In my country (Nigeria) , many people believe that getting a tattoo can lead to demonic possession. That is a fallacy, but it has caused fear and judgment of those who do have tats. People have different reasons for these beliefs, and it often comes from a misunderstanding of tattoos and their purpose.
https://pixabay.com/photos/woman-tattoo-mandala-portrait-4123270/
Well in Nigeria some of the Nigerians the more traditional or religious ones consider tattoos evil and unclean. Since they believe that when a person has a tattoo, the evil spirits can enter the body through the tattoo marks. These views are generally linked to religious doctrines or cultural traditions that state that any form of bodily alteration is an open invitation for spiritual corruption.
https://pixabay.com/photos/hands-henna-tattoo-tradition-body-5504603/
In many churches across Nigeria, pastors preach against tattoos. They say that that is rebellion against god and that it can open the door for demonic oppression. Anointed, why hell even some preachers will do "deliverance" on someone who has a tattoo and try to cast the demons out of them. That has led to the stigma against tattoo's that they are so scary that no one really knows them. And that's another thing, these ideas aren't even grounded in facts, or science, but personal beliefs and interpretations of religious texts.
How deep this myth has pervaded people's lives can be witnessed by personal experiences. For instance, some young people who got tattoos out of personal expression or for artistic reasons were rejected by their families. Some were even kicked out of their homes, with their parents accusing them of bringing curses into the family. One young man shared his story of how his mother cried for days after discovering his tattoo, believing he had "sold his soul" to the devil. That kind of answer can be found in almost every household in Nigeria, with the idea that tattoos are the work of the devil deeply rooted.
The truth is that tattoos, in themselves, do not have any supernatural power. They're just patterns on the skin in ink. People get tattoos for many reasons. Others do it because it shows their "personality" or to "cherish" the memory of a family member or friend or to "memorialize" some incredibly important event in their life. For some, tattoos are an art form or a way of adopting a culture. But because of the myths, a lot of the personal reasons are skipped over and people with tattoos are often judged.
https://pixabay.com/photos/woman-portrait-fashion-vintage-659352/
That must be one of the cruelest parts of this "myth", the way it wrecks friendships and relationships. People with tattoos are sometimes seen as bad influences, leading others down a "dark path.". They've lost friends, been ostracized, been screwed over at work or school. People with tattoos tend to be looked down on or discriminated against, atleast in the more conservative parts of Nigeria.
It's so pathetic how an innocent form of self expression like this is deemed demonic possession. Just because a person has a tattoo does not make them less of a person, and it sure doesn't say anything about their character or spiritual standing. They do not have the power to invite in evil spirits, and they don't make a person less respectable or lovable. It's not the tattoo it's the person the heart the actions.
Oh well, it is about time Nigeria broke this fallacy. People should not be judged based on their appearance but on their behavior and values. Instead of spreading fear and misunderstanding, it is important to have open conversations about tattoos and other forms of self-expression, and how they are simply part of a person's unique identity.
This is my entry for the #octoberinleo daily prompt day 17. You can know more when you click Link You can also read the post and know the topics for each day. This is #octoberinleo where there is a topic for every day. No more writer's block.