Valerie Rojas
Editorial Director

This weekend I decided it was time to add another piece of colorful artwork to my left arm. I headed to the same tattoo shop I’ve been going to and I spoke to one of the artists who has done a few pieces on me already. As I was discussing what I wanted, this little tattooed ruffian wearing a wife beater, decided he would listen in. After I finished describing the cartoon

skull and scroll I dreamt up, this boy smugly laughed under his breath and mumbled the words: “Christian tattoos…”

I took this remark to mean that he wanted to discuss the idea of Christian tattoos with me. He proceeded to ask the same boneheaded questions that I hear everywhere I go, “Duh, isn’t it like illegal for Christians to get tattoos? Err, doesn’t the Bible say you’ll go to Hell for that?”

Instead of regurgitating the sour conversation to you, I’d rather take this time to explain a few misconceptions about Christians and tattoos.

You see, dear reader, I am a Christian. I love Jesus. I go to church. I read my Bible and I do believe in creation, Heaven, Hell and all that jazz. I also love tattoos. To many people, a Christian with ink seems like an oxymoron.

I’d be able to afford tattoo number nine if I had a dollar for every time someone shouted Leviticus 19:28 at me (“You shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor tattoo any marks on you…”).

I’d like to shed some light on this subject and hopefully stop a few people, Christian and non-Christian alike, from trying to condemn me for my choice of skin décor. Please pardon me ahead of time if I seem too preachy, I’m just saying what I believe and since this is my column, I can do that.

Leviticus 19:28 is not in reference to today’s tattoos, or at least the ones I have. It actually refers to a heathen practice that was used to evoke the attention of pagan gods by “proving” one’s sincerity to the gods through self-abasement.

Some still cling to the literal letter of the Law and the “Old Covenant,” regardless of its textual meaning. If we are still under this law, then shouldn’t we have to follow this guideline and also cling tightly to the verses that correspond to it? You know, the ones about not eating the meat of pigs, lobsters or clams (Lev. 11:6-7, 11:10-12). And of course, let’s not forget the law about not shaving your beard or the sides of your head (Lev. 19:27). Although this is indeed a portion of the inspired word of God it is the law that was established to reveal sin and the fact that we cannot redeem ourselves through our own effort.

But, as we learn in the New Testament, it is God’s grace and plan for redemption through the sacrifice of Jesus that we are saved (Romans 3:20-26). As Paul writes in Romans, no man can be justified through the law.

Along with the Leviticus argument, I have also heard quotes that refer to the body being the “temple” of God (1 Cor. 3:16, 6:19; 2 Cor. 6:16). These scriptures refer to things such as envy, strife and in-church division, as elements that defile your “temple.” They do not mention physical modifications, such as tattooing.

I’d say that all biblical argument aside, tattooing isn’t a bad thing. At least mine are tasteful. It’s not like I have tribal swirlies up and down my arms or some gross butterfly/Tinkerbell/Asian symbol on my lower back. That’s the kind of stuff that should land you in Hell.

Valerie Rojas, a junior journalism major, is editorial director of the Campus Times. She can be reached by e-mail at skalivornia@hotmail.com.