I personally would not get a tatoo. If I may link us to another website that offers good answers (most of the time) to many Christian issues, read these posts:

Is it okay to get tattoos if they are of a Christian nature?: http://www.gotquestions.org/Christian-tattoos.html

What does the Bible say about tattoos / body piercings?: http://www.gotquestions.org/tattoos-sin.html

I commend your diligent study Diligence (see what I did there?), but there are few phrases I would steer clear of.

To say that one's convictions are true in an individualistic sense is a dangerous thing to say, because it could just prolong our discussion and possible argument over this issue and others. For example, if you hold that tatoos are okay and I hold that they are not, then both statements are true. However, its not possible for them both to be true. What IS possible, however, is the idea that we may not know precisely which is true. I would rather say that if you have good, rational, biblical, and albeit prayerful reasons for not having tatoos, then you should follow that. I wouldn't necessarily say that this view automatically becomes true though. I don't say this to nitpick your language, but to point out that there are ways this discussion (and others) could be prolonged if we say truth can become relative.

Thank you for your honesty, Diligence. Let me also offer some encouragement for you. In my denomination of Christianity, which is rather Conservative, tattoos are generally viewed to be wrong. However, I met a man in a service ones who had an immense heart for God, the truth, and evangelism. The features of this man that stood out to me were the holes in his ears that once held gauges, and the pinstriped tattoos that ran up either side of his neck behind his ears. He had gotten these tatoos before he was saved, but he uses them to explain to people how God changed his life. Furthermore, I know another preacher who has "Jeremiah 29:11" as a tattoo on his arm (not the text itself, but a reference). It says:

"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end" (KJV).

It is not what men think, but what God thinks. It is not what men may say to us, but whether God will say to us, "Well done, though good and faithful servant." God bless you, brother!

I have "HELL IS PAVED WITH GOOD INTENTIONS" tattooed in 2 inch letters across my back.

This is not a joke.

I had the best intentions when I got the tattoo. I really did.

but now I feel the irony inside the irony.

I can not afford to have it surgically removed, and "Wrecking Balm" removal salve does not work.

I have considered scrubbing it off with a wire brush, and I have considered burning it off with controlled amounts of lighter fluid.

So, for those of you of a Christian disposition, what would be the Christian thing for me to do?

I have a tattoo of a guitar with flames around it that covers half my back

You can take the bold up with Paul, who God spoke through. I'm not saying that you can use Paul's statements over every issue, because some issues are non-issues, being very blatant in Biblical instruction. However, the issue of tattoos is not as blatant, and I believe current conservative answers toward tattoos are incorrect. And, the whole article I wrote contains good, rational, biblical, and prayerful reasons for having tattoos. Context is key for any verse. You can take any verse of the Bible and use it out of context and say whatever you want. Instead, study what the intention of the verse is and find the true meaning.

Excellent read. I have been consifering getting a tattoo of a tribal cross on my shoulder/arm.

I really struggle with whether or not I should. I think as with all things, we should seek God's face on the matter and be lead by the Spirit.

Thats for sure, and as Nate said, "Tattoos of bible verses"

I don't have any, but my wife has a couple with verses, and they sometimes work as a tool to tell others about the LORD.

I was thinking of getting a band around my arm with the 7 days of creation flowing together on it, but I'm in no rush. Just gonna see where life takes me. Right now I'm too busy and stretched for money to think about tattoos.

First become a Christian the bible way with baptism for the remission of sin and you will be forgiven of all your sins, including having the tattoo.

For me, knowing God's word and what he says about tattoos I would never get one. It is not about the type or kind of tattoo...it is about being obedient to God's word.

i have one, im christian, and its just my initials

Do you read his word?