Circumcision?

Question

"Religiously inspired child abuse" or OK? What do you think/why?

(Keep in mind that the supposed "health benefits" are marginal at best. One could make an argument for past times, where sanitation was a rarity, but in this time it doesn't make a difference. I'll welcome any proof that says otherwise, but that is the knowledge I have.)

Funny you bring up ear piercing, Sunnyannie, because my ears were pierced as a child and I wish they hadn't been. I never wear earrings and I think the holes are just ugly.

Anywho, I agree with most of you. I'm just wondering if there's any good reason to do it besides the (false) health one and the religious one.

@Oogle - It is a religious question, even though it may not be directed at Christians. What secular countries practice this regularly? And how is it ONLY beneficial - the child goes through much pain. Some people say, "well, he won't remember it" - but does that mean it's OK to abuse someone suffering from memory loss? And, once again, the health view is minimal at best. Men should just learn to clean themselves better, as one previous replyer mentioned.

Answer 1

I think it's barbaric and I am amazed that otherwise sensible women will subject their child to such abuse as to cut off a very sensitive part of the anatomy without anaethetic, for no good reason. I feel the same about people who have their babies' ears pierced.

In America I believe the practice is common. Over here I don't know of any mothers who have even considered having their sons circumcised. It isn't an option.

Where religion is involved it becomes more complicated, because then the parents feel they really do have a reason. Just glad my religion doesn't require me to do it.

Answer 2

Circumcision is a Jewish tradition having to do with God's covenant(promise) with Abraham. It is an identification with Yahweh the Almighty. Christians who are not Jewish are not under the same covenant according to Acts. It is now therefore, a social decision and not a religious one. Some mothers do it for hygiene reasons. (boys not being the most hygienic of creatures) If a boy or man is not very meticulous about this area, it can become pretty rank or get infected. I have seen lots of nasty infections in my medical office. Even with plenty of water and disinfecting soaps some guys just can't keep it clean. Sorry to be gross but that's why I would do it.

Answer 3

In all honesty the pain is minimal at best.

Their is a reason why it is done when the child is so young. At that age the child is not as sensitive as a grown adult.

Ever seen a Circumcision? Well I can tell you from the half a dozen or so I have seen the child cries for about 10-20 seconds and then falls a sleep.
I have seen kids throw more fits over a paper cut.

Answer 4

It is religious, and was so adopted and accepted, it is now to the point where it is just like a natural thing. People do it without realizing it's origins. They say, "it isn't religion inspired, I'm not even religious." Even worse, they are atheist and allowing it to be done.
Health risks my eye. It would instill the need for guys to be cleaner with their equipment, like gals have to be, so that would benefit everyone. Any dude who is for it must be whipped.
I really find it amazing and awesome that outside of the US people have their eyes open as well as their minds.

Answer 5

My husband and I debated about this when I was pregnant for my son. Not for religious reasons but cultural. (My husband is, would my son be ridiculed if he wasn't, etc.)

When my son was born there were some complications and he was in neonatal icu for a while. We could not look at him with tubes and wires hooked up and ask them to cut part of his skin off.

I have to say I am happy with our decision and I have heard that in this country the trend of not circumcising is increasing.

That all being said, I do not believe that circumcision is "religiously inspired child abuse." As a Christian I do not believe my faith requires it but I have respect for faithful Jews who continue the practice.

Answer 6

Paul says that he wished people who made such a big deal about it, would just cut the whole thing off. There is no more religious reason to do it, at least in Christianity's eyes.
But, that being said, I am circumcised, and I'm glad I am. I also believe that God told Abraham to get circumcised and to circumcise the men in the family for more than just symbolic reasons. He always has our best interest in mind. There are benefits, and I plan on having my child circumcised as well.

Answer 7

Strange that you say it shouldn't matter in today's world, because a) the New Testament says that we no longer have to circumsize as a religious law, and b) secular countries and authorities still circumsize their boys.

There is health benefits not just for boys, because it keeps them clean, but also for women, because they get disease less often. In fact, it is by comparing diseases in Jewish women (who had circumsized partners) vs. gentile women (who didn't) that health authorities actually figured out the health benefits of it.

I find it strange how you can tie this into child abuse. There is only benefits, however small those benefits are, and much less problems caused by this.

Answer 8

Not so abusive as people make it out to be. Yet, it should be optional. Some people cite other benefits.

Doc's used to not use any anesthetic (some still don't) assuming babies feel no pain. After millenia of screaming little boys, many finally saw the light and at least use local anesthetics.

Answer 9

Circumcision appears to reduce a man’s risk of contracting AIDS from heterosexual sex by half, United States government health officials said yesterday, and the directors of the two largest funds for fighting the disease said they would consider paying for circumcisions in high-risk countries.

Answer 10

I got inot this too late! i don't want to repeat others but yeah health benefits are vitually non-existant. supposedly sex is better for women if the male is uncircumcised. (hence us replecating this in condoms "ribbed for her pleasure")
also the comment about kids falling asleep is theorized as result of their tiny bodys going into shock. there was a study where they hooked up there tiny heads to tiny machines and measurred their response to pain. needless to say they tiny bodies were in alot of pain.