Wondering if any of you ever feel judged because of your tattoo's
So, I was wondering if any of you ever feel judged by the fact that you have tattoo's. Like it somehow makes you less of a Christian. Personally I don't... most of the time. There are some people in my family though that are very conservative and don't understand why I like them.
I have 5 tattoo's... one on my hand, top of my foot, upper arm, entire calf and one on the back of my neck. I also have 12 piercings (neck up)... ears, eye brow, nose and tongue. I did have my lip pierced but had to take it out for work and eventually just let it grow shut.
So I can see where it may seem a little out there, especially to people around me who won't even pierce just their ears. But I attend a great church where I used to teach the 3-5 year olds (can't right now because of several life situations and can't always be there Wed nights now) and I also volunteer in the nursery. Every now and then we get a new family in who seems a little reluctant at first to hand their precious little angel over to me. So I let them slowly warm up to the idea. They stay in for a while, talk to me, learn that I'm a very nice and sweet person and they leave.
I'm just curious how it goes for everyone else. I mean we're the ones who did this to ourselves... for whatever reason, so we need to deal with it anyway. Me, I just like them and do like to stand out. Well that and the fact that every member of my immediate family has at least 3 tattoo's. Except for my children of course.
I don't feel I'm judged for my tattoos. On the other hand, I have them in places that can be hidden. The only ones that can be seen are the ones on my ankles when I wear capris & the ones on the back of my shoulders when I wear sleeveless shirts. In all honesty, I really don't care what people think. It doesn't make me any less of a Christian. The church I go to A LOT of people have tattoos, plus we have the teenagers that have the blue hair, green hair, dress in goth, etc.
You are right, we decided to do this to ourselves, but it doesn't change our personality or who we are. We are just more "expressive" than others!!!
Sometimes I do and sometimes I don't. I welcome any questions about them, ie: why did you get them, what do they mean, why would you do that to yourself, don't you know what the Bible says... ect..... I will be the first person to tell you that tattoos aren't for everyone, and just because I am a Christian with tattoos, that doesn't mean that its ok for every Christian to get a tattoo. I am very careful with the tattoos I get and I do pray about them before I get them.
All in all I don't want to force ppl to except me because I'm a tattooed Christian (like I use to in the past), rather just let Christ light shine though because I have learned that ppl will see that way before they see the tattoos. I attened a chuch for an entire year before most of them noticed that I had tattoos (I have 20 so it not like I was hiding them). There will always be "those" ppl out there, and all we can do is pray for understanding.
Sometimes I feel judged for my tattoos because I am. My in-laws judge me. A few of my friends do not understand and I'm sure they judge me even though they do love me. I'm 55, have 4 grown children, love Latte Land, and have 4 tattoos which are a cross on my inside ankle, a rosary on and around my foot, a peacock feather on my top left chest and "Faith and Family" on my wrist. I plan on 2 more for sure--a wedding ring and a magnolia on the top of my other foot. All my children have tattoos anywhere from 2 to 20 and my son in law probably has 50 or so. I don't judge any of them. I love tattoos and am amazed by the art.
SSCHMITZ
I hate how people think that because they don't agree with something that they need to open their mouth and tell us about it. I am proud of every tatt I have and hate when people decide to judge me because of it.
For the most part I don't feel judged for my tattoos. Surprisingly enough I get a lot of compliments on them. I've had my pastor ask me "When your son gets older and wants a tattoo, what are you going to say?" I told him that if my son wants a tattoo, he can get as many as he wants once he's 18. I have no problem with that. I have 4 tattoos-one that covers my left shoulder blade, one on the lower right side of my back, one on my pelvis (which I totally regret, I was only 17 when I got it and I was my ex's guinea pig), and one around my left ankle that looks like henna. All of which can be covered or shown if I want them to be. I think tattoos are beautiful pieces of art that stay with you forever. That's just my feeling though.
I just got my first one for a birthday gift this year to myself (I'm 49). When I told a young lady in my church who has a lot of tats, she asked me if I read the Bible. I said yes and ended the conversation. I don't feel judged at all. Even if others do judge me, it's none of my business. No one can "make" me feel anything, my feelings are my decision.
*vanessa*
I wore a sleeveless outfit to church, got hot, and took my sweater off for all those on my left-hand side to see my new tattoo of my son's name on my shoulder. I'm sure I was judged at that point, but did not care. At one point in my life I would have been self-conscious about doing that but no longer. There are plenty of Christians who have them and are still getting more (like me). My pastor announced he has one on his right shoulder and believe he did that because someone "complained" about others having them. Pharisees can be found everywhere but as one living under grace, I leave them to God to work with. I am not responsible for how anyone reacts to me.
I got new ink
- stacey.momma
on Jul. 16, 2009 at 10:48 PM