Annie12 Posted July 24, 2012 Share Posted July 24, 2012 (edited) So, I was thinking about piercings and was thinking that the only reason people get their ears pierced is because everyone does it. So, if everyone got their nose pierced, then lots of people would follow suit. Personally I have to admit that I have no piercings but its because I just don't have any legit reason to get them. There are wonderful clip on earnings that don't even look like clip-on's when they are worn. Also, why isn't it morally wrong to put holes in your body? I mean that's what it boils down to. I'm not saying I'm against ear piercings at all, but I was just trying to understand the logic. I'm probably already over analyzing it but why is it looked down upon to get a piercing other than your ears ( in catholic culture). I hope I phrased everything right... I hope I haven't lost you already! Edited July 24, 2012 by Annie12 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lil Red Posted July 24, 2012 Share Posted July 24, 2012 so...are you asking if it is morally right/wrong to get piercings? because i'm lost. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lil Red Posted July 24, 2012 Share Posted July 24, 2012 also: piercings. not peircings. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Annie12 Posted July 24, 2012 Author Share Posted July 24, 2012 sorry..... I know it's not morally wrong but I was wondering [i]why[/i] its not. And I guess, is it morally wrong to pierce other parts of your face etc.? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Annie12 Posted July 24, 2012 Author Share Posted July 24, 2012 yeah... This is probably a lame topic. Ha ha! sorry.. I'll go now... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brianthephysicist Posted July 25, 2012 Share Posted July 25, 2012 (edited) A while back I had a good convo with a wise man about the morality of tattoos and what he said might give you a good sense of this: [quote] [color=#282828][font=Segoe UI', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]The Church does not have a hard, concrete stance on tattooing. We just need to practice prudence when considering body modification. Tattoos and acts of body piercing are not intrinsically evil. The Church offers principles by which Catholics can discern whether it is sinful to be tattooed or have one’s body pierced in particular situations. Questions to reflect on when considering getting a tattoo, piercing and who knows what else,[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=Segoe UI', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]· Does this particular act of tattooing or body piercing involve a risk to my health?[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=Segoe UI', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]· Would this act mutilate me, i.e. would it inhibit the proper functioning of my skin or another organ of my body?[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=Segoe UI', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]· Is the explicit message of my tattoo compatible with love of God and neighbor?[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=Segoe UI', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]· Is the implicit message of my tattoo compatible with love of God and neighbor? [/font][/color][color=#282828][font=Segoe UI', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]Does it convey an implicitly unchaste message?[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=Segoe UI', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]· Why do I want to get a tattoo or have my body pierced?[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=Segoe UI', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]· If I am under the authority of my parents, would this act be an act of disobedience that would violate the Fourth Commandment?[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=Segoe UI', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]· Would this particular act needlessly offend my family, friends, neighbors, and colleagues, and thus hinder my ability to lead others to Christ and His Church?[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=Segoe UI', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]· Can the expense involved be justified in light of the needs of my family, the Church, and the poor?[/font][/color] [/quote] Note that this may not be a complete set of questions to ask, but will certainly be a good starting point. Edited July 25, 2012 by brianthephysicist Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheresaThoma Posted July 25, 2012 Share Posted July 25, 2012 That is a great starting point Brian. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Groo the Wanderer Posted July 25, 2012 Share Posted July 25, 2012 check out Leviticus 19:27. Ritual tattooing and piercing were practiced by the pagans who were being displaced by the Israelites. As such they were forbidden to adopt the practice, among others. i personally see no reason to mark up one's body needlessly, nor make holes in it where there should be none. Read the scriptures, pray about it, be open to God's will, then make the decision your conscience (properly formed) guides you to. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Annie12 Posted July 25, 2012 Author Share Posted July 25, 2012 Just so y'all know I'm not planning on getting any piercing. I'm just curious! These are some solid answers though! Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Basilisa Marie Posted July 25, 2012 Share Posted July 25, 2012 There's also a lot of other things in Leviticus that we don't follow today, so that might not be a great place to check out. at least without context. I know a lot of people who cite Leviticus while forgetting about Ezekiel 16:11-12: "I adorned you with jewelry: I put bracelets on your arms, a necklace about your neck, a ring in your nose, pendants on your ears, and a glorious diadem upon your head." And then verse 14: "You were renowned among the nations for your beauty, perfect as it was, because of my splendor which I had bestowed on you, says the LORD God."[size=4] [/size] So it seems to me that piercings (or tattoos) themselves aren't the issue, as long as they glorify the body and don't evoke sin. Getting my earlobes pierced so I can wear pretty earrings is quite different from getting my ears pierced so I can wear satanic pentagram earrings. Similarly, I think even a stud in your nose can look tasteful on some people. It just depends on why you're doing it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fides' Jack Posted July 25, 2012 Share Posted July 25, 2012 The "why" question is certainly important, but doesn't cover everything. Brian the Physicist had a good list of questions to ask before proceeding. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slappo Posted July 25, 2012 Share Posted July 25, 2012 [quote name='Basilisa Marie' timestamp='1343242142' post='2458793'] Getting my earlobes pierced so I can wear pretty earrings is quite different from getting my [b]ears pierced so I can wear satanic pentagram earrings[/b]. [/quote] DARN! My plans to get my ears peirced have been thwarted... I really liked Brian's list, especially the last one about whether or not the cost can be justified in relation to the needs of your family. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HisChildForever Posted July 25, 2012 Share Posted July 25, 2012 I have piercings up and down my ears. Rebellious phase I've since grown out of. You have to be careful because piercings and tattoos, depending on where they are and (in the case of tattoos) what they look like convey a certain message. It's not professional to wear a lip ring in an office setting and it's not Christian to have a curse word or sexy woman tattooed on your arm. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
franciscanheart Posted July 25, 2012 Share Posted July 25, 2012 I have a nose ring, have pierced the tops of both ears (neither of them are open any longer, but I've considered re-piercing one), and have five tattoos -- in addition to "traditional" piercings in my ear lobes. My priest once gave a homily to a group of young people (my sister among them) about the evils of tattoos and piercings. It doesn't bother me that he feels that way, nor does it especially upset me that people here do too. My spiritual director is aware of my decisions and -- save for two of the tattoos -- I have, I feel, approached each decision with a rational mind. I think it is important to keep in mind the image you present to people - warranted or not - when making these decisions. Part of the reason I haven't done anything else is precisely that: I don't want people to get an image in their mind before they hear what I'm saying and discover who I am. The ladies in my Bible study have vocalized their concern for me -- that people would stop benefiting from the love and joy I have for Christ and our faith because of my ink or piercings or choice of hairstyle. For those reasons I am holding off on anything further (and will likely get more easily hidden tattoos in the future). I do not regret any of my ink, however, nor do I regret my piercings. Each of them has taught me something and each of them holds meaning in my life today. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
franciscanheart Posted July 25, 2012 Share Posted July 25, 2012 Another thing: I actually know a lot of people who -- because of my ink and piercings -- are able to listen to and relate to me in ways they can't with others in the Church. I am keenly aware that I appear to be very worldly, and am probably categorized differently because of my appearance. My ink and piercings have become so much a part of me that I forget to think of them when meeting new people. It usually takes me some time to recognize why they may have been hesitant at first, or stared a little longer than was comfortable. I am very okay in my skin (re: ink and piercings) and I think that translates for people -- especially people who aren't Catholic. I can have ink and piercings and love God and be a geek. None of those things are mutually exclusive. I am also keenly aware that my job in the world can be made a little more difficult by my art and holes. Some groups of people allow me into their lives very quickly because I don't seem stuffy and they like my laugh. It is my job, then, to be the best face of Catholicism I can be. I have been given something special, and I try to always remember that -- carrying myself in a way that would turn others onto Christ, and not away from Him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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