Reverend Jesse Mwai: Tattoos will not take you to hell

Tattoo artist working on a client. (Courtesy/iStock) "Tattoos will not take you to hell! It doesn't add to your Christianity or make you less spiritual. In some cultures, Tattoos are their way of life." CITAM (Christ is The Answer Ministries) Reverend Jesse Mwai preached to his anticipating congregation last Sunday. He also added on the stereotype nature the church has on people who have dreadlocks, saying, "Unfortunately, in Christianity, people put too much emphasis on dreadlocks. Having dreadlocks will not take you to hell or heaven. Reggae, Hip hop are different music genres. When you go to some cultures, they use these genres to worship God. People in the Caribbean write their songs with a touch of reggae. They praise God and go to Heaven. The church needs to stop being too legalistic." In a nutshell, Reverend Jesse Mwai's sermon has attracted different opinions from Kenyans. Others feel like he is right while others are on the contrary. However, having tattoos did not begin with this generation. It has been a form of self-expression for centuries. The art weaves through a tapestry of cultures and societies with rich histories and meanings. Having tattoos has been accepted in most parts of the world but not in others. Some people still base myths and misconceptions surrounding having tattoos and this can be perceived in a bad way. In Kenya, some people encourage others to have tattoos while others choose to discriminate or misjudge people with tattoos. Some Christians today object when believers get tattoos with reference to the bible verse, Leviticus 19:28. According to the King James Version (KJV), the verse reads," Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print any marks upon you: I am the Lord." In extensive research by Ancient language scholar John Huehnergard and Ancient-Israel expert Harold Liebowitz, both argue that Leviticus 19:28 deals with two distinct issues: cutting your body for the dead or tattooing. In the end, it narrows down to a person's interpretation of the verse and their opinion surrounding tattoos. Below are some of the myths and misconceptions concerning having tattoos: Tattoos are for criminals, biker gangs, or delinquents This is one of the most common misconceptions all around the world. When someone has tattoos, they are perceived to be either a criminal, delinquent or involved with a bad crowd. However, this is not entirely true. The origin of tattoos is traced back to the cultural set-up in the past. They are deemed as societal norms in some cultures and have come a long way over the years. In this day and era, people get tattoos in relation to their lifestyle, family, partners and other reasons. Tattooed people cannot donate blood After this misconception became very common in the world, scientists in Australia decided to prove it. In a detailed Lifeblood survey, the doctors discovered that this was not true. They concluded that getting a tattoo from a licensed studio or cosmetic clinic cannot hinder you from donating blood. Tattoos hinder your chance of employment This is not entirely a misconception in Kenya today. When it comes to employment and job opportunities, the ball is on the employers' court. Some companies don't allow their employees to have tattoos while others let it slide. In Kenya, when you try to join the military or other government jobs, they don't allow individuals with tattoos. Other companies ask you to cover the tattoos by dressing in some type of way. However, some employers don't mind having employees with tattoos as they base their assessment on the work one does. Tattoos are unsafe and unsanitary Getting tattoos is a very sensitive decision. One is advised to invest in a licensed tattoo artist to achieve good results. The myth that tattoo artists use only one needle is not true. In this era, tattoo artists are trained and required to follow specific procedures to ensure proper cleanliness and safety. This is very important because if one does not adhere to the sanitation guidelines, they might end up with an infection and a terrible tattoo. Tattoo artists use single-use disposable needles and tubes to eliminate the possibility and risk of cross-contamination. Drinking alcohol causes the tattoo to hurt less This misconception is also very common among people today. People believe that if you consume alcohol and get a tattoo, you won't feel any pain. Well, alcohol thins your blood and makes one bleed more when getting the tattoo. Alcohol also dehydrates one's body and could in fact hurt more. If possible, people are advised to stay at least 48 hours without consuming alcohol when getting the tattoos. Tattoo artists are mean, intimidating or obnoxious This one depends on the tattoo artists' personality. However, it is important to note that the whole business depends on the customer satisfaction policy. To get more people, the customer service must be top-notch. The tattoo artists are now more welcoming and friendly. This myth is not true and people should give the tattoo artists a chance to work their magic.

Reverend Jesse Mwai: Tattoos will not take you to hell

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Reverend Jesse Mwai: Tattoos will not take you to hell

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