Sometimes

[Stan]

Sometimes it can be hard to see past the tatoos all over the face etc, the studs and piecing in every visible place, the huge holes in the ears, and see the hurting and empty person Jesus sees.

Lord forgive me.

[Naomi]

Amen

[Gail]

Yeah, as well as the behaviour that might be trying to protect oneself

[Naomi]

Yeah, as well as the behaviour that might be trying to protect oneself

[LifeHiscost]

Originally Posted By: Gail

Yeah, as well as the behaviour that might be trying to protect oneself

And sometimes the piercing comes in different forms than visible.

God blesses!

[Dottie]

If I talk to someone whose garb or tattoos or hair or cleanliness seems overpowering, I always try to look in their eyes so I don't look at what can be offensive.

It's easier to carry on a conversation. But if smell is overpowering, it is extremely hard, as my nose is very sensitive.

[Liz]

I may have told this story before, so if you've heard it already please forgive me.

When my daughter was very small around three, she always complimented people, either their dress or hair or whatever she always found something to compliment them on.

One day we were at Barnes and Nobles and our checker had a silver nose ring. Sarah had never seen one before and she was mesmerized by it. I was hoping that another checker would open up, but no, we got the one with the nose ring. As soon as we approached the counter Sarah said, "I like your nose thing, I wish I had one, but I want a green one." Green was her favorite color at the time. Now when she said this it took us all about a second to realize what a green nose ring would look like.

Even the customers still in line behind us burst out laughing.

[Overaged]

If I talk to someone whose garb or tattoos or hair or cleanliness seems overpowering, I always try to look in their eyes so I don't look at what can be offensive.

It's easier to carry on a conversation. But if smell is overpowering, it is extremely hard, as my nose is very sensitive.

Each has their own unique gifts. Because of my nursing, smell does not affect me too much.

I make it a point to talk to people I meet with tattoos, piercings, etc just like I would anyone else. Most of them are wonderful people with hearts of gold - we are so good at judging a book by it's cover.

[kailooa]

Hmmm. I wonder what you all would think of me. I have multiple piercings in my ears and a nose ring too. And I consider myself Adventist, although I know there are those of you who would love to pick that apart. Good thing my spiritual identity is not determined by the opinions of others.

[cricket]

I wonder what you would think of me, kailooa.

[LifeHiscost]

Quote:

Good thing my spiritual identity is not determined by the opinions of others.

No, but it could have some consequences you might choose to avoid if you knew it reflects on the character of the Lord you choose to serve.

"Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body."1 Corinthians 6:20 NLT

God blesses!

[olger]

I like to ask people thought-provoking questions, if I have opportunity.

A girl was campaigning for jewelry one time. I asked her "Why do you need it?"

She eventually came to realize that she didn't "need" it. She only wanted it, and for the wrong reasons. She is a vibrant christian lady now - sans ornaments.

Rejoice always,

G

[LynnDel]

All it takes is to get to know the person, and then it is easy to look past the trappings. Those I know well who are highly decorated, tattooed, pierced, and studded, are some of the sweetest people I have ever met. It seems incongruous--such a real person hiding behind a scary exterior.

LD

[Tobiwan]

True, our bodies are a temple, and the real battle is for the knot that is tied off at the top.

So tell me, how soon on the trip from this world, to the home of God, do you think those among the saved will be asked to line up to have their body art and such removed?

Also, this new name written on our forehead will it be attached with velcro so it can be removed where it might offend, or might it not be a fantastic glorious Tat?

remember, God looks on the heart

[olger]

I think the tattoo craze is preparing people for the Mark of the Brute.

[monty]

I have always been intrigued why people go through such pain to decorate their bodies. Piercings the same. Then to listen to them talk among themselves about this piercing or that tatoo like it was the most admirable thing. There is a reason God has forbid it. I have come to understand it as intense self absorbtion or narcissism. This of course should not reflect how we relate to them in a Christian context. I also have found among them kind, polite, caring people then also the worst one could come accross.

[jasd]

It's a generational thing. Every generation attaches to itself a thing or two that indentifies and makes them peculiar... (isn't peculiarity celebrated in the .Org?) In my generation boys adopted a hairstyle called a "Ducktail". People became outraged that a young man would associate himself with lower elements by adopting a "Ducktail" hairdo.

Remember Madonna and how she influenced the teeny-boppers of the world? Then also there was the grunge and the punk generations?

Well, some elements of them are still around who've added to their 'outré' the stylings of the tats and piercings generation.

Now it's tats and piercings with admittedly, some of the tats actually very artistic - so, upon that note, magnificently coiffed 'blue hair' upon our elder ladies comes to mind... And the way the dollar is sliding, I can think of worse things to have than a one carat 'D' diamond in one's earlobe.

I hold my peace, as I suspect the kids and grandkids will be even more outrageous - and there are still some old-timers around who remind me of my idiotic Ducktail, which sometime later became a ponytail; then later still, an afro; then churchgoing 'straight'; now, as silver sans... :(

[Naomi]

[CoAspen]

Quote:

Good thing my spiritual identity is not determined by the opinions of others.

No, but it could have some consequences you might choose to avoid if you knew it reflects on the character of the Lord you choose to serve.

"Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body."1 Corinthians 6:20 NLT

God blesses!

Everything we do in life can or may reflect on the character of God. The text you quoted is another reason why I avoid people who feel compelled to use the Bible for their own personal pointing stick....out of context!!!!!! I go with the person who is secure in their spirituality enough to not feel put down by others opinions!! Since God looks at the 'heart', one could wonder if he ever 'sees' the exterior. Glad He only sees only my heart...or I would be in a world of hurt!

[Woody]

Quote:

Everything we do in life can or may reflect on the character of God. The text you quoted is another reason why I avoid people who feel compelled to use the Bible for their own personal pointing stick....out of context!!!!!! I go with the person who is secure in their spirituality enough to not feel put down by others opinions!! Since God looks at the 'heart', one could wonder if he ever 'sees' the exterior. Glad He only sees only my heart...or I would be in a world of hurt!

[JoeMo]

Wow! I can't believe we are having this conversation in 2012. It reminds me of the early 1960's when people were so offended by the Beatles' outrageously long hair. Now you can wear your hair longer than that in the Marines.

Do those of you that fear those with piercings and/or tatoos (or are offended by them) realize that more than half of people between the ages of 18 and 30 have multiple piercings/tats? If these things scare or offend you, don't visit our church. Our pastor has pierced ears, our youth leader wears a stud in her tongue, and most of our youth have multiple piercings/tatoos. Our youth also have a faith that is so active, vibrant and passionate that they put us "frozen chosen" to shame.

I'd like to see some scripture (not EGW quotes) taken in context that condemns piercings or tatoos. I'll use Ezekiel 16 to assert that God uses symbols like piercings and jewelry to demonstrate His lavish love towards us. See verses 11-13:

"11 I adorned you with jewelry: I put bracelets on your arms and a necklace around your neck, 12 and I put a ring on your nose, earrings on your ears and a beautiful crown on your head. 13 So you were adorned with gold and silver; your clothes were of fine linen and costly fabric and embroidered cloth."

Where would you get the idea that piercings and tatoos somehow reflect on or diminish God's character? Surely the God that created everything seen and unseen, Who has witnessed all of history, and Who knows all and sees all has seen things way more offensive than a tatoo or piercing. The Jesus I know was not offended or embarassed to hang around with prostitutes, drunks, and lepers; but He was offended by the self-righteousness and judgmentalism of the Pharisees.

If we could look on people through the eyes of Jesus rather than the eyes of denominationalism, maybe we could be a little more compassionate and loving to everyone instead of thanking God that we are not like them. I read in Romans that "all have fallen short of the glory of God" and that "no one is righteous not even one". Also , Jesus said "do not judge, lest ye be judged"; and "forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors". If we could look through the inclusive eyes of Jesus instead of the exclusive eyes of tradional Adventism, we migh see more people in church, and more people taking hold of the destinies God has planned for them rather than intimidating and scaring them into conformity to a man-made denomination.

I've got a confession to make. When I turned 60 years old, I had my left ear pierced. The kids and many of the adults of our congregation complemented me on it. Of course, I have been to other congregations where I have been rebuked and chastised for defacing my body. Guess which congregation I feel the love of Jesus in?

[Naomi]

Well JoeMo, I was going to suggest we go together and get a piercing, but you've already done it. I think the little "Rose" tatto is cool ... shall we get tats? :)

[phkrause]

Wow!Now you can wear your hair longer than that in the Marines.

A bit of a tall tale JoeMo! I do agree with all of your post but this little isty piece.

[Gail]

I'd like to see some scripture (not EGW quotes) taken in context that condemns piercings or tatoos.

Okay...

Quote:

) Leviticus 19:28

Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print any marks upon you: I am the LORD.

I would not categorize these cuttings as motivated by the same reasons as those who self-mutilate, nor the tattooing, but you asked for it.

Do they bother me? Not in the least. A person is convicted in the heart and it could be that a heart needs healing and/or could be working on something with the Lord that's different than their outward appearance at the moment.

I do like olger's take on it, though. That's a good question for anyone to ask him/herself periodically!

[LifeHiscost]

I like to ask people thought-provoking questions, if I have opportunity.

A girl was campaigning for jewelry one time. I asked her "Why do you need it?"

She eventually came to realize that she didn't "need" it. She only wanted it, and for the wrong reasons. She is a vibrant christian lady now - sans ornaments.

Rejoice always,

G

"Don’t be concerned about the outward beauty of fancy hairstyles, expensive jewelry, or beautiful clothes. You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God." 1 Peter 3:3,4 NLT

God blesses!