thebaconsandwichofregret:

In some (and in the 1930s and 40s I’m pretty sure all) branches of Judaism having piercings or tattoos was forbidden. To permanently mark the body G-d gave you was not allowed and it used to be that people who have tattoos were sometimes not even allowed to be buried in Jewish cemeteries. Of course special exceptions were made for the survivors of camps who had no choice in being branded, but I think it’s important in the discussion of this very powerful scene to be aware of the multiple levels of subtext in Erik’s lines.

For Erik, the Mutant pride mark is not just unnecessary considering the life he has lived fighting for Mutant rights, but also a sin against his faith and culture, something the young Mutant he is talking to cannot really understand.