A controversial canvas for religion

Religion. Faith. Spirituality. All prompt passionate discussions.

They’re also one of the most popular themes in the tattoo world.

Smitty Smith, owner of Big Brain Productions, says he has given people crosses, rosaries, religious portraits of Jesus and the Virgin Mary, and the “Jesus Fish” at his downtown tattoo parlor.

“People look for timeless designs,” he said. “Religion is a foundation that doesn’t change. That’s one of the first building blocks to a person’s life along with family and your name.”

Yet religious tattoos are a controversial topic for those who get them and those who choose not to.

Charles Tschetter, senior pastor at Community Bible Church, 9001 Q St., said Scripture tells us our bodies are a temple of the Holy Spirit.

“We don’t want to do anything harmful,” Tschetter said. “Whatever we do with our body should bring honor to the Lord.”

However, the Bible doesn’t directly address the tattoo issue, so it’s up to individuals to interpret. Unlike issues such as those addressed in the Ten Commandments, Christians aren’t all on the same page about body art.

Such personal appearance issues have always existed.

“Years ago, it wasn’t tattoos ... It was the length of your hair,” Tschetter said. “When I was a Bible college student at Grace University, I wanted my hair to be down covering my ears, but it was against the school’s policy. That changed when culture changed.”

And as culture changes, more people are becoming more accepting of tattoos.

“We’ve done a lot of research on what motivates people to get a tattoo,” said Big Brain’s Smith. “Conviction is one of them — and belonging to a group.”

Big Brain recently had a launch party for “Marked and Mended,” a self-published book the shop plans to release later this year. In it, Smith explains how people look to satisfy motivations, memorials and creativity through tattoos. A team of researchers from local and state health agencies broke down the shop’s demographics and gave tattoo artists a better perspective on why people ask for certain designs.

“When someone dies,” Smith said, “You feel compelled to do something, to honor that person properly. Getting a tattoo is one of those things. Every time you look down you have a pleasant reminder of that person.”

Religious tattoos are another great example of that reminder.

“You can get one when you’re happy or when you’re sad, whether you’re really religious or not,” Smith said. “You could literally wear it on your sleeve in a way.”

We spoke with several locals to see why they chose their religious-themed tattoos.

Here’s what they had to say:

Omahan Ryan McGlothlin, 24, has a portrait of David and Goliath tattooed across his rib cage. It’s his favorite Bible story.

“David and Goliath is the ultimate little guy vs. big guy story,” he said. “And it’s something I’ve applied to my life. There will always be obstacles, but you’ll overcome them with the help of God.”

McGlothlin found a similar portrait on the Internet two years ago. He took it to the tattoo parlor and had an artist draft his tattoo. It took an entire summer (five sessions and 14 hours) before the tattoo was complete. It has a lot of shading across his rib cage and hip bone.

McGlothlin had a surreal “What would Jesus do” moment while getting the tattoo.

“At certain times,” he said. “I thought about passing out. But I just laid there. I didn’t want to cry. I tried to act tough.”

McGlothlin also has a wooden cross tattoo with a banner that reads, “Galatians 2:20” across his back.

The verse: “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.”

“They’re just good reminders ... to see those images every day,” he said. “If I’m struggling or going through a tough time, I’ll look down at them.”

McGlothlin attends church on Sundays. He spent a few months in Canada working as a Bible camp counselor. He often talks to young people about God and religion.

Although his mom didn’t care for his tattoos at first, she’s come around.

“She would say, ‘You’re going to regret it’,” he said. “But it’s my faith. Why would I turn from it?”

***

Omahan Jerry Reafleng, 29, turned to Christ in time of need.

Shortly after serving two years in the military, he got a tattoo on his left arm of Jesus with the crown of thorns and blood dripping from his head.

“It’s actually a cover-up,” Reafleng admitted. “I had to cover my ex-wife’s name. I took something I couldn’t trust and put something I could trust.”

People often glance at his tattoo, but rarely ask him why he chose that image. So we did.

“When I went through my divorce, it was a difficult time,” he said. “It was a real reminder of what God could do for me. He gave me strength.”

Reafleng has a strong faith. He attends Christ Community Church, and while in the military he was a part of Christian Military Fellowship.

***

Frank Alba, 29, of Bellevue loves his body and his tattoos.

He has a portrait of St. Michael fighting Satan on his left forearm. Near it is Psalms 23:4: “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for Thou art with me; Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.”

“I was a fireman and medic in the army ... along with combat,” he said. “So it just made sense.”

Alba served with the Iowa Army Reserve’s 475th Engineer Detachment based in Creston. And he’s proud of his tattoo and his faith.

“If you get a tattoo and hide it, I have some pretty colorful opinions of you,” he said. “It’s probably the least cool thing you could do.”

Do his family and friends find the image controversial? Yes.

“I’ve had people who smoke and drink tell me their body is a temple,” said Alba, who now works as a 911 dispatcher. “I just watch them smoke. And watch them drink. Nod my head and say, ‘Yeah, you’re pretty good at debate, too.’ They way I see it, I’m just decorating my temple.”

***

Omahan Rodrigo Valadez, 30, made a promise to himself, his mom and the Virgin Mary to stay off the streets and off drugs.

As a reminder, he tattooed the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe on his right forearm.

“I look at it just about every day,” he said. “And some days are harder than others, but my promise is my promise.”

Valadez also had a rosary wrapped around praying hands tattooed on his other forearm.

The glue to Valadez’s life was his mom. When she died at 56 last March from breast cancer, Valadez tattooed “Mother” across the praying hands.

“She was the strongest woman I’ve ever known,” he said. “She fought cancer once, then went through remission for almost five years before it came back.”

The tattoo is a nice tribute piece for her, Valadez said, but some people have complained that the Virgin Mary is sacred and shouldn’t be on his arm.

“I don’t worship my arm,” he said. “It’s a promise to me to help me remember my promise.”

Contact the writer:

444-1075, j.loza@owh.com

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