Kingsley Okonkwo: ‘No Scripture Says Tattoos Are a Sin’

Pastor Kingsley Okonkwo has defended tattoos, arguing that there is no biblical scripture that explicitly declares tattooing a sin.

Speaking on TVC Entertainment, Okonkwo said tattoos have always been part of human culture, including in Nigeria, where he recalled seeing older people in Lagos with tattoos.

“It has always been part of human culture, not even just Nigeria. Everywhere in the world, there are tribal marks. There are different marks,” he said.

Referencing Isaiah 49:16, where God says, “I have inscribed you on my hands,” Okonkwo said the imagery was relatable to the culture of the time.

“Even God used an example because the culture could relate with people putting tattoos to remember. So He was saying, look, I have also tattooed you. That means I can never forget you,” he said.

He also referenced Revelation, saying, “They mentioned in Revelations that Christ also tattooed the name on His thigh.”

Addressing Leviticus 19:28, Okonkwo said: “What it says is that don’t do inscriptions to the d+ad. It has nothing to do with tattoos,” adding that the following verse also discusses shaving.

He compared tattoos with microblading, saying, “Women do microblading. It’s okay. Then tattoo is wrong. Microblading is a form of tattoo.”

Okonkwo also noted that Christians today enjoy freedoms that others previously fought for.

“People fought to say this thing has nothing to do with Christ. Let the ladies wear their trousers. Let the women have their makeup… Before, You can’t look good. You can’t even have perfumes. There are places they didn’t have perfumes. There was a time you couldn’t even have television,” he concluded.