Dear Conrad - "I was wondering if it is a sin to be a Christian and get tattoos?" -xshelinex

This question has a few facets to it. It cannot be answered with a mere, "Yes" or "No". It can also be answered in the same manner as issues with food, money and music.

It’s not necessarily a sin to get a tattoo. (Side Explanation: Advocates of Leviticus 19:28 as a support against tattoos fail to realize that Leviticus was OT Israeli civil law - much like the speed limit is 55MPH. There’s nothing really wrong with driving at 60MPH, it’s just a law for this country. Advocates of Leviticus 19:28 will also conveniently skip the verse right before it where it says, “LEV 19:27 " `Do not cut the hair at the sides of your head or clip off the edges of your beard.” Obviously Levitical Law was written specifically for the OT Israeli people, where as other law such as the Moral Law found in Exodus is meant for all people and nations.)

But there is much else to consider. If your parents are against it, then it would be a sin to get it (EX 20:12 "Honor your father and your mother). It would also be a sin to spend $300 on a “Thug 4 life” tattoo when you can’t pay bills or your children have no food or spend it before accounting for your tithe monies. It would be silly for a pastor to get a tattoo on his forehead saying, “Have a nice day.” Just because something might be okay, doesn’t mean we should all do it as much as possible in any situation. Much like how money, food, or music can be used for good or evil.