Thanks for your comment.

I agree. I think the Holy Spirit has perfect taste, judging by the beauty of the world. Adornment should be just that, beautiful. Of course this varies from culture to culture, but of course the extremes are demonic, which is where western culture is heading.

It is the context that decides for us most often. If a certain piercing in our culture communicates rebellion, we don’t do it. Same goes for clothing. The best-dressed people are modest but regal. It doesn’t say “Look at me,” but it does illustrate respect for themselves and for those around them.

On the other hand, some of the discussion has used “avoiding causing someone to stumble” arguments, but assumes that causing a brother to stumble is the same as causing a brother to turn up his nose. They aren’t the same. Causing someone to stumble means tempting them to sin. And while we should submit to one another and not cause offense unnecessarily, if we made all our decisions based on whether someone might sniff disapproval over it, we’d pretty much be paralyzed. And that would probably offend someone, too.

But going in another direction re tattoos….I think it would be interesting to explore the difference between external adornment (clothing, jewelry, etc.) and direct-flesh adornment (ie. cutting/ tattoos, cosmetic surgery). Are there any scriptural precepts/examples/whatever that would allow one and not the other? Perhaps in the second case we are trying to “play God,” who will one day give us new bodies? I don’t know. Of course, there are some adornments that cross the line between the two (pierced ears, for example).