covering bad tattoos with "better" tattoos

[shadowofchrist]

I intend to convert to the Orthodox Christian faith. Though, I have a past involvement in satanism. During that time, I got a number of satanic themed tattoos. It emotionally pains me to have to see these on my body. so I need to know if it is alright to cover these stains with Christian symbols?

[Vzldrb]

I intend to convert to the Orthodox Christian faith. Though, I have a past involvement in satanism. During that time, I got a number of satanic themed tattoos. It emotionally pains me to have to see these on my body. so I need to know if it is alright to cover these stains with Christian symbols?

Yes, absolutely. Or get them painfully removed.

By Satanism, I assume you mean the watered down LaVeyan bull, or the actual Theistic Satanism(Non-JOS)?

In any case, welcome back, I've been there as well.

[Gebre Menfes Kidus]

You may want to consult your Priest or Spiritual Father. But I certainly find no reason why God would not honor your decision to cover up satanic tattoos with Christian themed ink. It's kind of analogous to transforming a pagan temple into an Orthodox Church.


Selam

[Alveus Lacuna]

You could wear long sleeves, and keep them as a way to remind you what you once were, in order to humiliate you (i.e. make you humble). Also, that way you would never forget.

[Schultz]

You could wear long sleeves, and keep them as a way to remind you what you once were, in order to humiliate you (i.e. make you humble). Also, that way you would never forget.

But the OP never said where the tattoos were.  Looking at me even in short sleeves, one would be hard pressed to know I have five tattoos.

As for the OP, I echo the advice of speaking with your priest. 

[tuesdayschild]

...Or get them painfully removed.

...keep them...in order to humiliate you

   Wow.  Just, wow.

Seek guidance from your priest, not from the internet.

[Vzldrb]

...Or get them painfully removed.

...keep them...in order to humiliate you

   Wow.  Just, wow.

Seek guidance from your priest, not from the internet.

I was saying "painfully" in order to suggest that was the wrong way to do it - that covering up is my preferred option

However, I imagine Alveus and I would be good friends

[FatherGiryus]

I intend to convert to the Orthodox Christian faith. Though, I have a past involvement in satanism. During that time, I got a number of satanic themed tattoos. It emotionally pains me to have to see these on my body. so I need to know if it is alright to cover these stains with Christian symbols?

Christ is risen!

First, I want to congratulate you on making the journey.  It is a difficult one, and there will be aspects that will come back from time to time to test you.  Do not be afraid, just keep struggling.

I, for one, would suggest you explore laser therapy to have the tattoos utterly removed.  There are reasons for this, but I cannot comment fully because I'm not sure what you have and it really isn't my business anyway.

If this is simply not an option (even with financing, just like the trouble you go to to buy a car), then the next step would be to find an artist who can cover them up.  My personal recommendation is that you would do well not to let them remain for a variety of reasons.  Most importantly, I think getting rid of them will help you feel a bit more free from that humiliation and temptation.

God bless you!

[Justin Kissel]

I intend to convert to the Orthodox Christian faith. Though, I have a past involvement in satanism. During that time, I got a number of satanic themed tattoos. It emotionally pains me to have to see these on my body. so I need to know if it is alright to cover these stains with Christian symbols?

Welcome to the forum I don't see any issues with a cover up, though you should know that some Orthodox seem to be apprehensive about any tattoos, (fwiw, we had a recent thread on the subject).  I myself don't have any satanic tattoos, but I do have a Corrosion of Conformity skull on my upper right arm. Sort of along the lines of what Alveus said, I will keep it as a reminder of who I was at a certain period in my life. But then, a satanic symbol or tattoo might be more likely to offend or give people the wrong idea about you, so that would also have to factor in. Fwiw, on my left arm I have a small three-bar cross (maybe 3 1/2 inches tall), and don't regret getting it.


For those who aren't familiar, this is a COC skull...

[FatherGiryus]

I intend to convert to the Orthodox Christian faith. Though, I have a past involvement in satanism. During that time, I got a number of satanic themed tattoos. It emotionally pains me to have to see these on my body. so I need to know if it is alright to cover these stains with Christian symbols?

Welcome to the forum I don't see any issues with a cover up, though you should know that some Orthodox seem to be apprehensive about any tattoos, (fwiw, we had a recent thread on the subject).  I myself don't have any satanic tattoos, but I do have a Corrosion of Conformity skull on my upper right arm. Sort of along the lines of what Alveus said, I will keep it as a reminder of who I was at a certain period in my life. But then, a satanic symbol or tattoo might be more likely to offend or give people the wrong idea about you, so that would also have to factor in. Fwiw, on my left arm I have a small three-bar cross (maybe 3 1/2 inches tall), and don't regret getting it.


For those who aren't familiar, this is a COC skull...

Wow, I'm sure nothing else would quite say, "Hey, ladies, I have emotional baggage, too!" like that one!   

</humor>

[Justin Kissel]

Wow, I'm sure nothing else would quite say, "Hey, ladies, I have emotional baggage, too!" like that one!   

</humor>

  Well it's true, lol.

[shadowofchrist]

I would like to thank everyone very much. 

and in response to a question asked about my previous affiliation, it was theistic. I thank God He is delivering me from all that.

Truly He is risen!

[Vzldrb]

I would like to thank everyone very much. 

and in response to a question asked about my previous affiliation, it was theistic. I thank God He is delivering me from all that.

Truly He is risen!

You & me both, buddy. haha.

[Andrew21091]

...Or get them painfully removed.

...keep them...in order to humiliate you

   Wow.  Just, wow.

Seek guidance from your priest, not from the internet.

I think what Alveus meant was that keeping them as a reminder of past faults can teach a person humility. If we can be conscious of our faults then we can better correct ourselves.

[tuesdayschild]

...Or get them painfully removed.

...keep them...in order to humiliate you

   Wow.  Just, wow.

Seek guidance from your priest, not from the internet.

I was saying "painfully" in order to suggest that was the wrong way to do it - that covering up is my preferred option

However, I imagine Alveus and I would be good friends

I think what Alveus meant was that keeping them as a reminder of past faults can teach a person humility. If we can be conscious of our faults then we can better correct ourselves.

Then, in the context of advice for a new member and a soon-to-be convert, those were poorly chosen words.  Had the same things been said in-person, with all the non-verbal and vocal cues, the intent might have become apparent.  Hence, my suggestion that the OP seek guidance from his priest.

[Quinault]

A cover-up may not be possible without first having the tattoos removed at least partially. I would speak to a tattoo artist about your options (A very experienced one that knows a lot about cover-up tats) and then speak to your spiritual father.

I voted maybe only because it depends upon how possible it is to cover it up. I am of the opinion that one should cover up those types of tattoos if it is possible, even if it is just with a large solid black bar/circle or shape. A pentagram can easily be turned into a solid black circle. You will always remember what is/was there. There is no need to humiliate yourself. God desires to save us more than we desire to be saved. Humiliation isn't bad, but forced humiliation isn't always good. I suppose to my mind that you should have a minimal cover-up, like the black I mentioned above. That part of your life was a black stain on your soul. You will be forgiven of it, but the mark will remain. I don't think that keeping the tats as they are would serve to help any more than a large black mark would.

[orthonorm]

Why throw good money after bad? That time, energy, and money could go elsewhere to do some good.

I have a lot of tattoos. The only people who notice are others, especially those who just get to know me from certain socio-economic classes. And I have some tattoos that would make many a Christian wince.

They are pretty much invisible to me.

IMHO, concerning one's self over such things is mere vanity.

Tattoos are just a form of vanity that is worn on your shirt sleeve. If folks only knew what goes on inside me . . . they would be more appalled.

[Melodist]

I know someone who had a cross tattooed upside down. He later on extended the short end of the cross to flip it back over the right way.

[orthonorm]

I know someone who had a cross tattooed upside down. He later on extended the short end of the cross to flip it back over the right way.

He could have just said it was the cross of St. Peter.

[Melodist]

I know someone who had a cross tattooed upside down. He later on extended the short end of the cross to flip it back over the right way.

He could have just said it was the cross of St. Peter.

He doesn't know enough about church history to associate it with that and also wanted to show a change from the original intent when he first got it.

[Shiranui117]

Hmmm... Use a wire brush, perhaps..? 

[orthonorm]

I know someone who had a cross tattooed upside down. He later on extended the short end of the cross to flip it back over the right way.

He could have just said it was the cross of St. Peter.

He doesn't know enough about church history to associate it with that and also wanted to show a change from the original intent when he first got it.

My post was in jest.

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