Should Christians Get Tattoos?

Q: Is it okay if I get a verse tatted on me or something symbolic towards God?

A: There is some disagreement among believers on this because there is a passage in Leviticus that says you shall not get tattoos for the dead. My understanding is that what God was condemning there was the imitation of certain pagan practices, specifically Canaanite mourning practices. Don't follow the same mourning practices as those.

I don't think that is a condemnation of all tattoos per se, but I would avoid tattoos having to do with mourning practices. Look, it's not my cup of tea, but I'm a big Christian liberty guy. Where the Bible does not specifically condemn something, I think we have the freedom to make our own choices. I understand why some believers say it does condemn tattoos, but if you look at that passage in Leviticus, I think it's focused on tattoos for the dead, which would be an imitation of pagan, specifically Canaanite, mourning and burial customs.

So, don't do that. Don't imitate the funeral practices and customs of the pagans. Since I don't believe that there's a blanket prohibition of tattoos, I think people have the Christian liberty to do it. It may not be wise, and you may regret it. I'm tattoo-free, and I don't make a big deal about it because, honestly, who cares? But at least I have no regrets in that matter. I hope that helps.