Why do some religions believe in circumcision?

Question

What is the benefit of this circumcision and why do Muslims like to force it upon young girls?

Thanks Punky-I see you live up to every thing about Islam people hate-quick to anger,no thought process-and of course bowing down to males as a matter of course.

Answer 1

Jews and Muslims males have circumcision as part of the rules of their religion. In some regions (not all) of Muslims countries (not all), girls are forced to have a circumcision (have their clitoris removed) because according to their twisted minds women are not supposed to have sexual pleasure to avoid female adultery and sexual licentiousness.

Answer 2

Some religions practice circumcision because their religious writings indicate that this symbolizes their covenant with their deity. Many people, both religious and secular, feel that it is mainly a hygiene issue, that a circumcised penis is easier to keep clean than an uncircumcised penis.

There's a lot of controversy surrounding the practice and several people feel that it is unnecessary and even cruel. There have been some ideas that it started as a way to prevent boys from masturbating, which is considered a grievous sin in several religions.

As for the practice of female circumcision, I feel it's wrong to pin this one upon Muslims. Not all Muslims do it; in fact, most Muslim clergy condemn this practice as it is a cultural issue rather than a religious one. It's mainly done in Africa (in countries such as Somalia, Egypt, Sudan, Ethiopia and Mali) although there are some people in the Middle East that do this in secret.

The people who practice it do so for the following reasons:

1. It is considered a "rite of passage"
2. It's a way to control a woman's sexuality
3. Some people believe it's "God's will"
4. It's a way to fit in ("Hey, honey, it's time to get our daughter circumcised. Everyone else is doing it. You don't want her to feel unattractive, do you?")
5. It's a good moneymaking endeavor for the people who are paid to do this. If they stopped the practice of female circumcision, these people would be out of a job.

Personally, I think circumcision, whether on males or females, is cruel and barbaric. Not to mention unnecessary, especially for the female. (When little girls go through this, it is usually between the ages of 2-5 and it is done without anesthesia and oftentimes in unsanitary conditions. Many girls die from it.)

I once read an in-depth, eyewitness account of a female genital mutilation (in "Saharasia: The 4000 BCE Origins of Child Abuse, Sex-Repression, Warfare and Social Violence, In the Deserts of the Old World" by James DeMeo) and I made the mistake of reading that while I was having a snack. By the time I was done eating, I had lost my appetite, thrown up what I did eat, and did not regain my appetite for another 12 hours. The ordeal those poor little girls go through is really that bad.

But, just to reiterate, it is not a mainstream Muslim practice. Islam does limit the rights of women to the point of being abusive, but that's one thing it does not condone. Here are some pretty informative links, if you feel inclined towards more research on these subjects:

Answer 3

Most theories are based around the time of Exodus, the story of Moise leading the 'Children of Israel' out of Egypt.

It became a part of the 'Law of Moses', and in it's original form applied to both male and female infants. It seems that later the female part ( no pun intended ) was quietly dropped from the practise of the said 'Law'.

The theory as to why is one of practical sexual repression, connected to the realities of spending forty years wandering around in a desert. The one thing that deserts generally lack is freely available water. Thus regular washing becomes difficult, if not downright impossible. Add this to the dusty environment and you have a ticklish issue, literally. It has been conjectured that, due to that lack of washing, there may have been an outbreak of irritations in the groin area of younger children, leading, naturally, to the relieving of the itching by scratching, leading to the discovery of pleasant sensations, leading to the 'scratching' turning into an altogether more sensual activity, vis masturbation !

It is thought that Moses, being a highly initiated priest of On, had some fairly strict ideas as to sexual activity in children, and thus he wrote the circumcision clauses into the 'Law' to stop these practises, and reduce the libido of the 'Children of Israel' in general.

Whilst this can be inflicted on male children with relatively little long term risk of permanent damage from infection, the female variant frequently results in severe infections leading to infertility in later life, permanent disability, and not infrequently, death. And thus this cruel and inhuman practise was eventually eliminated from the Jewish faith.

Unfortunately, both male and female circumcision still persists in many places and cultures, and these are, indeed, mostly in Islamic regions.

It is an abomination.

Answer 4

I can't speak for Muslims as I am not one however I can tell you that it was in the Bible however, it was not a law it was only a custom of the times. When someone argued about circumcision Paul stated if there was to be argument over it then we would have no such custom. Some religions think it to be mandantory when it was only a custom.

Answer 5

Judaism is one religion where the male is circumcised on his eighth day. But it does not require female circumcision.

God, in Genesis 17:10-11, said to Abraham: "This is my covenant, which ye shall keep, between me and you and thy seed after thee; Every man child among you shall be circumcised. And ye shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin; and it shall be a token of the covenant betwixt me and you." It is like a blood compact. There is a promise and being circumcised is the sign of that pact.

Answer 6

listen why do people like you feel that everyday you have to put muslims down with your stupid questions

I am a muslim women and I have never heard of a women having circumcision, I know that men do

any way its much more cofortable when a man does at least you feel the whole thing rather then just the skin rubbing against you

you guys make me sick and you think you are in good faith by putting others down well you aint and the only place you are gonna go is HELL so good luck

Answer 7

Many religions orignially encouraged circumcision for cleanliness. AT the time when the scriptures were written we did not have the hygine we do now, therefore for many it was a cultural (not religious) method of ensuring cleanlisness that worked its way into religion due to the way of life at the time,

Answer 8

It was a covenant between God & Abraham. Genesis 17:10-14 "This is My covenant which you shall keep, between Me & you: Every male child among you shall be circumcised; and you shall be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskins, & it shall be a sign of the covenant between Me & you. He who is eight days old among you shall be circumcised, every male child in you generations, he who is born in your house or bought with money from any foreigner who is not your descendant. He who is born in your house & he who is bought with your money must be circumcised, & My covenant shall be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant. And the uncircumcised male child, who is not circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin, that person shall be cut off from his people; he had broken My covenant." New King James Bible. It is also a cleanliness factor.

Answer 9

Peace Cr.. has the right answer.
I can add an interesting point. What time is the highest level of immune chemicals and clotting factors the body will ever have? The eighth day.

Answer 10

in the Jewish tradition it was originally about hygiene.
Female circumcision is about chastity and supposedly protective the girl in some way from her own wiles.....
yeah right!