Bob Thiel, the non-ordained self-appointed false prophet of the Continuing Ed Church of God is lashing out at tattoo's. Never one to come up with an original thought, Thiel is recycling old WCG writings in order to impress his 30 some church members and hopefully sound good to church members in other groups. Tattoo's is just another in a long line of things the church has no business sticking it's nose into.
Thiel starts out writing about Nicole Richie who regrets getting a tramp tat years ago.
Thiel writes:
Although she thought her inking was a good idea aged 16, now, 15 years later she now wants it gone. http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/entertainment/why-nicole-richie-is-on-a-mission-to-remove-her-teen-tramp-stamp/story-e6fredpu-1226633013911
As it turns out, when she was told it would take multiple treatments and about one year for it to be removed, she decided against getting it removed now, but stated that she would likely do it some time in the future.
Lower-back tattoos are also perceived as an indication of promiscuity by some, and so that is likely how the term “tramp stamp” developed. When one considers that the tattoo is not in a place that the woman getting it can see without mirrors or some other aid, this is also consistent with the view it is there to be seen by someone looking at her nude/nearly nude body (or fairly low cut slacks while wearing a short top/blouse).
Whether related to increased promiscuity or not, more and more seem to have tattoos. When I grew up, it seemed it was mainly bikers and men who had been in the military.
Thiel then has to find some connection to paganism that people apparently still worship today:
The Smithsonian report mentioned Egypt and the dwarf god Bes. Here is some information about him:Then to bring Jesus into the picture he says this:Bes (Bisu, Aha) was an ancient Egyptian dwarf god. He was a complex being who was both a deity and a demonic fighter. He was a god of war, yet he was also a patron of childbirth and the home, and was associated with sexuality, humour, music and dancing. Although he began as a protector of the pharaoh, he became very popular with every day Egyptian people because he protected women and children above all others. He had no temples and there were no priests ordained in his name. However, he was one of the most popular gods of ancient Egypt and was often depicted on household items such as furniture, mirrors and cosmetics containers and applicators as well as magical wands and knives. It is also thought that sacred prostitutes may have had a tattoo of Bes placed near their pubic area in order to prevent venereal diseases…(Gods of Ancient Egypt: Bes. Copyright J Hill 2010. http://ancientegyptonline.co.uk/bes.html)Thus, tattoos provided a religious connection with this Egyptian deity. Throughout the Bible, God’s people are warned to come out of Egypt and not have images of heathen gods (e.g. Exodus 20:1-6). Since Bes was supposed to be a protector and fighter against demons, this may well be why prostitutes had tattoos–apparently some were mistakenly led to believe that the tattoo would protect them from sexually-transmitted diseases and other problems. God did not want His people to follow such practices.
Although the Church of Rome does not discourage tattoos, and some Protestants seem to believe that displaying certain ones (normally with symbols such as crosses or scriptural verses) gives a public testimony to Christ. Yet, Jesus never had a tattoo.Now that you know the truth about tattoo's you should not go out and get any more.
Actually, His word condemned them:28 You shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor tattoo any marks on you: I am the Lord. 29 ‘Do not prostitute your daughter, to cause her to be a harlot, lest the land fall into harlotry, and the land become full of wickedness. (Leviticus 19:28-29)The fact that the admonition against prostitution comes right after the admonition to not have tattoos reminds me of the view that certain tattoos are signs of a tramp, hence the modern term “tramp stamp.”
Of course, if you have one or more tattoos this does not mean that you are doomed or that you have to rush out and try to get it removed. But certainly, you should not get more of them. Nor should anyone who claims to believe the Bible actually go out and get them.13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived (2 Timothy 3:13, KJV)The growing acceptance of tattoos in Western societies is consistent with the above.