this really bothered me

[jennyanydots]

I saw a man on the subway yesterday, a young man with a tatoo on one arm.

the tatoo was in Hebrew. it was the four letters that spell out G-d's unpronounceable Name.

an observant Jew would never tatoo G-d's Name on his arm. an observant Jew wouldn't get a tatoo (it violates a religious law), but if he did, it certainly wouldn't be G-d's Name.

from my viewpoint, that tatoo was the utmost in offensive and blasphemous.

the tatoo made me unbearably uncomfortable. and I was so releived when the man moved to another subway car.

if you'd seen a tatoo or something similar that you found offensive like that, would you have spoken up, or would you have suffered in silence as I did?

 

[dumboiu]

Originally posted by jennyanydots
if you'd seen a tatoo or something similar that you found offensive like that, would you have spoken up, or would you have suffered in silence as I did?

I am not sure that "suffering in silence" is the correct term.......however, I would have kept quiet since it is really none of my business what others choose to do to their own bodies.

 

[Cindy B]

I've seen some people Use the unpronouncable word for tatoo as well, and they weren't Jewish. They just like the look better, and it "more exotic" I guess.


Some people put Satan, and devils on thier bodies.. it truly doens't bother me.. they are the ones that have to look at it when they are 85!

 

[tiggersmom2]

I would never call someone on an adornment they choose to put on their body - that is their business. I understand your discomfort but in this case - I think it is best to just keep it to yourself.

Knowing what you know, you can probably feel some measure of comfort that he is NOT Jewish or if he is, he isn't practicing the religion.

 

[Aimeedyan]

how do you know he's jewish? I use that name for God often, since it's His actual name... I'm not Jewish.

I wouldn't say a word, but I don't see why it would be offensive... since I use it often.

 

[HollyJoy]

I wouldn't have said anything... not my place to do so.

 

[lulubelle]

While it might bother me, I would never, ever say anything. I agree with each person having control over their own bodies.

On another note, what is with society's obsession with tatoos these days anyway? Seems like so many people have them.

 

[gr8tpanther]

I agree in not saying anything when it comes to what other's choose to do with their own bodies.

 

[MOMTOMOOTOO]

Originally posted by dumboiu
I am not sure that "suffering in silence" is the correct term.......however, I would have kept quiet since it is really none of my business what others choose to do to their own bodies.

 

[Deb in IA]

When I see something unbearably offensive (for me, it is anti-abortion protestors with bloody pictures of mutilated fetuses), I concentrate on looking the other way. Or focusing my eyes on something else - a book, the newspaper, my hands, or, if I'm driving, the bumper of the car ahead of me.

CindyB, I think some who get tatoos do get them in "exotic" appearing characters. I see a lot of Chinese characters used as tatoos. And I have no idea whether they are blasphemous or not, since I can't read Chinese . . .

 

[Beth76]

Originally posted by jennyanydots
if you'd seen a tatoo or something similar that you found offensive like that, would you have spoken up, or would you have suffered in silence as I did?

Well, what would you have said, if you had chosen to say something? Really, is there anything appropriate that you could have said? And are we not allowed to type "God" on this board?

 

[Aimeedyan]

Originally posted by Beth76
Well, what would you have said, if you had chosen to say something? Really, is there anything appropriate that you could have said? And are we not allowed to type "God" on this board?

If I understand her right, she's referring to his name YHWH.

 

[ennazus]

being that I'm not Jewish (nor are there really many Jews in my geographical area) I'm not familar with WHAT God's 'unpronouncable' name is.... and I'm curious as to what it is...

perhaps a non-Jew could PM me?

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

A NYC subway? A) What you'll see in NYC pretty much runs the gamut of what there IS to see, and B) I wouldn't confront anyone in NYC, particularly on a subway, about much of anything. And besides that, I wouldn't consider it any of my business no matter where I saw it.

 

[Beauty]

I'm not familiar with it either but I would be afraid to say something, its that person's body besides he could have been a violent person and hurt you.

 

[tiggersmom2]

I think the name is also written as YAHWAH.

 

[Pop Daddy]

it seems to me when people are bothered about religious things, there only worried about other peoples sin, they never see there own

 

[Jenn Lynn]

Originally posted by tiggersmom2
I think the name is also written as YAHWAH.

What is wrong with this name? I'm pretty sure I have heard it used in my religion before. Can someone please explain it?

Thanks.

To the OP-No, I would not have said anything. It's not my business.

 

[poohandwendy]

In all sincerity, I think I would dwell more on practicing tolerance than confronting a stranger of unknown faith on a subway about his choice of religious body alterations. Because really, how you conduct yourself is what matters, not how others do. There is a sad irony in offending another to point out that they offended you.

 

[marlasmom]

I would not have said anything just because I would have found him scary and been afraid. OTOH I told a persistent Jews for Jesus zealot who was pestering people on the street to just "grow up."