Poll: What do you think about circumcision?

[DanielBrown]

I think it's mutilation to the body and shouldn't be done to anyone.
The "but it's more hygenic"-argument is getting a bit old. As far as I know that argument is pure bullshit, but even so; it's not exactly difficult to wash it when you're taking a shower.

 

[MysticToast]

I'm not entirely sure what my position is, actually. I do have a question though.

Is the circumcision requirement anywhere in the New Testament? Because if it's not, parents don't have any religious reason to do it.

 

[Agayek]

If I recall correctly circumcision was introduced in America as a way to keep boys from masterbating since cuting off the foreskin reduces the sensitivy of the penis resulting in less pleasure from stimulation. Didn't really work as it was a hormornal problem but it stuck and has been until recently as circumcision rates have decreased over these recent years.

That may well have been the original reasoning behind circumcision (I don't actually know), but it was introduced in America as a religious thing. Something to do with it being commanded by the Bible.

 

[Ryank1908]

I have NEVER heard of someone being seriously pissed off because their parents had them circumcised when they were a baby. Sure, things should be down to an individuals choice. But really? Come on. I was circumcised and I really, really could not care less.

 

[guise709]

woops late double post

 

[mbug]

It's not "uncircumcised". It's "not circumcised", that's the default. And no, I don't think boys should be circumcised when they're young, unless there's a real medical reason for it. Just go ask someone who's not cut, if he'd consider doing it to himself. I'm guessing he'll say no. So why would you do something to a kid that he would never do to himself if he was old enough to make the call.

I'm glad to live in a country where not cutting young boys is the norm.

Oh, by the way, this is one of those topics that's going to ensure a huge flamewar at some point. Just be prepared for that.

why do you make the assumption every guy wants who isnt circumcised automatically says "NO WAY!" to it? we had this conversation last year at school with 30 boys and 30 girls in a debate about this very topic if it should be done when a baby or when the man is an adult. 20 of those 30 boys said they would really consider it then. why is it such a major thing?
yes it is the mans decision i whole heartedly agree 100% but still, most guys i know don't care and wouldn't mind.

 

[guise709]

If I recall correctly circumcision was introduced in America as a way to keep boys from masterbating since cuting off the foreskin reduces the sensitivy of the penis resulting in less pleasure from stimulation. Didn't really work as it was a hormornal problem but it stuck and has been until recently as circumcision rates have decreased over these recent years.

That may well have been the original reasoning behind circumcision (I don't actually know), but it was introduced in America as a religious thing. Something to do with it being commanded by the Bible.

Thats Judaism and Islam it was never required in the Christian bible

 

[Celestialum]

I'm not entirely sure what my position is, actually. I do have a question though.

Is the circumcision requirement anywhere in the New Testament? Because if it's not, parents don't have any religious reason to do it.

It's in the Jewish Tanakh and in some versions of the Old Testament. I can't speak as to the Christian reasons for it.

I don't want my penis looking like a bagel dog so I say yes.

Seriously?

 

[Psychedelic Spartan]

Well, I'm circumcised, I don't really see how it would make a difference...

 

[theriddlen]

While I won't stop adult people from doing that to themselves, I think that there should be law against doing it to children. It's not your bloody choice, parents, it's their own body. Don't hurt someone because your religion tells you to do so.

What are the medical benefits?

In practice, none. The theoretical ones could potentially help to avoid some diseases, but don't really matter these days, since people started washing themselves at least once a week.

 

[Celestialum]

I have NEVER heard of someone being seriously pissed off because their parents had them circumcised when they were a baby. Sure, things should be down to an individuals choice. But really? Come on. I was circumcised and I really, really could not care less.

But I was circumcised, and I do give a shit. I wish I was not circumcised; I wish I had the choice as to whether or not I was. But I will never be able to decide. Furthermore, just because some people are okay with it does not mean they shouldn't have a choice in the matter.

 

[JaredXE]

It's perfectly fine, and has positive medical benefits to it. People complaining about male circumcision being abuse are just whining for the sake of being whiney. Why does it matter to you? If you don't want to circumcise your boys, that's fine. But telling lies such as saying it lowers sensitivity (something you can't really measure), is just going too far.

 

[Wolfram23]

Circumcision is terrible. There's no proper excuse for mutilating a baby.

And yes, I am circumcised.

 

[Celestialum]

It's perfectly fine, and has positive medical benefits to it. People complaining about male circumcision being abuse are just whining for the sake of being whiney. Why does it matter to you? If you don't want to circumcise your boys, that's fine. But telling lies such as saying it lowers sensitivity (something you can't really measure), is just going too far.

Whining for the sake of being whiney? Seriously? It matters to me because my body was mutilated and I had no say in the matter. It matters to me because one of the most personal parts of my body was irreversibly changed without any concern for my opinion on the matter.

Again, yes, it has medical benefits, but those benefits are not unique to circumcision: they can be attained in other manners than genital mutilation. You seem to be coming from the viewpoint of, "Yeah, let's mutilate some babies, give me a reason why not." While I am coming from the viewpoint of, "No, let's not mutilate some babies, give me very convincing reasons as to why it should be done."

I have yet to hear any. And you disrespecting and disregarding people who disagree with you does nothing to validate your opinion, or make me respect it.

 

[DarkRyter]

Your parents shouldn't decide whether to cut off part of your penis any more than decide your religion.

Except that the majority of parents do decide their children's religion; by bringing them up in it.

I said it shouldn't happen. I didn't say that it doesn't happen.

 

[Llil]

why do you make the assumption every guy wants who isnt circumcised automatically says "NO WAY!" to it? we had this conversation last year at school with 30 boys and 30 girls in a debate about this very topic if it should be done when a baby or when the man is an adult. 20 of those 30 boys said they would really consider it then. why is it such a major thing?
yes it is the mans decision i whole heartedly agree 100% but still, most guys i know don't care and wouldn't mind.

And most guys I know would not want a part of their penis cut off. If you want to do it, go for it. I can't see why someone would want to, though. Probably a culture thing, doing it (or not doing it) to fit in with everyone else.

 

[cgaWolf]

I just don't see a point to cutting off part of the dick for any non-religious reasons. Seems kinda weird.

Just to make sure i get this: essentially your argument is "God made man in his image, so let's turn around & cut the foreskin off because God said so?"

How does that make sense? (not inflammatory, i really don't understand how that makes any sense at all)