Are Tattoos and Body Piercing Against Catholic Teachings?

The Catholic Church is not against tattoos or body piercing in general, but it does have a strict view of what is and is not acceptable for a Catholic to call "body art". The Catholic Church preaches that any act that damages ones body is sinful. Tattoos and piercing do not stop the breathing of their recipients. This is not to say that the Church is against body art, but body art that depicts anti-Christianity images such as gang signs, profanity, of images of gore.

Father Peter Joseph wrote in the "Latin Mass Journal of Catholic Culture and Tradition" a guide to what the Catholic Church deems acceptable.

1. In this time of disease, most rampantly spreading-HIV, doctors should be consulted about the possibility of needles entering the human body.

2. The content of an image also determines is offensive power to the Church. Multiple piercing and tattoos sometimes disfigure the people who sport them and are usually visually abrasive- demonic worship or images of mythical creatures that rival God, such as the Pegasus and the more popular minotaurs: These acts go against the First and Second Commandments," You shall have no other gods before Me: You shall not make for yourself a carved image-any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth, respectively.

According to Father Joseph, the human body is not meant to be decorated with demonic images or images of great importance to the Church such as "The Crucifixion".

The Catholic Church does not have as rigid guidelines for piercing as tattoos. The only preferences are that the piercing be done in the ear. Multiple piercing are allowed, but should be limited in number and to women. The Catholic Church recognizes male piercing to a degree, but piercing that go against the multiple piercing preference are seen as an attempt for men to sexually disorient, make themselves more feminine. This perception arrives from the Catholic Church's ongoing Crusade against homosexuality.

The easier list to remember is what is allowed. Yes, for the lovers of today, being inked with the name of a spouse or mate is allowed. Minor representations of religious stature, crosses, are also accepted as long as the person receiving the images does relate the image to his or her toughness, but leave the tattoo to religious devotion. In lay mens' terms: Do not propagate the use of religious sacramental to boasting of an ego. Piercing should be kept to body parts that are always legal to show and are above the waist: In most cases, above the neck is even better. Size, color, and shape have no bearing on whether or not a piercing is demonic.

The guidelines set down by the Church are strict and offer little to no room for discrepancy. The Catholic Church does not ask its followers to abstain from the popular trends of today, but to moderate their usage and adhere to the " code of conduct" of such behaviors. The purpose of the Catholic Church's restrictions is not to lock Catholics in convents and monasteries, but to allow them to realize a life that meets the almost inconceivable balance of moral righteousness and the ability to have a good time.

(Written by D.K.West)