Circumcision
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[[File:Activist.jpg|thumb|Circumcision can be an emotive issue.]] | [[File:Activist.jpg|thumb|Circumcision can be an emotive issue.]] | ||
| − | '''Circumcision''' is a procedure whereby the [[foreskin]] of the penis is removed | + | '''Circumcision''' is a procedure whereby the [[foreskin]] of the penis is removed, required of all [[male]] [[Jews]] due to their [[religion]]. This procedure is also performed in the [[Muslims|Muslim]] religion.<ref>Although not prescribed in the [[Quran]] it is a [[cultural]] norm for most Muslims.</ref> The majority<ref>http://www.boystoo.com/history/statistics.htm</ref> of [[American]] males are circumcised, though this has more to do with [[tradition]] than religious requirement. As circumcision is a form of genital mutilation, some groups have protested against the practice and believe it should be ended.<ref>http://nocirc.org/</ref> These groups often cite a perceived decrease in [[sex]]ual pleasure and the lack of consent on the part of the often infant child as evidence of [[child abuse]]. A recent study also suggests that men who have been circumcised have more difficulty reaching orgasm, their partners have more [[vagina]]l pain, and a worse sex life overall.<ref>http://sciencenordic.com/male-circumcision-leads-bad-sex-life</ref> |
| − | + | Others<ref>http://www.circinfo.net</ref> defend the practice, as they claim the alleged detriments of the procedure are entirely based on dubious [[anecdotal evidence]] and [[woo]].<ref>[http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14751371?dopt=Abstract PUBMed: Circumcision in adults: effect on sexual function.]</ref> More importantly, in sub-Saharan Africa, where HIV/AIDS is a serious public health issue, circumcision has been found to be an effective way of lessening the risk of the transmission of the virus. <ref>[http://circumcisioninformation.com/weiss.html]</ref> <ref>[http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10461-006-9169-4/fulltext.html]</ref> <ref>[http://journals.lww.com/aidsonline/Abstract/1989/06000/The_relationship_between_male_circumcision_and_HIV.6.aspx]</ref> | |
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| − | + | An estimated 30% of the global male population is circumcised,<ref>http://whqlibdoc.who.int/publications/2007/9789241596169_eng.pdf</ref> with the most circumcised areas being the [[Middle East]], [[Africa]], [[Southeast Asia]], [[Australia]], [[Canada]] and the [[United States of America]]. In the United States, it appears the percentage of newborn males that are circumcised has changed little in the last decade.<ref>http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm6034a4.htm?s_cid=mm6034a4_w</ref> It is virtually ''non-existent'' in most other [[West]]ern nations, except among Jews and Muslims.<ref>A much more detailed survey on [[wp:circumcision|Wikipedia]]</ref> It totally isn't genital mutilation because, well, [[Confirmation bias|just because it isn't, okay]]!? | |
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==Biblical references== | ==Biblical references== | ||
In Judaism, the call for circumcision is first found in [[Genesis|Genesis 17]]; specifically, {{bible|Genesis|17|10}}-14, as a covenant (or contract) between [[Yahweh|God]] and [[Abraham]], and unto his descendants (e.g., all male children of [[Israel]]).<ref>Somehow, Abraham found this agreeable — apparently the act was a "gateway" into being able to be convinced of the less-reasonable killing of his son, [[Isaac]], later in the same book.</ref> Where his son Ishmael was circumsized at the age of 13; Issac was seen as more holy for being circumcised on the 8th day of life. Issac was not as holy as Shem though; Shem was born without a foreskin, a rare medical condition called aposthia. Furthermore the penalty for circumcising before the 8th day is not stated in the bible. | In Judaism, the call for circumcision is first found in [[Genesis|Genesis 17]]; specifically, {{bible|Genesis|17|10}}-14, as a covenant (or contract) between [[Yahweh|God]] and [[Abraham]], and unto his descendants (e.g., all male children of [[Israel]]).<ref>Somehow, Abraham found this agreeable — apparently the act was a "gateway" into being able to be convinced of the less-reasonable killing of his son, [[Isaac]], later in the same book.</ref> Where his son Ishmael was circumsized at the age of 13; Issac was seen as more holy for being circumcised on the 8th day of life. Issac was not as holy as Shem though; Shem was born without a foreskin, a rare medical condition called aposthia. Furthermore the penalty for circumcising before the 8th day is not stated in the bible. | ||
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| + | Interestingly, [[Christian]]s who get circumcised are actually going against the [[Bible]] as [[Paul of Tarsus]] specifically speaks against it (as synecdoche for the Law of [[Moses]]) in [[Galatians]]. {{bible|Galatians|5|6}} suggests that [[Jesus]] did not care about whether you were cut or not, but Paul's words paint him as suffering from a little <s>butthurt</s> dickhurt. | ||
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| + | It is worth considering that originally, only the very tip of the foreskin was cut away. It wasn't until the Hellenization period that periah, the removal of the ''entire'' foreskin, caught on. This was because a fair number of [[Hebrew]] traditionalists were upset with how younger men were ''restoring'' their foreskin under advice and/or pressure from the [[Greek]]s, who viewed even the slight circumcision as a vile travesty against the sacrosanct physical body. Despite the end of Hellenization, reversion to pre-periah has been... slow. | ||
==Female genital mutilation== | ==Female genital mutilation== | ||
{{main|Female genital mutilation}} | {{main|Female genital mutilation}} | ||
| − | The procedure sometimes called "female circumcision" (FGM) involves excision of parts of the female genitalia, usually including but not necessarily limited to the clitoris and the inner labia | + | The procedure sometimes called "female circumcision" (FGM) involves excision of parts of the female genitalia, usually including but not necessarily limited to the clitoris and the inner labia, the vast majority of which procedures are carried out without the consent of the individual involved. Most studies conclude that FGM is significantly more dangerous than circumcision; this, however, should not be used as an [[Not as bad as|excuse]] for performing the latter. |
| − | + | Interestingly, circumcision is not banned in most countries where FGM is. It's a touchy point with [[Men's rights movement|men's rights activists]], and is the closest thing they have to a valid example of inequality that favors females argued by the movement (but, unfortunately, not always for the right reasons). | |
==Footnotes== | ==Footnotes== | ||
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[[category:medicine]] | [[category:medicine]] | ||
[[category:judaism]] | [[category:judaism]] | ||
| + | [[Category:Alternative_medicine]] | ||
Revision as of 05:40, 31 August 2014
Circumcision is a procedure whereby the foreskin of the penis is removed, required of all male Jews due to their religion. This procedure is also performed in the Muslim religion.[1] The majority[2] of American males are circumcised, though this has more to do with tradition than religious requirement. As circumcision is a form of genital mutilation, some groups have protested against the practice and believe it should be ended.[3] These groups often cite a perceived decrease in sexual pleasure and the lack of consent on the part of the often infant child as evidence of child abuse. A recent study also suggests that men who have been circumcised have more difficulty reaching orgasm, their partners have more vaginal pain, and a worse sex life overall.[4]
Others[5] defend the practice, as they claim the alleged detriments of the procedure are entirely based on dubious anecdotal evidence and woo.[6] More importantly, in sub-Saharan Africa, where HIV/AIDS is a serious public health issue, circumcision has been found to be an effective way of lessening the risk of the transmission of the virus. [7] [8] [9]
An estimated 30% of the global male population is circumcised,[10] with the most circumcised areas being the Middle East, Africa, Southeast Asia, Australia, Canada and the United States of America. In the United States, it appears the percentage of newborn males that are circumcised has changed little in the last decade.[11] It is virtually non-existent in most other Western nations, except among Jews and Muslims.[12] It totally isn't genital mutilation because, well, just because it isn't, okay!?
Biblical references
In Judaism, the call for circumcision is first found in Genesis 17; specifically, Genesis 17:10-14, as a covenant (or contract) between God and Abraham, and unto his descendants (e.g., all male children of Israel).[13] Where his son Ishmael was circumsized at the age of 13; Issac was seen as more holy for being circumcised on the 8th day of life. Issac was not as holy as Shem though; Shem was born without a foreskin, a rare medical condition called aposthia. Furthermore the penalty for circumcising before the 8th day is not stated in the bible.
Interestingly, Christians who get circumcised are actually going against the Bible as Paul of Tarsus specifically speaks against it (as synecdoche for the Law of Moses) in Galatians. Galatians 5:6 suggests that Jesus did not care about whether you were cut or not, but Paul's words paint him as suffering from a little butthurt dickhurt.
It is worth considering that originally, only the very tip of the foreskin was cut away. It wasn't until the Hellenization period that periah, the removal of the entire foreskin, caught on. This was because a fair number of Hebrew traditionalists were upset with how younger men were restoring their foreskin under advice and/or pressure from the Greeks, who viewed even the slight circumcision as a vile travesty against the sacrosanct physical body. Despite the end of Hellenization, reversion to pre-periah has been... slow.
Female genital mutilation
The procedure sometimes called "female circumcision" (FGM) involves excision of parts of the female genitalia, usually including but not necessarily limited to the clitoris and the inner labia, the vast majority of which procedures are carried out without the consent of the individual involved. Most studies conclude that FGM is significantly more dangerous than circumcision; this, however, should not be used as an excuse for performing the latter.
Interestingly, circumcision is not banned in most countries where FGM is. It's a touchy point with men's rights activists, and is the closest thing they have to a valid example of inequality that favors females argued by the movement (but, unfortunately, not always for the right reasons).
Footnotes
- ↑ Although not prescribed in the Quran it is a cultural norm for most Muslims.
- ↑ http://www.boystoo.com/history/statistics.htm
- ↑ http://nocirc.org/
- ↑ http://sciencenordic.com/male-circumcision-leads-bad-sex-life
- ↑ http://www.circinfo.net
- ↑ PUBMed: Circumcision in adults: effect on sexual function.
- ↑ [1]
- ↑ [2]
- ↑ [3]
- ↑ http://whqlibdoc.who.int/publications/2007/9789241596169_eng.pdf
- ↑ http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm6034a4.htm?s_cid=mm6034a4_w
- ↑ A much more detailed survey on Wikipedia
- ↑ Somehow, Abraham found this agreeable — apparently the act was a "gateway" into being able to be convinced of the less-reasonable killing of his son, Isaac, later in the same book.