Body Modification and Judgement

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I know that from a religious perspective body modification is a very sensitive subject, and many of you may be rather religious. I am sure I will be asked why I feel that it is not sinful to alter my body the way I see fit is a sin and 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 thread. I am interested in your views on the social judgement of others who are different than you. The question that I was asked, to which I replied in another forum was "should we judge people by what they have done to their body?" This is how I replied: "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 time 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 judgement 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. I have also noticed that women are judged on this more than men. What are your thoughts on that, as well?