Tatoos and piercings (Full Version)

All Forums >> [Theology] >> Morality & Ethics



Message

gunther46 -> Tatoos and piercings (5/10/2008 12:33:44 PM)

I heard about a popular preacher that after he went into ministry has gotten many tatoos and piercings. What is the purpose of things like these? Do you think a true preacher would do something like that?



woodwind228 -> RE: Tatoos and piercings (5/10/2008 12:39:31 PM)

I'm not sure what I think about that. I guess it kinda depends on the ministry he's in. If he ministers to bikers, then I guess it could make sense.



miasma -> RE: Tatoos and piercings (5/12/2008 11:50:04 AM)

No, I don't think a true preacher would do that. I find those sort of tactics - most commonly found among youth pastors trying WAY too hard to be "hip" - repulsive, and it's been my experience they drive away quite a lot of people, who see right through it.



MrFribbles -> RE: Tatoos and piercings (5/12/2008 10:01:29 PM)

I think the important thing is to not judge him on this disputable matter (see: Romans 14).
If this preacher is the kind of person who enjoys getting tattoos and piercings, well, more power to 'em. If people want to judge him on that and label him a "fake," or somehow a lesser proclaimer of God's word, because of how he looks on the outside... Well, people are free to do that, but they won't be following God's example. God judges us for our hearts, not our skin.
The biblical Greek Prof. at my college has pierced ears and a tattoo on his arm. He also has one of the most intense and thorough knowledge of the Greek language of Scripture - especially the book of Ephesians. He is also the Pastor of a local Baptist congregation. Is he somehow not a true preacher?



miasma -> RE: Tatoos and piercings (5/13/2008 9:57:25 AM)

quote:

If this preacher is the kind of person who enjoys getting tattoos and piercings, well, more power to 'em.


That's not what the OP is talking about (as far as I read it):

quote:

after he went into ministry has gotten many tatoos and piercings.


(emphasis mine)

As in, he did it to be "cool."



Mrs.Wifey -> RE: Tatoos and piercings (5/13/2008 3:20:30 PM)

I don't know, Mia. My Dad has gotton tattoos since becoming a pastor, but they have nothing to do with being "cool". They were simply what he wanted...

I don't think there is anything wrong, in general, with pastors having tattoos but if they were doing it to fit in(which the OP has not specified) or to look "cool" then I would probably have some objection.



MrFribbles -> RE: Tatoos and piercings (5/14/2008 2:11:55 AM)

quote:

As in, he did it to be "cool."


Well, if that is the case, it'd be different. I'm not sure if it would be morally wrong... But it certainly wouldn't be a smart move.



DLindros -> RE: Tatoos and piercings (5/15/2008 12:20:42 PM)

I got a bunch of tattoos in my young and stupid days as a scoffer. Now I'm born again and hoping to become a pastor in time. Will I be any less of a pastor because of it? Would any of you look down on my for the mistakes of my past?



DustyLady -> RE: Tatoos and piercings (5/17/2008 1:20:41 PM)

I don't think there would necessarily be anything wrong with a person who decided he wanted a tattoo, after becoming a minister. He may also have decided he wanted to get a haircut, or buy a new suit, or do anything else that might alter his appearance. It doesn't have to mean he wanted to look cool. It might mean that he didn't have the money before, or that he found a tattoo artist he trusted, or that he felt strongly enough about something to have it permanently inscribed on his skin.

Tattoos are becoming much more socially acceptable. Yes, that is due in part to bikers and military men and others who have historically been more prone to this sort of thing. But it's also because of housewives and students and businessmen, who simply think tattoos are a nice form of ornamentation.

I have two tattoos, and would like to have more. I have a Master's degree and work in the health-care profession. Does that make my motives questionable?

Dusty



TomTurn -> RE: Tatoos and piercings (5/17/2008 3:25:47 PM)

If I were gong to minister in a bar, would I need to drink? I think the blood of Christ covers enough without me needing to cover my body with tattoos in an attempt to reach someone.



JordanW -> RE: Tatoos and piercings (5/18/2008 12:58:50 PM)

I don't think it matters if we have tattoos as a minister, but I hope that they wouldn't be something crude or obscene.



Tinkerbell_ -> RE: Tatoos and piercings (5/18/2008 4:29:52 PM)

And what if they are, but obtained before salvation? What would you say then?



DustyLady -> RE: Tatoos and piercings (5/18/2008 5:53:43 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Tinkerbell_

And what if they are, but obtained before salvation? What would you say then?


There are ways to have tattoos altered, or covered up with something more appropriate.

Dusty



Tinkerbell_ -> RE: Tatoos and piercings (5/20/2008 4:53:01 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: DustyLady

quote:

ORIGINAL: Tinkerbell_

And what if they are, but obtained before salvation? What would you say then?


There are ways to have tattoos altered, or covered up with something more appropriate.

Dusty

That's if someone has the money and/or insight to have them altered. *shrug* I find any type of judgment on any appearance to be incredibly unChrist like. Sorry.



DustyLady -> RE: Tatoos and piercings (5/20/2008 5:53:35 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Tinkerbell_

That's if someone has the money and/or insight to have them altered. *shrug* I find any type of judgment on any appearance to be incredibly unChrist like. Sorry.


No need to apologize for being honest. So, to you, any attempt to alter one's appearance is wrong? Like wearing make-up, or even clothing? I believe that God gave these tattoo artists the ability to make others more beautiful. But, you're certainly entitled to your own beliefs as well.

Dusty



woodwind228 -> RE: Tatoos and piercings (5/20/2008 7:07:24 PM)

When did tinkerbell elude to altering one's appearance as being wrong? I didn't read that.



Tinkerbell_ -> RE: Tatoos and piercings (5/22/2008 2:34:52 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: DustyLady

quote:

ORIGINAL: Tinkerbell_

That's if someone has the money and/or insight to have them altered. *shrug* I find any type of judgment on any appearance to be incredibly unChrist like. Sorry.


No need to apologize for being honest. So, to you, any attempt to alter one's appearance is wrong? Like wearing make-up, or even clothing? I believe that God gave these tattoo artists the ability to make others more beautiful. But, you're certainly entitled to your own beliefs as well.

Dusty

Let's try this again, shall we?

You said:
quote:

There are ways to have tattoos altered, or covered up with something more appropriate.


So I responded with:
quote:

That's if someone has the money and/or insight to have them altered. *shrug* I find any type of judgment on any appearance to be incredibly unChrist like. Sorry.


Nowhere in this post did I say that any attempts to alter one's appearance is wrong. I was speaking of altering tattoos to be less offensive. It's not my place to judge someone by how he has adorned his body. I don't know his walk with Christ, I don't know his life before he was saved, I don't know his convictions. Thus, it's not for me to judge, which in turn I find it to be unChrist like to judge someone that way.



Tinkerbell_ -> RE: Tatoos and piercings (5/22/2008 2:36:01 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: woodwind228

When did tinkerbell elude to altering one's appearance as being wrong? I didn't read that.

Thanks. I thought I had lost my mind for a moment. [;)]



WesP -> RE: Tatoos and piercings (5/22/2008 3:24:20 PM)

I would hope that no one would judge me for a tattoo or a piercing, but I am not rushing out for a labret, either! [;)]



DustyLady -> RE: Tatoos and piercings (5/22/2008 6:08:21 PM)

I apologize if I mis-read your post.

Dusty



SonInMe1 -> RE: Tatoos and piercings (5/24/2008 9:07:22 AM)

I don't think it matters.

Jesus looks at the heart...not the outside. Since when is the outside important? Its a matter of taste.

Some people like them..some don't. To me...its stupid but its not sin.



Doc65 -> RE: Tatoos and piercings (5/24/2008 12:07:33 PM)

quote:

but I am not rushing out for a labret, either!


OK, dumb question - what's a labret?



Doc65 -> RE: Tatoos and piercings (5/24/2008 12:10:01 PM)

Also, there was a thread on here about tattoos which might help clarify or answer some of this...I couldn't find it in the M&E section where it had been...



Rufas2000 -> RE: Tatoos and piercings (5/24/2008 12:30:26 PM)

quote:

I heard about a popular preacher that after he went into ministry has gotten many tatoos and piercings. What is the purpose of things like these? Do you think a true preacher would do something like that?


I honestly can't tell whether the poster is asking about tattoos and piercings in general or about the idea of "looking cool" to those they are ministering too. Pointing out that it happened after the pastor started the ministry seems to favor the latter ("looking cool") but referring to the tattoos and piercings as "things" appears to indicate the former (a dislike for tattoos and piercings in general). If the objection is "looking cool" then a better word would be tactics instead of things (which refer to the tattoos and piercings in this case).

Its also hard for me to think this is about a youth minister or a specific group ministry (ex. bikers) because otherwise popular preacher would have read popular youth minister or popular ministry leader. But the question is so vaguely worded anyway its hard to tell. I'm thinking its a blanket condemnation of tattoos and piercings in general and the "after he went into ministry" is the red herring.

Anyway I have no problem with tattoos or piercings but ministers shouldn't play "dress up" to appeal more to those they are ministering to. I wouldn't say it was sin but at a minimum I would take it to be a tactical mistake.



Rufas2000 -> RE: Tatoos and piercings (5/24/2008 12:42:26 PM)

quote:

I find any type of judgment on any appearance to be incredibly unChrist like. Sorry.


If he is a pastor or some other type of ministry leader (as the OP specifies) it is a legitimate concern. I'm not saying that in all cases anyone who has an "improper" tattoo cannot be a Godly minister but if I were going to that church (him being the pastor) or my child was going to that youth group (him being the youth leader) I might want to know what's up with it and that is not judging but attempting to ascertain the character of someone who is becoming a spiritual leader over me and/or my family.

For the record my definition of inappropriate is very relaxed (IOW: I don't find too many things inappropriate). Also, "I got this when I was younger (even if they were a Christian at that time) and I can't afford to have it removed right now" is an acceptable explanation to me. My point is there are times when Christians may and should consider someone's appearance. There aren't many but they are there.

Christians need to be accepting of everyone but not everything, especially in regard to those we accept as spiritual leaders.



Page: [1] 2 3   next >   >>



Forum Software © ASPPlayground.NET Advanced Edition 2.5 ANSI