Most other forums I am a part of foster free and open discussion on issues. I assumed you wanted the same thing. Maybe that was the wrong assumption.

You can clarify that point for me by answering this question about open discussion... yes or no. If the answer is yes, I can probably contribute supporting arguments sometimes, when biblical truth is rightly handled, and alternative opinions when I have have a different point of view.

If the answer is no (which I'm seeing as the gist of your response, but hoping is wrong), then I will take it that your intent is to use the forum to foster your views and will voluntarily cease to participate.

Just let me know.

Hi guys, I must admit I'm pleased with the level of sivility in this thread so far... often (almost always in fact) an issue with differeing opinions can go sour... Well done!

Having said that..
I want a tattoo! A beautiful big one on my back between my shoulders! Have done since I was about 15 and still do, and will do till I either get it or decide the pain won't be worth it..

A cross and a sword

My point is <> I know what my spirit says is right and wrong, I do enough wrong to know what it feels like to have WRONG intentions before doing something... and I can assure you that I do not feel in any way that getting a tattoo [obviously not a satanic or stupid image] would be either grieving God or against his will.

The thing that has ben touched on a tiny bit, but not in depth is that Tattoos are very permenant.
Well, I want mine to be permenant.. because it's a physical reminder to me of my salvation a brilliant talking point, specially with ppl who don't understand what it means.

Anyway, that's my opinon.

Also, I completely and wholeheartedly agree with the previous post.
The BIBLE is correct, the problem is that the second a HUMANs are rarely correct... and NEVER infallable.

All discussions are welcomed in a humble manner. I do not forbid anyone from sharing their thoughts. Its not for my glory or anyone's but Jesus' to share Scripture however, without opinions of what Scripture says but what GOD says - Scripture after all is HIS view and holiness not ours.

I am quite aware that the unsaved are not impressed with my tat what I am saying by this is that they see I once was also different and I am accepted in the body of Christ. Sometimes people have a negative veiw of christians (not shocking) and it helps to show that not all are the same.. I dont regret my tat I still think it is beautiful. I just notice how judging people can be about them. . Oh and is there anything about ear piercing (just wondering) God Bless

Originally Posted by Jesuslovesu

I am quite aware that the unsaved are not impressed with my tat what I am saying by this is that they see I once was also different and I am accepted in the body of Christ. Sometimes people have a negative veiw of christians (not shocking) and it helps to show that not all are the same.. I dont regret my tat I still think it is beautiful. I just notice how judging people can be about them. . Oh and is there anything about ear piercing (just wondering) God Bless

God loves you and me for what we are. You have a great attitute toward yourself and your relationship with God.

BTW ... I have never found anything in the Bible explicitly about ear piercing. However in our society ear piercing and other body piercings have become associated with those who are rebellious against parents and God (part of the Gothic sub culture) and use drugs and practice wrong sexual behaviors. As such most christians want to avoid using those to avoid the association with with those sins.

That said, I know great christian young people who have multiple ear piercings.... I would not judge or criticize them for it.

Keep the faith...