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"...The church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth."
I Timothy 3:15

To Tattoo or Not To Tattoo

Terry Watkins

Dial-The-Truth Ministries. Used with Permission, Parts 3 and 4 of 8

Part 3  TATTOO: The Cup of Devils

TATTOO...YE WORSHIP YE KNOW WHAT

"Ye worship ye know not what. . ." Jesus Christ, John 4:22

Throughout history the tattoo bears the mark of paganism, demonism, Baal worship, shamanism, mysticism, heathenism, cannibalism and just about every other pagan belief known. The tattoo has NEVER been associated with Bible Believing Christians. And whenever and wherever, in history Christianity appears – tattoos disappear. The only exception -- 20th century, lukewarm, carnal, disobedient, Laodicean Christians.

The birth of the tattoo has always born the fruits of pagan religion and mysticism. Without exception, research after research, study after study, book after book, the roots of the tattoo never wavers. The following documentation is just a small (very small) drop of the ocean of research documenting the pagan and demonic source of the tattoo.

Please remember...The following documentation is from pro-tattoo books simply documenting the obvious spiritual and religious link to the tattoo. These are not Christian writers trying to paint a negative portrait of the tattoo.

No matter how much the carnal, rebellious, Christian desires to justify their perverse reasoning for "marking" themselves with the forbidden demonic tattoo, the facts are loud and clear, backed by tons of research and documentation by the leading pro-tattoo authorities on the planet – the foundation, origin, meaning and purposes of the tattoo is pagan demonism, shamanism, Baal worship, and occult mysticism.

A tattooist in many cultures is also a shaman, magick-man, priest or priestess. According to the dictionary a shaman is a "intermediary between the natural and supernatural worlds, using magic to cure illness, foretell the future, control spiritual forces, etc." (www.infoplease.com/ipd/A0648969.html)

"Tattooing is often a magical rite in the more traditional cultures, and the tattooist is respected as a priest or shaman." (Michelle Delio, Tattoo: The Exotic Art of Skin Decoration, p. 73)

"In Fiji, Fromosa, New Zealand and in certain of the North American Indian tribes, tattooing was regard as a religious ceremony, and performed by priests or priestesses."  (Ronald Scutt, Art, Sex and Symbol, 1974, p. 64)

"The actual tattooing process, which involved complex ritual and taboos, could only be done by priests and was associated with beliefs which were secrets known only to members of the priestly caste… Hambly concluded that historically tattooing had originated in connection with ancient rites of scarification and bloodletting which were associated with religious practices intended to put the human soul in harmony with supernatural forces and ensure continuity between this life and the next." (Gilbert, Steve, Tattoo History: A Source Book, p. 158)

The tattooist, shaman or the occult priest many times uses the tattoo as a point of contact, or inlets into the spiritual world. The tattoo is much more than just a body decoration. It’s more than just a layer of ink cut into the skin. In fact, the tattoo in every culture, in every country, up until the 20thcentury, was a vehicle for pagan spiritual and religious invocations. Even today, in many countries (including the United States), the tattoo is believed to be a bridge into the supernatural world.

Famous witch and author Laurie Cabot writes of the tattoo:

"The origins of tattooing came from ancient magical practices..."

(Laurie Cabot, Power of the Witch, cited in Masonic and Occult Symbols Illustrated by Dr. Cathy Burns, p. 301)

"According to Amy Krakow in her chronicle The Total Tattoo Book, ‘tattooing has had well-defined roles: marking a rite of passage at a stage of life, calling the spirits, proudly, defiantly or sneaky showing who you are via body art."

"Many native tribes practiced therapeutic tattooing. The Ojibwa, for instance, tattooed the temples, forehead, and cheeks of those suffering from headaches and toothaches that were believed to be caused by malevolent spirits. Songs and dances that were supposed to exorcise the demons accompanied the tattooing ceremony."

(Gilbert, Steve, Tattoo History: A Source Book, p. 90)

"Tattooing is about personalizing the body, making it a true home and fit temple for the spirit that dwells inside it...Tattooing therefore, is a way of keeping the spiritual and material needs of my body in balance." (Michelle Delio, Tattoo: The Exotic Art of Skin Decoration, p. 8)

Among today’s latest tattoo craze is "tribal tattoos", which are pure paganism. Tribal tattoos are designs that bear serious symbolic mystical and occult meanings. Tribal tattoos, especially, are possible channels into spiritual and demonic possession.

"When the designs are chosen with care, tattoos have a power and magic all their own. They decorate the body but they also enhance the soul." (Michelle Delio, Tattoo: The Exotic Art of Skin Decoration, p. 13)

"The reasons why puncturing the skin should be regarded with some degree of awe are not far to seek, for in the first place, there is the drawing of blood, which to the savage world over is full of significance as a rejuvenating and immortalizing factor. There is in addition to the opening of numerous inlets for evil to enter. . ." (Hambly Wilfrid D. 1925. The History of Tattooing and its Significance, p. 233, cited in Gilbert, Steve, Tattoo History: A Source Book, p. 162)

Rolling Stone magazine describes famous tattoo artist Paul Booth during his tattoo as, "…allowing his clients' demons to help guide the needle." (Rolling Stone magazine, March 28, 2002, p. 40)

"Burmese tattooing has been associated with religion for thousands of years. Tattooing among indigenous North American groups including the Arapaho, Mohave, Cree, and Inuit (Eskimo) is rooted in the spiritual realm as well." (Laura Reybold, Everything you need to know about the dangers of tattooing and body piercing, p. 15)

"Skulls imprinted on skin abound, and depictions of the Grim Reaper are commonly seen...These images, indelibly marked on the skin, reflect uncertainty about the future, and sublimate the pervasive fear of the unknown. Possibly, at the same time, to wear a death’s figure on one’s body may be an invocation of whatever undefinable forces of nature and the cosmos that exist, in an attempt to protect the wearer from such a fate." (Henry Ferguson and Lynn Procter, The Art of the Tattoo, p. 76)

Ronald Scutt, in his exhaustive book, Art, Sex and Symbol (1974) covers a great deal about the history and culture of tattoos. Scutt documents that most of the time tattoos are connected to spiritual, religious and mystical purposes. The following documentation is from Scutt’s book:

"In fact tattooing is much more likely, in view of its subsequent development, to have had a mystical significance, or to have been used as a status symbol, the red ochre carrying an association with blood and life." (p. 22)

[Tattooing] "In association with sun-worship, megalithic building, ear-piercing, serpent worship… (p. 22)

"These marks [tattoos] are believed to be associated with the worship of the sun-goddess Neith" (p. 24)

"Be that as it may, primitive tribes were certainly convinced that the spirit, having escaped from the body at death, retained a replica of its earthly tenement. They therefore used tattoo marks as a means of identification in the next world and a passport to future happiness." (p. 63)

"The Mohave Indians in the Lower Colorado instituted chin tattooing for both sexes because it was believed that a kind of Judge looks over each one who comes to Sil’aid (Land of the Dead) and if a man don’t have marks on his face, He sends him down to where the desert rats are." (p. 63)

"Among other Indian tribes there was a conviction that on the journey heavenwards to the ‘Many Lodges’ they would be stopped by an old woman and examined for the presence of tattoo marks on the forehead, chin or wrists. If absent, the luckless warrior would be pushed off a dizzy height to fall back to earth with no hope of ever gaining readmittance to the spirit world." (p. 63)

"Hindus in Bengal believed that without tattoos parents would not be able to recognize their children in the next world." (p. 63)

"Then there is the ghastly fate of the untattooed Frijan women: ‘struck down by the souls of their own sex and without further ado served up as food for the gods."(p. 64)

"Yet the worship of the sun-god Baal had involved the marking of the hands [tattoos] with the divine token in a mystic attempt to acquire strength." (64)

According to survey and statistics, Scutt lists the reasons why people get a tattoo and the number two reason – "to secure a place in heaven".

"Reasons for getting a tattoo:

2. To secure a place in heaven.

5. To propitiate malignant spirits at time of death.

6. To acquire special characteristics through totemism and ancestor worship.

9. To make the body sexually interesting." (p. 13)

Dr. Hambly, probably the greatest tattooist historian and researcher that ever lived, writes over and over, that tattoos are based on pagan spiritual and religious rituals. Any serious and honest study of the origin and foundation of the tattoo will clearly expose a demonic and supernatural intent of tattoos.

Tattoo enthusiast and historian, Steve Gilbert, in his popular, Tattoo History: A Source Book, cites some of the historical facts Hambly found in his extensive research.

“[Hambly] retailed a wealth of examples which he had culled from field work by anthropologists in many parts of the world. Tattooing was supposed to: prevent pain; protect against gunshot wounds; cure illness; confer superhuman strength; preserve youth; enhance the supernatural powers of a shaman; ensure the survival of the soul after death; identify the soul in the hereafter; attract good luck; protect against witchcraft; ensure the protection of a deity; confer occult powers; prevent drowning; exorcise demons; ensure the protection of a totemic animal or spiritual guardian; record a pilgrimage to a holy place, etc…”

Hambly reported that previous investigators had often been misled because obtaining information as to the religious and magical uses of tattooing was fraught with difficulties. In the myths of many cultures tattooing was of divine origin. The actual tattooing process, which involved complex ritual and taboos, could only be done by priests and was associated with beliefs which were secrets known only to members of the priestly caste.

Anthropologists were often misled because their informants either did not know or would not reveal the secret significance of the rituals and taboos. Hambly concluded that historically tattooing had originated in connection with ancient rites of scarification and bloodletting which were associated with religious practices intended to put the human soul in harmony with supernatural forces and ensure continuity between this life and the next." (Gilbert, Steve, Tattoo History: A Source Book, p. 158)

THE TATTOO’S GREATEST ENEMY...THE LORD JESUS CHRIST

In the pages of history, whenever and wherever "tattooing" pagan tribes were converted to Christianity, without exception, one of their first pagan practices to "pass away" [2 Corinthians 5:17] – was the tattoo. Why? Because, unlike today’s disobedient carnal "tattooed" Christians (or so-called?), the converted pagan KNEW the tattoo was against the Word of God. The Holy Spirit quickly "told" the converted pagan – no tattoo.

"Just as occurred in other cultures with tattoo traditions, when these pagan tribes were ‘converted’ to the Christian religion, their spiritual and cultural rites (which included tattooing, piercing and scarification) were outlawed. . ."
(Jean-Chris Miller, The Body Art Book : A Complete, Illustrated Guide to Tattoos, Piercings, and Other Body Modifications, p.9)

Amazing...When the Lord Jesus Christ enters in – the tattoo goes out.

"Whenever missionaries encountered tattooing they eradicated it." (Gilbert, Steve, Tattoo History: A Source Book, p. 101)

"While these and other body modifications continued to be practiced underground as a way for non-Christian people to identify each other, God forbid you got caught and your mark was revealed." (Jean-Chris Miller, The Body Art Book: A Complete, Illustrated Guide to Tattoos, Piercings, and Other Body Modifications, p.11)

I have many friends before they were saved received a tattoo. And without exception, every one of them is ashamed, and as much as possible they cover it. But before they got saved – like the pagan tribes – they proudly displayed their tattoo. And let me add – most of the time, this is before they’ve read Leviticus 19:28, or before anyone even told them a tattoo is wrong. After receiving the Lord Jesus Christ, with the help of the indwelling Holy Spirit, they KNEW the tattoo was displeasing to their God. What about you?

A booming testimony to the author of the tattoo is recorded by Steve Gilbert:

"When Cortez and his conquistadors arrived on the coast of Mexico in 1519, they were horrified to discover that natives not only worshipped devils in the form of status and idols, but also had somehow managed to imprint indelible images of these idols on their skin. The Spaniards, who had never heard of tattooing, recognized it at once as the work of Satan." (Gilbert, Steve, Tattoo History: A Source Book, p. 99)

Even though, these Spaniards "had never heard of tattooing" – they "recognized it at ONCE as the work of Satan".

And some of today’s carnal, rebellious and disobedient Christians (or so-called Christians?) gibber-gabber nonsense about "marking themselves for Jesus". . .

TATTOOS...AND TODAY’S CIVILIZED SOCIETY

Somebody says, "Sure that was back in the dark ages. That was in heathen lands. Today that has all changed. Nobody connects any kind of ritualistic or pagan spiritual rituals to a tattoo."

Yes...They do. . .

"These tattoos act as protective and empowering talismans for the wearer. There are even some body artists who perform ritual tattoos, piercing, brandings and cuttings. They may suggest you consult your astrological chart to pick the right time to get your body art. They will burn incense, light candles…" (Jean-Chris Miller, The Body Art Book: A Complete, Illustrated Guide to Tattoos, Piercings, and Other Body Modifications, p. 29)

"Some tattooists in the West are experimenting with ritual tattooing. This method of working incorporates doing a ritual to create a sacred space in the area where the tattoo is positioned. Often incense is burned and the gods invited to bless the proceedings." (Michelle Delio, Tattoo: The Exotic Art of Skin Decoration, p. 75)

TATTOOS: THE CUP OF DEVILS

Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of devils.

1 Corinthians 10:21

Part 4  TATTOO: The Mark of Death

In Leviticus 19:28 the Lord gives a clear condemnation of tattoos – "...cuttings in your flesh...nor print any marks upon you."

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

Leviticus 19:28

It’s very interesting that Leviticus 19:28 links the tattoo with "the dead". Care to take a wild guess as the number one theme of tattoos? Even in today’s modern, civilized, society. . .?

You guessed it. . .!

DEATH. . .

"Death and darkness have always been a classic tattoo theme – skulls, snakes, demons, spiders and spider webs are all conventional tattoo imagery. Darkside tattooing takes our fascination with mortality, death, isolation, fear and evil to new levels."
(Jean-Chris Miller, The Body Art Book : A Complete, Illustrated Guide to Tattoos, Piercings, and Other Body Modifications, p. 56)

According to authors Henry Ferguson and Lynn Procter of The Art of the Tattoo, the most popular tattooed image of today is – "the all-pervasive grinning skull!"

"...probably the most popular tattooed image of today, the all-pervasive grinning skull!" (Henry Ferguson and Lynn Procter, The Art of the Tattoo, p. 76)

"Skulls imprinted on skin abound, and depictions of the Grim Reaper are commonly seen...These images, indelibly marked on the skin, reflect uncertainty about the future, and sublimate the pervasive fear of the unknown. Possibly, at the same time, to wear a death’s figure on one’s body may be an invocation of whatever undefinable forces of nature and the cosmos that exist, in an attempt to protect the wearer from such a fate." (Henry Ferguson and Lynn Procter, The Art of the Tattoo, p. 76)

Take a tour of most tattoo shops and morbid scenes of death, demons, serpents, and hell will engulf you! Grim reapers, flaming skulls, snakes crawling through skulls, demons, Satan, pornography, blasphemy, naked flames of hell – every satanic scene of hell is glorified. Who do you think is the "master artist" painting such hellish scenes in the minds of the tattooist? You know as well as I do who’s the real "master tattooist". . .

Incredible. Over 4,000 years ago, the Bible connected the tattoo to "the dead" and despite our so-called civilized, modern society – death is still the tattoo’s "mark"!

Wonder why. . .?

Now who in the Bible is associated with death? Who is the Author of Death? Who in the Bible is named Death?

AND HIS NAME...WAS DEATH

In Revelation chapter 6, Satan’s man, the anti-Christ, is introduced making his grand entrance during the tribulation. And the Bible gives his name as Death. Notice, the capital "D" for a person.

And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth. Revelation 6:8

Death entered into the world in Genesis chapter 3 by the seduction of Satan. Satan’s victory was death. No wonder his followers decorate themselves with his "trademark" of death. Just as the Lord Jesus Christ is Life and the giver of Life. Satan, "who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God" (2 Thess. 2:4), is Death and the author of Death.

Jesus Christ is Life. . .

In him was life; and the life was the light of men.

John 1:3

I am that bread of life.

John 6:48

Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:

John 11:25

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

John 14:6

But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you; And killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses. Acts 3:14-15

For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 6:23

1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life;

2 (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and show unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;) 1 John 1:1-2

11 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.

12 He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. 1 John 5:11-12

The Devil is Death. . .

In Hebrews chapter 2, the Bible says the Devil "had the power of death". Death is the devil’s masterpiece. Death was his greatest triumph. And Praise the Lord, the Lord Jesus Christ took the devil’s greatest triumph and the Devil’s ultimate power – death, and defeated him with it! Hallelujah!

Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he [Jesus] also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;

Hebrews 2:14

Also, if you remember the maniac of Gadera who was possessed with a "legion of unclean spirits and devils" lived among the tombs – the cemetery – the place of DEATH.

Mark 5:1-5 reads:

1 And they came over unto the other side of the sea, into the country of the Gadarenes.

2 And when he was come out of the ship, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit,
3 Who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no man could bind him, no, not with chains:

4 Because that he had been often bound with fetters and chains, and the chains had been plucked asunder by him, and the fetters broken in pieces: neither could any man tame him.

5 And always, night and day, he was in the mountains, and in the tombs, crying, and cutting himself with stones.

Notice, also the cutting himself with stones – bloodletting...the beginning of the tattoo.

The place of death is characterized by skulls, crossbones, crosses, etc. and are among the tattooist (and Satan’s) favorite subjects.

TATTOOS: THE MARK OF HELL

It’s also worth noting that not only is Death a major subject of tattoos but so is fire, flames and HELL. Revelation 6 says his name was Death and HELL FOLLOWED.

And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. . ."

Revelation 6:8

It’s no coincidence that closely "following" death "sitting" on the tattoo – follows flames, fire and hell. One of the all-time favorite subjects of the tattoo is flames and fire. Now...who is interested in glorifying flames and fire?

Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:

Matthew 25:41

TATTOOS: THE MARK OF THE SERPENT

It’s also very enlightening that another major theme of the tattoo is the Dragon and the Serpent. Second only to scenes of death and hell – evil, devilish images of dragons and serpents are the tattoo’s most wanted.

Hmm.... ? Now I wonder where that curious topic came from?

Now the serpent was more subtle than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?

Genesis 3:1

And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

Revelation 12:9

1 And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand.

2 And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years

Revelation 20:1-2

[Tattooing is associated] "...with sun-worship, megalithic building, ear-piercing, serpent worship…"(Ronald Scutt, Art, Sex and Symbol, 1974, p. 22)

Are you getting the picture?

TATTOOS: THE MARK OF SATAN

Rolling Stone magazine had an article on the famous tattooist Paul Booth. Booth, one of the world's most sought after tattoo artist, has tattooed the bodies of many rock stars. Booth has a waiting list of over two years! Booth's tattoo chamber is desecrated with real human skulls, customers' thank you notes written in blood, torture devices, upside down crosses, Satanic Goat of Mendes, meat hooks, and mummified animals. Rolling Stone says Booth's evil work is for those who, "...love death, perversion, blasphemy and torture…"(Rolling Stone, March 28, 2002, p. 39)

Booth's blasphemy and vile filth includes decapitated Christ figures, ghastly demons, transvestite nuns severing their own genitals, melting skulls and about every other blasphemous filth "spawned from hell". Booth's very first "inspired" tattoo was three fanged, skinless demons on the back of his girlfriend. (Rolling Stone, March 28, 2002, p. 40)

Here's how Booth's own web site describes his blasphemous, Satanic tattoos and mission:

"Spewed from the depth of Hell, Paul's mission has been to reconfigure human hides and spread divine declarations of Blasphemy."

May I remind you -- this is one of the most sought after and top tattoo artists in the whole world!

Tattoo artist "Liorcifer" says on his web site:

"Liorcifer is a spawn of Satan, brother of Lucifier, Soldier of Darkness, warrior against all that is good and holy. Liocifer has been leaving his mark on flesh since the dawn of time."

Another popular tattoo artist, Tim Kern writes of his Bio on his web site:

"A faithless Deviant, Tim has been staining skin since the Black Plague. Soon to be one of Satan's leading henchmen, Tim will spread Profane Immorality with each stroke of his Evil machine. . ."

Is there any doubt who is the "master tattooist"?

For some are already turned aside after Satan.     

Ephesians 4:27  

Neither give place to the devil.

1 Timothy 5:15

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