tattoos and piercings. are they wrong

[VivaCristoRey]

i was born Catholic but strayed for many years and have recently found my way or am finding my way.. i have a question regarding piercings and tattoos.. in my heart i think they are wrong.. but does the Church teach anything about them? such as body modification.. normal piercings.. ears.. lip.. and tattoos.. also wanted to know if tattoos that are or have a religious tone to them.. how wrong is that? i guess i just need to know how to answer those questions

[rayne89]

You might want to check out these threads, some posed the same questions a while back.

http://forums.catholic.com/showthrea...ghlight=tatoos

http://forums.catholic.com/showthrea...ghlight=tatoos

http://forums.catholic.com/showthrea...ghlight=tatoos

http://forums.catholic.com/showthrea...ghlight=tatoos

http://forums.catholic.com/showthrea...light=piercing

[Annunciata]

Originally Posted by Corinthians

Just my 2 cents, but I think tattoos and piercings are definitely wrong. Your body is a temple---and in the same way you wouldn't paint graffiti on the walls of a temple, you shouldn't put graffiti on your body.

Sacred Scripture says so, Levitcus:19,28:
"Do not lacerate your bodies for the dead, and do not tattoo yourselves. I am the Lord."

[Celia]

The church has never said anything official about them being wrong, so you are not sinning by having tattoos and piercings, if that's what you're worried about.

I do think if it's excessive piercings and tattoos, that's going to far. Use good judgement.

[demolitionman65]

The CCC says something about forbidding the mutilation of the body. . .and multiple piercings would seem to fit within that notion. Can't speak for tatoos.

[cutecathchic]

Originally Posted by Corinthians

Just my 2 cents, but I think tattoos and piercings are definitely wrong. Your body is a temple---and in the same way you wouldn't paint graffiti on the walls of a temple, you shouldn't put graffiti on your body.

what about the sistine chapel? there are beautiful murals painted there and i would say that the tiny teddy bear i have tatooed on my thigh and the small red heart i have on my lower back are more like works of art than graffiti. its a matter of taste i think and not a sin.

[rpstpa]

The bible also tells you to stone to death disobedient children? What's your point?

[rayne89]

Originally Posted by rpstpa

The bible also tells you to stone to death disobedient children? What's your point?

What translation of the Bible do you use becuase I can't find that in my Bible. Can you give me the chapter and verse so I can look it up?

[Feanaro's Wife]

here is what Michelle Arnold in the AAA forum had to say on the subject (there is more on the AAA forum if you do a search there):



"In principle, the Church does not object to tattooing. I don't know the context to which you refer when you say you were told "excessive tattooing" could be a mortal sin (assuming that there was full knowledge and full and free consent, in addition to the grave matter of the action), but it was possible that the person referred to the principle that one cannot purposely endanger one's health through cosmetic enhancements. So long as there is not a danger to your health, and so long as you are not spending money on tattooing that should be spent on personal obligations, you are free to receive tattoos."


Malia

[Celia]

Thanks, Malia, for posting that. I think most people have a personal thing against tattoos and piercings, they think they're gross or whatever, and that might influence their responses a teeny bit......they're not that bad, guys, I promise