Dear Pastor,

I am a regular online reader of your column for about three years now, and I enjoy reading it. Keep up the good work and God bless.

I would like to know what your thoughts are on tattoos. I would like to get some tattoos done of family members who have passed away.

Regular Reader

Dear Regular Reader,

You ask for my opinion on tattoos. I do not encourage anyone to get tattoos and I will tell you why. Often after a few years and even months, many who put tattoos on their bodies regret doing so and would like to change them but are unable to do so. There are many girls who have put the names of men who were their lovers, but such relationships have come to an end and they are still carrying the names of those men on their bodies. Some who were members of gangs have abandoned these gangs but others still identify them by the tattoos on their bodies.

Now, having said the above, let me make it clear that it is an individual matter. If one is determined to get tattoos, no one should condemn him/her. It is strictly an individual decision.

One should bear in mind certain dangers. These include the possibility of contracting infectious diseases such as hepatitis or HIV/AIDS. Individuals are more likely to become infected the bigger and more detailed the tattoos are as a result of multiple contact with the blood by the needle pricks.

Clean, sterile needles should be used to do tattoos. Make sure that the tattoo artist is qualified to carry out the procedure. And please, do not do tattoos that look unsightly.

Pastor