If seems to be quite fashionable nowadays for ex-JWs to get a tattoo or a series of tattoos to symbolize either their time spent in the Watchtower or their escape, and I kind of don't get it. Am I just too old? I don't understand why someone would want a constant reminder on their body of such a horrible period in their life. On another forum, one woman shared that she was getting 25 bees tattooed all over her body to represent the 25 years she spent in the org. Bees!
Tattoos?
by Wild_Thing 17 Replies latest jw friends
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AFRIKANMAN
I guess thats her Beesnees !
I personally dont like tattoos . its a permanent aging scar -
however I would be in favour of a temporary arrangement as a form of body art
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punkofnice
Wildy. I must admit I haven't seen any. What do they look like?
Tattoos aren't my thing but I s'pose there are people that like them.
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pale.emperor
I know what you mean. I deliberately put off getting a tattoo because it's so cliché.
There are times where i think of getting a "really cool" tattoo, but i make myself wait a month. By the time the month has rolled round i'd changed my mind on the design. So i think it's safer to not get one at all.
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Wild_Thing
punkfofnice ... here is one. I don't have a problem with tattoos in general. And of course, it is everyone's prerogative what they get tattooed on their body. I am just trying to understand why someone would get a tattoo like this ...
Others that have symbolism, I totally get, but I am still not sure I would want something on my body that is a daily reminder of the Watchtower. I would really depend on the tat, I guess. Here are some of the more symbolic ones I have found:
And the not so symbolic ...
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OneEyedJoe
Eh. Everyone has their own way of recoiling from their time in the cult. Getting a tattoo releases a lot of endorphins (for some, for others it's just painful) and getting one to commemorate a bad experience is a way of making that bad experience good in a way. It can also help one to see that even the bad things are a part of who they are, which can help someone accept the past.
Personally I got a tattoo shortly after my exit. It wasn't related to the cult in any way except that it was a bit of an F you to the rules under which I used to live. Sometimes I get out of the shower and see it having forgot it's there. It's a nice reminder that I can now too whatever the F I want. It's not for everyone, but I also think too much is made of the permanence of a tattoo. It's not that big of a deal.
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Jayk
My step dad is a elder and has quiet a few tattoos. I have one across my stomach that's pretty "gangster" I've been told. I also have 5/8 guaged ears.
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mentalclarity
I don't understand it either, but, you know, to each his own.
On the other hand I've been dying to get a cross to wear around my neck and parade it around....
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Finkelstein
Tattoos look pretty bad after 20 years so buyer beware.
In matter of fact of all the people who got tattoos and they were getting up in years ie. 50's 60's and 70's, they've all said they regret getting them.
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RubaDub
I thought the tattoo thing was or had died out. Nothing really about it in the bible unless you look at the scripture that says not to get tattoos and the next verse says men should not cut their beards.
My wife has had 2 in the bikini line area and yea, every 5-7 years you need the colors to be refreshed.
But she has had them for 12 years or so and other than the colors fading a bit, they look good.
Rub a Dub
