What are the religious reasons behind circumcision in Christianity?

Question

puzzled mother trying to decide the right thing to do and why!

Answer 1

It was a rule-I think it was a rule mainly because of cleanliness.

Answer 2

There is no requirement for Christians of any denomination to be circumcised, in fact at one time it was forbidden for a Christian to be circumcised.Religious requirements for circumcision only apply to Jews and Muslims, and now some Jews are refusing to have their sons mutilated for some old custom. No other major religion requires circumcision.

The first known civilization to practice circumcision was the Egyptians; the Hebrews (Israelites or Jews) probably copied the custom from them. The cut foreskin became a mark of the tribe and was said to have originated with Abraham. Originally it was not a "tight" circumcision and the remains of the foreskin could be stretched to cover the glans. But when it was seen that Jews could so conceal themselves and pass as Greeks, some other old man thought he heard G*d again and commanded the present tight cut which is not so easily recovered.

This custom may have also spread to the Arabian tribes where it was said that Mohamed was born without a foreskin. So the followers of Mohamed believe they must be circumcised also. Some Muslim cultures also circumcise girls.

You will note that these people are from desert areas and one could imagine that hygiene was difficult, so perhaps it was done to be more easily kept clean, with no soap and water available.

Today, soap and water are more common and boys can be just as easily taught to keep them selves clean as girls can. In fact girls have more going on "down there" so hygiene is even more difficult for them. As soon as a boy finds out that his willy will have to be clean to get a girl; you better believe that thing will shine.

Other reasons have been used to justify circumcision such as preventing masturbation, cancer, insanity, tuberculosis and a score of other hideous diseases. All of these claims are now proven false. It has been found that males that have been circumcised are more likely to masturbate and even to engage in oral and anal sex. The American Cancer Society says that circumcision cannot be shown to provide protection from cancer of the penis or for cervical cancer in the female partner

Some claim that it is necessary to prevent urinary infections, but girls get more urinary infections than boys with foreskins do. Just give them antibiotics like they do the girls, no cutting need

It is said that girls won't go for an uncut guy, 80% of the men in the world (that’s 8 out of every 10 guys) is not circumcised. I have to believe the French and Italians are getting laid quite regular and neither of those (Catholic) countries practices circumcision.

Before you chose to circumcise your sons please Google 'circumcision complications' and 'circumcision botched' what you will find there will is not for the faint of heart, and no loving mother could submit her flesh and blood to such a fate. These boys are ruined for life, and it happens every year even in this country, and it is done just for some religious tradition or so Jr. will look like dad (if dad's penis looked like any of those, there would be no Jr.) Not all complications are that severe, but about 10% of boys circumcised do have some complications.

Even if circumcision was a sacrifice that G*d wanted, He would want the owner of the foreskin to knowingly give it. It would mean nothing if it is given by the parents, it is not theirs to give. It is like stealing something from your neighbor and giving it to the church.

His body. His choice.

Answer 3

I am not sure about the religious reasons, but I think most people do it because its most common and they think if their child isnt circumcised, they will be made fun of. My doctor also told me that it is easier to take care of if they are circumcised. My husband is not circumcised, but all 3 of our sons are, mainly for hygenic reasons, but also because the dr reccomended it. It is totally up to you, I dont believe there is a right or wrong answer.

Answer 4

In the old testimate God ordered Abraham to do this.

Genesis 17:9-14

I would type it all but that would take me awhile. IM me if you really want to know what exactly it says and you don't have a Bible.

Sorry, I had to come back and add more. Geez people, she asked what the religious reasons behind it were in Christianity, not a health lesson.

Yes, it does have reasons in Christianity. Genesis is not the only book in the Bible that meantions it. It was done to have a covanent with God back then.

Please people, know your Bible before you tell this woman your personal opinions.

Answer 5

religiously, it means purity, holy, and that ( person ) which is dedicated to God. Was it Abraham or Issac his son being the first male that God demanded to be circumcised. This flows down to the Jewish and today to the gentiles like me. However in the New Testament, it was not the PHYSICAL but the SPIRITUAL circumcision of the heart that God demands.I am circumcised may be because of CULTURE or may be because of HEALTH reasons.

Answer 6

Christians have no religious reason for circumcision. Its Jews taht do it for religion. And this was started as a way to avoid health problems so it seems that relgion had nothing to do with it in the first place.

Answer 7

I have two boys who are both circumsized. I had it done because at the time I was a young single mom and couldn't see myself teaching them how to clean it properly seeing as how I don't exactly have a penis and all. Plus there are the aesthetic reasons. When my oldest son was born it wasn't very common that people left their sons uncircumsized. So I also had it done to save him some shower room grief later in school. Nowadays it's becoming more common place not to circumsize your boys and so I don't think they'll get the ribbing that they used to.

So this is really up to you. There is no right or wrong on this. I'm 24wks pregnant with my 3rd son and he'll be circumsized as well. Mainly because the other two are and his dad said he'd rather it be done.

Answer 8

I wasn't aware of a christianity religous reason for circumcision...I had my son done a t 12 days old for the cleanlines aspect, and that he looked like his Daddy

Answer 9

There are no religious reasons in Christianity for circumcision...only in the Jewish religion... Christians do it primarily for the health of the baby.

Answer 10

In the old testament, circumcision was like a bond between GOD and men( covenant), It was a bit like showing that you have accepted GOD.
When JESUS died for our sins, circumcision was not necessary, all we had to do was to pray to GOD to forgive our sins. Some religion still perform it as a ritual, but in christianity, it is not necessary.
i hope that helps

Answer 11

I believe it was originally done because life was tough, bathing was very irregular and removing the foreskin made for a lot easier hygiene. Anything that helped the race survive and out-reproduce the other races was adopted.
It was probably put in the Bible because it gave people a reason other then hygiene. If they thought it would help them get to heaven, they'd be more likely to suffer through it, or allow/force their children to submit to it.