What's up with tattoos?

Recently I overheard a conversation in the break room of my workplace. A very tattooed young man, pointing and gesturing, methodically described the history and meaning behind each of his tattoos to a coworker—much as an art gallery tour guide proudly describes the masterworks on display. You've seen the type: tattoos on the arms, shoulders, hands, legs and other less-exposed places, I'm sure.

Like them or hate them, tattoos—often called "body art" in the tattoo culture—are an increasingly accepted part of our society. A 2006 Pew Research Center poll found that approximately 36 percent of Americans age 18 to 25 have one or more tattoos—that's over one-third of young adults! And this trend shows no sign of slowing down anytime soon.

"Make no mistake about it, the tattoo industry is hot property. There are an estimated 20,000+ parlors operating in the United States… on the average, an establishment is being added in the country every day... the sixth fastest growing retail venture of the 1990s..." ( www.vanishingtattoo.com).

The reasons given for getting a tattoo are varied but predictable: a sense of personal empowerment and expression, the notion that tattoos make one "sexy," whims of spontaneity, rebelliousness or just the overwhelming desire to be trendy.

So what's the big deal? What's wrong with getting a tattoo? If they are an expression of our personality and uniqueness, as tattoo fans claim, then didn't God create us with uniqueness that should be celebrated and expressed?

Fact is, a tattoo is a permanent billboard that says something about you. The question is, what does it say? What associations come with a permanent mark on your skin?

A national data set of persons with tattoos compiled by the American Academy of Dermatology showed that the tattooed ones' "associations were a lack of religious affiliation, extended jail time, previous drinking, and recreational drug use" (September 2006, Volume 55, Issue 3).

The Bible backs up the negative associations of tattoo markings. God prohibited the people of Israel from tattooing themselves in Leviticus 19:28 because the practice was widely used in the pagan cultures to honor and worship their false gods.

The beautiful truth is that we have been created in God's image. As the pinnacle of His creation, we belong to Him (Genesis 1:26-27). "For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's" (1 Corinthians 6:20).

Because we belong to God, He wants us to have a different kind of permanent mark—one that reflects His character. We are to offer our bodies in service to God as a "living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service" (Romans 12:1). Tattoos do not glorify God and should thus be avoided.

Remember this if you ever feel the peer pressure to get a tattoo: "Do not conform yourselves to the standards of this world, but let God transform you inwardly by a complete change of your mind. Then you will be able to know the will of God—what is good and is pleasing to him and is perfect" (Romans 12:2, Good News Bible).

Right "associations" or friends are vital. For more vertical thinking, read You Can Pick Your Friends.

Our individuality and self-expression come not from outward markings on our skin, but from our personal relationship with God—an intimate relationship made possible through Jesus Christ's sacrifice. Let this growing relationship be the most permanent mark on your life.