When I was an Army Officer from 1977-1994, I never saw another officer with a tattoo. Now I see West Point cadets with tattoos, unthinkable in my day. I believe tattoos are unnecessary on men and relegate women to the streets. When I am hiring, tattoos are a show stopper for me.
That would be Hathor not Bast.
.
>> “I lean toward the belief that it is not forbidding all expressions of tattoos.” <<
You lean beyond the tipping point!
.
Are ID numbers ok?
I do not think its a horrendous thing to get a tattoo. However, someone very dear to me gets them occasionally, admits its only a temporary pick me up, but eventually goes for another. It’s not a worship of self thing, but the process of getting permanent art makes them feel better.
They attempted to convince me of a tattoo, but I honestly can think of nothing I want permanently inked into my skin. Not even Christian symbology, and I am a professing & confessing Christian.
I think even Christian symbology doesn’t sound good to me, because I am not a bill board. I may do something at some point not glorifying to God in a very public manner. I am pretty sure Christ wouldn’t want me misrepresenting His brand. Even without branding, I smudge Him up bad enough.
And just about all my other thoughts are just like most, pop culture references go and come far too fast. My God given skin dates me enough, why add a definite tell of my age?
I can’t even think of a good personalized license plate. I have agonized for years of getting my call sign on my plates, but I prefer non memorable when I am whipping my pickup’s 8 hungry rats :)
Finally, ink won’t block you from heaven, but never think it will get you there either. I am pretty sure the mark of the beast is something quite a bit deeper and more profound than a tattoo. After all, the current tattoo craze will cause a major investment in later years to get the tech perfected to remove them without scarring and discoloration. I don’t think removal is going to “unmark” you from the beast.
I think the mark is going to be associated with permanent modification of the body to remain economically competitive, and these enhancements will have something to do with usurping our free will to choose God as our saviour. There are tons of theories about this... and since the Bible doesn’t give us definite specifics here, it’s pretty much a moot point.
I wonder if those who think the Bible bans tattoos, also ascribe that if one has a wet dream, he needs to bathe his entire body and “be unclean until evening” which requires separation from the clan...