Stigma. 09/09/2008
 

It's interesting to look at the ways that tattoo culture is developing around the world.  Certainly in the UK, tattoos became more popular in the 90s, with celtic armbands being the design of choice for many.  This decade, Miami Ink, and similar shows, have helped bring even more popularity to tattooing.
Not everyone has changed their mind about tattoos, though.  A lot of people from my parents' generation still struggle with stereotypes of tattoos and the people that get them.  I was discussing this with my mum the other day, and she said, as I expected her to, that she can't get past the fact that when she was younger tattoos were mainly worn by criminals and other disreputable people.  She knows that I don't really fit into that demographic, and doesn't associate me with it, but does associate my tattoos.

I understand where she's coming from.  Sometimes it's really hard to break long-standing views on something.  It's very interesting to see how China is starting to change on this.  I read a fascinating article from the New York Times about the growing number of studios in Bejiing, and the people frequenting them. 

The journalist interviews a number of people in China about their views on tattoos. Here's the one that interested me the most:

“Tattoos are ugly, low class and an insult to your family,” said Li Miao, 68, a surgeon. “I wouldn’t judge a foreigner with a tattoo, but I would certainly think less of Chinese with one.”

I'm in an interesting position.  I work at a church, and I'm in a pastoral role.  I've also worked for some time in education.  Everywhere I go, people tell me to be very careful about where I get tattoos, because if too many of them are on show, I might struggle to get a job in a school/do missionary work in other countries/be respected by churchgoers (this is a separate issue that I might come back to sometime).  I know that they mean well, and I know that in some ways they have a point, but I can't help feeling that this is often due to their blindness to change.

People are more and more accepting of tattoos and the people that have them.  I'm not saying that it's always a good idea to get obvious tattoos, and as with any tattoo, I would recommend that you think very carefully before you get inked, but I am looking forward to a time when I might not face so much opposition about my tattoos based on who might judge me for them.  I think it serves to reinforce the stereotype.

 


Comments

J Puddy link
09/09/2008 16:27

You're a stereotype.

But seriously... you're a stereotype.

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J Paddy link
09/09/2008 19:40

I think you should have just named me mark instead of saying that whole thing about the 68 year old Chinese dude, I want the world to know that I, J Paddy, well I find tattoos despicable, disreputable, and not to mention often indicative of common brigandry!!

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Matt
09/09/2008 20:43

I think you're totally right Mark.
And I think this is so cool that you're doing all this. SO cool.
And I think that Pudd is a big goof.

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DreamCarrier
09/11/2008 13:23

As a fellow church-goer/Christian, I would like to say that I have nothing but respect for you and what you do as far as your tattoos go.

I have a tattoo, as does my brother and a couple of friends - all churchgoers. I have a further 3 or 4 planned, and all of which are indicative of my faith.

Also, the pastor of my church and hi wife recently returned from holiday in Los Angeles, and whilst there they both walked into the tattoo studio from LA Ink and had the same tattoo work done. The work they have had done is amazing, and as with myself, it is a statement of faith in God and also a symbol of how far they have come in a certain walk they have undergone together!

I look forward to reading - should you come back it - what you have to say about the attitudes of church-goers towards tattooing!

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JLaws
09/12/2008 19:06

Here's a few potential objections I've considered against a Christian getting tattoos, I by no means mean them as a personal attack, I'm just thinking. I have a tattoo and want another one!
1. Baal Worship. Self-mutilation. In my bible it says the priests fighting with Elijah "marked themselves". Think about it.
2. The euphoric release neurotransmitters (dopamine?) that immediately follows self-infliction including tattoos. Just like "cutters" people who get tattoos can become quite addicted to the ability to control their physical pain in contrast to their emotional pain from which they have no relief. The body also responds by making you feel good. When I got mine, I found it become quite trance-like as I zoned out of the pain. I'm wary of trances.
3. Instantaneous gratification of prideful ambition for self-improvement. Kinda complicated, but I think that all have a desire to make ourselves better, and when this becomes obsessional I think it's linked to pride. So we NEED to get our next tattoo, cuz it completes this or that theme, etc. For this one, cosmetic surgery would fall into this objection as well. I think the fact that people are never satisfied by what they thought would be their last tattoo (or operation) confirms that it was wrongly motivated.
Thoughts?

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Mark link
09/13/2008 08:06

This is interesting - you've covered some things that don't normally come up, James. I particularly like your last point, because there does seem to be something in it.
I'm going to post on this, because I've had some emails and stuff too discussing it, so it seems reasonable to give it space of its own.

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John John!
09/17/2008 03:31

Hey boys and girls!

Just responding to Jlaws' comments...
To be seriously thinking about avoiding some of the customs that the old testament Baal priests did while fighting Elijah JUST BECAUSE THAT IS WHAT THEY DID would be going against the idea that Jesus came with a new covenant (bringing with it new laws/customs/etc. between man and God), and that could be a pretty large hole in your theology! The argument is pretty well explained by Daniel Hays in his article "Applying the Old Testament Law Today"
"http://www.biblicalstudies.org.uk/article_law_hays.html"

Just when talking from a Christian perspective as to whether something is right or wrong it seems foolish to not back any points up with the bible (it does kinda have it all in there in some form or another).

1Cor6:12-13 is an interesting passage when talking about many such issues where God hasn't clearly told us what to do in the bible. When Paul states that ""Everything is permissible for me" - but not everything is beneficial. "Everything is permissible for me" - but I will not be mastered by anything." he is implying that yes, we are free to do anything now that Jesus as brought us a new Covenant, but that there is also a call to do what is right. If anything (such as watching T.V) becomes our master, it is clear to me from this verse that that mastery is wrong (not necessarily the thing itself, and certainly not based on laws or events happening in the old covenant)

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