IGWEBUIKE: An African Journal of Arts and Humanities. Vol. 8. No. 1. (2022) ISSN: 2488- 9210 (Print) 2504-9038 (Online) Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies, Tansian University, Umunya 218 TATTOO MARKING: A CHALLENGE TO THE CONTEMPORARY CHRISTIANS’ CALL FOR MAINTENANCE OF THE BODY AS THE TEMPLE OF GOD Demas Sam Sarki Department of Christian Religious Studies, Taraba State University, Jalingo sarkisammillen@gmail.com & Karbon, Philip Benjamin Department of Christian Religious Studies, Taraba State University, Jalingo karbon01@yahoo.com & Habila Katuka Department of Christian Religious Studies, Taraba State University, Jalingo DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.2.29105.45929 Abstract Man as a moral being is inquisitive in his need and want. This happens to show itself in so many places like a man trying to do something different from others whether it is morally good or bad. In man's quest to coming up with new things, this is what has triggered the new rush for tattoo marking which was not very popular some years back. But to the contemporary society has been taken over by the new trend (tattoo), it has become a fashion that if you don’t have tattoo marks in any part of your body, you are considered to be uncivilized, and unworthy to be fused into the global society. To this fact, many Christians in the western world, even in Nigeria are fully bought by this social and modernistic gospel commonly said “God looks at the heart, not the appearance.” Therefore, this paper investigates this new trend in tattoo marking in the twenty-first century especially among Christians to fashion out whether this edifies Christians or a violation of the biblical prescription. Furthermore, the paper looks at the principle calls “body preservation and maintenance” as a challenge to those Christians who think that there is no evil in tattoo marking. To this end, the paper recommends among others that every Christian is the temple of God and he/she has no right to mutilated in the name of tattoo marking. IGWEBUIKE: An African Journal of Arts and Humanities. Vol. 8. No. 1. (2022) ISSN: 2488- 9210 (Print) 2504-9038 (Online) Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies, Tansian University, Umunya 219 Keywords: Tattoo, Maintenance, Temple, Christians, God Introduction Man is a free moral agent. This freedom of choice which man enjoys, there is a responsibility attached to it. Man’s freedom of choice has led him into doing so many evil things today. One such thing is tattoo making. Uchegbue and Ekeke as this to say; “today many have won the award as the most tattooed person in their community, while some are even holding Guinness World Records as the most tattooed couple or person on earth. (56)” There is a mad rush for tattoo especially among celebrities such as; Nollywood actors/actress, Nollywood actors/actress, Nollywood, wrestlers, musicians and footballers, and even their fans. It is the desire of many youths, and even adults that spurred us into this research on tattoo making, to see how Christianity views it especially in the light of body maintenance and preservation. Looking at the development of the subject matter, the tattoo is not a new concept of this century; it has been practiced in the early days before the dawn of civilization. Uchegbue and Ekeke quoted Thomson, and said that; Tattoo is not a recent development in the world. It has been an issue in the body modification industry since 4000 BC when it was practiced in Egypt in association with fertility rites and also as a mark of social status. The Greeks and the Romans also practiced it extensively, but the early Christians banned it (56). Captain Cook reintroduced it to Europe in the late 18th century when he returned from Polynesia, and in the 19th century, tattoo making became fashionable. Apart from its uses as fashion, there are many reasons as to why people in the early history indulge in tattoos such as; protection against dangers, restoring youth, as a love charm, implementing fertility, and propitiating supernatural powers. Today, one of the common reasons for the tattoo is for association with personality disorder, especially with emotional immaturity. Tattoos are more popular than ever. Currently, one in ten youths in Nigeria has at least one tattoo (21 percent) which is up from the 16 percent and 14 percent who reported having a tattoo in 2003 and 2008, respectively. Entertainers, professional athletes, and even a 2009 version of Barbie in the US have multiple, and very visible, tattoos. ( https://www.crosswalk.com/family/singles/is-it-biblical-for-christians-to-get- tattoos.html) IGWEBUIKE: An African Journal of Arts and Humanities. Vol. 8. No. 1. (2022) ISSN: 2488- 9210 (Print) 2504-9038 (Online) Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies, Tansian University, Umunya 220 It is worthy of note that, what is drawn on the body differs depending on the individual intention for drawing such a tattoo, they have names to such a tattoo they draw, some are; Lucifer tattoo, the snake tattoo, butterfly tattoo, star tattoo, and so many others which is to remain on the body for a lifetime. To this end, this paper examines tattoo making as a challenge and a call to the body of Christ to maintain their bodies. Tattoos as place a permanent mark and have disfigured God’s creation, this concept informed the researchers to give a clearer understanding, as to why so many youths and even adults are involved in tattoo marking. The Meaning and Concept of Tattoo The meaning of the word “tattoo” comes from the Dutch taptoe. Broken down into its root words tap (or “faucet of a cask”) and toe (meaning “shut”), taptoe refers to the time of the evening when police used to visit taverns to turn off the taps. The word was also used as a figurative expression to mean “say no more” in 17th-century Dutch. According to an online dictionary of etymology, the first meaning of “tattoo” — referring to body art — comes from Polynesian languages such as Tahitian, Samoan or Marquesan. It’s most likely connected to the words tatau or tatu, meaning “mark or puncture on the skin.” (etymoline.com/word/tattoo). The second definition agrees with what the researchers had in mind because it has been performed on the body. Naturalists aboard were the first Europeans to observe and document the practice of tattooing in Tahiti. Many of the ship’s sailors got their tattoos from locals. Meanwhile, artists on board the ship made drawings depicting the body art they saw in New Zealand, and the Society Islands. In 1769, after returning to England, Cook published his account of this first journey to Polynesia. In it, we can find the first documented instance of the word “tattoo” in the English language, when Cook describes how men and women would paint or “tattoo” their bodies by inserting black pigment under the skin. (etymoline.com/word/tattoo) By this time in Europe, people had already begun creating inked body art designs; therefore, it wasn’t Cook who “discovered” the practice of tattooing. However, he brought renewed attention to the art form, as well as a new word to describe it in English. Some believe that tatau could be an onomatopoeic word — with tat signifying the “tapping” of the needle into the skin, and au representing IGWEBUIKE: An African Journal of Arts and Humanities. Vol. 8. No. 1. (2022) ISSN: 2488- 9210 (Print) 2504-9038 (Online) Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies, Tansian University, Umunya 221 the outcry of the person receiving the tattoo (“ow”). Wherever the word came from, tatau formed the base for the word “tattoo” in numerous other languages. According to the presentation above, a tattoo refers to a permanent design placed into the flesh using specific equipment and ink for any cause. For thousands of years, people have used tattoos to mark their bodies for protection, medicine, punishment, social status markers, religious or spiritual beliefs, and as expressions of love and devotion. Scientists have discovered tattoos that are around 5,200 years old. Tattoos are used in numerous ancient civilizations, including Egyptian, African, Asian, Greek, Roman, South American, North American, Japanese, and Polynesian (www.macmillandictionaryblog.com/47440-2). While many cultures continue to use archaic tattoo methods such as a long stick, a sharp needle, and ink to mark the flesh, the advancement of modern technology has elevated tattoo design to a highly valued art form. Tattoo artists nowadays generally spend years honing their craft, employing a variety of motorised needles and brilliantly coloured inks. The majority of tattoo shop owners are extremely wealthy; a single tattoo may cost between N200, 000 and N300, 000 on average. Origin and History of Tattoo Many historians believe that Captain James Cook first introduced this word into the English language in the mid-18th century as stated earlier. In 1768, Cook set off for his first expedition to the South Pacific. When the ship arrived in Tahiti, Cook was entranced with the beauty of the island and its people — and he was struck by the unique, vibrant body art that adorned their skin, (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tattoo). A good example can be seen among the Hausa Fulanis and Canury in the Kano and Brono states of Nigeria. Tattoos are as old as man himself. In 1900, British anthropologist Ling Roth identified four techniques of skin marking and proposed naming them "tatu," "moko," "cicatrix," and "keloid." The first is pricking, which leaves the skin smooth, as seen in the Pacific Islands; the second is tattooing combined with chiseling to leave furrows in the skin, as seen in New Zealand; the third is scarification with a knife or chisel, as seen in West Africa; and the fourth is scarification by irritating and re-opening a preexisting wound, as seen in West Africa. (97). Implicit in the classification was an evolutionary development from IGWEBUIKE: An African Journal of Arts and Humanities. Vol. 8. No. 1. (2022) ISSN: 2488- 9210 (Print) 2504-9038 (Online) Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies, Tansian University, Umunya 222 the most primitive form of body modification [the last] to the most sophisticated, (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tattoo) The Iceman - In 1992, the body of a man who lived roughly 5000 years ago in the Bronze Age was discovered in the Alps. He had been completely preserved in ice for all of that time, providing archaeologists with a rare specimen to examine from that era. Not just his physique, but also his clothes and equipment, had remained nearly undamaged by time, garnering him the nickname "The Iceman" in current parlance. One of "The Iceman's" startling discoveries was that he had 58 tattoos of dots, and lines on various parts of his body. That's what we call cool tattoos; really, that's what we call downright chilly tattoos. Similar to Iceman, we have one of the worldly musicians, by the name Lil Wyne who is currently alive, he has fans over the world, broke the record of Iceman by making up to 89 tattoos all over his body. Tattooed mummies from ancient Egypt, as well as mummies from other regions of the world, have been uncovered. The body of a Pazyryk chief discovered in Russia was the most highly tattooed, with tattoos of many different animals and "monsters" resembling gry-phons. His back was also highly tattooed, with little circles running parallel to his spine, which was thought to be for therapeutic purposes. Some of the tattoos done in ancient times were not done for enjoyment, but identification. Criminals were tattooed by the early Greeks and were subsequently adopted by the Romans so that they could be easily identified if they fled. Mercenary soldiers were also tattooed to identify deserters. The first record of tattoos in Japan come from clay figures that had images painted on them or engraved in them to represent tattoos. Tattooing was popular among some religious groups in the ancient Mediterranean culture, according to Robert Graves in his book "The Greek Myth," which may have led to the ban of tattooing in Leviticus. Tattooing, on the other hand, was exclusively widespread among slaves throughout the Classical Greek period. (1). To that end, the history and legacy of tattoos are still very loud now; it is growing so prominent in the twenty-first century, where machines are invented and original ink that cannot be erased is generated; in other words, it is a permanent mark that is for life. Christians now control some of the most prominent tattoo parlours in the Western world and Nigeria. IGWEBUIKE: An African Journal of Arts and Humanities. Vol. 8. No. 1. (2022) ISSN: 2488- 9210 (Print) 2504-9038 (Online) Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies, Tansian University, Umunya 223 Tattoo: an Art of Idolatry Many Christians worry if getting tattoos is a sin. Should they acquire one, and if so, how much should they pay? Tattoos, according to the scholar, are evil and should be avoided by Christians. Tattoos have long been considered a sin in Christianity, but this is changing. Things that were formerly thought sinful are now deemed acceptable. The topic of whether tattooing is related to worship remains unanswered. According to Terry Walking, throughout history, the tattoo has been associated with paganism, demonism, Ball worship, shamanism, mysticism, heathenism, cannibalism, and nearly every other belief. (Watkins, 1). This is very true of the picture painted above by Watkins because all tattoos speak about a particular representation from one's heart or a picture of someone that one cherishes so much, in other words, your idol. To buttress this assertion, a Nigeria newspaper published on 4/4/2021 reported that a woman tattooed the image of the APC national leader; A Nigerian woman who tattooed Ahmed Bola Tinubu's face on her back has been sent packing by her husband - The woman with the Twitter handle @AyokunmiBabato1 appealed to Nigerians to come to her rescue as she has nowhere to stay - According to her, family members have also deserted her because of the tattoo. She shares her ordeal, saying she's now homeless and sleeps wherever she can find after being deserted by her family. (https://www.legit.ng/1410693-woman-drew-tattoo-tinubu-cries-packing-by- husband.html) That is how a tattoo has caused a housewife; it could be that Ahmed Bola Tinubu may likely be the godfather, she prefers to promote her idol, this single act caused her, her home, and the tattoo is idolatry. If a tattoo has a pagan origin, it is, therefore, very clear that Christians should have nothing to do with such practice no matter its popularity, and acceptance by society or even the government. A tattooist in many cultures is also a shaman, magic man, priest, or priestess of a particular deity that is worshiped in that culture. Tattooing is often a magical rite in the more traditional cultures, and the tattooist is respected as a priest or shaman. (Delio, 73). Agreeing to what Deilo said, Uchegbue and Ekeke added: The actual tattooing process, which involved complex rituals and tattoos, could only be done by the priest and was associated with beliefs in which secrets were known only to members of the priestly caste. Tattoo is about personalizing the body, making it a true home and fit temple for the spirit that dwells inside it… IGWEBUIKE: An African Journal of Arts and Humanities. Vol. 8. No. 1. (2022) ISSN: 2488- 9210 (Print) 2504-9038 (Online) Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies, Tansian University, Umunya 224 tattooing, therefore, is a way of keeping the spiritual and the materials needs of the body balance (58). They go on to say that the new tattoo fad is tribal tattoos, which are pure paganism. Tribal tattoos are images with deep symbolic, metaphysical, and occult implications. Tribal tattoos, in particular, are potential conduits for spiritual and demonic possession. Tattoos have their very own powers and charms when the designs are well picked. The researchers agree with the above- mentioned professors' conclusion that in many tribes today, some of these tattoos are given, notably in Nigerian society, during their annual festival of initiation rites. Some of these tattoos depict goddesses or ancestral spirits, whom people revere by imprinting them on their bodies. Ferguson and Lynn Procter, as described by Uchegbue and Ekeke, noticed in the same presentation that; Skulls imprinted on skin abound, and depictions of 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, from at the same time… It is an attempt to protect the wearer from such a fate (Ferguson and Procter, 76). To emphasise the argument, Ronald Scutt attempts to illustrate the notion of utilising tattoos as a channel of communication to a superior deity in his “book, Art, sex, and symbol,” which covers a great deal about the history, and culture of tattoos. He stated that most tattoos are associated with spiritual, religious, and mystical objectives. He goes on to say that "tattoos had a mystical significance or were utilised as a status symbol, with the red ochre bearing a link with blood and life” (Scutt, 22). He opines further that tattoo is associated with sun-worship, megalithic building, ear-piercing, serpent worship… “These marks (tattoos) are believed to be associated with the worship of the sun-goddess neith” (Scutt, 24). Possible Reasons People Get Tattooed In 2006 the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology found that 24% of Americans between the ages of 18 and 50 are tattooed, and that about 36% of Americans age 18 to 29 have at least one tattoo. (https://reddragontattooart.wordpress.com/2015/10/23/the-origin-of-the- word-tattoo.) People get tattoos for many reasons these reasons include: reconnection to the flesh, attention, self-expression, artistic freedom, rebellion, a visual display of a personal narrative, reminders of spiritual/cultural traditions, sexual motivation, addiction, identification with a group, or even drunken IGWEBUIKE: An African Journal of Arts and Humanities. Vol. 8. No. 1. (2022) ISSN: 2488- 9210 (Print) 2504-9038 (Online) Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies, Tansian University, Umunya 225 impulsiveness (which is why many tattoo parlors are open late). Other reasons are discussed below: Reconnection to their flesh Maureen Mercury, author of Pagan Flesh's works: The Alchemy of body modification believes that some people are getting tattoos to becoming reconnected with their flesh. The pain from the tattoo sparks the feeling sensation in their skin, which in turn causes them to feel again with their flesh. People get tattoos to celebrate their fandoms In the globe, there are hundreds of Sherlock tattoos, Star Wars tattoos, and Yankees tattoos. Someone who is fascinated with a certain television show, actor, book, song, or movie may get a tattoo to memorialise it. It's their way of expressing, "This item is important to me, and it has made a significant impact in my life." Just like when someone walks out of the home wearing a band t-shirt, there is a potential that other members of the fanbase may notice and admire the tattoo. It has the potential to spark talks between strangers who have a lot in common. People get tattoos for sentimental reasons The majority of tattoos have significant meaning. They are not a random design that someone decided to have printed on them after a night of drinking. They are important. They are significant; many individuals acquire tattoos in memory of a family member or close friend who has died. They might be given across with the person's name or date of death inscribed on it. Tattoos featuring prayer hands, angel wings, cancer ribbons, halos, and dog tags are also frequent of course; a design of a lost loved one's favourite animal, flower, or song lyric may also be created. They may select a design that evokes a memory of that individual. A recollection that encapsulates that entire person meant to them. People get tattoos as pieces of artwork Tattoos are considered lovely by certain individuals. They see them as works of art. They may not have a clear purpose for selecting their design. They might have just selected something attractive. Tattoos are a method for individuals to IGWEBUIKE: An African Journal of Arts and Humanities. Vol. 8. No. 1. (2022) ISSN: 2488- 9210 (Print) 2504-9038 (Online) Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies, Tansian University, Umunya 226 build their own identity, to stand out from the cookie-cutter crowd around them, and to feel a bit more distinct. Even if there is no technical explanation for why they choose their particular design, their tattoo has a lot of meaning for them. Because of some of the reasons described above, many individuals have been initiated due to ignorance, as some of these tattoos are bad emblems. We should not label ourselves for anything. Tattoo and the Christian’s Principle of Body Maintenance and Preservation as the Temple of God Human understanding, philosophy, and practice cannot alter the premise of God's word. The Bible is the highest, or ex-cathedral, and the last author of all Christian beliefs concerning faith and behaviour, regardless of culture, age, or race. On the matter of “tattoo,” some people believe it is a contemporary term, yet God has revealed in the past that as Christians, “our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit.” We will give biblical (OT and NT) perspectives on the tattoo. The Old Testament View of Tattoo Long before man invented, and named tattoos, God foresaw the practice and warned against it. God approved at least one sort of bodily piercing (tattoo) under the Old Covenant. This happened when a master and slave had such a good rapport that the slave wanted to sacrifice his entire life and the lives of his family to his master. Slaves were expected to be freed during the Year of Jubilee under the Old Law (Leviticus 25). The slave who did not wish to be set free, on the other hand, had to get his ear pierced to symbolise his wish to remain with his lord (Deuteronomy 15:17). The Old Testament, on the other hand, was not so kind when it came to tattooing. “Ye must not make any incisions in your flesh for the dead, nor stamp any markings upon you: I am the LORD,” says Leviticus 19:28. (KJV). “You shall not create any incisions in your body on behalf of the dead, nor tattoo any marks upon you, I am the Lord,” says the Revised Standard Vision (RSV). Most scholars think that this taboo was imposed to distinguish the Israelites from the surrounding countries that practiced different types of idolatry, and tattooing was associated with their idolatrous rituals. Israel was to be pure to the Lord and apart from pagan customs (Leviticus 20:7). IGWEBUIKE: An African Journal of Arts and Humanities. Vol. 8. No. 1. (2022) ISSN: 2488- 9210 (Print) 2504-9038 (Online) Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies, Tansian University, Umunya 227 According to Rick Bickelhaupt, “at the time of authoring this section scripture, many pagan nations used self-mutilation as a show of grieving for the dead,” now observe how the Bible specifies that we are not to create cuts in our body or mark upon our skin. He goes on to add that "all body marks, no matter what, and how they are, like painting on your body, having a tattoo, the Bible says don't do it.” (Bickelhaup, 1). The New Testament View of Tattoo It will be meaningless to declare that we are not subject to the same constraints as under the Old Covenant now. As a result, our pattern for life is based on Christ's example as well as the apostles' teachings in the New Testament. While there is no formal ban in the New Testament for piercings or tattoos, there are several principles that would govern such behaviour. Let's take a look at a couple of them. …Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you have been bought with a price: therefore, glorify God in your body (1Corinthians 6:19- 20). The Bible holds high regard for the body as God's workmanship that must not be deformed. Non-Israelis did not share this viewpoint. Today, some people have permanently altered their bodies to resemble animals or aliens rather than humans, who are the only creatures made in God's image. We must question ourselves how far we can change our bodies to accommodate our aspirations without destroying the beauty of the human body as God created it. Romans 12:1 also states that; “therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your spiritual worship.” 1Corinthians 3:16 “Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst? These passages emphasise the fact that we are God's property; we do not own ourselves, any attempt to modify, we are destroying the temple which God built. “Therefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will welcome you,” Paul urges the Corinthian church (2 Corinthians 6:17). The Christians’ are not to engage in worldly activities since doing so shows that they love the world (1 John 2:15-17). According to James, friendship with the world is hostility with God (James 4:4). IGWEBUIKE: An African Journal of Arts and Humanities. Vol. 8. No. 1. (2022) ISSN: 2488- 9210 (Print) 2504-9038 (Online) Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies, Tansian University, Umunya 228 We should have nothing to do with tattoos and piercings since they indicate worldliness. (Kevin Cauley) Tattooing is an evil that the early Christians forbade because they recognised it sprang from Satan's original aim of disfiguring humans. Some religious organisations promote or embrace as fashion anything that has a medical effect on those who use it. As a result, we declare that all types of tattooing are terrible, wicked, and mutilation of the human body. The human body is intended to be God's temple. One appropriate duty we should do to God is to bring our bodies to Him in worship, pure, holy, and un-mutilated (Rom. 12:1-2). The Consequences of Tattoo Marking Every action of man, whether good or terrible, has a consequence, which can be fatal at times. The marking or drawing of a tattoo is not without consequences; a source from the internet lists 10 detrimental effects of tattoos on the human body, which include: Unwanted allergic reactions are a good idea for those who have never been inked before to find out whether they are allergic to ink. Tattoos frequently elicit negative reactions. Some may be irritated in the short term, but others may not be so fortunate. As a result, it could be worth a shot to investigate which inks to use and to think twice before getting inked on the spur of the moment. Though most individuals are not sensitive to tattoo ink straight away, certain allergies require time to trigger a reaction. This is more frequent with lighter colours, such as yellows and greens, which can fade when exposed to sunshine. 1. Beware of HIV and hepatitis When getting inked, if the place isn’t sterile, and if the needles that work on your body are being reused, this may be cause for some concern. Reused needles may cause severe diseases such as HIV or hepatitis 3. Not all scars are cool If you're unlucky, your new tattoo may create excessive scarring surrounding the location. Though it normally disappears, some people are unlucky, and they are left with a permanent tat and the permanent tattoos that go with it. If a person is really unfortunate, keloids may form around the tattooed region. Keloids are simply an aggregation of collagen in a specific location that can produce redness, IGWEBUIKE: An African Journal of Arts and Humanities. Vol. 8. No. 1. (2022) ISSN: 2488- 9210 (Print) 2504-9038 (Online) Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies, Tansian University, Umunya 229 lumps, and unsightly scarring. Though there is no clear way to predict if a tattoo will cause scarring, it is something that individuals should be aware of before being tattooed. 1. Skin infections Apart from scarring, tattoos may also cause other skin infections such as rashes. These can usually be treated with medication and will fade over time. However, people need to be informed of these side effects. Areas around a tattoo can even be infected with a sterile needle, and it might take some time for the negative effects to show. 1. Scanning complications For people with tattoos who are getting scans such as X-rays, they should be warned that this could lead to complications. For starters, the tattoo may interfere with the scanned image, which may cause problems. Additionally, the magnetic rays may react unfavourably with the tattoo, and the area around it could get infected. 1. Are you a blood donor? People who donate blood regularly should be told that they will be unable to provide blood for a particular period after having been tattooed. This interim period normally lasts a week or so, although particular centres may request that it be prolonged for up to a month. Furthermore, the tattoo parlour where the tattoo was created should be controlled. If the tattoo parlour does not follow these standards, people may never be able to donate blood again. As a result, anyone being tattooed who is or wants to be a blood donor should check with the tattoo parlour ahead of time to see if they follow such restrictions. 1. Unhealthy bruises If the needle punctures a blood vessel at the time of getting inked, it may lead to a hematoma. This essentially means that the blood vessel under the skin is punctured and the blood has formed a clot beneath the skin. Though with time, such bruises may fade, it is a good idea to get it checked out to be relieved of undue worry. a. Nobody likes cancer Though a regulated tattoo parlour usually does away with HIV or hepatitis complications, people should also be aware that cancer is a hazardous side effect IGWEBUIKE: An African Journal of Arts and Humanities. Vol. 8. No. 1. (2022) ISSN: 2488- 9210 (Print) 2504-9038 (Online) Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies, Tansian University, Umunya 230 of tattoos. The most common complication is skin cancer, which doesn’t raise its ugly head until it is too late. The tattoo ink may cause toxins to enter the bloodstream, which may lead to cancerous results. Though it isn’t a proven medical result, experts do believe this to be a dangerous side effect. b. Stress to the lymphatic system Getting inked may cause undue stress to one’s lymphatic system. It is usually caught when inflammation occurs around the tattooed region. The accumulations of nodules that appear around the tattooed area are known as granulomas. In severe cases, granulomas are a permanent side effect. They usually appear around areas of the skin where the lymphatic system detects a foreign substance on the body c. The constant judgement Tattoos may be emotionally draining in addition to the physiological risks. Though many people acquire tattoos as a kind of emotional rebellion, it may be a good idea to investigate the cultural frameworks before getting tattooed. Tattoos may be a bad indicator for persons originating from orthodox families, causing a lot of emotional abuse, even from individuals close to us. Furthermore, tattoos may be viewed as a sign of unprofessional behaviour in the workplace, and one may be required to have their tattoos hidden at all times - something that may not be possible with all tattoos, depending on where one desires to get inked. (Ankita Datta, https://listsurge.com/top-10-negative-side- effects-permanent-tattoos/) Tattoos may be emotionally taxing as well as physically dangerous. Though many individuals get tattoos as a kind of emotional rebellion, it is a good idea to research the cultural contexts before being inked. Tattoos may be a negative omen for those from traditional households, resulting in a lot of emotional abuse, even from people close to us. Furthermore, tattoos may be considered as a sign of unprofessional behaviour in the job, and one may be obliged to keep their tattoos covered at all times, which may not be achievable with all tattoos, depending on where one wishes to be tattooed. IGWEBUIKE: An African Journal of Arts and Humanities. Vol. 8. No. 1. (2022) ISSN: 2488- 9210 (Print) 2504-9038 (Online) Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies, Tansian University, Umunya 231 Conclusion Finally, we want to emphasise that everything that calls into question Christians’ practice should be examined in light of God's word and norm. No matter how popular a behaviour is, if it violates God's law, it is not good for Christians to participate in it. According to the research, tattooing has satanic, occultist and origins, and is hence incompatible with the Christian religion. “Tattooing was strongly frowned upon” early in the Christian tradition as it extended from Rome to the rest of the globe. In fact, “Pope Hadrian prohibited tattooing, claiming that God created man's body in his likeness and that to deface it in any manner was to deface God's gift.” In support of.” Marking one’s body is not necessarily vandalism. Wise Christians weigh their motives. Winifred probably the greatest tattooist historian, and researcher that ever had written 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 express the demonic and supernatural extent of the tattoo (Winifred, 3). No Christian could be deceived to believe that there is anything like a Christian tattoo, some tattoo the cross, the image of Christ, others write Bible verses on the body believing to be witnessing for Christ, etc. God had warned that his children should not practice what the heathen practice. Christian leaders must take a firm stance on the word of God against all forms of tattooing. References Ankita Datta;(2021) Retrieved from https://listsurge.com/top-10-negative-side- effects-permanent-tattoos Bardlsay, Rosemary. (2007) Body Piercing and Tattoos (Retrieved from hpp//www.hubpages.com/hub/body piercingand tattoo) Caplan J. (Ed). (2000) Written on the Body: The Tattoo in European & American History, Princeton N.J, Princeton University Press,. Christian O. Uchegbue and Ekeke C. Emeka, ed. N. S.S Iwe, (2010). Tattoo Marking in the Twenty First Century: Challenge to Christian principle of Body Preservation: Africa Pentecost Journal of Theology, Psychology and Social Work; Department of Religious and Cultural Studies University of Calabar Nigeria, Vol. 3. No 2 Pp. 56-62 Cloak and Dagger Tattoo History: Flash Art".( http://www.hubpages.com/hubcloak and dagger) IGWEBUIKE: An African Journal of Arts and Humanities. Vol. 8. No. 1. (2022) ISSN: 2488- 9210 (Print) 2504-9038 (Online) Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies, Tansian University, Umunya 232 . 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