Why does Jehovah God forbid tattoos?

[James Thomas Rook Jr.]

WHY ? .... does Jehovah God forbid tattoos?

Today my wife and I were at a restaurant, and a woman had a tattoo on her shoulder, about the size of a U.S. Eisenhower "Silver" Dollar, of Mickey Mouse.

If this is wrong, then why are punctured ear lobes  for earrings OK?  It seems to me it it is not so much a question of "what" as it is a question of  .... WHY?

WHY ? .... does Jehovah God forbid tattoos?

[Melinda Mills]

Jehovah did not puncture our earlobes (mine is not) nor did he give us tattoos. Thought you would have been telling us.

[Evacuated]

3 hours ago, James Thomas Rook Jr. said:

WHY ? .... does Jehovah God forbid tattoos?

Don't think He does, does He?

[James Thomas Rook Jr.]

Ok, AllenSmith ... I give up.

You have worn me down to the nub with many words . yadda yadda yadda yadda.

The question remains ....

WHY ? .... does Jehovah God forbid tattoos?

 

4 hours ago, AllenSmith said:

Fair enough question. However, there is a short and long answer.

The short answer is: at what point does symbolism become idolatry?

The long answer is: why is the short answer so important for True Christians to understand such a crafted question about tattoos.

Going through what you wrote is like finding a specific four-leaf clover on a golf course.

Your short answer AND your long answer were not ANSWERS .. they were additional QUESTIONS !!

 

[Melinda Mills]

(Romans 14:19-23) “19 So, then, let us pursue the things making for peace and the things that build one another up. 20 Stop tearing down the work of God just for the sake of food. True, all things are clean, but it is detrimental for a man to eat when it will cause stumbling. 21 It is best not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything over which your brother stumbles. 22 The faith that you have, keep it to yourself before God. Happy is the man who does not judge himself by what he approves. 23 But if he has doubts, he is already condemned if he eats, because he does not eat based on faith. Indeed, everything that is not based on faith is sin.”

 

(1 Corinthians 6:12) 12 All things are lawful for me, but not all things are advantageous. All things are lawful for me, but I will not let myself be controlled by anything.

 

Why do we wish a tattoo?

It can cause stumbling.

Do we wish to conform to the world?

(Romans 12:1, 2) Therefore, I appeal to you by the compassions of God, brothers, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, a sacred service with your power of reason. 2 And stop being molded by this system of things, but be transformed by making your mind over, so that you may prove to yourselves the good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

Why has it become popular?

Why did only certain persons of questionable repute wear tattoos decades ago?

Is it something required? Or would it make people think twice about your judgement? Would you get the job wearing one?

How do we know we or a significant other would like it years down the road?

What does it say of the world of today? (Think about degradation and the slippery slope.)

====

What do we think of God’s creation? God’s art? Do we agree with God or the Psalmist?

(Genesis 1:31) After that God saw everything he had made, and look! it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, a sixth day.

(Psalm 139:14) I praise you because in an awe-inspiring way I am wonderfully made. Your works are wonderful, I know this very well.

Graffiti is usually cleaned off; true art stays and becomes more valuable.

Why can’t we be thankful Jehovah told us something he does not like?

Do we think Jehovah likes murder, adultery, incest, stealing, war, etc. because we are no longer under the Mosaic Law?

He said he cleansed foods that were not permitted for Israel under the Law but he has not cleansed any of these things.

Do we have to ask others or are we convinced?

(Romans 14:22 22 The faith that you have, keep it to yourself before God. Happy is the man who does not judge himself by what he approves.

Make your own decision based on your faith and what you know about the God YOU serve.

[James Thomas Rook Jr.]

More questions ... I did not count, but there must be a DOZEN or more ...

Lets' try AGAIN, ....

The SPECIFIC question is: (ahem...)

WHY ? .... does Jehovah God forbid tattoos?.

... getting a straight answer is like trying to find chicken teeth.

.

.

 

( Hint ... and this is only a suggestion ... start your sentence with the word "BECAUSE ...")

 

[Melinda Mills]

*** it-2 p. 1069 Tattoo *** A permanent mark or design on the skin made by cutting the skin to produce scars or by inserting coloring matter under the skin. The Israelites were forbidden to engage in this practice, one that was common among some other ancient peoples. (Le 19:28) For example, there were times when the Egyptians tattooed the names or symbols of their deities on their breast or arms. By complying with Jehovah’s law not to disfigure their bodies, the Israelites would have stood out as different from other nations. (De 14:1, 2) The prohibition would also have impressed upon them a proper respect for the human body as God’s creation, to be used in honoring him.—Ps 100:3; 139:13-16; Ro 12:1.

[James Thomas Rook Jr.]

I GIVE UP ....

[Anna]

Does Jehovah forbid tattoos?

[Evacuated]

2 hours ago, Anna said:

Does Jehovah forbid tattoos?

Maybe my earlier answer wasn't clearly stated.

No. He does not.

If anyone wants to explore the matter further and to get some guidance on how appropriate the modern (secular) fashion for tattoos would be for Christians then try:

https://www.jw.org/en/bible-teachings/questions/bible-say-about-tattoos/

 https://www.jw.org/en/bible-teachings/family/teenagers/ask/should-i-get-a-tattoo/

[James Thomas Rook Jr.]

Eoin :

You are very close to the correct answer .. the question is NOT "what" ..... but "WHY?"

No one has yet answered ... "WHY?"

The "why" of EVERYTHING is the most difficult to discern .....

Unless you understand "why".....

..... you will always get "what", wrong.

 

[Evacuated]

3 hours ago, AllenSmith said:

You presume to speak for GOD when he will judge those for the same presumption. A conscience matter that should be considered with a great deal of moral thought. Mate!

Now, now me old china! You're getting a bit hoighty-toighty yourself here.

For those unable to follow the links to jw.org, what these posts include (my bold) follows:

"The Bible mentions tattoos just once, at Leviticus 19:28, which says: “You must not put tattoo marking upon yourselves.” God gave this command to the nation of Israel, thus setting them apart from the neighboring peoples who marked their skin with the names or symbols of their gods. (Deuteronomy 14:2) While the Law given to Israel is not binding on Christians, the principle underpinning this law is worth serious consideration."

and:

"What questions should I ask?

• "What are the health risks?
• How would it affect your reputation?
• Will you always like it? 

What Bible principles apply?

• Colossians 3:20
• 1 Peter 3:3, 4
• 1 Timothy 2:9
• Romans 12:1

In view of these factors, many people have decided against getting a tattoo."

So, before you start firing off insulting accusations about who is presuming to speak for GOD, please notice that there is no prohibition on tattoos binding on a Christian. However, there are several thought provoking questions and some well chosen scripture texts to enable those who value their Christian freedom to make a well-considered, personal, and conscientious (moral) choice in this matter.

Cheers mate!