What are the Nazarene thoughts on tatoos? Peircings?

[thekwizzitiveone]

Just wondering... There are huge varities of opinions on this among my friends, but I wondered if anyone knew what the Nazarene book says about this? (I'll take anyone's opinion. I just want to hear what you have to say... I've pretty much already made up my mind about these things...)

[vicarius]

The Church of the Nazarene does not have a position regarding tatoos and piercings. You will probably find a variety of opinions depending on the area you live and who you talk to.

When I got my ear pierced in the mid 80s it was kind of a big deal. Several friends at the Nazarene college I attended didn't like it, but I think it was more a matter of taste than that they thought there was something wrong with it. I did take it out when visiting my GFs (now my wife) parents who were pastors. Again not because they had an issue with it, but because some people in the church might have had issues.

That was about 20 years ago. Since then I've attended ordination services where the ordinands and/or their spouse were tatoo'd or pierced.

[desert_island_1]

I have my ears perced.. My mum doesnt really like it and I have a friend who is not allowed to get piercings at all (her mum doesnt even have her ears pierced) yet her sister's kids all are allowed piercings... It really depends on personal preference here (as was said above)...

Kristy

[ParaCristo]

I teach Sunday School in a large church in the Kansas City area and have piercings, Tattoos and long hair....

Christ looks at the heart, not your body ya know...

Besides His Piercings Saved Me!!!!

[BelovedWord]

I teach Sunday School in a large church in the Kansas City area and have piercings, Tattoos and long hair....

Christ looks at the heart, not your body ya know...

Besides His Piercings Saved Me!!!!
I am heavily tattooed from neck down. I was greeted into the Nazarene church with open arms. I do agree with others who say it is up to who you ask and where you are. My fiance is against piercings, but I have both ears pierced.

[silentpoet]

Actually we talked about tatoos in class a couple of weeks ago. We just talked about who had them because we were playing a game where you say "I have" or "I have never". Well anyway a few people had tatoos. There was not one word of condemnation.

I agree it is a matter of personal taste. I have enough holes in my body, so I don't plan on any piercings. But that is personal opinion, not doctrine.

[thekwizzitiveone]

OK...

So, what are your opinions on getting tattoos or peircings after you become a Christian? I think a lot of people have gotten theirs before they became a Christian...

So, in theory, say you're not a Christian now and you have a tatoo... You join a church and they welcome you with open arms, they know you have a tatoo and they don't care. They are just glad you're there.
Would you go out and get another tatoo to show people how you've changed, say, a Jesus fish or a cross?

[silentpoet]

I probably wouldn't, but that is a personal thing. I think it could be entirely appropriate for the right person. But I am not one for tatoos.

[desert_island_1]

I teach Sunday School in a large church in the Kansas City area and have piercings, Tattoos and long hair....

Christ looks at the heart, not your body ya know...

Besides His Piercings Saved Me!!!!
Yeah, alot of my youth sponsors have several piercings... One of my favourite youth sponsors (she is like my big sister) has her nose, 2 in her ear lobes and then a couple in other places in her ears (I don't know what the exact name of the piercing is)

Kristy

[ParaCristo]

OK...

So, what are your opinions on getting tattoos or peircings after you become a Christian? I think a lot of people have gotten theirs before they became a Christian...

So, in theory, say you're not a Christian now and you have a tatoo... You join a church and they welcome you with open arms, they know you have a tatoo and they don't care. They are just glad you're there.
Would you go out and get another tatoo to show people how you've changed, say, a Jesus fish or a cross?I got my tattoos after I became a Christian...All of my Tats give Glory to Christ
and I got my ears prior to becoming a Christian

I get more negative comments on the tats...but thats untill they look at them closely

[BelovedWord]

I got tattooed after becoming a christian and I plan on getting more. My new tats are family based and not negative in any way. My next one is a proclamation of my love for Christ. IMHO it does not matter what you look like on the outside, but what you look like on the inside and in your heart.

God Bless,
Brian

[herev]

I'm not Nazarene, I am United Methodist--but...I have been a Christian since age 12 (pause here while everyone looks at how old I am now). I have been a pastor for 7 years now. I got my first tattoo 6 months ago. It is a cross and flame exactly like my avatar. Whle I would go to jail and lose my job if I showed it in church (pauses while people ponder where it might be), I have not been secretive about it--results are mixed, but all on personal preference issues, not condemnation.

[HeatherJay]

I've been a Christian my whole life...well, I grew up in church and was saved at 12, anyway. I got my tattoo when I was 22. No one knows I have it unless I tell them or they see me in a bikini (lol, which no one in my Sunday School class ever will! :blush: ). I plan on getting another soon. About half my Sunday School class has tattoos...many of them recent additions.

People who don't personally like tattoos might joke and tease you about them, but there's no Christian condemnation happening...none at all.

[herev]

cool, I think it's funny in my family. My sister had 2 tattoos for some time. My dad always has given her grief about them. So, when we went to Key West (herev, sherev, my sister and her husband), we all wanted to get tattoos. My sister got her third, my brother-in-law got his first, and I got my first--(sherev chickened out)
anyway, I've been waiting for just the opportune moment to tell my dad--like some time when he gives her trouble on her tattoos--then I could say, "well, I've got one too!"
So far, 6 months, he's made no comment, lol.

[ContraMundum]

The Old Testament equates tatoos and piercings with the pagans. Israelites were not allowed to have them. Obviously this is because Israel was to be distinct and holy from the pagan world around them.

That's pretty much my position as well.

But, having said that, many of my friends have both and I welcome them completely in my life and my church. The conscience of a person is important.

[ParaCristo]

"Henceforth let no man trouble me: For I bear on my body the marks of Jesus."
Galatians 6:17

One of my Tat's

[Marcorilious]

I agree as one poster said it earlier, God looks on the inside of man not the outward appearance as men do. But lets think about that for a moment... God looks at our heart when he evaluates our behavior and outward appearance... He looks at our motives and the intent of our heart. He also holds us accountable for how our appearance and behavior effects others. We are ambassadors and witnesses of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. So then the question is not whether getting tattoos or piercings are right or wrong... The question becomes why do you get them in the first place and how does it effect others... What motivated you in the past to get them and what motivates you today to get them... That is what you will be held accountable for... I tell my children that they have to look at everything they choose and decide in this life in light of facing a Holy God one day when this life is over... I tell them whatever their choices are to be sure they can stand before him... because he will judge our heart... Be sure that he will hold us accountable for how we influence those around us as well... God Bless...

[Marcorilious]

Please do not relate the marks of your tattoos to the marks the Apostle Paul was referring to in Galatians... When they come and start beating you with stones and whips for preaching the gospel then you can associate the two... but please be more thoughtful in your post

[5stringJeff]

The Old Testament equates tatoos and piercings with the pagans. Israelites were not allowed to have them. Obviously this is because Israel was to be distinct and holy from the pagan world around them.

That's pretty much my position as well.

But, having said that, many of my friends have both and I welcome them completely in my life and my church. The conscience of a person is important.
Indeed, I'm surprised you are the first to talk about the Levitical prohibition on tattoos. My understanding is that the Canaanite tribes used tattoos in their pagan worship, and no one was tattooed except for that reason. In those circumstances, the prohbition makes a lot of sense. However, if someone gets a tattoo for non-pagan worship reasons, then I would think that the "spirit of the law" would not be broken. So I'm fine with people being tattooed. In fact, I'm thinking of getting one myself.

[ParaCristo]

Please do not relate the marks of your tattoos to the marks the Apostle Paul was referring to in Galatians... When they come and start beating you with stones and whips for preaching the gospel then you can associate the two... but please be more thoughtful in your post
hmmm...I was just stating what my Tattoo said...
I never said it was the same...just the fact that
My marks bear witness to the world

[desert_island_1]

I recently have been considering perhaps getting a tattoo when I turn 18 (I need a parental signature before then and I know my mum wouldn't sign for it) Jsut a little cross on my hip that would be for me and God only. Right now I haven't for sure decided but if I did get it, I would want it to be something that glorifies God.

Kristy