Michelle

Michelle Talbot WRT 105 Janell Haynes 14 November 2008 Essay Proposal

For this unit’s essay I will explore and analyze the controversy of getting body piercings and/or tattoos and being religious. There are multiple sides to the argument of whether religious people should get body piercings or tattoos and I will be talking about each of them in my essay. Some people, of the Christian faith for example, have no problem with fellow Christians getting body piercings or tattoos. If anything, getting a tattoo, of a cross for example, is just another way of expressing their faith and respecting the Lord. They want to make it known that they believe and getting a tattoo is just another way of expressing that. On the other hand, some people find it extremely wrong for a religious person to get any tattoo or any piercing. They frequently quote the part of the Bible where it “forbids” marking up your body in any way. However, there are people who also fall right in the middle of this debate. They may not approve of getting any religious tattoos, but a tattoo of something else is fine. They do not see any wrong in getting a body piercing or a tattoo as long as it has nothing to do with religion. Also, the Christian faith is not all that I will be mentioning. The Mormons, for example, also have an ongoing debate on whether or not it is okay to get tattoos. For my research for this essay I will be exploring many different databases so I can obtain different opinions and facts about this particular controversy. This is very important because this debate is so controversial and for me to correctly analyze it, I need to know every single aspect of the argument, not just one or two. I also have a few questions about this argument. Mainly, what is the big deal whether or not you are religious and have a tattoo and/or body piercing? It does not make you any less religious if you do. Unless the tattoo is of something “evil” (i.e. racism, sexist, degrading etc.) then it’s fine. Just because you have a tattoo or body piercing it does not make your faith any less important or futile. Also, obtaining a tattoo or a body piercing is not going to make you go to hell, so why do some people get so angry over them? I believe that even they would agree that there are far worse things someone can do in this life that is “evil”. What do they see in tattoos and body piercings that are so wrong?

Are there any religions that have no problems with tattoos and/or piercings? Does the fact that tattoos are often associated with criminals and members of gangs have anything to do with the negative perception religions have of tattoos? Why do Christians not approve of getting religious tattoos but other tattoos are fine? It seems like it should be the other way around.. getting tattoos relating to religion would be encouraged.. --Juliana

What are other meanings of tattoos/piercings? (not related to religion) Are there other religions where tattoos/piercings is absolutely prohibited because it is a way of defacing the body where the body is suppose to be treated as a "temple"? What is the modern views on tattoos/piercings? Which subculture are you investigating? - Kelly