Religion Conflicts About Tattoos
Ethical and Critical Thinking
October 31, 2011
Critical Paper – Religion conflicts about Tattoos
Does religion have any conflict with tattoos? (Cararra, 2009)
There are no major issues between tattoos and Christianity. The majority of Christians do not have anything against tattoos but a small number of Christians support the Jewish views against tattoos based on Leviticus 19:28 (which basically prohibits us from doing any markings on our body). Most Christians today even sport a tattoo or two, and it does not make them any less of a Christian. Their faith has nothing to do with the body art that they carry. Tattoo designs of Christian symbols are even common.
Tattoos are mostly forbidden in Sunni Islam because according to their book of Sunni traditions, the Prophet Mohammed forbade the mutilation of bodies. Sunni Muslims believe that putting on tattoos is a forbidden act because it involves changing what Allah had already created. They also believe that the prophet cursed the ones who are doing the tattoos and the people that are getting tattoos done on their bodies. However, there is a difference of scholarly Sunni Muslim opinion as to why tattoos are not allowed. However, the use of tattoos made with Henna is very common in the Muslims of North Africa. Shi 'a Islam allows tattoos and do not see it as against the Sunnah.
Tattoos are also forbidden in Judaism based on the Torah. They also base their objection on what the Bible says about body markings, found on the book of Leviticus 19:28 which states, 'You shall not make gashes in your flesh for the dead, or incise any marks on yourselves: I am the Lord. ' This prohibition applies to all body markings or body alterations that do not serve a medical purpose. Scholars of Jewish Law explain that this prohibition against tattoos is an answer against paganism. Since pagan worshipers commonly practiced tattooing themselves with the image and/or names of their gods, Judaism forbade tattoos in order to separate
October 31, 2011
Critical Paper – Religion conflicts about Tattoos
Does religion have any conflict with tattoos? (Cararra, 2009)
There are no major issues between tattoos and Christianity. The majority of Christians do not have anything against tattoos but a small number of Christians support the Jewish views against tattoos based on Leviticus 19:28 (which basically prohibits us from doing any markings on our body). Most Christians today even sport a tattoo or two, and it does not make them any less of a Christian. Their faith has nothing to do with the body art that they carry. Tattoo designs of Christian symbols are even common.
Tattoos are mostly forbidden in Sunni Islam because according to their book of Sunni traditions, the Prophet Mohammed forbade the mutilation of bodies. Sunni Muslims believe that putting on tattoos is a forbidden act because it involves changing what Allah had already created. They also believe that the prophet cursed the ones who are doing the tattoos and the people that are getting tattoos done on their bodies. However, there is a difference of scholarly Sunni Muslim opinion as to why tattoos are not allowed. However, the use of tattoos made with Henna is very common in the Muslims of North Africa. Shi 'a Islam allows tattoos and do not see it as against the Sunnah.
Tattoos are also forbidden in Judaism based on the Torah. They also base their objection on what the Bible says about body markings, found on the book of Leviticus 19:28 which states, 'You shall not make gashes in your flesh for the dead, or incise any marks on yourselves: I am the Lord. ' This prohibition applies to all body markings or body alterations that do not serve a medical purpose. Scholars of Jewish Law explain that this prohibition against tattoos is an answer against paganism. Since pagan worshipers commonly practiced tattooing themselves with the image and/or names of their gods, Judaism forbade tattoos in order to separate
Cited: Cararra, M. J. (2009, August 28). Tattoos - As Viewed by Religion. Retrieved October 31, 2011, from Ezine Mom Articles: http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Matt_J._Cararra Rex, Sember, Shaun, Holly, & Cassie I can 't for the life of me tell if you are joking or not. I could believe it, but I would much rather laugh. Posted by: Sember at October 8, 2004 9:14 PM I am absolutely not joking