So forgive the long winded texan, He is at it again:
Today, I made a blunder, when I clicked the Live Chat button.
When I entered the chatroom, what looked like a fight between a guy (name withheld) and a woman(same deal)
She set a very high bar that eliminated a huge percentange of the human male group. And she presented herself in a way that looked no different then a religious legalist.
And the guy started responding to her by listing aspects (what seemed to be from her profile) of who he wouldn't date. She took great offense and said he was insulting her.
Later the guy said lets move on, and apologized. She never acknowledged the apology.
But one thing she said, I had to comment on. She said she would never date a guy with tattoos, and I asked why... She never answered, and someone said that the bible says we shouldn't have tattoos.
To that person, I asked:
"where does the bible specifically state that no one should ever have tattoos other then Leviticus 19:28?"
(which in light of Acts Chapter 15, specifically 15:29, says what part of the mosaic law that US gentiles who follow Jesus are required to keep, exempting us from the Law of Leviticus 19:28)
They never gave a biblical answer. Now yes, we are the temple of the holy spirit, and yes, light has no fellowship with darkness.
But what about having scripture tattoo'd or where it says that God has carved the names of his people on his palms? Can the practice of tattooing be used to the glory of God with thanksgiving?
Also, the other point I raised in live chat was: What if the tattoos a person has are from their prechistian life? Is there no grace for them, but a shunning and excluding from ones list.
Where is the grace in that? If God has forgiven him or her, shouldn't he or she get a second amongst God's people?
Yes, I agree standards are good, and profitable.. but up to a certain point.. then they become a form of rejecting people shortsightedly at the cost of one's own potential gain.
Where do you fellow men stand on Tattoos and other past prechristian choices, with regard to future spouses and is there grace for the future mate?
People should have their opinions. The forums are here to express what we feel and believe, not meant to make everybody else think the way we do. I love the fact that we're all different. Makes me admire you all, all the more.
I have tats that I got before being a chistian. Now that I have turned my life over to god I would not get one now. Dont think it matters what the tattoo is about, it is stil pemanetly marking your body, (temple). I also know a girl that tried to get her tats surgicaly removed and almost died because of it, however thats a long story.
Yes, you are correct, these forums are a place to express opinions, but never at the expense of what each participan in his or her own heart has already ackowedgled to be true.
It is my perception that these forums are not designed to serve either "political correctness" or any one member's personal opinions of the nature of reality.
There is a spiritual rot in our modern-day version of "Christianity", a complete avoidance of the Cross of Christ in favor of making sure each an every one feels comfortable in the worship setting, and let me tell you, it is disgustiing and affront to the true Gospel of Jesus.
That Gospel is truly good news, but also comes at a price for those who seek to respond rightly to it.
Brother, let me tell you something that I perceive to be true.
God does not care about your tattoos.
Your tattos are only "the outside of the cup."
And, because we are here in the forum on a "Christian dating site", I would also offer you the following adivice:
If on this site, you ever meet a woman who criticises you for your tattoos or ever makes you feel that you are somehow less worthy of inheriting the Kingdom of God because of your tatoos, then run away from such a woman like the plague.
Jesus spoke hard words, and among those words, he seems to have made it clear, that those who judge you by appearances only and over such silly, superficial things, allthewhile presenting themselves as Ambassadors for Jesus, will not enter into the Kingdom.
That does not mean that they are lost and condemned to hell-fire. But what it does mean is that anyone who condemns you for your tattoos, in any way, will enter the Kindom "after you", meaning, you are more favored by God than anyone who seeks to condemn you for your tatoos.
Jesus said "Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees".
You responded by jumping on the Pharisee bandwagon. My intent is not to judge those with tattoos. They are worthy of eternity with our Creator with or without tattoos. I question why Christians are involved (publicly) in anything that offends others. Like it or not, tattoos are offensive to many Christians. Why offend another? It is not Christ-like.
Personal examples include alcohol and music. I know too many who are offended by the consumption of alcoholic beverages and listening of music styles other than classical and hymnns. Downing a Mike's Hard Lemonade or listening to a wide variety of music in the presence of the offended is insensitive, unloving and not Christ-like. In the same manner, those wearing tattoos should cover them out of love for the offended.
