Opinions on Tattoos

[4LoveofJMJ]

I know that the Church doesn't have an official stance on tattoos so I want to know your opinion. I've taken a look at the other threads on this subject but since none of them are recent I've decided to start my own. I have friends who love them and hate them. What do you think? Does the stigma on tattoos still stand? Do any of you have tattoos? What are they?

[bardegaulois]

My personal opinion is that tattoos are self-vandalism. They make beautiful people less beautiful and most have them just because others do. If you're not a sailor or a stripper, you have no business sporting a tattoo.

[Guest]

[abon12]

I have a tattoo of a lions mane that I got before i came back to the church. now it's Azlan and Jesus lol.

[beatitude]

I like henna art (I was a bridesmaid at the wedding of a Pakistani friend and I loved the designs that we had on our hands and feet) but that's temporary and it lasts a couple of weeks at most. I wouldn't want a permanent tattoo. I don't think it's immoral, but I don't see the appeal of dying something into your skin that will be very painful and expensive to remove should you change your mind ten years down the line. I also don't think they look that nice. To each their own.

[Nihil Obstat]

I would say that a tattoo obtained frivolously is necessarily vain and/or imprudent. Probably not mortally sinful, perhaps venially sinful, but I would also speculate that culpability varies a great deal. Many tattoos invite scandal and irreverence, or worse. Such tattoos are mortally sinful. I think that a very small subset of tattoos for religious devotional purposes can be good, but it very much depends on the intentions of the person receiving it and on the particulars involved. For several years I have been considering back and forth the idea of a St. Benedict medal tattooed in a discreet location. I have not reached a conclusion yet. It is certainly not something to be done without a lot of thought.

[HisChildForever]

I think it can be done artistically and tastefully.

[DominicanHeart]

I don't see the point of it. I mean I've heard that there's something in it that makes you addicted to them and I've actually noticed it from people who get them. As soon as they have one, they start planning for more. And they aren't cheap. I mean, what do you  do when you're 70 or 80 years old in the nursing home with a bunch of tattoos?

[CatherineM]

Hate them. I've been around too many aged veterans and see what they look like after 4 or 5 decades and it isn't pretty. I spend up to ten hours a week at the swimming pool, and there are more ugly ones than artistic ones. 

[little2add]

anything that can not be removed from your skin with soap and water can't be good, in my opinion

[Guest]

I was playing poker with a guy 4 or 5 years back who had the last supper tattooed on his arm. One of the best tattoo's I ever seen. Whoever did it done it perfectly. Wish I would have snapped a picture.

[dominicansoul]

i'd love a tattoo of Bl. Fra Angelico's "The Mocking of Christ" (but only the St. Dominic part of that painting.)  I've wanted that for years and seeing this year is the 800th anniversary of the OP's i'd love to get it this year.  Only problem is there are no tattoo artists in my area who would give that painting justice.  so i might just see about getting it in a realistic temporary version and see if i really like having one.   I'd do it in St Dom's honor, so i hope that's not sinful.  

[NadaTeTurbe]

I have one. It's not visible for other people than me, and I've got it because it has special meanings for me and my family history. 

I really thought about getting one of the Lourde grotto, with Bernadette and Our Lady. I feel like I'll never lose my faith if I have Our Lady on me  More seriously, I've got two things "against" it : it's very expensive, and very

So, of course, I'm not against tattoos. I'm more perplexed by tattoos done for beauty (even if some of them are really pretty !), or who are on visible body parts such as the arms. 

[DominicanHeart]

I also want to mention I don't know how many weddings my grandmother has played for where the bridesmaids and even the bride come in strapless dresses with tattoos all over their backs in Church. And their like skulls and stuff. It would be one thing if it was something Religious but most people don't do that. 

[Nihil Obstat]

5 minutes ago, DominicanHeart said:

I also want to mention I don't know how many weddings my grandmother has played for where the bridesmaids and even the bride come in strapless dresses with tattoos all over their backs in Church. And their like skulls and stuff. It would be one thing if it was something Religious but most people don't do that. 

My priest actually will not marry a couple if the bride's dress exposes her shoulders.