Tattoos and Piercings

I have some opinions about tattoos and piercings, but I'm not the stickler I once was. When I was younger, I felt that it was wrong to have a tattoo but had no problems with ear piercings. I do have some piercings--- in my ears. One in the right lobe and two on the left. I very rarely wear earrings in these, as I'm not as 'into' fashion as I once was, and I really don't care.

As for tattoos and other piercings, I still have a 'taboo' attitude towards it, but nowhere near as strict as I used to be about it. Part of my objections stem from my religion, but I believe that I've grown enough in my faith to believe that a person will NOT "burn in eternal damnation" for having a tattoo.

I personally couldn't get a tattoo for three reasons---
1. It's done with needles!!!!! I don't 'do' needles, unless it's a medical necessity.
2. My belief system says that if you were meant to have that, you would've been born with it.
3. I am from a family of artists. I have given birth to artists. I just cannot understand how an amazing artist could put their artwork, masterpiece or otherwise, on a medium that will not last. We can still look at the Sistine Chapel, the Temple at Karnac, and "Starry Night", but I personally refuse to 'go Nazi' on you, and skin you when you die, just so that I can see the artwork.

I have come to the point in my life that I can accept a lot of other peoples forms of self-expression. Yes, I believe that some people carry it too far, but I was one of the first people in the Denver area to wear their hair in a mohawk AND it was either blue or purple, depending on my mood. Sometimes we do things for 'shock value', not realizing that it may be a mistake. Other times we just have to do what we feel we gotta do. We also can be influenced by our friends, past, family, and even our heritage to show ourselves in a bold manner. Whatever the reason, long live the freedom of expression!!!