my point of view is this, whether I'm dealing with my parents, boss, GOD, or any other authority in my life, the last thing that I hear them say that I should do on any subject, i believe that to be their desire for me ,and i will try to be obedient to that until they tell me differently. I don't open that up for interpretation, I don't look for context, I try to obey.
To put that in practical terms, the last word that I have from GOD on tattoos is "dont", so I will obey that since HE has closed the subject.

If you want a tattoo get a tattoo. If something little like that is all it takes to keep someone from getting into heaven then none of us have a chance cause everyone has done worse than that at one time in there life

Amen brother beadle!! If my tats have already doomed me, then so be it.. I'll keep on doing right by others and trying my best to walk in the light

Its not a matter of heaven or hell. For Christians they have been bought with a price and they are not their own, they are the Lord's.

Ever drank a beer or smoked a cigarette? Do you eat junk food or cuss when smash your thumb? No one's perfect. I get sick of the I'm a better Christian than you are because I don't do blank attitude.

Amen

Just going to point out the verse right before it: "27�You shall not round off the hair on your temples or mar the edges of your beard"

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2001). (Le 19:27). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.

Don't trim that beard man! All joking aside, I get what your saying eskimo. I just don't agree with that. Obviously I'm ok with tattoos, and plan to get more. It's been a great conversation starter and evangelical tool for me, and I don't think God condemns the modern meaning of tattooing. The original language doesn't even use the word tattoo. It didn't mean the same thing.

This can go on and on. If the subject of tattoos can make two brothers in Christ argue (past a civil debate, I have no problem discussing beliefs!), then there is probably other issues to work out (which there always is, we are sinners danggit!).

Haha well if that isnt the pot calling the kettle black!

This is the kind of attitude that drives people away from Christ. Man looks at the outward appearance but God looks at the heart.

Oops. I didn't mean to start a holy war. I was just proud of my ink and wanted to show it to someone. I guess I had missed that Old Testament scripture on tats. I'm still enjoying mine (although it's a little itchy and dry 5 days out).

Dude the itchy phase is the worst! Just remember to keep it lathered up with some of the stuff the tattoo artist should have given you.

Well let me take a minute and apologize. Usually I try to refrain from "debating" on spiritual issues in a public setting such as aldeer for several reasons, one of which is because it is hard for the reader to hear my heart on an issue, in other words I may come across as condemning when I may be trying to edify. Another reason is because of the vast makeup of the audience, some of which see the debate as 2 folks who just can't get along, and they deal with that everywhere else why would they come to a church to hear it there as well ? This thread had been going a while before I commented on it and my comments were not aimed at ac870 or anyone else other than jono, and if you felt that they were then I am truly sorry and ask your forgiveness. For this i apologize.

In fact, I would have never commented on this thread but would have kept my thoughts to myself, if not for jonos attempt at justifying his actions by negating what GOD has said about the subject. If jono would have just simply told the truth, that he got the tat because he wanted it then I would have kept my mouth shut but he didn't and I didn't. And for this I am not apologetic. GOD is holy, HE expects His people to be holy and His word is not to be compromised.

Man, of course I got it because I wanted it! I love the way it looks, the meaning behind it, and the story it tells about my relationship with God. I never lied about that. I don't think God asked me to go get? I wanted to get it...so I got it...

I can keep posting my side of the debate, but you won't even acknowledge it. So to that I say good day! I appreciate you sharing your beliefs on the matter. We can agree that God is holy, that he expects his people to be holy, and that the Word of God should not be compromised. I agree whole heartedly.

I'm thankful everyday that we serve a loving, gracious God that can (and has already) forgive us for our sin, whether thats misinterpreting scripture, idolizing other things, trimming our beards, or wearing cloth of multiple types of material!

Interesting conversation, the way in which some comments come across notwithstanding.

It made me think of a couple of quotes regarding tattoos. The first I can't remember exactly, but is something to the effect of:

"What if every time a significant event happened in our lives, a picture appeared on our skin."

A tattoo is obviously a very personal choice... and one that is made with, hopefully, a lot of forethought and conviction... and in a lot of instances as a way of marking a significant event or passion in our lives.

The second quote I thought about is:

"Tattoos are about owning our identity in the world. They're about proclaiming who we are without having to say a single word. People with tattoos have an unbreakable sense of their authentic selves."

We kind of have to... because as GSDowner indicated, we're kind of stuck with them

Those of us that proclaim a belief in Christ have to square it in our own hearts with our Creator. I believe Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 10 that "all things are lawful, but not all things are helpful." There are some things that are a matter of conscience. Also, though it could be a matter of interpretation, Rev. 19:16 indicates that Jesus, Himself, has a "King of kings; Lord of lords" written (tattooed?) upon his thigh.

Anyway, this is a subject near & dear to me... as I basically have both arms in half sleeves, with a couple others on leg & back.

I'll leave you with a picture / story of one of mine. My wife & I miscarried when she got pregnant for the first time and it was pretty rough on the both of us. So, I had this swallow done on inside of left arm. Not a day goes by that I don't look at it and think about why it's there.