INLAND: Tattoos no longer taboo for Christians

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INLAND: Tattoos no longer taboo for Christians
February 5, 2012
BY JEFF HORSEMAN
The Press-Enterpirse

With ink, needle and a skin canvas, Matt Laster praises God.

Last month, the 25-year-old opened Devoted Ink, a “Christian tattoo” shop in a Temecula strip mall. A Bible sits on the front desk and Scripture-inspired clothing is for sale.

Though some Christians say such body art should be shunned, tattoos are now more accepted in the Christian community. Some of today’s faithful are even led by pastors with tattoos. Laster’s shop caters to many Christians who relish the chance to use their tattoos as a jumping-off point for discussing their beliefs.

“The more tattoos that come out here that have these meanings, the more opportunities for the gospel to come up,” Laster said.

Many of his tattoo designs feature crosses or references to Bible verses. One shows a lion and the lamb and the wording “Lion of Judah/Lamb of God.” Another depicts a sword with the words “Through Christ Who Strengthens Me.”

Some tattooed Christians say their body art reminds them of what God has done for them and to practice what they preach. For example, Marcy Rossi has a heart on her arm that says “Just Love.”

In an email, the 30-year-old from Murrieta, who leads a creative arts ministry at Temecula’s Rancho Community Church, said she got the tattoo after feeling God tell her that love could solve her problems.

“So when I’m arguing with my husband I will see my arm reminding me to ‘Just Love,’” said Rossi, who got her tattoo at a Murrieta shop. “If I’m frustrated at work — ‘Just Love.’ Annoyed by someone in traffic — ‘Just Love.’”

Some believe tattoos and Christianity don’t mix.

“A Biblical attitude would suggest we ought to steer clear of things that call attention to parts of our body or purposely try to steer people to looking at us or looking at the tattoo,” said Pastor Bill Rench of Calvary Baptist Church in Temecula.

Other pastors see no conflict.

“I don’t find a strong Biblical argument against it,” said Administrative Pastor John Collins of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Riverside.

“It’s an expression, I think, of the current generation,” he said. “When I was growing up, we wore our hair long and wore bellbottoms.”

In an email, Lead Pastor Scott Treadway of Rancho Community Church said: “Honestly, with all the work we have to do in sharing the grace of God, building stronger families, and helping people in need, micromanaging our congregation’s body art isn’t a priority.”

Wholesome setting

Located off Ynez Road, Devoted Ink is in a conservative haven with no shortage of churches. For example, the annual Good Friday Cross Walk in Temecula draws thousands.

Laster, who grew up in Temecula, said he always has been artistically inclined. He started a tattoo apprenticeship when he turned 18.

Before Devoted Ink, Laster worked in tattoo shops where his clients included pastors uncomfortable getting inked where drinking, talk of sexual exploits and other un-Christian activities took place.

Most Devoted Ink clients are practicing Christians, Laster said.

“We don’t get people saying ‘I want a tattoo of this topless chick,’” he said.

Laster tried to find a Christian tattoo shop to work at before launching his own.

His body features tattoos such as “You are not your own” — a reference to part of a Corinthians verse — written backwards. When read in a mirror, the wording reminds him that Christ died for his sins, he said.

Last March, Laster tattooed the wrist of La Habra resident Walda Maxwell with a dove and a reference to a verse from Acts. The tattoo helps Maxwell, who attends Morningstar Christian Chapel in Whittier, to talk to others about her faith.

“When people see that, they’re thinking ‘What is that,” said Maxwell, 51. “It’s also to remind me of what the Holy Spirit is doing through me in my life.”

Laster said he won’t do any tattoos glorifying “false Gods,” which he defines as any other than Jesus. He won’t tattoo people’s private areas.

Devoted Ink also sells Laster’s line of Christian-themed clothing, such as T-shirts inspired by Bible verses.

Tattoos and Scripture

While Rench, the Temecula pastor, considers tattoos to be an expression of lawlessness and rebellion, he said he wouldn’t kick anyone out of his church for having one.

“If you’re a child of God, you’re saved no matter what you do to yourself,” he said. “I’m not suggesting that anyone who has tattoos is going to hell.”

But if someone asked him for advice on whether to get a tattoo, Rench said he would “encourage them not to take that avenue.”

Rench referred to a verse in Leviticus. The New American Standard version reads: “You shall not make any cuts in your body for the dead nor make any tattoo marks on yourselves: I am the LORD.”

Christian tattoo supporters say the verse refers to a pagan religious practice unconnected to modern-day tattooing. If people took Old Testament laws literally, they could not eat red meat and men could not cut their sideburns, Laster said.

Rench replied that those who say the Leviticus verse needs to be taken in context are missing the point. Tattoos call attention to one’s self while God looks for a quiet, humble spirit, he said.

Collins, of Riverside’s Harvest church, said he counsels young people about tattoos from a practical point of view.

“It will be with you your whole life,” he said. “That beautiful vine that’s on your chest when you’re 25 might be on your belly when you’re 60.”

Daniel Nunez, a 30-year-old Menifee resident and Laster client, studied Scripture and decided that God was more interested in his motivations for getting a tattoo, rather than the act of tattooing.

He said he wanted a tattoo before becoming a Christian and if he wasn’t a believer, he would have gotten something “reflecting my passion for the world” instead of a Hebrew inscription on his left arm meaning “God is my judge.”

Laster said he hopes his business does well enough so other tattoo artists can run it while he and his wife move to Bulgaria and become missionaries.

“I just want to lead a life that’s pleasing to Christ,” he said.