Circumcision for infants in America

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firemadeflesh

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Alright, we all know that circumcision is no longer required, as St Paul tells us that it is the circumcision of the heart is all that matters. Is there a majority Catholic stance of this? I read an article that said doctors are usually neither for or against this, but I also know that it is a special ceremony for the Jewish religion, in which we get our roots from. What does anybody think?

I kinda feel that people should circumcise their infants, but that is just because God said it many a times, and I feel something like that makes for a “cleaner” boy.
 
firemadeflesh said:
Alright, we all know that circumcision is no longer required, as St Paul tells us that it is the circumcision of the heart is all that matters. Is there a majority Catholic stance of this? I read an article that said doctors are usually neither for or against this, but I also know that it is a special ceremony for the Jewish religion, in which we get our roots from. What does anybody think?

I kinda feel that people should circumcise their infants, but that is just because God said it many a times, and I feel something like that makes for a “cleaner” boy.
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There is no Catholic stance on circumcision. Catholics are not bound under the old covenant. Circumcision is a matter left to parents and medical personnel. And trust me. You REALLY don’t want to start a debate about it here. In fact, I’m not even sure if we are allowed to discuss it here.
 
SMHW said:
There is no Catholic stance on circumcision. Catholics are not bound under the old covenant. Circumcision is a matter left to parents and medical personnel. And trust me. You REALLY don’t want to start a debate about it here. In fact, I’m not even sure if we are allowed to discuss it here.
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What SMHW said.

As for cleanliness, I have 2 uncirc’d sons and there is no “cleanliness” issue at all. There is no moral/religious reason for a Catholic to either circ or not circ.
 
When my brother and his wife had their second son they had to decide about this. Would it be better if he looked like his dad and brother who had had the procedure? Would he fit in with other boys in school if he did or didn’t have it done? They finally decided that there was no reason to have an unnecessary medical procedure. Both of my nephews grew up with no bad effects. Their wives haven’t complained. Unless the child is Jewish it is purely optional.
 
Use the search feature to find all the kajillion threads on this topic, and see where they never end well. Best to nip this topic in the bud 🙂
 
Thanks every one, responses much appreciated. I did use the search feature but I couldn’t find anything on it. I thought that it was really strange. Maybe I spelled it wrong or something. Anyway, glad to know that it is not really a health issue. It may just turn into a “like father like son issue.” But that is not for quite a few years. Thanks again.
 
firemadeflesh said:
Thanks every one, responses much appreciated. I did use the search feature but I couldn’t find anything on it. I thought that it was really strange. Maybe I spelled it wrong or something. Anyway, glad to know that it is not really a health issue. It may just turn into a “like father like son issue.” But that is not for quite a few years. Thanks again.
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Many of the threads on this topic had been completely removed…they get somewhat heated.
 
I have 4 sons, after a lot of medical research we decided that there are some benefits, primarily when a man gets older (not such a big difference as infants) and we wanted consistency. All are circumcised as am I and we haven’t had any issues with it.

In fact one of the boys has eczema very bad, some of his skin is very dry (obviously) and other parts are oily to the point that even being circumcised we still have issues from time to time keeping everything clean because he can’t be bathed daily if he has a bad breakout etc… If we hadn’t on him we would probably have some issues.

From our perspective though it’s totally up to the family, who knows what will happen 50 years from now right? The decreased risk for prostrate cancer may be nill by then.

Pray about it and go with what you feel right for your son. If you are going to have more than one though I would keep them all the same so one doesn’t feel “different” than the others.

Joe
 
jwashu said:
I have 4 sons, after a lot of medical research we decided that there are some benefits, primarily when a man gets older (not such a big difference as infants) and we wanted consistency. All are circumcised as am I and we haven’t had any issues with it.

In fact one of the boys has eczema very bad, some of his skin is very dry (obviously) and other parts are oily to the point that even being circumcised we still have issues from time to time keeping everything clean because he can’t be bathed daily if he has a bad breakout etc… If we hadn’t on him we would probably have some issues.

From our perspective though it’s totally up to the family, who knows what will happen 50 years from now right? The decreased risk for prostrate cancer may be nill by then.

Pray about it and go with what you feel right for your son. If you are going to have more than one though I would keep them all the same so one doesn’t feel “different” than the others.

Joe
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See and to me, that’s not a very good reason to have surgery done–to “look like dad” or to “look like your brothers”. Do men/boys REALLY compare their penises? I doubt it. And a simple explanation would suffice (we decided not to circ you because…), IF there was even any questions asked about it. I know I certainly wouldn’t have my daughters go through breast reduction/augmentation because the don’t “look like” me or their sisters. It sounds ridiculous put into those terms, doesn’t it? You want your sons circ’d? fine, but do it for the medical reasons, not because all the boys need to look alike…
 
Jennifer_J said:
See and to me, that’s not a very good reason to have surgery done–to “look like dad” or to “look like your brothers”. Do men/boys REALLY compare their penises? I doubt it. And a simple explanation would suffice (we decided not to circ you because…), IF there was even any questions asked about it. I know I certainly wouldn’t have my daughters go through breast reduction/augmentation because the don’t “look like” me or their sisters. It sounds ridiculous put into those terms, doesn’t it? You want your sons circ’d? fine, but do it for the medical reasons, not because all the boys need to look alike…
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I am not getting into this debate one way or another, but in answer to your question about comparing, esp. in little boys, I think the answer is YES. They do it out of curiosity. So do little girls. I have observed both, as have my friends, because we have talked about this.

But I have no comment on the circumcision isssue.
 
firemadeflesh said:
Alright, we all know that circumcision is no longer required, as St Paul tells us that it is the circumcision of the heart is all that matters. Is there a majority Catholic stance of this? I read an article that said doctors are usually neither for or against this, but I also know that it is a special ceremony for the Jewish religion, in which we get our roots from. What does anybody think?
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I think a few decades ago the best medical evidence said to circumsize. However in Europe that was a sign that you were a Jew or Muslim. Without as much religious prejudice in America it was accepted here. Today the percentage continues to drop as the secular world sees it as a backward religious requirement.

Today outside of Islam and Jewish communities only a few Pacific island cultures and the Philippines continue. Korea which pick it from Americans after their war also is dropping the practice.
 
4Squarebaby said:
I think a few decades ago the best medical evidence said to circumsize. However in Europe that was a sign that you were a Jew or Muslim. Without as much religious prejudice in America it was accepted here. Today the percentage continues to drop as the secular world sees it as a backward religious requirement.

Today outside of Islam and Jewish communities only a few Pacific island cultures and the Philippines continue. Korea which pick it from Americans after their war also is dropping the practice.
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Not to mention it has been made illegal in some countries
 
I’m not going to circumcise my sons and I wish my parents hadn’t circumcised me, but as long as I have a genital mutilation, at least I can take comfort in the fact that it’s the exact same genital mutilation that God himself has.
 
WetCatechumen said:
I’m not going to circumcise my sons and I wish my parents hadn’t circumcised me, but as long as I have a genital mutilation, at least I can take comfort in the fact that it’s the exact same genital mutilation that God himself has.
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Now what is an intereting perspective on the subject;)
 
Circumcision is a banned topic. Please do not begin nor participate in a thread regarding this issue.
 
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