| All the religions based on The Holy Bible, like | | | | interpretation. The Catholic population of modern |
| Christianism, both Fundamentalists and Catholics | | | | times believes that though tattooing is a prohibited |
| along with Judaism have a common view that | | | | art form it is still not as sinful as many might think |
| getting a tattoo done is wrong. However, what is | | | | it to be. |
| surprising is that the reason for considering a | | | | Jews believe that the scriptures of the Old |
| tattoo to be forbidden differs between all these | | | | Testament to be the word of God and |
| three religions. | | | | commandments that are to be adhered to the T, |
| It is interesting to note the beliefs and view points | | | | tattoo is a strict "no no" for all the Jews. This |
| each of these religions hold. Let us have a peek | | | | commandment against any form of desecration |
| into why tattooing is prohibited in these religions | | | | of the body is viewed as the major reason as to |
| and what is the reason behind the prohibition. | | | | why the observant Jews were tattooed in all the |
| Fundamentalist Christians believe that getting a | | | | concentration camps during the Holocaust. |
| tattoo is forbidden as it is considered to be a | | | | Contrary to many people's beliefs, this tattooing |
| "Pagan Practice". Although most fundamentalists | | | | act was a planned attempt to separate the |
| agree that there is no such statement in The | | | | observant Jews from their God even if it meant |
| Holy Bible that prohibits tattoos are tattooing, this | | | | unwillingly. |
| being viewed as a Pagan Practice is good enough | | | | In Jewish faith, desecration of the body is such a |
| for fundamentalist Christians to be against | | | | grave sin, that a person, who has tattoos, is |
| tattooing. | | | | denied burial in some of the Jewish cemeteries. |
| Fundamentalist Christians believe that the whole | | | | Though in modern times, tattooing is still an issue; |
| of the Bible comprises of the New Testament | | | | the resistance to this art form is fewer than |
| and the New Testament does not have any | | | | before. It is only the most orthodox Jews who |
| references, neither positive nor negative with | | | | reject tattooing. |
| regards to tattooing. Since the practice of | | | | All of the three major Biblical religions discussed |
| tattooing is something that was and is followed by | | | | above are of the opinion that it is wrong to get |
| the Pagans, is the single main reason for the | | | | tattoos done. However the reason for this denial |
| objection against the art. | | | | is different between all the three religions. The |
| For Catholics, the Old Testament is as sacred as | | | | two major factors in determining what one's |
| the New Testament and hence the Catholic | | | | religious stand on tattoos is what one's religion |
| negativity towards tattooing is based on the | | | | teaches about tattoos and what the basis of that |
| scripture passages as in Leviticus 19:28 which | | | | teaching is. |
| reads thus: "You shall not make any cuts in your | | | | These two reasons are the most important |
| body for the dead, nor make any tattoo marks | | | | reasons, why a person should have a tattoo done |
| on yourselves..." | | | | or not. This is irrespective of which faith one |
| However most of the Catholics today consider it | | | | follows and how observant he or she is in |
| to be a matter of personal choice and | | | | following the faith. |