Stupid opinion about tattoos.

Elsewhere on the internet, somebody asked for opinions about getting a tattoo of an icon (as a non-Orthodox). One person people piped up with an argument that was completely stupid: "If you get a tattoo of an icon, the only thing that can happen to it is desecrating it through sin." Right, because that is the only thing that happens to our bodies, one long slow decline from baptism (where we are perfect) to death. It's best to die right after baptism, as your journey to theosis is most complete there. Our bodies can be transfigured through grace, not just defiled by sin. I would agree that sin would desecrate the icon, but this is not the only thing that happens.

Anyway, so I just wrote a short post about what icons are and what they're for and a couple sentences about the human body as icon of Christ to give the guy some context for evaluating whether it sounds like a good idea.

My own personal opinion about tattoos, in general, is that Orthodox should not get them because there's some canon against it, but it's such a weak and silly opinion that I really don't care and would only air it if directly asked. I have a strong opinion that Orthodox should not get tattoos of icons, but that is because they are not "religious art" or "decoration", but tools for use in worship. Icons should not be used in book covers, disposable paper church bulletins, displays of artistic pieces, etc. As for what non-Orthodox do, the Gentiles are a law unto themselves, but, given their meaning and use, if directly asked for my personal advice, I would recommend against getting a tattoo of an icon.