{"id":3074,"date":"2011-07-13T21:25:00","date_gmt":"2011-07-14T02:25:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.austincnm.com\/?p=3074"},"modified":"2011-07-15T09:30:21","modified_gmt":"2011-07-15T14:30:21","slug":"tattoos-the-church","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/atxcatholic.com\/index.php\/2011\/07\/tattoos-the-church\/","title":{"rendered":"Tattoos & the Church"},"content":{"rendered":"
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by Kerb \u6c6a<\/p><\/div>\n

All about tattoos…kind of. Over some time now I’ve come to gather a series of resources regarding the morality of\u00a0modern-day tattoos from the teachings of the Catholic Church. This is by no means extensive though.\u00a0Regardless, I’d like to share what I’ve found in hopes that it will provide the insight you need (or at least a beginner’s guide)\u00a0to make an informed decision.<\/p>\n

The Catholic Church has no explicit doctrine on the morality on tattoos. However, the act of and motivations for getting tattoos are broad enough to be seen through the perspective of broader church teachings.<\/p>\n

Mosaic Law:<\/strong><\/h4>\n

<\/strong>A primary case against tattoos revolves around Leviticus 19:28 which reads:<\/p>\n

You shall not make any cuttings in your flesh on account of the dead or tattoo any marks upon you: I am the Lord.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

However, many would like to assert the maxim of context, that is look at it from the Mosaic perspective of the time the book was written, as the preceding verse states<\/p>\n

You shall not round off the hair on your temples or mar the edges of your beard.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

It is argued here<\/a>, that these laws are “not part of the unchanging moral law, but part of the ritual law specific to the Old Testament.” They continue:<\/p>\n

Many commentators believe that this prohibition \u00a0was intended to separate Israel from its Canaanite neighbors; some believe that the cuttings in the flesh and tattoo marks to which the verse refers were part of idolatrous Canaanite worship.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The arguments regarding Mosaic law in the Christian context continue, but in a tangent that exceeds the scope of this post.<\/p>\n

The 4th and 5th Commandments:<\/h4>\n

Minors, or those who are\u00a0dependent\u00a0on their parents for any number of reasons, naturally must obey their parents on all counts, not just concerning \u00a0tattoos. If the act of getting a tattoo violates the 4th Commandment, then it is considered mortal sin. (As well as any tattoos that would contravene the 2nd Commandment by using the Lord’s name in vain or contradict any teachings of the Church.)<\/p>\n

Insofar as the 5th Commandment concerns, the Catechism of the Catholic Church<\/em><\/span>\u00a0Article 5 is very clear about how the commandment extends not just to murder but to self-mutilation and self-destructiveness (in addition to\u00a0suicide,\u00a0euthanasia, and abortion).<\/p>\n

If you want a tattoo for any of these reasons, don’t do it!<\/p>\n

Uncharitableness:<\/h4>\n

I believe that any tattoo or body art that demeans yourself or others, promotes evil or sinfulness, is unchaste, leads others to sinfulness (CCC <\/span>2284-2290),\u00a0or is created with that intention in mind is immoral. \u00a0Also beware of vanity.<\/p>\n

Other resources:<\/h4>\n

Readings about this topic are numerous, but the three that I find most helpful and would offer for your review are these:<\/p>\n