Why is there circumcision?

[PlipPlop]

From the Catholic viewpoint everything on a (normal) newborn was put there by God. Why do Catholics cut part of it off? Circumcision seems a bit barbaric to me.

 

[puzzleannie]

this is not a Catholic practice, it was a mandate given to Abraham and his descendents by God himself as a sign of the old Covenant between them. Perhaps you could consult a solid Orthodox Jewish Rabbi for a fuller explanation of the theology of this practice.

 

[bpbasilphx]

Where did you get the idea that Catholics did this, save for medical reasons?

It has no religious significance for Christians.

 

[chessmane4e5]

From the Catholic viewpoint everything on a (normal) newborn was put there by God. Why do Catholics cut part of it off? Circumcision seems a bit barbaric to me.

It is far from barbaric and circumcision actually had medical benefits.

On the plus side, circumcised infants are less likely to develop urinary tract infections (UTIs), especially in the first year of life. UTIs are about 10 times more common in uncircumcised compared with circumcised infants. However, even with this increased risk of UTI, only 1% or less of uncircumcised males will be affected.

Circumcised men may also be at lower risk for penile cancer, although the disease is rare in both circumcised and uncircumcised males. Some studies indicate that the procedure might offer an additional line of defense against sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), including HIV.

Penile problems, such as irritation, inflammation, and infection, are more common in uncircumcised males. It’s easier to keep a circumcised penis clean, although uncircumcised boys can learn how to clean beneath the foreskin once the foreskin becomes retractable (usually some time before age 5).

 

[ricko]

From the Catholic viewpoint everything on a (normal) newborn was put there by God. Why do Catholics cut part of it off? Circumcision seems a bit barbaric to me.

Sorry, wrong religion. I wonder how you got that information? Look up Jewish.

 

[ALLGIRLS]

Sorry, wrong religion. I wonder how you got that information? Look up Jewish.

Ditto. Any Catholic parents who choose to have their male children circumcized are doing so for medical or aesthetic reasons, not religious. It’s in no way mandated by the Catholic Church (wouldn’t the Fundies love it if it was, though? “Look–the Bible says we don’t have to be circumsized to be saved, and those Catholics say we do!” ).

In Christ,

Ellen

 

[Bluegoat]

I believe the reason there is confusion over this is that circumcision has been so common in North America, and still is in parts of the US.

But in Europe it is much less common, and in Canada is now much less common.

The reasons for it becoming the thing here are not religious, they were, purportedly, medical. There is a connection with a kind of puritan morality, and some Victorians thought it was an effective way to prevent masturbation. It is often suggested that it is cleaner.

Even in the US, circumcision rates are falling. Although in some cases there may seem to be connections with religion, I think these are actually cultural, rather than really religious - that is it is sometimes a cultural practice of a community that practices a certian religion.

In some other religions it has a real religious function, but not Christianity.