The Bible and Tattoos

Bible passages commonly used against tattoos:

• Leviticus 19:28
  You shall not make any cuts on your body for the dead or tattoo yourselves: I am the Lord.
  
• 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
  19 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, 20 for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.
  

Common arguments against Leviticus 19:28:

• The context is within the Old Testament law, and we are no longer under the Old Testament law.
• The passage was written during a time period when demon/idol worship was synonymous with markings/tattoos on the body.
• Demon/idol worship is not synonymous with tattoos in America.
• I am getting a Bible verse tattoo.

Common arguments against 1 Corinthians 6:19-20:

• That passage is about fornication, not tattoos.
• My tattoo is going to be a Bible verse.

Defense of 1 Corinthians 6:19-20:

• Your body is not your own.
• The Biblical principle that your body should never be treated as your own parallels quite well for the Christian contemplating a tattoo.
• Tattooing your body could even be viewed as selfish in light of this passage.
  Both your body and your spirit are purchased by Christ.
• Deciding to permanently mark your body with a tattoo seems contradictory to the Biblical principle that your body does not belong to you, but to Christ.
  
  **However, this defense is not air-tight nor is it explicitly stated in the Scriptures in reference to tattoos or body markings. But it can be healthily applied to the decision making process.

Principles commonly used against tattoos:

• Tattoos are rooted in witchcraft (Leviticus 19:28,1 Kings 18:28, Deuteronomy 14:1)
• Our bodies are a temple (Genesis 1:31, 1 Corinthians 6:19-20)

Principles commonly used for tattoos:

• My tattoo opens up/will open up witnessing opportunities.
• My tattoo is/will be a Bible verse, it is a form of ministry.
• Nobody will be able to see it, it is for me.