5482 - charasso-(to sharpen to a point, akin to 1125 through the idea of scratching)...

1125 - grapho-(graf-o); a prim. verb; to "grave", espec. to write; fig. to describe:-- describe, write(-ing,-ten)  2.

[Eng. Dictionary def.-- "grave" --Archaic. engrave; carve; sculpture. 2.impress deeply; fix firmly]

Leviticus 19:28 states: "Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print any marks upon you: I am the LORD." Although the ancient pagan custom of etching or tattooing symbols on human flesh was forbidden by God,  Tattooing for Jesus by David Cloud reveals that this heathen custom is now being introduced to the churches.

    "Reporter Douglas Todd of The Vancouver Sun visited the Vineyard Christian Fellowship in Langley, British Columbia, and found that tattoos are the newest 'in thing' for Vineyard Christians. Amy Bonde, who is a staff member at the Vineyard in Langley, has a large Celtic cross tattooed on the small of her back. Encircling the cross are Hebrew letters that allegedly mean, 'I am my beloved's, and he is mine.' Bonde says the tattoo signifies that she looks upon Jesus Christ as her 'lover.' Another Vineyard member, Peter Davyduck, has a tattoo of the word 'SIN' on his ankle. He says this is a message to 'judgmental Christians that everyone is a sinner and should be accepted in spite of it.'
    "The Vancouver Sun report notes that the tattooing represents 'a sign of a seismic shift in evangelical Christianity, which has been associated for most of this century with harsh rules about controlling one's body: no dancing, no long hair on men, no pants on women, no drinking, no dancing, no jewelry and certainly NO TATTOOING.'
    "The Bismarck Tribune (North Dakota) ran an article in November 1998 about the Christian Tattoo Association operated by Randy Mastre and two other members of New Song Community Church in Bismarck. Their goal is 'to bring Christianity to tattooers.'
    "...Amy Bonde admits that she got a tattoo 'partly out of rebellion against the normal Christian stereotype of 'You can't do this, you can't do that.' She admits that her mother did not want her to get a tattoo and did not like it... " 3. [bolding added]

The Greek dictionary defined "the mark" to include "a scratch or etching, i.e. stamp" and " to "grave", espec. to write".  The English dictionary definition of "tattoo" is to "...mark (the skin) with designs or patterns by pricking it and putting in colors..."

The Microsoft Encarta Encyclopedia 99 describes modern methods of tattooing:

"Tattooing: method of decorating the skin by inserting colored substances under the surface. The skin is punctured with a sharp instrument, which now is usually an electric needle. In many parts of the world tribal people use tattooing and scarification to indicate social rank and affiliation... Scarification involves slashing the skin and introducing irritants into the wounds, which, when healed, leave pronounced scars..."

Encarta also relates tattooing to branding, which is used to display ownership:

"Branding: originally, searing of flesh with a hot iron to produce a scar with an easily recognizable pattern for identification or other purposes. Branding was formerly used on human beings... Branding today is often done with chemicals, tattooing, paint, tagging, or ear-notching... Used at first primarily as proof of ownership... "

SOLD OUT OR SELLING OUT?

Rita Elkins, a reporter for Florida Today, states in the article, "CHRISTIAN PUNKS HAVE PIERCINGS, TATTOOS AND...RADICAL FAITH," that this "radical" approach is being undertaken by young people across North America. Rita Elkins writes:

     "...Reflecting a national trend, hundreds of teens and young adults from Titusville to Sebastian are combining punk appearance with a radical Christianity based on the Bible and a personal, often deeply emotional, relationship with Jesus Christ.
    "Between 100 and 300 Christian punks show up wherever their favorite bands play, including a Sunday night worship service and Bible study called 'Deeper' at Tabernacle Church in Melbourne. 'A lot of people look at us different because we have piercings and we're Christian,' says Ashley Wecker, 15,...At last week's Deeper service, she was sporting silver jewelry in multiple-pierced ears and in one pierced eyebrow.
    "'I struggled with it at first,' admits her father, Richard Wecker, 50. But after hearing a pastor ask if parents would prefer children who are 'sold out to Christ,' or children who 'are basically formed in our image,' Wecker says he relaxed...
    "If their heart is after Jesus, what difference does it make? He's given me at least a peace about it, as long as I can see where their hearts are." 4.

It is appalling that Christian leaders would encourage disobedience to God's command against marking the flesh.  The aforementioned parent probably discerned that tattooing was wrong but was persuaded otherwise by a pastor who regards disobedience to Scripture as being "sold out to Christ".  This article also reported that with tattoos, Christian youth are right in step with their unbelieving peers -- no separation from the world for Generation X Christians! ....

JUNK RELIGION

Tattooing with various and occult symbols and terminology is preparing Christians to accept a physical mark in obedience to the Antichrist and his miracle working False Prophet.  In order to mainstream this heathen custom, all legal hindrances are being removed. Tattooing has become a Court issue in the United States--even a matter of "protected rights".

An article in the Boston Globe article by Joe Sciacca,  "I (heart) Mom, but I can't put it in writing" on May 3, 1999, reported that the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) was suing the State of Massachusetts so that tattoos are a protected right and available in all states.  At this time, they are illegal in Massachusetts. 10.  The ACLU lawsuit is based on some of the ideas expressed by Sciacca:

"What's really in at the moment is tribal art or 'blackwork,' intricate designs and patterns."

 "Persons across the cultural spectrum of America have tattoos," the civil liberties suit says.

 "Estimates of the numbers of Americans in certain age groups who have tattoos range as high as 30 percent.

"Persons obtain tattoos to demonstrate their lifelong commitment to other persons, institutions, religious beliefs and to political or personal beliefs," the suit maintains." 11.

It is reported that some New Agers have already accepted the "mark" as part of their initiation ceremonies.

"A growing number of New Agers HAVE ALREADY UNDERGONE AN INITIATION CEREMONY AND ACCEPTED THE MARK. They almost universally report that although they approach the ceremony with dread and foreboding, after it is over... 'I discovered that the LINES ON THE PALM OF MY RIGHT HAND HAD BEEN ALTERED, and a portion of them now FORMED A SIX-POINTED STAR about an inch in circumference. It terrified me when I first spotted it... But as time went on, I learned to accept the changes within my body, and I really felt quite special." 12.

We have seen how "Christian" youth are being told that tattooing sets them apart as 'special' or chosen by God for a unique purpose. As for the general population, the tattooing/branding fad was reported in the media over two years ago.