TATTOO: THE MARK OF REBELLION
The Bible, from cover to cover, and over and over, condemns rebellion. The
Lord God considered rebellion so serious – He compared rebellion to witchcraft.
And may I remind you, witchcraft was punishable by death!
"For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, . . . "
1 Samuel 15:23
"Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live."
Exodus 22:18
And if there’s one message the tattoo cries out – loud and clear – it’s
rebellion.
Throughout history tattoos have symbolized rebellion. There’s nothing normal
about a tattoo. A tattoo screams of unabashed rebellion and deviancy.
Every
tattoo book, and every article, I researched, both old and new, openly affirmed
the deliberate rebellion symbolized by the tattoo. Book after book, article
after article, sung the same song – tattoos are open rebellion. It’s worth
noting – all the following quotes are from pro tattoo books.
"Since body art is still not mainstream, having marks on your body that you
put there on purpose shows the world your rebellious and unconventional
nature".
(Jean-Chris Miller, The Body Art Book : A Complete, Illustrated Guide to
Tattoos, Piercings, and Other Body Modifications, p. 32)
"In this culture, a tattooed person is still looked at as a rebel,
as someone who has very visibly stepped out of the bounds of normal society,
. . ."
(Michelle Delio, Tattoo: The Exotic Art of Skin Decoration, p. 75)
"Unquestionably tattoos are socially unacceptable."
(Ronald Scutt, Art, Sex and Symbol, 1974, p. 179)
TATTOO: A MARK OF DISGRACE OR REPROACH
Steve Gilbert, in the very popular, pro-tattoo book, Tattoo History: A
Source Book, documents that even the word "tattoo" means ". . . a mark of
disgrace or reproach".
"The Latin word for ‘tattoo’ was stigma and the original meaning is
reflected in modern dictionaries. Among the definitions of ‘stigma’ listed by
Webster are a ‘prick with a pointed instrument,’ . . .’ a distinguishing mark
cut into the flesh of a slave or a criminal,’ and ‘a mark of disgrace or
reproach."
(Gilbert, Steve, Tattoo History: A Source Book, p. 15)
In fact, for most of it’s slimy history the tattoo was used to mark the
criminal, adulterers, traitors, deserters, the deviant and outcast. The tattoo
was a dreaded mark of reproach and disgrace.
"Adultery, also, was punished in this way [tattooed] in some parts of
Britain, and ‘bad characters’ were marked BC. . . In 1717, branding was
abolished in the Army and replaced with tattooing. .. with the letter
‘D’ deserter’"
(Ronald Scutt, Art, Sex and Symbol, 1974, p. 162)
TATTOO: THE MARK OF THE ‘SIDESHOW FREAK’
As late as the early 1900’s, the tattoo was so far "out of bounds" of normal,
civilized society, the tattooed was mainly found freaking people out as an
attraction in the circus "freak show".
"By 1897 tattooing had reached the United States, where it immediately
became a circus sideshow attraction."
(Laura Reybold, Everything you need to know about the dangers of tattooing
and body percing, p. 17)
"The popularity of tattooing during the latter part of the nineteenth
century and the first half of the twentieth century owed much to the circus."
(Gilbert, Steve, Tattoo History: A Source Book, p. 135)
TATTOO: THE MARK OF INDECENCY
Tattoos are so rebellious and disgusting to most people – they compare a
tattoo to filthy pornography – "dirty, indecent and subversive to morality".
"In a society that considers nudity as dirty, indecent, and subversive or
morality . . .— it is not surprising that decorations to the body are
allocated to the same category."
(Ronald Scutt, Art, Sex and Symbol, 1974, p. 179)
Even in the barbaric and immoral ancient Greek and Rome, the tattoo was
considered "barbaric" and used primarily to mark slaves and criminals. It’s
interesting, they promoted slavery and other forms of depravity – but felt
tattoos were barbaric. What does that testify of today’s barbaric Christian
tattooing craze? Is the next step in Christian depravity – slavery?
"Respectable Greeks and Romans did not indulge in decorative tattooing,
which they associated with barbarians. The Greeks, however, learned the
technique from the Persians, and used it to mark slaves and criminals so they
could be identified if they tried to escape."
(Gilbert, Steve, Tattoo History: A Source Book, p. 15)
TATTOO: THE MARK OF DEPRAVITY
Criminals, drug addicts, sex perverts and social outlaws are the overwhelming
majority of the tattooed. Statistics, both old and recent, clearly reveal
tattoos are largely worn by the rebellious and deviant.
"In addition to being a form of self-destruction, the tattoo seals the
wearer off from the rest of normal society forever. It’s not all that
surprising to note that the largest number of tattooed in Japan belong to the
underworld, and in America tattoos are most prevalent either in jail or
hard rock bands."
(Danny Sugerman, Appetite for Destruction: the Days of Guns N’ Roses,
p. 40)
"It was ancient Japanese tradition to tattoo convicted criminals. .
. "
(Laura Reybold, Everything you need to know about the dangers of tattooing
and body percing, p. 15)
"A study of young offenders on the West Coast of America concluded that
delinquents tattoo themselves significantly more often than non-delinquents,
and that the inclination develops at an early age without any thought for the
future."
(Ronald Scutt, Art, Sex and Symbol, 1974, p. 113)
"In the Borstal institutions [criminals] it has been estimated that the
incidence of tattooing can be as high as 75 per cent."
(Ronald Scutt, Art, Sex and Symbol, 1974, p. 113)
Comprehensive studies performed in Denmark, revealed the following
enlightening statistics concerning tattoos:
42% of homes for short-term detentioned were tattooed
60% of homes for young men with behavior difficulties
72% of prisons for young men
52% of prisons population
(Ronald Scutt, Art, Sex and Symbol, 1974, p. 114)"The same Denmark
studies also disclosed less than 4.8 in the general population were tattooed."
(Ronald Scutt, Art, Sex and Symbol, 1974, p. 114)
Investigations by law enforcement officials also came to the conclusion that:
"the presence of ornamental body tattoos could serve to indicate the
existence of personality disorders which are liable to manifest themselves in
criminal behaviour".
(Ronald Scutt, Art, Sex and Symbol, 1974, p. 117)
"Therefore, many authorities link tattooing with aggression, i.e.
anti-authoritarianism, and it cannot be disputed that gangs and delinquents,
juvenile or otherwise, display massive evidence of aggression".
(Ronald Scutt, Art, Sex and Symbol, 1974, p. 114)
According to study after study, a tattoo so personifies and establishes a
"rebellious atmosphere" that one of the most important steps in prison
rehabilitation is the removal of the tattoo. According to many serious studies,
a tattoo is linked so strong to criminal behavior and delinquency, that without
question, the mere decoration of the tattoo inherently contributes to the
criminal behavior pattern.
"This [tattoos] is one of the problems behind prison rehabilitation.
Hence the reason why some plastic surgeons associated with prison service
are prepared to spend an enormous amount of time removing tattoos,
especially those on exposed areas. . ."
(Ronald Scutt, Art, Sex and Symbol, 1974, p. 181)
The famous architect, Adolf Loos, who also studied the connection to tattoos
and crime, blatantly wrote:
"Tattooed men who are not behind bars are either latent criminals or
degenerate aristocrats. If someone who is tattooed dies in freedom, then
he does so a few years before he would have committed murder".
(Adolf Loos, 1962 Ornament und Verbrechen. Samtliche Schriften, edited
by F. Gluck. Vienna: Herold, 1962, cited at www.into-you.co.uk/contents/misc.htm)
TATTOO: THE MARK OF PERVERSION
Studies have linked tattoos to homosexuality, lesbianism, and gross sexual
perversion.
"To be fair to those who maintain that tattooing is linked to
homosexuality, investigations conducted in a New Zealand Borstal for girls
revealed that of the 60 per cent tattooed, 90 per cent admitted to lesbian
behaviour during corrective treatment. . .
Yet further analysis indicated a ratio of aggression to the number of tattoos,
and that the most heavily tattooed girls were unstable and insecure and
tended to take the masculine role in their sex encounters."
(Ronald Scutt, Art, Sex and Symbol, 1974, p. 87)
"[associated with tattoos] Among these conditions Raspa cited:
impulsiveness, low self esteem, lack of self control, homosexual
orientation, sexual sadomasochism, bondage, fetishism, bisexuality, lesbianism,
antisocial personality, borderline personality disorder, schizotypal
personality disorder, mania and bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia."
(Raspa, Robert F. and John Cusack 1990, Psychiatric Implications of Tattoos,
American Family Physician. 41: p. 1481 cited in Gilbert, Steve, Tattoo
History: A Source Book, p. 159)
TATTOO: AND PERSONALITY DISORDERS
Studies also show that "self-inflicted" tattoos are frequently associated
with people with personality disorders, troubled backgrounds and self-mutilation
tendencies.
"Evidence indicates that it is the mere presence of the tattoo, not
its artistic content, that correlates with certain diagnoses. Thus, any
tattoo can be viewed as a warning sign that should alert the practicing
physician to look for underlying psychiatric conditions."
(Raspa, Robert F. and John Cusack 1990, Psychiatric Implications of Tattoos,
American Family Physician. 41: p. 1483)
". . . studies suggests that people with personality disorders
frequently have multiple small tattoos. . ."
(Ronald Scutt, Art, Sex and Symbol, 1974, p. 115)
Research clearly indicates ". . . the presence of tattooing was often
indicative of a deprived and troubled background,. . ."
(Ronald Scutt, Art, Sex and Symbol, 1974, p. 117)
BUT WHAT ABOUT THE TATTOOS OF TODAY?
I know what some are thinking. . . Sure, in the past tattoos were linked to
criminals, depravity, and immoral behavior – but not today.
Today, the tattoo is worn by celebrities, athletes, politicians and business
people. It’s adorned in high fashion mags and sports mags. There’s absolutely no
data to even remotely suggest tattoos are linked to criminal or immoral
behavior. No sir. Today’s tattoo is high-fashion and cool.
Oh. . . Really?
A very comprehensive study and analysis of tattoos, was recently published in
April, 2001. The study was performed by Dr. Timothy Roberts, a pediatrician at
the University of Rochester Children’s Hospital. The detailed analysis was taken
from a study of 6072 young people, ages 11 to 21. From all over the United
States. From all different ethnic groups. From all economic and social
backgrounds. In other words, very thorough and reliable data models were
constructed for the study. In fact, this study is probably the most
comprehensive and conclusive analysis of tattoos ever conducted.
According to the study, today’s tattooed young people:
Are nearly four times more likely to engage in sexual intercourse
Over two times more likely to experience alcohol related problems
Nearly two times more likely to use illegal drugs
Over two times more likely to express violent behavior
Over two times more likely to drop out of high school
Dr. Roberts writes, that the results of the study reveal:
"Tattooing in adolescents was significantly associated with
sexual intercourse, substance use, violence and school problems in
bivariate analyses and in logistic regressions adjusting for sociodemographic
factors and peer substance use."
(Timothy A. Roberts, M.D. and Sheryl A. Ryan, M.D., Tattooing and High-Risk
Behavior in Adolescents, Division of Adolescent Medicine, Strong
Children’s Research Center, University of Rochester School of Medicine,
Rochester, NY)
Dr. Roberts, writes in the "conclusion" of the study that tattoos "have
strong associations with high-risk behaviors in adolescents"
"Conclusion: Permanent tattoos have strong associations with high-risk
behaviors in adolescents. The presence of a tattoo during examination of
an adolescent should prompt in-depth assessment for high-risk behaviors."
(Timothy A. Roberts, M.D. and Sheryl A. Ryan, M.D., Tattooing and High-Risk
Behavior in Adolescents, Division of Adolescent Medicine, Strong
Children’s Research Center, University of Rochester School of Medicine,
Rochester, NY)
It is worth mentioning, Dr. Roberts, himself has a tattoo. And before the
study, Dr. Roberts admittedly believed that people with tattoos were unfairly
stereotyped. One of his purposes of the study was to prove that point. After the
overwhelming results, Dr Roberts, admitted, "I was more than a little
surprised at the result."
After evaluating the data, Dr. Roberts says, "A tattoo is a sign that
doctors, parents, teachers ought to be asking about the teenager’s behaviour."
BUT WASN’T JESUS A REBEL?
I hear this "rebel-party-line" from Christians:
"Hey dude, yea man, I’m a rebel just like Jesus. Yea, man, He was the
real rebel. He rebelled against the system, man. Yea, man, He’s the ultimate
rebel. Man, like, that’s why I wear my tattoos – I’m rebelling against the
system."
Heavily tattooed, Sonny of the
"Rastafarianism-Christianity-AND-God-Knows-What-Else" punk-rap-metal rock band
P.O.D. claims Jesus Christ was the first rebel — and the "first punk rocker"!
"We believe that Jesus was the first rebel. He was the first punk
rocker going against all the rest of it"
Sonny, P.O.D.
(https://www.shoutweb.com/interviews/pod0700.phtml)
Let’s get something straight! The Lord Jesus Christ was NOT A REBEL! The
Bible is very clear. The Lord Jesus Christ was OBEDIENT unto death – even the
death of the cross!
Phil. 2:8
And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became
obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
Even in the Garden of Gethsemane, knowing that every wicked, abominable sin
committed in history was going to be placed upon Him (2 Cor. 5:17), knowing that
He was going to drink the cup of wrath of God, and in great agony, His sinless
sweat was dropping as it were great drops of blood — even then, Thank God, Thank
God — HE DID NOT REBEL! As He prayed ". . .not my will, but thine, be done."
42 Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me:
nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.
43 And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him.
44 And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as
it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.
Luke 22:42-44
Yes. The Lord Jesus Christ was ‘against’ the world and the system – but it
was because the world was the REBEL – not the Lord Jesus Christ. Thank God – He
was OBEDIENT to the will of God. The world, the flesh and the devil REBELLED and
is REBELLING against the Word of God. Just like anyone that disgraces themselves
with a "God-forbidden" tattoo.
Oh my friend, aren't you glad that Jesus Christ was NOT a rebel. That He was
OBEDIENT unto His Father's will. Aren't you glad that Sonny of P.O.D. is so
wrong. If Jesus Christ REBELLED, one second, one thought, one sin, there would
be no hope. Aren't you glad Jesus Christ loved you so much that He died for you
on Calvary?
Have you ever received the Lord Jesus Christ as your personal Saviour?
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TATTOO'S DEADLY LITTLE SECRET