Would a rational Deity, demand circumcision?

[Desert Snake]

Whatever your theological beliefs are, on the matter, would a rational Deity demand circumcision?
/Or deities, since this isn't religious specific

 

[Quintessence]

Considering anything can be rationalized? Why not? But frankly, I think to describe it terms of being "rational" or "irrational" doesn't make sense.

 

[Gary Sheldrake]

Whatever your theological beliefs are, on the matter, would a rational Deity demand circumcision?
/Or deities, since this isn't religious specific

She might.

 

[Skwim]

In as much as "rational" implies a degree of justifiability, and if deity demands anything less than this, then, yes, I would deem him irrational. As for religious circumcision, unless one buys into the Abrahamic tradition:

"Circumcision is commanded in Genesis 17:10-14, which is in the narrative arc of Abraham, as an outward sign of a man's participation in Israel's covenant with the God of Israel, as well as a sign that the Jewish people will perpetuate through him. According to Jewish belief . . .those who are not circumcised suffer the penalty of kareit, no matter how otherwise observant they may be."
source
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I would call it irrational. That said, on a personal level I don't even see such religious reasons being justified, therefore, any deity who demanded it would not be rational.

 

[arthra]

Whatever your theological beliefs are, on the matter, would a rational Deity demand circumcision?
/Or deities, since this isn't religious specific

As an ordinance circumcision probably made some sense in the circumstance of a country that had a hot climate and little water... there is a strong odor that emanates from smegma when it accumulates under the foreskin.. and was considered unclean. So circumcision was thought a means of cleansing and also became a sign of identification of a tribe as well. Jews and Muslims practise circumcision. Baha'is are under no obligation to circumcise.

There is also some evidence that circumcision can lower the incidence of sexually transmitted diseases...

See:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Circumcision#Sexually_transmitted_diseases

 

[Father Heathen]

Why didn't god just create penises without the foreskin if that was his desire?

 

[Poisonshady313]

Why didn't god just create penises without the foreskin if that was his desire?

Because then it wouldn't be an outward sign of a man's participation in Israel's covenant with the God of Israel.

That's why.

 

[psychoslice]

Why didn't god just create penises without the foreskin if that was his desire?

He He, yea, it does make one laugh.

 

[SpeaksForTheTrees]

I'd suggest the opposite that disfigurement is a direct insult to God.

 

[psychoslice]

I'd suggest the opposite that disfigurement is a direct insult to God.

Yea I don't know where these silly ideas come from, I suppose they had nothing more better to do in those days lol.

 

[SpeaksForTheTrees]

Yea I don't know where these silly ideas come from, I suppose they had nothing more better to do in those days lol.

Those days , is still happens today to babies that really don't get any say in the matter .
In my books disfiguring another human without consent is surely a violation of human rights.
Is a topsy turvy world )

 

[starlite]

This is my understanding of why circumcision was required. The covenant of circumcision was made in 1919 B.C.E. with Abraham and his descendants.
Ge 17:11 (NWT) 11 You must circumcise the flesh of your foreskins, and it will serve as a sign of the covenant between me and you.

Circumcision served as a physical sign of the covenant relationship of Abraham’s descendants through Jacob, with Jehovah. However, after the death of Jesus, the Mosaic Law was no longer in effect, so what about circumcision?

Paul, who was an apostle to the Gentiles, did not state any rules regarding circumcision. Circumcision became a personal decision. Paul told the Galatians: “Neither circumcision is of any value nor is uncircumcision, but faith operating through love is.” (Gal. 5:6)

So, there would be a different kind of circumcision...a circumcision of the heart. The prophet Jeremiah said to ‘take away the foreskin of their heart’ which meant getting rid of anything that made their heart unresponsive—their thinking, affections, or motives that were in conflict with God’s standards—Acts 7:51.

 

[Desert Snake]

This is my understanding of why circumcision was required. The covenant of circumcision was made in 1919 B.C.E. with Abraham and his descendants.
Ge 17:11 (NWT) 11 You must circumcise the flesh of your foreskins, and it will serve as a sign of the covenant between me and you.

Circumcision served as a physical sign of the covenant relationship of Abraham’s descendants through Jacob, with Jehovah. However, after the death of Jesus, the Mosaic Law was no longer in effect, so what about circumcision?

Paul, who was an apostle to the Gentiles, did not state any rules regarding circumcision. Circumcision became a personal decision. Paul told the Galatians: “Neither circumcision is of any value nor is uncircumcision, but faith operating through love is.” (Gal. 5:6)

So, there would be a different kind of circumcision...a circumcision of the heart. The prophet Jeremiah said to ‘take away the foreskin of their heart’ which meant getting rid of anything that made their heart unresponsive—their thinking, affections, or motives that were in conflict with God’s standards—Acts 7:51.

I believe that it is stated that once someone partakes in the physical circumcision, however, they are then under all the (physical), Torah laws...do you agree?

 

[Father Heathen]

Because then it wouldn't be an outward sign of a man's participation in Israel's covenant with the God of Israel.

That's why.

But then why would god forbid nudity, thus requiring one's "outward sign" to be concealed anyway?

 

[Kilgore Trout]

I don't see anything humans do or don't do as particularly relevant to a rational god.

 

[sojourner]

Because then it wouldn't be an outward sign of a man's participation in Israel's covenant with the God of Israel.

That's why.

I get that -- and I respect it, BTW, but in what way is a circumcision an outward sign? Unless one is waving one's wink around in public all the time? It seems that there would be some better "outward sign." Is there something about the penis that I'm missing in Judaic theology?

 

[starlite]

I believe that it is stated that once someone partakes in the physical circumcision, however, they are then under all the (physical), Torah laws...do you agree?

To me the difference is that a Jew was circumcised in the flesh and a Christian is circumcised in the heart. However, some circumcised Jews became Christians.

 

[jojom]

I don't see anything humans do or don't do as particularly relevant to a rational god.

Humans engage in circumcision because of a supposed directive from god. And the question as to whether this is a rational directive or not seems quite relevant to the rationality of god.


.

 

[Gary Sheldrake]

To me the difference is that a Jew was circumcised in the flesh and a Christian is circumcised in the heart. However, some circumcised Jews became Christians.

What?

 

[Unification]

Whatever your theological beliefs are, on the matter, would a rational Deity demand circumcision?
/Or deities, since this isn't religious specific

Circumcision of the mind and heart.

Outward deities are man's mental, outward constructs along with all of the outward rituals and traditions. "God" or "gods" created in the image/imagination of the mind. Mankind are the deities. Outward circumcision of the penis is an outward choice.

Circumcision would be to cut off ones enemies in the mind and heart. Annihilate bad thoughts, bad emotions, desires, bad knowledge, etc.