--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: At the tattoo parlor, my friend worked…" description: "\"“At the tattoo parlor, my friend worked with needle and ink applying a design to the skin on his client's back, as the three of us sat discussing our s..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1e7/mark-scandrette-66729_christianity_at-the-tattoo-parlor-my-friend-worked-wi_673454.jpg" --- # At the tattoo parlor, my friend worked with needle and ink… ![“At the tattoo parlor, my friend worked with needle and ink applying a design to the skin on his client's back, as the three of us sat discussing our spiritual desires and ambivalence about religion. In the midst of our conversation, the man under the needle turned and said, 'Jesus is cool, it's…” quote by Mark Scandrette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1e7/mark-scandrette-66729_christianity_at-the-tattoo-parlor-my-friend-worked-wi_673454.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1e7/mark-scandrette-66729_christianity_at-the-tattoo-parlor-my-friend-worked-wi_673454.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1e7/mark-scandrette-66729_christianity_at-the-tattoo-parlor-my-friend-worked-wi_673454.jpg) > ““At the tattoo parlor, my friend worked with needle and ink applying a design to the skin on his client's back, as the three of us sat discussing our spiritual desires and ambivalence about religion. In the midst of our conversation, the man under the needle turned and said, 'Jesus is cool, it's just that they have f\*\*\*ed with Jesus. I mean, Christianity was at its best when it was secret and hidden and you could die for it.' This profound, if crass, statement recognizes that the power of the gospel lay in its ability to be a counter-cultural and revolutionary force - not only a story to believe, but a distinctive way of life. The man's comment prompted me to consider the questions: Am I in some measure complicit in the domestication of Jesus?”” Mark Scandrette ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote reflects on how Christianity’s power lies in its counter‑cultural, revolutionary roots, contrasting secret early faith with modern domestication. **In simple terms:** Christianity’s strength is in its radical, hidden origins, not its softened modern form. Key Takeaway Question how you may have softened the radical message. Themes faith culture revolution domestication spirituality Mood thoughtful critical contemplative Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - personal reflection - discussions about belief - examining modern religious practice - contemplating personal complicity Key Concepts religion counter‑culture authenticity Questions to Reflect On - How does your everyday life reflect or mute the radical core of your beliefs? - What does “domestication of Jesus” mean to you? A Different Perspective Modern comforts can dilute the original transformative intent of faith. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Christianity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christianity/) [Faith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/faith/) [Friendship](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/friendship/) [Jesus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/jesus/) [Religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religion/) [Tattoo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tattoo/) [Way of life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/way-of-life/) ## Related quotes > [To be brutally frank, I mean Christianity is dying in Europe, and Islam is on the rise.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-bannon/to-be-brutally-frank-i-mean-christianity-is-dying-in-europe-and-islam/) [Steve Bannon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-bannon/) > [“What does Jesus mean when he uses that word “heaven”? \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ First, there was tremendous respect in the culture that Jesus lived in for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-bell/what-does-jesus-mean-when-he-uses-that-word-heaven-first-there-was/) [Rob Bell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-bell/) > [I do not mean that others represent Jesus for us. 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The Jesus who will return for His…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-r-rice/note-that-they-said-this-same-jesus-the-jesus-in-heaven-is-not/) [John R. Rice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-r-rice/) > [It’s all right,” she said. “You’re through.” “Jesus,” he finally managed, pushing water off his face. “Jesus Christ and John the Baptist. For that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tessa-dare/it-s-all-right-she-said-you-re-through-jesus-he-finally-managed/) [Tessa Dare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tessa-dare/) > [There have been times where I've said, 'Jesus, I don't believe in you anymore, get out of here. I don't know. I don't even…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-yaconelli/there-have-been-times-where-i-ve-said-jesus-i-don-t-believe-in-you/) [Mike Yaconelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-yaconelli/) > [I was very struck when Min. Farrakhan said if Jesus and Muhammad were here today, they'd be embracing each other. That's a tremendous message…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-eric-dyson/i-was-very-struck-when-min-farrakhan-said-if-jesus-and-muhammad-were/) [Michael Eric Dyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-eric-dyson/) ## More by Mark Scandrette > [“I believe we are more ready to embrace our lives in the here and now when we are able to recognize the continuity between…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-scandrette/i-believe-we-are-more-ready-to-embrace-our-lives-in-the-here-and-now/) Mark Scandrette > [“It may actually be more healthy to be disturbed, confused, or searching than confident, certain, and secure.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-scandrette/it-may-actually-be-more-healthy-to-be-disturbed-confused-or-searching/) Mark Scandrette > [“We often spend so much time reacting to religious traditions or a religious culture that we have little energy left to cultivate a proactive…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-scandrette/we-often-spend-so-much-time-reacting-to-religious-traditions-or-a/) Mark Scandrette Explore all 4 Mark Scandrette quotes ## More Christianity quotes > [Christianity was never meant to be defined by its disciplines, but by its passions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-johnson/christianity-was-never-meant-to-be-defined-by-its-disciplines-but-by/) [Bill Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-johnson/) > [I think, here's what I've realized from interviewing people, and I've been very open about my Catholicism and my love of Christ and I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-mohr/i-think-here-s-what-i-ve-realized-from-interviewing-people-and-i-ve/) [Jay Mohr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-mohr/) > [“God hates Hell. 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