Posted on 05/19/2005 5:39:11 PM PDT by gobucks
My mother-in-law said, "you don't talk about stuff like this. You just do it." She was referring to the decision soon upon Mrs. Gb and me regarding whether or not to circumcise our son ... he's due in a couple of weeks. She was singing in unison with a lot of other voices. This experience has revealed, like so many other topics (like unmedicated child birth, breast feeding, etc etc) that circumcision is another hot topic in the culture war. Folks have strong feelings about it.
I'm looking for Freeper advice about this. The internet, as usual, is awash with all kinds of things about this, but as with my first 'Pregnant Wife' post, I am betting Freepers will have an exceptionally different outlook on the matter. Bottom line, what is wrong with NOT circumcising him?
Status: At first, it was a no brainer. "I want him to look like his Daddy" is what Mrs. Gb said. I did'nt really dwell on this topic too much myself ... it just didn't seem important, and I didn't like the way I felt when I DID think about it.
But then I started doing some research. Turns out this subject is quite interesting; several very interesting threads exist here too. Anyway, when I learned that no health studies exist that prove circumcised boys have 'healthier' results, ahem, than non-circumcised boys, it boiled down to religious reasons yea or nea, and hence posting this in the religion forum.
Now, a covenant is a very, very interesting word, seldom used, and rarely understood it seems.
Covenant is evidently the only kind of 'promise' God deals in .. he doesn't contract, or bargain, or 'deal' ... or promise even. He convenants, and initially, circumcision was the mark of the coventees. But w/ the advent of Christ, and the near rupture of the early church over the issue, it suddenly became optional.
I have learned that in Europe, circumcision is quite uncommon. I have no idea how or why it became so common here. But I have been deeply questioning just what is gained by having my son within a few moments of birth getting cut 'down there'.
Mrs Gb, was talking to a neighbor down the street who had to have her son's procedure repeated, (she told the story in minute detail) because the OB who tried it the first time evidently slipped or something.... well, needless to say, we are leaning strongly to skipping this 'procedure' and telling him when he is older that he appears different from me simply because people didn't know any better back in the old days.
The neighbor, predictably, wouldn't dream of NOT circumcising her boys ... but she wasn't really quick with an explanation as to why.
Well, that is it. I look forward to helpful replies...
You must be part of the 10-15% who likes the circumcised better.
My actual real medical doctor friends tell me differently. Play again?
Around 80% of American men are circumcised. In most other western nations, and in Asia, South America, etc., its around 0.1%.
America is in the fine company of Sudan, Malawi, Yemen, Iraq, Algeria, Chad, Niger, and Zimbabwe in whacking off the end of the male penis.
Not at all. The glans is the functional equivalent of the female urethra and vaginal opening. The clitoris is functionally equivalent to the male frenulum (which is also cut off in modern circumcision and is a locus of nerves intensely stimulated in sexual activity).........Hermann the Cherusker
Are you a doctor?.......bonfire
It doesn't sound like it from that anatomy lesson.
Hermann, I am a doctor.
The male functional equivalent of the female urethra is the male urethra.
The female equivalent of the glans penis is the clitoral glans.
The female equivalent of the foreskin is the prepuce.
I appreciate your response but I think you hae been misinformed on most every point.
That's a bogus claim there...start askng around you'll find much more than 15%.
Gee, I don't know. I've already risked my life, tore my uterus up, and had my insides hacked apart bringing my daughter into this world. I am risking it again and facing another slice and dice to bring my unborn little one into the world.
Presuming I live through this pregnancy, my OB is pleading with me to have my tubes tied. Does that count?
It's interesting that you say females are the ones to push for circumcision. When this discussion has come up, it's usually the females who are against it. Once in a while I might read a post from an uncirced male on the discussion stating he's never been circumcized and what a love machine he is. But, for the most part, it's usually women I have read saying they would not have their boys cut.
Cite a real study, not just opinions from unknowledgable specialists who have never studied the issue beyond the myths they learned 20-30 years ago in medical school.
A little bit of information can be a dangerous thing! :)
Thanks for setting us straight.
If you read my statements to you again, you will find that I have not lied once. However, I am accustomed to such accusations here.
Yes, Moses died.
If you turn your well-read Bible towards Leviticus, you may find that my memory of Moses' words ring true. You may afterwords ask your own questions.
Yes, I was surprised to see someone interpret Galatians in that way. I am not sorry about that.
Your take on Timothy could be interesting.
I can't make that leap. I do find the inference offensive though. Don't worry, I am not a lefty so I don't really care but what is your point?
You sound like some kind of cult member for the uncircumcised.
This thread is odd. Isn't it great how you can run into this type of thing on FR? LOL!
Arioch7 out.
Exhibit A: the 20th Century American Female obsession with "hygiene" and "clean": She will actually cut off the ends of her boys penises. Do they wash their hands? No? "Mommy, please don't cut off my fingers!"
I already said that I was drinking beers coming from a Poker game so don't take offense at anything I say as I am a bit crazy, LOL!
I have a direct question to you. Why do you oppose circumsion so much?
Arioch7 out.
Why do you think?
This is anecdotal evidence from my pediatric RN experience.
The circumcised babies had less urinary tract infections, were cleaner, and I do recall some fusion issues in the uncircumcised which were referred to the urologists.
They use a local anesthetic now for the procedure (insist on it!). I don't have kids but if I did, I would have it done ensuring my baby boy was properly anesthetized.
eyeroll...over the top dude.
Look it up yourself or keep relying on your chiropractor pals for the facts.
Document that if you would.
I worked with a lot of AIDS patients back in the early 1980s.I worked with it back before we knew what caused it, back when people thought maybe it had to do with being Haaitian, or doing drugs. I held people in my arms while they were worked on and while they died, and I got their tears all over me. I moved Heaven and Earth to get one man dying of AIDS a priest and was DENIED!
I worked for Upjohn before it sold it's Healthcare Services and I would truly like to see your numbers.
Circumsiscion ( or lack thereof) has NOTHING to do with AIDS or anal sex or ANY of the crap you spouted!
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