Circumcision and non-religious people

[Desert Snake]

Circumcision, is a religious ceremony. Traditionally, only certain religions practiced this. In the modern age, non-religious people, in some instances, have started doing this tradition. Is it intellectually honest to say that circumcision, is 'not' a religious ceremony anymore? It is obviously, to me. In fact it is a culturally and geographic specific ceremony, at that.


The claim that circumcision is non-religious, to me, might be some sort of rationalization, for some people being...adhered/?/ to a blatantly religious tradition?

 

[Quintessence]

In what circumstances does it matter whether or not we label this as a religions or non-religious ceremony? Does the superficial, category-label we apply to it have any apparent-world, practical consequences?

 

[Skwim]

Circumcision, is a religious ceremony. Traditionally, only certain religions practiced this. In the modern age, non-religious people, in some instances, have started doing this tradition. Is it intellectually honest to say that circumcision, is 'not' a religious ceremony anymore? It is obviously, to me. In fact it is a culturally and geographic specific ceremony, at that.


The claim that circumcision is non-religious, to me, might be some sort of rationalization, for some people being...adhered/?/ to a a blatantly religious tradition?

Who is claiming that circumcision is not a religious ceremony? Some times it is and sometimes it isn't. For the Jews and some Muslims it certainly is.

 

[NulliuSINverba]

Circumcision, is a religious ceremony.

First and foremost, circumcision is genital mutilation.

 

[Marisa]

Circumcision, is a religious ceremony. Traditionally, only certain religions practiced this. In the modern age, non-religious people, in some instances, have started doing this tradition. Is it intellectually honest to say that circumcision, is 'not' a religious ceremony anymore? It is obviously, to me. In fact it is a culturally and geographic specific ceremony, at that.


The claim that circumcision is non-religious, to me, might be some sort of rationalization, for some people being...adhered/?/ to a a blatantly religious tradition?

I would imagine a large number of people circ because they believe it more hygienic more so than it holding any religious significance and that's only if they give any reason at all. A fair number of people I've seen answer the question of why they circ'd say it's just what you do.

 

[LuisDantas]

First and foremost, circumcision is genital mutilation.

Wouldn't it have to be in some sense limiting in order to be mutilation?

 

[Twilight Hue]

First and foremost, circumcision is genital mutilation.

I've been circumcised and everything seems to be in order. It just looks..

"Bigger"

*grin*

 

[Marisa]

Wouldn't it have to be in some sense limiting in order to be mutilation?

Male circumcision decreases penile sensitivity as measured in a large cohort. - PubMed - NCBI

 

[psychoslice]

Most people circumcise their kids for health reasons, its cleaner.

 

[Twilight Hue]

Male circumcision decreases penile sensitivity as measured in a large cohort. - PubMed - NCBI

In some respects that might be a good thing depending upon how you approach it.

 

[NewGuyOnTheBlock]

Circumcision, is a religious ceremony. Traditionally, only certain religions practiced this. In the modern age, non-religious people, in some instances, have started doing this tradition. Is it intellectually honest to say that circumcision, is 'not' a religious ceremony anymore? It is obviously, to me. In fact it is a culturally and geographic specific ceremony, at that.

The claim that circumcision is non-religious, to me, might be some sort of rationalization, for some people being...adhered/?/ to a blatantly religious tradition?

-- EDIT --
Yes, it is intellectually honest to say that for many, circumcision is no longer a religious ceremony; but whether or not it is a religious ceremony is not an absolute "yes" or "no". One must take into account the conditions and reasons for the circumcision before one can state that it is or is not a religious ceremony.
-- End Edit --

While for some, circumcision remains a religious ceremony; but for the most part, circumcision is performed at birth by hospitals across many nations for alleged health benefits, including the prevention of penile cancer:

Circumcision (male) Why it's done - Mayo Clinic

[some text omitted as it contained irrelevant criticism due to misreading the OP]

As NulliuSINverba pointed out:

First and foremost, circumcision is genital mutilation.

... there is a growing movement challenging this practice, with their claims that it is genital mutilation, that it does have an adverse effect on sexual functioning, it does not offer health benefits, and promoting that that such a decision should be left to the child when the child is old enough to weigh the pros and cons, benefits and risks and make his own informed decision (a Human Rights argument that is compelling: though I have yet to reach a conclusion).

Adult males who have been circumcised report mixed results; some very satisfied that they made this decision and others deeply regretting this choice.

While circumcision itself remains controversial; each side with seemingly valid points; what is not in question is this: Circumcision outside of certain circles (many Jewish and Islamic families, as well as certain aboriginal tribes in Africa and Australia) has absolutely nothing to do with religion or religious tradition.

 

[Desert Snake]

I would imagine a large number of people circ because they believe it more hygienic more so than it holding any religious significance and that's only if they give any reason at all. A fair number of people I've seen answer the question of why they circ'd say it's just what you do.

This seems like it is relevant to the OP. Circumcision, really, isn't just ''something you do''. It isn't like a haircut. Or wearing shoes. That is the point I'm making, really. The origin and up until very recently, historically speaking, it was a religious and cultural tradition. Very specific. So, an answer like 'it's just something you do', just makes me go 'huh?'.

I mean, it isn't.

 

[arthra]

Baha'is do not require circumcision... so it's not so much a religious issue for us...

My own view though is that circumcision began to be practiced in warm climates.. and areas that had limited amounts of water...desert areas.

See:

Circumcision - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Smegma has a pungent odor and this led people to suppose it was unclean..

There's a fairly good article on circumcision that implies it reduces the risks of various infections. Read

Circumcision - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[Desert Snake]

In what circumstances does it matter whether or not we label this as a religions or non-religious ceremony? Does the superficial, category-label we apply to it have any apparent-world, practical consequences?

Is circumcision a perfectly ok choice for people? Or, rather, to practice? /obviously, most of the time it isn't a choice/. It seems to be something slightly more significant, than the mustard I get on my sandwich? that's why i'm bringing it up.

 

[psychoslice]

The only time in my life I wished I was circumcised was after chopping chillies and going for a pee without washing my hands lol.

 

[Jumi]

Most people circumcise their kids for health reasons, its cleaner.

Only if kids are not taught to wash themselves.

 

[Quintessence]

Is circumcision a perfectly ok choice for people? Or, rather, to practice? /obviously, most of the time it isn't a choice/. It seems to be something slightly more significant, than the mustard I get on my sandwich? that's why i'm bringing it up.

Pardon, I got the impression from your OP that the intent of this discussion was something else entirely. I'll take my leave, then.

 

[Terrywoodenpic]

In some religions circumcision is a requirement.
In some countries it is a social norm.

As most health services will not do it for non urgent medical reasons, and a growing number of medical insurances no longer cover it. Circumcision is reducing in most western countries.
Health benefits are well published but not proven.

It must be a conspiracy by women, who like men to to take their time during intercourse. The reduction in sensitivity ensures this.

 

[Marisa]

In some respects that might be a good thing depending upon how you approach it.

I'll never have any bases by which to compare. LOL

 

[Marisa]

This seems like it is relevant to the OP. Circumcision, really, isn't just ''something you do''. It isn't like a haircut. Or wearing shoes. That is the point I'm making, really. The origin and up until very recently, historically speaking, it was a religious and cultural tradition. Very specific. So, an answer like 'it's just something you do', just makes me go 'huh?'.

I mean, it isn't.

Yes but what that answer tells you is that this procedure has become so commonplace and ordinary that many don't know why it's done anymore, they just know if you birth a boy, you circumcise. I didn't have a boy, I have a girl, but if I had I'd love to say that I would not circumcise, but I probably would have because it's just "what you do". My husband is, and everyone I've ever been with has been as well. It's not something I'd have given any consideration to until having had my first encounter with an anti-circer who asked me questions. If I birthed a boy today, no way I'd circ. Because in my opinion, "god wants me to" is no more compelling of a reason than "it looks nicer".