Body Modification and Judgment

From a religious perspective body modification is a very sensitive subject, and many people reading are very religious. I am sure it is questioned as to why I feel that it is not sinful to alter my body the way I see fit. This is how I feel about it: Leviticus 19:28 says that I should not make cuttings in my flesh to honor the dead. None of my tattoos nor piercings were done to honor anyone who has past away. Therefore, I do not see it as sinful.

But the religious aspect of this question is not the point of this. I am interested in views on the social judgment of others who are different than the societal standard. Should we judge people by what they have done to their body? We all have an opinion on the subject.

I deal with people judging me everyday because of the way I look. I have piercings in my face, tattoos all over my arms, at times my hair is odd colors. Even though *I* like the way I look, I think deep down there is a part of everyone that wants to be acceptable to society. That doesn't mean that society has the right to judge me, but they do anyway. I try my best to not be that type of person-- to not treat others the way I myself am treated. I deal with the judgment the most often in regard to my son. I have actually been told that someone who looks like me has no business raising children. I am assuming that she is assuming that because I practice a (mild) form of body mod, I must also be a terrible person, I make bad choices, I drink and do drugs, and I must be a paganistic heathen--I am overall unfit for society. What she doesn't see is that I don't touch drugs, I drink no more that one drink a sitting maybe once or twice a year, I am a loving a caring mother who only thinks for her child, and I am quite religious.

Does she have a right to judge me? Do those who judge view one such as I, who has a blatant disregard for what is deemed socially acceptable (in appearance), as a threat? Or is it sheer disgust that I would take the liberty to alter myself.