Is It a Sin to Get a Tattoo? (2024)

It depends on who you ask. There are some Christians who believe it is a sin. The verse in the Bible that most Christians make reference to is Leviticus 19:28, which says,"You shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor tattoo any marks on you: I am the Lord." So, why is this verse in the Bible? God's desire is for His people to be set apart from other religious practices, like pagan worship and sorcery. If you look at this verse in context, you can see that it is specifically dealing with pagan religious rituals.

Does this verse have any relevance for us today? Absolutely! Anyone getting a tattoo really needs to ask themselves, why am I getting this and what is the meaning of this tattoo? Is the tattoo an expression of witchcraft, idolatry or pagan symbolism? If so, as Christians, we need to reconsider...

Is It a Sin to Get a Tattoo? (1)

When I consider the context of Leviticus 19, I lean toward the belief that it is not forbidding all expressions of tattoos. Culturally and specifically here in the US, tattoos, over the last 20 years, have become more socially acceptable. A recent study by Pew Research, claims roughly 40 percent of Millennials have tattoos. It's no longer just the outcasts of society or sailors with tattoos; suburban moms, doctors, attorneys, entertainers, even pastors can be found with tattoos.

At my church, seeing people with tattoos is normal. Not everyone has them and there is no judgment of each other, tattoo or not. I believe that God is much more concerned with our hearts, than He is with the outside appearance of a person. After all, the Bible says in Revelation19:16 that Jesus has a tattoo on His thigh, "And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS."

The question for some still remains: Is it wrong for me to get a tattoo? I think it comes down to personal conviction and we should never try to push our personal convictions on others. Ultimately, the decision is between you and God.

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Is It a Sin to Get a Tattoo? (2024)

FAQs

Is It a Sin to Get a Tattoo? ›

It depends on who you ask. There are some Christians who believe it is a sin. The verse in the Bible that most Christians make reference to is Leviticus 19:28, which says,"You shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor tattoo any marks on you: I am the Lord." So, why is this verse in the Bible?

Is it against the Bible to get a tattoo? ›

But in the ancient Middle East, the writers of the Hebrew Bible forbade tattooing. Per Leviticus 19:28, “You shall not make gashes in your flesh for the dead, or incise any marks on yourselves.” Historically, scholars have often understood this as a warning against pagan practices of mourning.

Is it a big sin to get a tattoo? ›

Also, having a tattoo isn't a sin. Even if tattoos were sinful it would be getting the tattoo that was sinful, not merely having one from the past. However, tattoos are only sinful if they are against God and in violation of His will. And not all tattoos expressly do.

Is it a mortal sin to get a tattoo? ›

We can't cherry pick laws from the Old Testament to use as ammunition for our personal preferences. Either we follow them all, or we don't—and St. Paul makes it perfectly clear that the ceremonial law is no longer binding. I'll cut to the chase: There is nothing immoral about tattoos.

Are tattoos blasphemy? ›

Although these expressions of appreciation may be done with good intentions, for most religions, tattoos are considered forms of blasphemy rather than respect. The Christian Bible reads in Leviticus 19:28: “Do not cut your bodies for the dead, and do not mark your skin with tattoos. I am the Lord.”

Is piercing a sin? ›

The Bible does not explicitly forbid body piercing, but it does caution against excessive adornment and emphasizes inner beauty over outward appearance. 1 Peter 3:3-4 encourages women to focus on inner beauty rather than outward adornment.

Is it a sin to cuss? ›

Christians often consider the use of profanity or vulgar language to be incompatible with their beliefs for several reasons: Respect for Others: Christians believe in treating others with love, dignity, and respect.

Is smoking sinful? ›

The Roman Catholic Church does not condemn smoking per se, but considers excessive smoking to be sinful, as described in the Catechism (CCC 2290): The virtue of temperance disposes us to avoid every kind of excess: the abuse of food, alcohol, tobacco, or medicine.

Is a tattoo bad for health? ›

A skin infection is possible after getting a tattoo. An infection might be due to contaminated ink or equipment that isn't sterilized correctly. Getting a tattoo at a studio that doesn't follow good safety steps also can raise your risk of a skin infection. Other skin problems.

Is it a sin to be cremated? ›

Is cremation a sin? Burying the dead was the usual practice in Biblical times, and until recently, the preferred method for most people when they passed. Even though many Bible passages see cremation as necessary in only dire times, nowhere in the Bible is cremation directly condemned.

Can you not pray with a tattoo? ›

If a tattoo is located in a place that can be covered, it is recommended to keep it concealed during prayer as a sign of respect and modesty. This practice aligns with the broader Islamic principle of covering the body appropriately in acts of worship.

Can we go to heaven with tattoos as Catholics? ›

Within the Catholic Church, there is no clear consensus on tattoos. Some priests and theologians consider it a fashionable element that is not a sin at all, others think it is correct if it does not represent figures related to the devil and others are opposed to tattoos.

Can Catholics use condoms? ›

Conservative Catholic opinion on condoms is not intended to be cruel. As traditional Catholics see it, using condoms is wrong, even as a prophylactic against disease, because they prevent conception. Life, from the moment of conception to death is, Catholics believe, sacred. Only God can terminate life.

Are Christians OK with tattoos? ›

It depends on who you ask. There are some Christians who believe it is a sin. The verse in the Bible that most Christians make reference to is Leviticus 19:28, which says,"You shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor tattoo any marks on you: I am the Lord." So, why is this verse in the Bible?

Does God say not to get tattoos? ›

The Prohibition in Leviticus

The pertinent passage is Leviticus 19:28, “You shall not make any cuts on your body for the dead or tattoo yourselves: I am the Lord.” Let's look at this passage in context, both its immediate and broader context.

Is God against tattoos Catholic? ›

So Catholics are not forbidden from getting a tattoo. Coming back to the conversation with my Muslim colleague; though the Church doesn't forbid tattoos, we Christians do have a similar sense of our bodies returning to God—éxitus et réditus.

What is a good Bible verse for a tattoo? ›

The most popular verses used in tattoo designs include John 3:16 ("For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son"), Philippians 4:13 ("I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me"), Proverbs 3:5-6 ("Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding"), and Isaiah 41:10 ("Fear ...

What does the Bible say about makeup? ›

As daughters of God, we are free to wear makeup so long as we do so with pure motives. Always remember God cares so much about the beauty of your soul. He wants us to dress ourselves in His love and character so that we reflect Him.

Did Apostle Paul have a tattoo? ›

Paul's body was marked (tattooed) against his will, He wrote in Galatians: “I bear in my body the marks of Jesus.” How did he get them?

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