DeoDuce Posted January 20, 2013 Share Posted January 20, 2013 Does anyone know if there is an official Church teaching on tattoos? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PadrePioOfPietrelcino Posted January 20, 2013 Share Posted January 20, 2013 There is none which I am aware of. I have a tatoo on my arm and I'm applying to Seminary my VD said it would be no big deal. I figure he would have brought up anything official during that conversation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nihil Obstat Posted January 20, 2013 Share Posted January 20, 2013 (edited) I do not think there is anything in particular that specifically addresses tattoos. But all the issues surrounding it are covered by such areas as modesty, vanity, and respect for one's body. None of which, IMO, prohibit tattoos. Simply offer caution. Edited January 20, 2013 by Nihil Obstat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Basilisa Marie Posted January 20, 2013 Share Posted January 20, 2013 Yes, the "official" position is one of prudence. It's not official in the sense that it's written out somewhere by the pope, but it's official in the sense that it's what our leaders have agreed upon. When discerning if getting a tattoo is prudent, we have to ask ourselves: Why am I getting it? - Am I doing it for a sinful or even un-virtuous reason? Is this a spur of the moment thing, or am I okay with having this on my body forever? What am I getting? - Is it an image that would glorify God in some way? Does it glorify evil in some way? Where will it be? - Tattoos on "private parts" are a no-go, it's probably a bad idea to get one on your face, etc. Can it be easily covered if need be? Will it stretch with age? Tattoos can be fine, especially if they're meant to remember an important person or event, or remind you of some virtue. I have a friend with an awesome miraculous medal tattoo on her ankle...and she's now a nun. :) Personally I'd love to get a Chi-Rho (X + P) tattoo someday. Something like scarification or different-shaped implants (balls or spikes) are harder to defend against the "you can't mutilate your body" argument. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nihil Obstat Posted January 20, 2013 Share Posted January 20, 2013 Yes, the "official" position is one of prudence. It's not official in the sense that it's written out somewhere by the pope, but it's official in the sense that it's what our leaders have agreed upon. When discerning if getting a tattoo is prudent, we have to ask ourselves: Why am I getting it? - Am I doing it for a sinful or even un-virtuous reason? Is this a spur of the moment thing, or am I okay with having this on my body forever? What am I getting? - Is it an image that would glorify God in some way? Does it glorify evil in some way? Where will it be? - Tattoos on "private parts" are a no-go, it's probably a bad idea to get one on your face, etc. Can it be easily covered if need be? Will it stretch with age? Tattoos can be fine, especially if they're meant to remember an important person or event, or remind you of some virtue. I have a friend with an awesome miraculous medal tattoo on her ankle...and she's now a nun. :) Personally I'd love to get a Chi-Rho (X + P) tattoo someday. Something like scarification or different-shaped implants (balls or spikes) are harder to defend against the "you can't mutilate your body" argument. I want props for this post. Every once in a while I wonder if someday I would want to get a tattoo of the reverse side of the St. Benedict medal. I think that would be really nice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CatherineM Posted January 20, 2013 Share Posted January 20, 2013 The new military rules are against tattoos where they would show in a dress uniform, and nothing sexist, bigoted, etc. If you can't have something as a Marine, probably shouldn't get it as a Catholic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Basilisa Marie Posted January 21, 2013 Share Posted January 21, 2013 I want props for this post. Every once in a while I wonder if someday I would want to get a tattoo of the reverse side of the St. Benedict medal. I think that would be really nice. Thanks! :) I'd probably get that after a ChiRho. You what they say, once you start getting tattoos, it's hard to stop. :) The new military rules are against tattoos where they would show in a dress uniform, and nothing sexist, bigoted, etc. If you can't have something as a Marine, probably shouldn't get it as a Catholic. True - my brother's at boot camp in San Diego, and now you can't have anything bigger than the palm of your hand on anywhere that would be exposed while wearing a T shirt and shorts. People with other tattoos are grandfathered in, but can't go to officer's school, or something like that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
homeschoolmom Posted January 21, 2013 Share Posted January 21, 2013 You can't be buried in a Jewish cemetery... just saying.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nihil Obstat Posted January 21, 2013 Share Posted January 21, 2013 Thanks! :) I'd probably get that after a ChiRho. You what they say, once you start getting tattoos, it's hard to stop. :) Seems true for my brother. He got a tattoo as his 16th birthday present. Now he wants more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeorgiiMichael Posted January 21, 2013 Share Posted January 21, 2013 I've got the front and back of the Miraculous Medal on either arm. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StMichael Posted January 21, 2013 Share Posted January 21, 2013 As a former musician, playing in clubs and professionally recording before the age of 18, I wanted to emulate those who inspired me. I struggled with it as well as with that of an earring. One night I opened the family Bible looking for an answer. The answer was found in LEVITICUS 19:28 "Do not lacerate your bodies for the dead, and do not tattoo yourselves. I am the LORD." Kept the long hair, but never got the tattoo or earring... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Groo the Wanderer Posted January 21, 2013 Share Posted January 21, 2013 i have a tattoo of a klingon warbird across my back cloaked of course (yeah i know i just recycled that from a post a few years ago) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeorgiiMichael Posted January 21, 2013 Share Posted January 21, 2013 As a former musician, playing in clubs and professionally recording before the age of 18, I wanted to emulate those who inspired me. I struggled with it as well as with that of an earring. One night I opened the family Bible looking for an answer. The answer was found in LEVITICUS 19:28 "Do not lacerate your bodies for the dead, and do not tattoo yourselves. I am the LORD." Kept the long hair, but never got the tattoo or earring... Have you shaved your face recently? Do you still have the long hair or have you cut the hair on your temples? When was the last time you had a bacon cheeseburger? Did you cleanse yourself after the last time you had contact with a menstruating woman? Are you a fan of shrimp, lobster, or crab? Your shirt, is it made from a poly/cotton blend? The tattoo law is a cultural law that the Jews were given to differentiate themselves from their neighbors. We are not Jews, and are therefore not bound to these cultural laws. I won't expand any more here, because I've already written up this particular defense. You can read it here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Basilisa Marie Posted January 21, 2013 Share Posted January 21, 2013 Haha, I was going to link to that post, but I figured I should let you do it. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PadrePioOfPietrelcino Posted January 21, 2013 Share Posted January 21, 2013 Have you shaved your face recently? Do you still have the long hair or have you cut the hair on your temples? When was the last time you had a bacon cheeseburger? Did you cleanse yourself after the last time you had contact with a menstruating woman? Are you a fan of shrimp, lobster, or crab? Your shirt, is it made from a poly/cotton blend? The tattoo law is a cultural law that the Jews were given to differentiate themselves from their neighbors. We are not Jews, and are therefore not bound to these cultural laws. I won't expand any more here, because I've already written up this particular defense. You can read it here. ^ props Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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