Tattoos and Piercings

[GlenC]

Hello,

I have a question about Tattoos and Piercings. Over the last 2 1/2 years God has blessed me with the oportunity to "promote" Christian concerts at my Church. We saw many lives changed at some of these events. About 4 months ago I felt the calling to move back to my home state and continue this ministry here. I found a wonderful church that is supportive of this ministry. However, they only want to do 2-3 events per year. So I put the word out to other churches and friends that if they would like to have something at their church to let me know and I would help them. I got a call from a long time close friend asking me to help him put something together. Knowing his churches musical tastes I chose what I thought was a very good fit. As a matter of fact they LOVED the music and lyrics from the group. However, just as soon as they saw one of the band members had and earring and a tattoo on his arm they decided that was not the band they wanted. IMO this is very sad and honestly very legalistic. I asked them if they ever listen to Jeremy Camp and they said of course we do. I let them know he also has an earring and tattoo. They were very shocked to find this out... I told my friend he may have to stick with good old fashioned southern gospel to avoid the piercings and tattoos.

Am I wrong in thinking this is legalism?

[Reynolds357]

Hello,

I have a question about Tattoos and Piercings. Over the last 2 1/2 years God has blessed me with the oportunity to "promote" Christian concerts at my Church. We saw many lives changed at some of these events. About 4 months ago I felt the calling to move back to my home state and continue this ministry here. I found a wonderful church that is supportive of this ministry. However, they only want to do 2-3 events per year. So I put the word out to other churches and friends that if they would like to have something at their church to let me know and I would help them. I got a call from a long time close friend asking me to help him put something together. Knowing his churches musical tastes I chose what I thought was a very good fit. As a matter of fact they LOVED the music and lyrics from the group. However, just as soon as they saw one of the band members had and earring and a tattoo on his arm they decided that was not the band they wanted. IMO this is very sad and honestly very legalistic. I asked them if they ever listen to Jeremy Camp and they said of course we do. I let them know he also has an earring and tattoo. They were very shocked to find this out... I told my friend he may have to stick with good old fashioned southern gospel to avoid the piercings and tattoos.

Am I wrong in thinking this is legalism?

People change slowly. Don't try to change them too fast.

[Slug1]

Hello,

I have a question about Tattoos and Piercings. Over the last 2 1/2 years God has blessed me with the oportunity to "promote" Christian concerts at my Church. We saw many lives changed at some of these events. About 4 months ago I felt the calling to move back to my home state and continue this ministry here. I found a wonderful church that is supportive of this ministry. However, they only want to do 2-3 events per year. So I put the word out to other churches and friends that if they would like to have something at their church to let me know and I would help them. I got a call from a long time close friend asking me to help him put something together. Knowing his churches musical tastes I chose what I thought was a very good fit. As a matter of fact they LOVED the music and lyrics from the group. However, just as soon as they saw one of the band members had and earring and a tattoo on his arm they decided that was not the band they wanted. IMO this is very sad and honestly very legalistic. I asked them if they ever listen to Jeremy Camp and they said of course we do. I let them know he also has an earring and tattoo. They were very shocked to find this out... I told my friend he may have to stick with good old fashioned southern gospel to avoid the piercings and tattoos.

Am I wrong in thinking this is legalism?

If they are led into the presence of God through the worship music of Jeremy Camp and then CAN'T anymore now that they have discovered he's got a pierced ear and tattooed... they are BOUND by the spirit of legalism and probably by the spirit of religion as well. Those spirits run in a pack.

[Nobunaga]

Not everything deserves the Legalist label. Perhaps they wanted to create or maintain a certain image that was influenced by a specific audience ? .....is it their prerogative to choose who they employ ?

tough break but not legalism imo.

[Slug1]

Not everything deserves the Legalist label. Perhaps they wanted to create or maintain a certain image that was influenced by a specific audience ? .....is it their prerogative to choose who they employ ?

tough break but not legalism imo.

You didn't read all his post then.

They worshiped to the music of Jeremy Camp but once they found out he was tattooed and pierced, they were SHOCKED... WHY? Is the worship about where God takes them through the music that He leads Jeremy to sing... or does a person who God uses HAVE to be without tattoos and piercings for them NOT to be shocked and freely accept worship from those who are tattooed and pierced when God uses people who are?

The fruit of legalism was OBVIOUS once their reaction to this knowledge about Jeremy was made known. Anyone not bound in legalism and discovering that Jeremy is tattooed and pierced would NOT be shocked at all... why, because tattoos and piercings HAVE NO meaning in who, how, what... worship is all about.

The Body of Christ need to keep their spiritual eyes open and look at the fruit for what it is.

[Reynolds357]

You didn't read all his post then.

They worshiped to the music of Jeremy Camp but once they found out he was tattooed and pierced, they were SHOCKED... WHY? Is the worship about where God takes them through the music that He leads Jeremy to sing... or does a person who God uses HAVE to be without tattoos and piercings for them NOT to be shocked and freely accept worship from those who are tattooed and pierced when God uses people who are?

The fruit of legalism was OBVIOUS once their reaction to this knowledge about Jeremy was made known. Anyone not bound in legalism and discovering that Jeremy is tattooed and pierced would NOT be shocked at all... why, because tattoos and piercings HAVE NO meaning in who, how, what... worship is all about.

The Body of Christ need to keep their spiritual eyes open and look at the fruit for what it is.

I used to worship to the music of Ray Boltz until I found out he was homosexual.

[Reynolds357]

Not everything deserves the Legalist label. Perhaps they wanted to create or maintain a certain image that was influenced by a specific audience ? .....is it their prerogative to choose who they employ ?

tough break but not legalism imo.

I pretty much agree. I had my share of piercings. I am good friends with a tattoo artist and we have a full back piece drawn up that thankfully, I never got. I have currently let my piercings grow up. Why? Because I do not want my son to get them. When I got them, I was living in The World and acting pretty stupid. I was working undercover narcotics, so I had a good excuse to get them, but should not have. Do I really think they are sin? No. What I do think they are is worthless. I, as a parent, really do not care to have pin cushion painted wonders playing music in the church service for my kids. Why? Putting them on stage in church endorses them. It endorses their tattoos. It endorses their piercings. I am going to do my best as a parent to keep my kids from having either.

In one of the churches many of my friends attend, the music minister got a new tattoo. He then showed it to everyone on the big screen and told them it was his 17th tattoo. Guess what happened? Within 6 months, about every 18 year old to 20 year old in the church had a tattoo.

[Nobunaga]

I read all the post and still maintain they have the right to employ who they wish. The people could have based their opinion on Leviticus 19:28 and see it as good advice, this does not mean they are legalistic. As i said they may have had a certain type of audience in mind and tattoos had no place in it for them, this i think is their prerogative as organizers.

Jeremy Camp thing is hypocritical yes and they could very well be legalistic but there is another option available. I'm not saying they did the right thing.

[Reynolds357]

I read all the post and still maintain they have the right to employ who they wish. The people could have based their opinion on Leviticus 19:28 and see it as good advice, this does not mean they are legalistic. As i said they may have had a certain type of audience in mind and tattoos had no place in it for them, this i think is their prerogative as organizers.

Jeremy Camp thing is hypocritical yes and they could very well be legalistic but there is another option available. I'm not saying they did the right thing.

Unfortunately, in today's post modern era, any group who attempts to have a set of rules seems to catch the label "legalist."
There are many things that are clearly sin. There are many things that are clearly not sin. There are many things that are borderline and between the believer and God. That does not mean that we as a Church can not form rules of behavior without that making us a legalist. Paul was plain that we should not use our liberty to make others stumble. Sexual intercourse between a husband and wife is not sin. I would get upset if I walked into a church service and saw them having sex on the pew. We, as churches, can have morals and rules without it making us legalists.

[Nobunaga]

I pretty much agree. I had my share of piercings. I am good friends with a tattoo artist and we have a full back piece drawn up that thankfully, I never got. I have currently let my piercings grow up. Why? Because I do not want my son to get them. When I got them, I was living in The World and acting pretty stupid. I was working undercover narcotics, so I had a good excuse to get them, but should not have. Do I really think they are sin? No. What I do think they are is worthless. I, as a parent, really do not care to have pin cushion painted wonders playing music in the church service for my kids. Why? Putting them on stage in church endorses them. It endorses their tattoos. It endorses their piercings. I am going to do my best as a parent to keep my kids from having either.

In one of the churches many of my friends attend, the music minister got a new tattoo. He then showed it to everyone on the big screen and told them it was his 17th tattoo. Guess what happened? Within 6 months, about every 18 year old to 20 year old in the church had a tattoo.

I'm tattooed myself to my regret. I'm aware of the stigma that some quarters still have towards them and i can understand it so i cover them up and try to hide them when in that type of company (the older generation). Your example makes my point better than my post

[Slug1]

I used to worship to the music of Ray Boltz until I found out he was homosexual.

OK... comparing not sin (a person with a tattoo and a piercing) with sin.

The balance is clearly... you made a decision based on knowledge and chose right.

The Bible tells us that the enemy will deceive even the elect and many were deceived in his use of that man as an instrument. The Bible tells us that many of those deceived will continue in the deceit and we see that in those who choose to continue in worshiping through a vessel that is in a sinful lifestyle.

Imagine the authority satan pours out from any altar that man sings on... it goes right out into those who are "worshiping" and we wonder HOW the church can accept sin in the Body of Christ... it's because they ALLOW satan the authority to deceive them by allowing SIN on the altar of the church and the ability to minister FROM the altar of the church by a person IN SIN.

Having a tattoo and a piercing is not living in a sinful lifestyle.

[waslostnowfound]

Some of the strongest messages I have ever heard came from the mouths of men in prison covered from head to toe with tatoos. If someone doesn't believe that God can change a person covered in tatoos then they are sadly mistaken and blinded to the power of God.

What could be a better example of true change than a former gang banger ex-con telling you about the glorious power of Jesus Christ and seeing the changed heart that He gave them.

[Reynolds357]

Some of the strongest messages I have ever heard came from the mouths of men in prison covered from head to toe with tatoos. If someone doesn't believe that God can change a person covered in tatoos then they are sadly mistaken and blinded to the power of God.

What could be a better example of true change than a former gang banger ex-con telling you about the glorious power of Jesus Christ and seeing the changed heart that He gave them.

There is a huge difference between the person you mention and in a person who is a Christian and is just into needles and ink. Most of the profound testimonies we hear involve people being delivered from sin. Does that mean that we should go and sin so that we can testify to deliverance?

[Reynolds357]

OK

Having a tattoo and a piercing is not living in a sinful lifestyle.

Lets look at this more closely. Does you liberty of having tattoos and piercings cause another who is less mature to stumble?

If you are witnessing to a biker, show your ink off.
If you are dealing with five year olds in Church, cover it up.

[waslostnowfound]

There is a huge difference between the person you mention and in a person who is a Christian and is just into needles and ink. Most of the profound testimonies we hear involve people being delivered from sin. Does that mean that we should go and sin so that we can testify to deliverance?

Not at all reynolds.... but to not give someone a chance because of some tattoos is ridiculous to me. Every single one of us has things in our past that we are not proud of but we deal with them and praise our Father for his gift of salvation despite our blemishes. Our testimony is possibly our greatest tool and when God uses it to show his love for those of us who have a very tarnished past, well.... it is powerful.