I would like to show you something I got this January. Something I find very pretty, even classy, but something about which I am extremely torn.
Frankly, I'm at a loss to interpret the Biblical stance on piercings. I've heard very convincing arguments both ways. The passage in Leviticus 21 refers to a specific practice of manefesting inner pain in outward cutting or gashes, or so I am told. There are several references to ear piercing in the Bible...but in context, it is a mark of enslavement.
Once again, I seek the consel my readers, as you all come from different perspectives, many of you are older and wiser, and you've all followed God closely longer than I. If there's some proof of its prohibition that I have missed, I'll throw the thing out, but right now I'm lost in a mire of differing opinions, from those who oppose it from an extrabiblical societal stance, to the "Do whatever the heck you want" idiology of people who throw out Mosaic Law althogether. :/
3 comments:
Hi Lydia,
Here are my two cents. I am not a big nose ring girl. I do think yours is pretty because it is small and doesn't say "LOOK AT ME" as some do. Some people get piercings solely for the shock factor. If that has been your reasoning (which I TOTALLY don't think it is), I would say take it out. However, I think yours looks very nice!
On a biblical front, I do not think you will find anything in the Bible to support not having one. The Bible does clearly say that marking ourselves in mourning (cutting or tatooing) is wrong. The instances where the Bible talks about nose rings in a negative manner (Isa. 3:21 for one) it is talking about an attitude (wanton, haughty, etc.), not the jewelry itself.
But there are a lot of instances where nose rings are seen as a good thing. For example, when Abraham's servant went to find Issac a wife (Genesis 24), one of the gifts he presented her with was a nose ring. I love that passage about her helping him at the well, him giving her the gifts and Issac falling in love with her. So romantic! :)
Sorry that is so long, but that's my opinion. As long as your parents have no problem with it, I say keep it. :)
Take care,
Leigh
Lydia, since you asked...here's my tuppence worth -
I think you are a beautiful young woman, I think that apart from your physical beauty, there is an even more important beauty which you have as a Child of God, given to you by virtue of Baptism. Baptism is the indelible mark that has been left on your soul, you don't need to mark yourself in any other way. Remember that, as Catholics, we don't only look to the Bible for answers, as you yourself say, it can get quite confusing trying to work out how to interpret it. That is why we have the Teaching Authority of the Church.
Here are a couple of links which might help you further
http://catholiceducation.org/articles/religion/re0567.html
http://catholic-bulletin.blogspot.com/2007/11/body-piercings.html
As for my own personal opinion on nose piercing, I have never thought it looks nice. Anytime I come close to a young man or woman, and notice that they have such a thing, I dislike it, it always strikes me as a pagan thing to do, and I feel it mars their beauty.
But I don't feel the same way about conventionally pierced ears. Maybe the symmetry makes them more acceptable? Again, more than one piercing in the ear seems grotesque to my eye.
So I wouldn't agree with Leigh on this one.
There is one thing I should add, because I see you are trying to make Godly decisions in your life, and are giving certain things up, if they don't seem to be the right sort of thing to do, or have, in a spiritual way, don't go overboard, and deny yourself too much. Try and find things that are perhaps more acceptable spiritually, but will still give you a "lift" on a human level - if you get what I mean!
God Bless you.
Lydia,
I read your post last night but have taken some time to think it over. First of all I would like to say that I am Baptist (probably the only one who is in these discussions) but that much more importantly I am a Christian just like you are. As a Baptist we take much care to see everyone as our equal. For example, we don't have a Pope or head figure, we call our pastors "Brother" instead of "Father" and if the leaders ever differ from The Bible then The Bible wins! I am sure that this is the same in Catholic church, but of course, there are many differences. Everything outside of The Bible (such as what someone else says) is an opinion or a personal interpretation. Anyway, also as a Baptist I don't believe in being born a Christian but only being
"born again." You can't be a Christian just because your parents were but you have to make your own decision. I don't believe in infant Baptisms unless it is simply to dedicate the child, not secure them a place in Heaven because the baby hasn't chosen for itself. So, when I was nine I became a Christian and began reading the word. I read something in there (who knows where) that made me think that piercing at all was wrong. Even as my sisters got their ears pierced I held fast to this impulsive belief. As the years past and I actually began to understand the passages I was reading better I realized that I don't think that piercing is wrong. I still don't have my ears (or any place) pierced but I am thinking about having it done for my birthday this Summer. Pretty much, I agree with Leigh, especially considering Genesis 24. There is such thing as too much legalism when it comes to "interpreting" The Bible such as the Church of Christ which preaches that women should not braid their hair because of a passage in The Bible that uses it as an example of being arrogant and spending a lot of time on your appearance. I don't think that braiding your hair is wrong or nose piercings. If it is okay with your parents then it is okay by me. I have a problem with belly button rings for example because I don't think women should show their stomachs, but noses are, in my eyes, fine.
Everly
Post a Comment