What are your thoughts on circumcision?

Question

I'm having my baby boy in June and I think that it is a Christian thing to do since it is mentioned in the Bible. (I just can't find it), but I think that is what everybody does. My bf's is not. How do you think I should handle it and what are your thoughts?

Answer 1

I had my son circumcised. I think it is the right thing to do for health reasons and reasons for him later on in life.
There is nothing wrong either way but i would prefer to have my son(s) circumsized just like their daddy (lol)

Answer 2

It's a difficult question, and unfortunately there is no perfect answer. The decision that you make will affect your baby boy's life, but I would not let religion factor into it. Circumcision is not that big of a deal and I do not believe it's the barbaric act that some people make it out to be. If you were to poll adult males about the circumcision issue, I think you would find that the majority are content with their current foreskin status. Circumcised men will say they prefer to be circumcised, and uncircumcised guys will say they are glad they were never cut.

And it's not just a Jewish thing. I was born Catholic and I am circumcised. I do not know what it is like to not be circumcised. If you asked me if I am happy the way I am, I would answer yes. Personal hygiene is easier and I have not noticed any loss of sensitivity that some people talk about. From a sexual standpoint, women seem to like it.

Good luck with your decision.

Answer 3

There are pros and cons to circumstances. Most of the answers that I read to answer your question are of religious nature. It does talk in the bible about infants being circumsized... In some foreign countries it isn't even offered. In the US it is offered and often encouraged. It is said that infants can feel pain but they do not know what pain is. The procedure is minor and heals rather quickly- less than a week. Infants will cry momentarily. Like I said, minor surgery. There are risks associated as a adult- if your son choses to join the armed forces and choses a job where he has to be out in the field it poses medical risks d/t hygiene. As an elderly man in a nursing home the forskin is cleansed but depending on the situation if it does not get pulled back over the penis adequately it can get estrangulated. Trust me, this has happened... So, in short, just educate yourself and talk with your desired pediatrician or pediatrician on staff after the delivery.

Answer 4

God does not make mistakes. All mammals have a foreskin. It serves many beneficial purposes.
Some studies have shown some slight medical benefits of doing it. For instance, they have a slightly lower chance of getting a UTI during the first year of life. However, if you don't circ, they only have a 1% chance of getting a UTI anyway.
Some very shady studies have showed a possible decrease in HIV contraction, but the only real way to prevent HIV transmission is condoms and/or choosing partners wisely. Look at the US, most adult men in our country are circed, yet we have a much higher HIV rate than any of the European countries (which don't circ) So its obviously not that great at preventing that.

But the main thing, is that any possible medical benefit is outweighed by the risks of the circumcision procedure itself.
Of every 1,000 boys who are circumcised:

*20 to 30 will have a surgical complication, such as too much bleeding or infection in the area.
*2 to 3 will have a more serious complication that needs more treatment. Examples include having too much skin removed or more serious bleeding.
*2 will be admitted to hospital for a urinary tract infection (UTI) before they are one year old.
* About 10 babies may need to have the circumcision done again because of a poor result.
*In rare cases, pain relief methods and medicines can cause side effects and complications. You should talk to your baby’s doctor about the possible risks.

Of every 1,000 boys who are not circumcised:
*7 will be admitted to hospital for a UTI before they are one year old.
*10 will have a circumcision later in life for medical reasons, such as a condition called phimosis.

And being Christian does not have anything to do with circing. The only religions that call for infant circumcision are Jews and Muslims/Islams.
Jews still circumcise because they don't believe in Jesus. Circumcision was mans covenant with God, but then Jesus came along, and our covenant is through him. This is called the "circumcision of the heart" meaning our faith is in our heart, and we are forgiven through Jesus's death. Jews don't believe in Jesus, so they still think they need to circumcise.
Infant circ only became popular in the US, because back then, they thought that masturbation caused many diseases. The foreskin contains the ridged band and the frenulum, which are the 2 most sensitive parts of the penis. They thought by removing the most sensitive parts, that it would prevent masturbation. That's how it got started. Then it just continued because it became part of our culture.
But now that parents are actually educating themselves on it, only about 55% of boys in the US are circed (as low as 20-30% in some regions) and it drops every year. Pretty soon, circumcised boys are going to be in the small minority, and will grow up wondering why they have part of their penis cut off when all the other boys have a whole penis.
You said the dad is intact? Has he ever had any problems with it? Does he like himself the way it is?
Cleaning an intact penis is very easy. All you do is wipe off the outside. NEVER retract the skin to "clean underneath". The foreskin is attached until it naturally separates at around 2-5 years old. After it naturally separates, all that has to be done is to be pulled back and swished or rinsed in the tub (which both circed AND intact men have to do anyway).
If you get the baby circed, you have to spend the first couple weeks changing the dressing and applying vasaline, gauze, etc. And then for the first year, doctors usually tell you to make sure that the circumcision scar doesn't try to heal to the head (this is called adhesions, a common complication of circ) by pushing the scar tissue back.

Besides all of those things, think about this one thing:
Circumcision is cutting apart an infants genitals. Whether it boy or girl. Genital cutting is genital cutting. Just think about that using your heart and your common sense, and decide if you think it is the right choice for your baby.

God Bless you and good luck with your new baby.

Answer 5

I think if we are all created in God's image, then why mess with it. Circumsision was used as a religious control (how it originated) to stop people from enjoying sex. Female circumision is now banned in alot of countries, but male cicrumision is still allowed and acceptable. I dont' knwo why. It is cruel. They say for cleanliness.. but I have worked in a hospital and have clean many many and it is not hard at all to clean. It is just part of proper practical hygene, like washing your bum or face or hands. I think it is a 'followers' thing to do that to your infant. People who think for themselves would weigh it out and not just 'do what is socially accpetable'.. just to think not that long ago girls were circumsized and still are in some coutnries.

Answer 6

My thoughts on it is that it is a purely cosmetic move. There are medical pros and cons. Some people suggest that removal decreases sexual pleasure later in life. If I were you, I would educate yourself about it by asking your doctor and visiting some websites, and by talking it over with your boyfriend. As for whether it's Christian or not, I doubt God is worrying too much about the tip of anyone's penis.

Answer 7

I just had my son done 2 weeks ago, and hes fine. He didn't even cry. The Dr numbed him up real good. It did swell and was somewhat uncomfortable in his diaper, but 1 dose tylenol cured that. It was completely healed in 4 days. To be honest we did it for cosmetic reasons. We didn't want him to look "different" than his father or anyone he might see in a locker room or whatever. I can tell you that his stream of urine seems to come out better and its easier to clean!
As for religion, I personally didn't even think about that. But, it was the first covenant with God. I'm not a religious person, but to me it was the only covenant.

Answer 8

Circumcision was in the old testement as a sign of covenant between God and man.(genesis ch17 verses10-11). and as a christian and a nurse i tell you it does have health benefits also. if you do some research you will find that it benefits by cutting down on infections because of being able to keep cleaner. God bless you & your baby.

Answer 9

In Australia very few people get this done to their sons. It is very unnecessary - then again so is ear piercing and plenty of people get their kids ears pierced. My son is 9 days old and he will not be done - i dont see the point.

Answer 10

A lot of people choose to either have it done or not have it done according to if their partner are or not. My husband is, but he really didn't want our son to get his done, but he was a preemie and got several UTIs while in the hospital and he is now 2 1/2 and has not had another one, so there ARE benefits.

Answer 11

well I'm a jewish girl and when my older brother got curcumised it for us jewish to enter to the holy land. Also i'll give you some pro's and con's. con- removes a healthy organ, reducces in sexual fun, might harm the child for the couple mins up to mental trauma. pros- 13 other religons do it,it decresses to have iffections and problems. but i think its find to be circumised its helps but not sexualy. but let him get it i think even thou its alittle barbic