why did men get circumcised?

Question

in the bible it talks about men getting circumsied... what is that and what did they do it for exaclty???

Answer 1

The Bible records that it was commanded by God for the Hebrews to circumcized their males at 8 days of age. Those who converted to the Hebrew faith were circumcized in order to join the community. Circumcision was practiced by other ancient civilizations as well.

If this was not commanded by God, it's hard to see how natural selection would have favored such behavior that persists even today. Christians, especially those who practice infant baptism, often view baptism as a replacement for the rite of circumcision into a community of saints (church.)

Answer 2

There are actually not many cases in the Bible of men getting circumcised. It's more the kind of thing they do to male children. At 8 days old if they're Jewish. It is a minor surgery to remove the extra skin that covers the head of a male's penis. It is said to make it easier to keep the penis clean, but that's hard- I mean difficult to prove. It was/is a symbol of the covenant between God and the Jews. If you don't really understand that, don't worry: no one really does.

Answer 3

It is a small incision that cuts away the foreskin of the penis that allows the head to be cleansed easily. In those times, daily showers were not something that men participated in, and this little operation that was performed at the age of 8 days on boy babies, helped keep infection down. Many of the biblical traditions were carried out for health reasons back in the day.

Answer 4

most men in the US born between I think it was like 1975 or so (maybe earlier) til around relatively recently, were routinely circumcised for the medical benefits, many people (belive it or not) have not even seen, or know what the asthetic difference is between cut and uncut.

when cut, in the "relaxed" state, the glans(head) is exposed, uncut, when relaxed, its not. from my understanding sometimes even then it has to still be deliberately pulled back. (think turtle neck...)

for all intents its essentially impossible for a circumcised man to get for example, a yeast infection. (many people don't even know that ANY men are capable of carrying such infections) and various other unpleasantries, without comparatively extremely involved cleanliness.

it was originally part of the covenant between god and the nation of israel, a permenant, personal mark in the flesh. of course, it had the nifty side effect of helping the jewish people, and others who followed along with the tradition, to have less abundance of such issues.

some people get bizzarely reactive about it... honestly though, it has practically no negative side effects when done properly.

Answer 5

There are many good answers above me and circumcision has to do with many of those things but I think that it also has to do with the cutting of the flesh (symbolism) and the shedding of blood and the fact that is where the seed or (future children comes from). Undoubtedly it was what God commanded and an act of obedience on their part but today it is seen as a health issue.

Answer 6

Iam not all knowing in this subject because I am female, but I'll give it a shot--what can I lose? Anyway, all three of my boys have been circumcised (husband and two sons). In medical society it is believed to prevent many infectious diseases. In the religious world I suppose it would represent a small mark to show that all men can suffer as Christ did i.e., pain and blood---no matter how temporary.

Answer 7

It was originally a Jewish custom used as a sign of the chosen people. I believe God inspired them to do it for health reasons back them. Nowadays it is not as necessary. Circumcision is the removal of the foreskin of the penis. The ancient Jews believed that life came from them and women only carried it which made the penis more central in their male oriented society.

Answer 8

Men get circumcised to convert to judeism or out of fetish. Almost all circumcisions are preformed on infants in this day for reasons listed in other answers.
The practice is the shearing off of the foreskin of the penis, a loose tissue that envelops the tip.

Answer 9

Now adays most hospitals do it unless requested otherwise or sugest it for health resons.

Otherwise all kidna icky stuff will get cuaght under the forskin requiring constant and thero cleaning to prevent infection.

I also hurd it makes the tip grow a little larger, though that might just be a rumor.

Answer 10

circumcision is CHILD ABUSE. it should be made illegal. just type the word in on any search engine, like google, and read a couple of the pages. you will quickly learn what a harmful procedure this is.

it shrinks the size of the penis and reduces sexual pleasure. it makes the skin on the head of the penis become dull and rough, which is uncomfortable for women. and it causes psychological trauma. i mean,, the list goes on and on. seriously, google it. -- plus, it has no medical benefits. as for cleanliness, that's what soap is for. cutting off penis skin makes a penis easier to clean in the same way that cutting off vagina skin makes a vagina easier to clean. (by the way, here in the u.s., people look down on female circumcision, but in other parts of the world they view it the same way americans view male circumcision.)