You cannot become Amish if you have tattoos. In adherence to Leviticus 19:28, which advises against tattooing, the Amish community prohibits its members from getting tattoos. They hold the belief that the body is a sacred temple of God.
Leviticus 19:28 reads as follows:
Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print any marks upon you.
For the Amish, this scriptural guidance serves as a cornerstone for their rejection of tattoos.
Tattoos as a Symbol of Rebellion Against God
The Amish view tattoos not merely as body art but as a symbol of rebellion against God. The belief that the body is a sacred temple further reinforces their stand against any form of permanent markings on the skin.
People who were once part of the Amish community and chose to leave, getting tattoos in the process, cannot return and reintegrate into the Amish way of life.
Returning with visible tattoos is often considered incompatible with the values of simplicity and humility that the Amish prioritize.
Eli Yoder, an ex-Amish, confirmed this on TikTok:
I can never go back because I have tattoos and they told me I am condemned to hell for the rest of my life because of the tattoos.
Additionally, piercings and earrings are also forbidden among the Amish, as they are perceived as expressions of worldliness and vanity. The Amish prioritize simplicity and humility, and body art is viewed as contrary to these values.
Amish communities value conformity, and visible tattoos are perceived as unconventional.
If an Amish individual were to undergo tattooing, it would probably result in their exclusion from the community.
To maintain community cohesion, the Amish practice shunning, which may involve excluding individuals who deviate from established norms.
Considering Joining the Amish? Removing Tattoos Might be a Step
If you have tattoos and are considering joining the Amish, getting your tattoo permanently removed may be a practical step to align with their cultural emphasis on simplicity and humility.