Before I even get started I would just like to warn all of you that I will be talking about religion, God and the bible. If you are easily offended by these subjects or hold beliefs that are so steadfast that you do not want to argue about them, you should more then likely turn back now.
At A Glance Author Louise Contact [email protected] IAM Piercing_Wonder When N/A All right, for those of you still with me, and I suspect that is most of you, this may amuse or anger you, depending on how sensitive you are and what experiences you have had in your life. I read this article that another friend of mine, also with many piercings, found and wrote about:
www.bible.com/answers/apiercin.html
I was extremely upset when I read this article. Personally I am sick and tired of various groups and communities trying to scare kids, and even adults in some cases, away from body modifications and such. They threaten social stigmata, cancer (I read an article saying that the top cells pushed to the center of a tongue during a piercing can mutate and cause cancer), and in this case, eternal damnation.
First off I must say that I am Roman Catholic (even though I am one of the worst ones I know) and I consider myself to be some what religious. That said people who take the Bible so seriously as this tick me off. I do not really trust the Bible because as a History major I have learned that depending on the needs of the Church, the Bible has been changed or altered to portray the message needed. For example, it is believed by some that the passages that condemn all forms of birth control were planted to help reduce the population of large urban areas by preaching abstinence. (This was around the period of the first real plagues).
Now I can understand the fear of piercings as a form of witchcraft, because it is true that it used to be a symbol of some dissidents, and the fear for those who do it out of rebellion, but what I think some twenty-first century Christians have to understand is that not all that choose to do this, pierce for these reasons. If anything I enjoy my 14 earrings because they make me feel unique. I know that I am an image (I do not believe in the "perfect" image) of what God wanted me to be, but this is a way for me to appreciate my body. In a round about way, I think of my "modifications as a way to THANK God for my body. It is like this: God not only gave me a body, but a mind and soul to go along with it. I feel that I can display a part of my soul through my body and my earrings are a part of that. They do not mean that I cast spells, worship pagan gods or hate my parents. In fact, I feel uncomfortable around the witchcraft book I bought as a young teen (I have given it away since), I pray to God every night and I love my parents with all my heart and function under their influence. Basically... I am an answer to a lot of questions the article poses.
It is also my understanding that the Bible was meant to be a progressive book. Something that was able to evolve with time to meet the needs of Christians, and to continue to guide them to happiness and well-being. If this is true then the church has done a poor job of keeping it up to date. There are some passages that say that a woman should be utterly silent in the presence of any man other than her husband or guardian. Certainly no one would think ill of me if I were to say "hello" to them as a complete stranger in the street!
By the way, I would just like everyone to know that pass no judgment on anyone and their motives for piercing. We all have our reasons. It's amazing the change of opinion someone can have about another person in a short amount of time. For example, I've known people that think that I am the sweetest thing since sugar when they meet me with my long hair down. As soon as I tuck that hair behind my ears and expose my metal, some will be shocked that such a "good girl: as I have these "bolts". Others have simply changed their minds all together and think I am unreliable and somehow unworthy of the respect I feel I deserve.
This whole piece is purely my point of view. I am sure you have your own ideas or opinions. Feel free to chat with me about it, but I would appreciate it if I did not receive any messages simply saying, "You are wrong, so there!" Happy Modding