What are the religious purposes for circumcision.?

Question

Note that men with foreskin can easily masturbate, are men designed by god to be masturbators? In school (sexuality) the teacher explained it was a myth that it was for health and cleanliness...

Why do you think we cut off the skin that allows us to masturbate easily? why would someone want it to be hard......lol....

Did you miss the part that said it is a myth,,,, that there are health cleanliness.....reasons,,..lol...

Answer 1

Jews and Muslims are ritually cut, but many modern families are courageously deciding not to have their sons mutilated. Some primitive tribes do it as a puberty rite.

Christians are very clearly told in the New Testament that it is NOT necessary. Many Christians find it insulting to God to assert that we know more than He does about designing a man's body. He put foreskin there to protect the glans and to provide sexual pleasure for man and wife. Who are we to say He made a mistake?

Answer 2

Brit Milah: Circumcision
Of all of the commandments in Judaism, the brit milah (literally, Covenant of Circumcision) is probably the one most universally observed. It is commonly referred to as a bris (covenant, using the Ashkenazic pronunciation). Even the most secular of Jews, who observe no other part of Judaism, almost always observe these laws. Of course, until quite recently, the majority of males in the United States were routinely circumcised, so this doesn't seem very surprising. But keep in mind that there is more to the ritual of the brit milah than merely the process of physically removing the foreskin, and many otherwise non-observant Jews observe the entire ritual.

The commandment to circumcise is given at Gen. 17:10-14 and Lev. 12:3. The covenant was originally made with Abraham. It is the first commandment specific to the Jews.

Circumcision is performed only on males. Although some cultures have a practice of removing all or part of the woman's clitoris, often erroneously referred to as "female circumcision," that ritual has never been a part of Judaism.

Like so many Jewish commandments, the brit milah is commonly perceived to be a hygienic measure; however the biblical text states the reason for this commandment quite clearly: circumcision is an outward physical sign of the eternal covenant between G-d and the Jewish people. It is also a sign that the Jewish people will be perpetuated through the circumcised man. The health benefits of this practice are merely incidental. It is worth noting, however, that circumcised males have a lower risk of certain cancers, and the sexual partners of circumcised males also have a lower risk of certain cancers.

The commandment is binding upon both the father of the child and the child himself. If a father does not have his son circumcised, the son is obligated to have himself circumcised as soon as he becomes an adult. A person who is uncircumcised suffers the penalty of kareit, spiritual excision; in other words, regardless of how good a Jew he is in all other ways, a man has no place in the World to Come if he is uncircumcised.

Circumcision is performed on the eighth day of the child's life, during the day. The day the child is born counts as the first day, thus if the child is born on a Wednesday, he is circumcised on the following Wednesday. Keep in mind that Jewish days begin at sunset, so if the child is born on a Wednesday evening, he is circumcised the following Thursday. Circumcisions are performed on Shabbat, even though they involve the drawing of blood which is ordinarily forbidden on shabbat. The Bible does not specify a reason for the choice of the eighth day; however, modern medicine has revealed that an infant's blood clotting mechanism stabilizes on the eighth day after birth. As with almost any commandment, circumcision can be postponed for health reasons. Jewish law provides that where the child's health is at issue, circumcision must wait until seven days after a doctor declares the child healthy enough to undergo the procedure.

Circumcision involves surgically removing the foreskin of the penis. The circumcision is performed by a mohel (lit. circumciser; rhymes with oil), a pious, observant Jew educated in the relevant Jewish law and in surgical techniques. Circumcision performed by a regular physician does not qualify as a valid brit milah, regardless of whether a rabbi says a blessing over it, because the removal of the foreskin is itself a religious ritual that must be performed by someone religiously qualified.

If the child is born without a foreskin (it happens occasionally), or if the child was previously circumcised without the appropriate religious intent or in a manner that rendered the circumcision religiously invalid, a symbolic circumcision may be performed by taking a pinprick of blood from the tip of the penis. This is referred to as hatafat dam brit.

While the circumcision is performed, the child is held by a person called a sandek. In English, this is often referred to as a godfather. It is an honor to be a sandek for a bris. The sandek is usually a grandparent or the family rabbi. Traditionally, a chair (often an ornate one) is set aside for Elijah, who is said to preside over all circumcisions. Various blessings are recited, including one over wine, and a drop of wine is placed in the child's mouth. The child is then given a formal Hebrew name.

Answer 3

It was part of the Abrahamic convenant in the Old Testament. It not only was a religious rite, but it was a way to distinguish the "covenant people" from others. Many times in the Old Testament it says that they should not "mix" with the uncircumcised, meaning they should marry in the covenant. So those who are a "member of the church," or the followers of the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob would be able to preserve their true beliefs without the heathen influence by marrying someone not of their faith. Also, it is very hygienic. This was important religiously too because those who were circumcised were considered "clean" and those who were not were "not clean."

Answer 4

Circumcision is an act pertaining to fitrah (pure human nature). Male circumcision means removal of the foreskin of the penis, and female circumcision means removing the prepuce of the clitoris [not the clitoris itself].

Jurists have differed on the issue of circumcision with regard to both males and females.

Concerning male circumcision, Imam Abu Hanifah and Imam Malik maintain that it is considered a confirmed sunnah, whereas Imam Shafi`i and Ahmad ibn Hanbal see that it is mandatory (wajib).

This means that male circumcision is an important ritual in Islam. Consequently, if a whole community of Muslims agreed to give up this ritual, the ruler of the Muslims would have to fight them for this, the same as if a community collectively abandoned calling to Prayer (Adhan).

From the medical point of view, circumcision has many benefits for man’s health and personal hygiene.

First, circumcision helps the penis remain clean. Microorganisms flourish in the warm, moist area under the foreskin, leading to a foul odor and infection.

Second, circumcision reduces the possibility of the penis becoming infected with syphilis, especially since the foreskin is the place where the germ breeds.

Third, the foreskin is most likely to be exposed to inflammation due to repeated friction, especially during sexual intercourse.

Fourth, it has been proved that circumcision (especially during the first five years of life) also reduces the incidence of penile cancer.

Fifth, circumcision helps man prolong the period of erection. This is because the nerves related to sexual stimulation are mostly located at the head of the penis. If the foreskin is present, it would prevent the penis' head from constant touch with other materials, which makes the penis sensitive to any kind of touch. When the foreskin is removed, the head of the penis becomes less sensitive due to its repeated friction against clothing.

The medical benefits of male circumcision prove the wisdom of Islam in emphasizing the importance of this practice.

Answer 5

Actually i was taught that is done for health and medical benefits.
of course if foreskin makes masturbation better! i wouldnt know, i was circumcised as an infant.
What i do know also is that circumcision has at least 2 symbolic interpretations.
the first is that Adam was cut off from the presense of the Lord in the eighth day of creation. so hence the eighth day is commanded. in the garden Adam and eve were created in their nakedness but having a penis that is unprotected is a Sore thing to carry around Hence the covering up of little head hairs. LOL
The second is founded in the jewish tradition of covenants and commitment to righteousness. Children get circumcised as a sign of righteousness in a world of sexual immorality.

Answer 6

Circumcision made Israel a distinctive nation. It was a testimony of the Jewish father's belief in the promises given to Abraham by God.

Genesis 17:10-14 God said to Abraham "and he that is eight days old shall be circumcised."

Doctors will tell you that the blood coagulates(clots)better on the eighth day after birth.

Answer 7

It was commanded by God as a sign that you belong to Him.

Why such a sign?
The flesh symbolizes sin, so circumcision is symbolic of our giving up the flesh.

We learn in the NT that the skin is not sinful.
It is our flesh nature - pride, lust, covetousness, jealousy, anger, etc. that we must get rid of.

We must become self-less.

grace2u

Answer 8

In all seriousness, it was a symbol of covenant between God and Abraham. Covenant involves a cutting away of something, and in this situation it was the foreskin. We are not required as christians to be circumcised, but the health benifits are good so we still do it.

Answer 9

Only Jews are circumsized by religion. They also have other strange practices such as strict food guidelines which serve no purpose other than ritual and tradition, or the covering of the head

Answer 10

Because CIRCUMCISION IS VERY BENEFICIAL, its cleaner, healthier and several prestigious research institutions have proved that circumcised men have less risk of contracting STD's such as AIDS-HIV, syphilis or herpes.

Uncircumcised penises are difficult to keep clean, and more prone to infections and penile cancer, studies have shown.
A circumcised penis is naturally clean and virtually free from urinary infections. You will not have to worry again with careful washing of your penis.

Is it NOT true that the AAP (American Academy of Paediatrics) does not recommend circumcision. They simply say they leave the decision to parents. But recently, and specially after the recent studies by the US National Institutes of Health, the AAP has been discussing if it may be necessary to change their policy and recommend circumcision to all newborns as they used to do, so in the future we may see that the AAP advocates circumcision again.
Have a look at: http://www.baby-health.net/articles/381.html

About STD's:

As I said, several studies carried out by prestigious research bodies have proved that uncircumcised penises are more prone to infections and contraction of STD's, including AIDS-HIV. It has been confirmed that circumcised men are up to 70% less likely to be infected than those who are uncircumcised. Have a look at this site: http://www.torontodailynews.com/index.php/HealthNews/2006121404Circumcision

As for women, studies also show that circumcision also protects female partners from AIDS-HIV and other STD's. Browse this article: http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/Press_releases/2006/02_08_06.html

About sensitivity of a circumcised penis:

NO medical or physiological study has ever shown that circumcision reduces sensitivity, opposed to common belief. It is completely FALSE that circumcision reduces penis sensitivity. The American Academy of Paediatrics (AAP) confirms this on their web site; have a look at: http://www.aap.org/pubed/zzzjzmemh4c.htm

Circumcision is an easy and nowadays *painless* procedure, which has many benefits, and virtually no risks.
Circumcision is NOT an amputation. Circumcision is NOT comparable at all to female circumcision, which is something completely different.

Circumcision rates are INCREASING nowadays, both in the United States and overseas. Many African, Asian and Latin American countries with little circumcision tradition are starting to promote the procedure to help to reduce the AIDS-HIV infection rates.

Finally, this site has a lot of useful and *unbiased* information. Make sure you have a good look: http://www.circinfo.net