What does the Bible say about getting tattoos?

Truth.8

s there a relation between the ritual tattoos of ancient times and the "body art" of today? What biblical principles apply to deciding whether to get a tattoo or not?
Answer:
        Tattooing has been around for centuries and this practice has enjoyed a popular resurgence, especially among young people, in recent years. The reasons vary. Some get tattoos to show independence and rejection of parental values. Others get them because of peer pressure or because they believe they are stylish—a type of body adornment and beautification.
        As for God's instruction regarding tattoos, the Bible does not specifically address the modern practice of tattooing as body adornment. While Leviticus 19:28
says, "You shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor tattoo any marks on you: I am the Lord," most scholars believe these practices were related to mourning for the dead. Nelson's Illustrated Bible Dictionary's article on tattoos says, "Any kind of self-laceration or marking of the body was prohibited among the Hebrew people. Such cuttings were associated with pagan cults that tattooed their followers while they mourned the dead" (1986).
        Apparently, these people cut themselves and disfigured their bodies as a way of appeasing the anger of their gods and hoping to find some help for the deceased. God did not want His people getting involved in these pagan rituals because these practices led people away from Him. While death is always a sad time, God's people are not to "sorrow as others who have no hope" (1 Thessalonians 4:13
).
        While it is unlikely that people today get tattoos to mourn the dead, there are other biblical principles that indicate that getting a tattoo is inappropriate for Christians.
        Several scriptures instruct Christians to take special care of their bodies. For example, 1 Corinthians 3:17
says, "If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are." Also, 1 Corinthians 6:19-20


adds that our bodies belong to God, and that we are to glorify Him in body and spirit.

to read more, pls go to:  http://www.ucg.org/bible-faq/wha ... t-getting-tattoos-0