So I have been looking into the biblical comments on tattoos - the fact that I have recently got into them is a significant part of this.
The basic passage for this is Leviticus 19:28 says, “You shall not make any gashes in your flesh for the dead or tattoo any marks upon you: I am the LORD.” These type of passages need to be understood in context - not least because the understanding and place in culture of tattoos has changed within my lifetime - so looking at their place from 4000 years ago will not be the same as today.
The commentators are all clear that, while this is written in the discussions about funeral rites, this is almost certainly not what it is referring to. While there may have been some people who had their loved ones names inked on them, this is not, apparently, the real issue that was being addressed.
What was very common - and seems to relate to the second aspect (gashes in the flesh) is that this was often religious affiliation - that is, people would have the names of their gods or their religion tattooed onto their bodies. It was a way of identifying ones tribe, ones religion - so much more akin to gang tattoos in more modern culture.
So it got me thinking about what sort of thing is analogous today. I mean, most of the best ink I see around are great pieces of art - the fact that they are on skin not canvas is just part of the art. And yes, I think the ones I have are art, and that is why I have them - they are art that is important to have with me, on me.
But what would an equivalent of the ancient tattoos be? What would an equivalent of gang ink? I immediately thought of those Red MAGA hats. They are ways of signifying an adherence to a cult. They are ways of letting everyone know that you are part of that conspiracy.
Of course, there is an important difference between a tattoo and a hat. A tattoo is for life, so your adherence is there with you for ever, however short your actually process is. Except that it isn't. A tattoo can last for 15-25 years (depending on how your skin behaves). After that, it may be a mark, but it will probably not be recognisable.
These days, with social media, when you post your pictures wearing a hat - they are there forever. They don't fade, they don't vanish, your adherence has been recorded forever.
So tattoos are not unscriptural. What is unscriptural - and un-quakerly - is advertising your adherence to a cult, to a belief set. Like MAGA. That is what is being decried.
