circumcision & Catholic teaching ?

[duskyjewel]

It’s basically a cultural thing, and my country, close to all men undergo it as children. It’s not a profit thing here in our country for us doctors, since in the summer months, mass free circumcisions are always being held, sometimes with parishes sponsoring the event. I’ve done a few myself at these mass free circumcisions. It is a pretty simple surgical procedure, basically complication free.

Actually, even if the doctors or clinics do this for free to the patients themselves, they still make money. Baby foreskins are the main ingredient in some of the more innovative bandages being made these days, ones that are used for burns and when skin grafts are unavailable or impractical. And the makers of those bandages pay handsomely for their raw materials. See some of my earlier posts in this thread for the name of at least one company engaged in this practice.

 

[jaaraf]

Actually, even if the doctors or clinics do this for free to the patients themselves, they still make money. Baby foreskins are the main ingredient in some of the more innovative bandages being made these days, ones that are used for burns and when skin grafts are unavailable or impractical. And the makers of those bandages pay handsomely for their raw materials. See some of my earlier posts in this thread for the name of at least one company engaged in this practice.

It’s the first time I’ve heard about this. I don’t think it is ever done in my country either.
As far as I know, excess foreskin is thrown into the medical waste bin here. Also, the usual method of circumcision performed here only involves making a slit surgically, usually no excess foreskin cut off.
Anyway, most circumcisions here are done on older boys (usual age range of 6-11) although some infants and even newborns undergo the procedure in the nursery, either done by a pediatrician or surgeon, but only at the request of the boy’s parents.

 

[housewife]

Whatever it is that parents decide, it is for the best. I am sure 99.99% or parents would not want to chose to do it or not because it will harm them or because they are just plain evil. On the contrary, parents make a decision for their son’s benefit and base that decision on what they know that is best for their sons.

 

[dranzal]

I have had three boys.

The first two were circ’d. I did no research. I simply assumed that was part and parcel of having baby boys. Duh.

In advance of the birth of my third son, I did research regarding circ, vacs, etc. My third son was not circ’d.

Since then I have seen the procedure done (as many of you stated you also have). Mom’s can easily tell the difference between whiny cry and “blood-curdling-breath-holding” scream. The babies I saw screamed. Some of you say it is a very simple, relatively painless procedure. You say the babies suck on a little sugar water or your pinky and don’t even notice. Maybe so. I can only speak of the ones I saw. They did not cry when strapped down (some doctors said that the baby is only crying because of being strapped down). They didn’t cry until the actual procedure began. Then they alternated between blood-curdling scream and breath holding until complete at which point they fell into a sniffling sleep. It would definitely not surprise me to find out that some succumb to shock much sooner.

It would also not surprise me to find out that Jewish circs are different.

Can someone who has seen the various clinical circs and Jewish circs comment?

 

[housewife]

Since then I have seen the procedure done (as many of you stated you also have). Mom’s can easily tell the difference between whiny cry and “blood-curdling-breath-holding” scream. The babies I saw screamed. Some of you say it is a very simple, relatively painless procedure. You say the babies suck on a little sugar water or your pinky and don’t even notice. Maybe so. I can only speak of the ones I saw. They did not cry when strapped down (some doctors said that the baby is only crying because of being strapped down). They didn’t cry until the actual procedure began. Then they alternated between blood-curdling scream and breath holding until complete at which point they fell into a sniffling sleep. It would definitely not surprise me to find out that some succumb to shock much sooner.

OMG!

 

[maria29]

Most hospitals will use a local anesthetic, so that the infant cannot feel the procedure

 

[dranzal]

Most hospitals will use a local anesthetic, so that the infant cannot feel the procedure

I had thought so, but then when we had our first two done, by two different doctors (two different states) each said that the injections would be just as irritating to them because they would have to remain strapped down while waiting for them to work. They indicated that it hardly takes any time at all and not to worry about it.

Naturally, that was before I started questioning procedure and doctors. I didn’t see either of my boys circ’d. I didn’t see any til after my third boy (uncirc’d).

 

[Lady_D_I]

Can someone who has seen the various clinical circs and Jewish circs comment?

I’ve witnessed hundreds of circs but never a Jewish circ. I’d be interested in somone’s comments.

My experieces assisting/observing is very different from your experiences… I wonder why?

 

[chabula]

Hi Everyone!

This comes up on the Korean adoption forums ALL the time. We adopted our Korean born son at the age of 6 months. They do not practice circumcisions like our society does. We thought for sure that we would have this circumcision performed as soon as he was allowed to, until we got him home and started cleaning his penis ourselves. There is absolutely nothing to it. All of our insecurities disappeared. In a matter of days we changed our minds. Our pediatrician was pleased as well. As for our son, when he is older and mature and decides he wants to have it done, we will support him.

Did I read that somebody knew of a book that explained this to pre-school aged children. I’m trying to plan ahead here.

Thanks,
Patty

 

[sanctareparata]

I’ve witnessed hundreds of circs but never a Jewish circ. I’d be interested in somone’s comments.

My experieces assisting/observing is very different from your experiences… I wonder why?

I can’t speak for dranzal, but maybe the hospital you witnessed them at used the penile nerve blocks beforehand? and maybe the ones she witnessed them at didn’t use anesthesia at all - or maybe just the EMLA cream or sugar water. ???

 

[Lady_D_I]

I can’t speak for dranzal, but maybe the hospital you witnessed them at used the penile nerve blocks beforehand? and maybe the ones she witnessed them at didn’t use anesthesia at all - or maybe just the EMLA cream or sugar water. ???

Some circs were performed with analgesia/anasthetic, but not all. I dunno. These observations were in multiple hospitals and different states too… interesting how different eye witness accounts can be.

 

[sanctareparata]

Some circs were performed with analgesia/anasthetic, but not all. I dunno. These observations were in multiple hospitals and different states too… interesting how different eye witness accounts can be.

What was your experience then? I know there was a study awhile back that tested pain response using sugar water dipped pacifiers or no anesthesia at all, and the study was halted because the findings were ruled as barbaric and inhumane by those witnessing.

 

[Lady_D_I]

What was your experience then? I know there was a study awhile back that tested pain response using sugar water dipped pacifiers or no anesthesia at all, and the study was halted because the findings were ruled as barbaric and inhumane by those witnessing.

I would not use “blood-curdling-breath-holding” screams to describe what I witnessed nor did I find it inhumane or barbaric. Some babies cried… some didn’t. I never witnessed anything that made me reconsider circing my DS.

 

[RichT]

Well, I scrolled through two whole pages of this thread and I just can’t stand it anymore! All these women discussing what to do to their boy’s penis! Yes, there have been a few men chime in but not many. Just can’t help but laugh.

As a circumsized man, I can say that I am angry that I didn’t have a say in the matter. My dad is not circ’d and I did not have any issues not being like him, heck I didn’t care about that. But as an adult and now having a better understanding of how the body works, I wish I was not circ’d. So much skin cut off my body, and for what? Well at the time, it was just the thing to do. Kind if like smoking and drinking back in those days.

The foreskin contains a lot of rich blood vessels that can lead to more pleasure during intercourse. Cleaning can’t be all that hard, and as far as smell, heck I pretty much stink at the end of every work day regardless! That’s why I shower when it looks like my wife and I are going to be intimate. If an un-circ’d man is having trouble with odors down there, then he isn’t cleaning himself properly to begin with. Shame on his parents for not teaching him!

Leave my fireman alone!!!

 

[Truly_Beloved]

Leave my fireman alone!!!

That was hilarious; I’d never heard the penis referred to as a “fireman” before!

 

[dulcissima]

That was hilarious; I’d never heard the penis referred to as a “fireman” before!

Firehose is what I have heard before.

 

[housewife]

Well, I scrolled through two whole pages of this thread and I just can’t stand it anymore! All these women discussing what to do to their boy’s penis! Yes, there have been a few men chime in but not many. Just can’t help but laugh.

As a circumsized man, I can say that I am angry that I didn’t have a say in the matter. My dad is not circ’d and I did not have any issues not being like him, heck I didn’t care about that. But as an adult and now having a better understanding of how the body works, I wish I was not circ’d. So much skin cut off my body, and for what? Well at the time, it was just the thing to do. Kind if like smoking and drinking back in those days.

The foreskin contains a lot of rich blood vessels that can lead to more pleasure during intercourse. Cleaning can’t be all that hard, and as far as smell, heck I pretty much stink at the end of every work day regardless! That’s why I shower when it looks like my wife and I are going to be intimate. If an un-circ’d man is having trouble with odors down there, then he isn’t cleaning himself properly to begin with. Shame on his parents for not teaching him!

Leave my fireman alone!!!

LOL! Well, I guess this is perfect example of why males should have a say so on this issue.

Although the only ones that I think can really compare a before and after circumcision are the ones who did this when they were already adults (i.e., once they have begun to be sexually active). I am sure the hygiene would be the same (i.e, just make sure you clean well).

 

[Polaris]

Im a guy and I will chime in. Im circumsized and Im glad and have no problem with it. Also with the people wha are basically calling it mutilation. You do realize God required this of his holy race and Jesus was circumsized He would do nothing to harm them and his own son. Also the health benefits are there and can not be denied. Its not just about the male, a circumsized male has less of chance of giving diseases to there wives, such as bladder infections. As for the enjoyment factor, I dont know about all who get a circumsicion but I do now one man who converted to Judaism, and said he really did not notice the difference. If I had son he would be circumsized.

 

[sanctareparata]

Since this thread is about circumcision and Catholic teaching, I will only address this point…the other point is debatable, obviously because other countries’ men don’t have the intact penile problems Americans seem to.

You do realize God required this of his holy race and Jesus was circumsized He would do nothing to harm them and his own son.

God required that a snip - a cutting - be made in the flesh of the foreskin. That “snip” took off just the very end of the foreskin, leaving the rest of the penis intact. He did NOT require that the entire foreskin be removed and the glans exposed. The Jewish called this ritual Brit Milah - and it was a marking in the flesh.

Eventually, after circumcisions were no longer required since baptism had taken its place, the ritual was changed to Brit Pariah - the total removal of the male foreskin, with glans completely exposed, making what God had created to be an internal organ now an external organ.

So to say God required today’s circumcision is not true. God required a mark to be made in the foreskin, not a total removal of that foreskin.

Just a little clarification.

 

[RichT]

That was hilarious; I’d never heard the penis referred to as a “fireman” before!

Sad to say I heard it while watching an episode of Southpark. Stan’s little brother was getting circumsized by the Rabbi and the other boys were talking about what Cirumcision was. At the end, Stan kept saying they were going to cut off his little brother’s fireman.