The principal verse that people bring to bear in arguing against Christians getting tattoos is found in Leviticus. The first problem with using this verse is that it’s principle association is with pagan ritual scarification in conjunction with mourning the dead. God is banning occult practices (as He does throughout this section of the Bible. You cannot logically jump from this practice to the practice of tattooing for self-beautification (whether you personally think it’s beautiful or not) or for identification with positive, uplifting things.

• Leviticus 19:28 You shall not make any cuts in your body for the dead nor make any tattoo marks on yourselves: I am the LORD.

 
Another problem is found in the previous verse. I find it interesting that many Christians will be quick to use verse 28 to ban the use of tattoos, but will completely ignore the verse directly preceding it. Basically its says to have long sideburns and beards! Strangely enough, those who are the quickest to say that tattoos are wrong are usually clean cut.

• Leviticus 19:27 You shall not round off the side-growth of your heads nor harm the edges of your beard.
  

Note: You may say, “But what about homosexuality. Are you saying that because this is Jewish religious law it no longer applies? Then perhaps homosexuality is also allowed?” But the problem with that argument is that the ban on homosexuality was confirmed in the New Testament by Paul (see article on homosexuality elsewhere on this site). Where there are numerous verses banning homosexuality, Leviticus 19:28 is the ONLY verse that remotely resembles dealing with tattoos and it’s within the context of occult rituals for the dead! That’s not a whole lot to go on. It’s kind of like taking the one reference to “baptism for the dead” and making a whole doctrine out of it like the Mormons have. That is evidence of cultic mentality.

On the other hand, we have the following verses.

• Deuteronomy 6:8 You shall bind them as a sign on your hand and they shall be as frontals on your forehead.
  
• Exodus 13:9 And it shall serve as a sign to you on your hand, and as a reminder on your forehead, that the law of the LORD may be in your mouth; for with a powerful hand the LORD brought you out of Egypt.
• So it shall serve as a sign on your hand and as phylacteries on your forehead, for with a powerful hand the LORD brought us out of Egypt."
• Deuteronomy 11:18 You shall therefore impress these words of mine on your heart and on your soul; and you shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontals on your forehead.

Note: Here we have a positive statement where God says I want you to DO this and we totally ignore it. But the negative statement, where God says DON’T DO this practice which is associated with the occult we make a blanket philosophy out of.

Somehow the Pharasaic idea that externals can make us ritually unclean has raised its ugly head again. But we know what Jesus said about that don’t we?

• Luke 11:37-42 When Jesus had finished speaking, a Pharisee invited him to eat with him; so he went in and reclined at the table. 38But the Pharisee, noticing that Jesus did not first wash before the meal, was surprised. 39 Then the Lord said to him, "Now then, you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness. 40 You foolish people! Did not the one who made the outside make the inside also? 41 But give what is inside the dish to the poor, and everything will be clean for you. 42Woe to you Pharisees, because you give God a tenth of your mint, rue and all other kinds of garden herbs, but you neglect justice and the love of God. You should have practiced the latter without leaving the former undone.
• Matthew 23:25-28 "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and of the dish, but inside they are full of robbery and self-indulgence. 26 You blind Pharisee, first clean the inside of the cup and of the dish, so that the outside of it may become clean also. 27 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which on the outside appear beautiful, but inside they are full of dead men's bones and all uncleanness. 28"So you, too, outwardly appear righteous to men, but inwardly you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.
  

Or how about Paul?

• 1 Corinthians 8:8 But food will not commend us to God; we are neither the worse if we do not eat, nor the better if we do eat.
  

Our principle purpose in life is to love the Lord our God with all our heart soul and strength. We demonstrate that love when we treat others that way we want to be treated.

• Matthew 22:36-40 "Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?" 37 And He said to him, " 'YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.' 38 This is the great and foremost commandment. 39 The second is like it, 'YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.' 40 On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets." 
  

We demonstrate that love by turning every aspect of our lives over to God and allowing them to serve Him and glorify Him.

• Ecclesiastes 9:10 Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might; for there is no activity or planning or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol where you are going.
  
• Colossians 3:23-24 Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.
  

• Ephesians 6:7 With good will render service, as to the Lord, and not to men

Our primary goal is to change the way we think – not the way we behave. I know that doesn’t sound right to most Christians, but it’s true. If we change the way we think, our behavior will automatically take care of itself. If all we do is change the way we behave, we run the risk of being like the Pharisees and thinking that our personal righteousness is sufficient.

• Romans 12:1-2 Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.
  

Note: Paul tells us to offer our bodies as a sacrifice which at first might seem to contradict my statement. But he goes on to tell us HOW to do that – by transforming our minds.

• Philippians 2:5 Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus,
  
• 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, 4 for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. 5 We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ
  

I’m not trying to urge you to get a tattoo. I’m not trying to tell you to not get one. What I’m saying is that it’s pretty much irrelevant either way. What matters is that you are seeking to glorify God. Paul pretty much sums it all up.

• Romans 14:1-18 Now accept the one who is weak in faith, but not for the purpose of passing judgment on his opinions. 2 One person has faith that he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats vegetables only. 3 The one who eats is not to regard with contempt the one who does not eat, and the one who does not eat is not to judge the one who eats, for God has accepted him. 4 Who are you to judge the servant of another? To his own master he stands or falls; and he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand. 5 One person regards one day above another, another regards every day alike Each person must be fully convinced in his own mind. 6 He who observes the day, observes it for the Lord, and he who eats, does so for the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and he who eats not, for the Lord he does not eat, and gives thanks to God. 7 For not one of us lives for himself, and not one dies for himself; 8 for if we live, we live for the Lord, or if we die, we die for the Lord; therefore whether we live or die, we are the Lord's. 9 For to this end Christ died and lived again, that He might be Lord both of the dead and of the living. 10 But you, why do you judge your brother? Or you again, why do you regard your brother with contempt? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God. 11 For it is written, "AS I LIVE, SAYS THE LORD, EVERY KNEE SHALL BOW TO ME, AND EVERY TONGUE SHALL GIVE PRAISE TO GOD." 12 So then each one of us will give an account of himself to God. 13 Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather determine this--not to put an obstacle or a stumbling block in a brother's way. 14 I know and am convinced in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself; but to him who thinks anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean. 15 For if because of food your brother is hurt, you are no longer walking according to love Do not destroy with your food him for whom Christ died. 16 Therefore do not let what is for you a good thing be spoken of as evil; 17 for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. 18 For he who in this way serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men
  

Just because you have the right to get a tattoo doesn’t mean you should.

• Romans 14:19-21 So then we pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another. 20 Do not tear down the work of God for the sake of food. All things indeed are clean, but they are evil for the man who eats and gives offense. 21 It is good not to eat meat or to drink wine, or to do anything by which your brother stumbles.
  

• 1 Corinthians 6:12 All things are lawful for me, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be mastered by anything.
• 1 Corinthians 10:23 All things are lawful, but not all things are profitable All things are lawful, but not all things edify.

Just because you have the right to get a tattoo doesn’t mean you should only consider yourself. If this will cause your family or your friends to “stumble” perhaps you should wait. Which is more important – a tattoo or your buddy?

• 1 Corinthians 8:9 But take care that this liberty of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak.
  
• Romans 14:13 Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather determine this-- not to put an obstacle or a stumbling block in a brother's way.
• Romans 14:21 It is good not to eat meat or to drink wine, or to do anything by which your brother stumbles.
• 1 Corinthians 10:28 But if anyone says to you, "This is meat sacrificed to idols," do not eat it, for the sake of the one who informed you, and for conscience' sake
• Galatians 5:13 13For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.

Note: Even if you do get a tattoo make sure you aren’t trying to identify with some false god or follow some occult practice or trying to be rude and insulting.

So should Christians get tattoos? There simply isn’t enough Scripture to categorically say one way or another so don’t presume to speak for God on the matter. Just go and glorify God – with or without a tattoo.