that idea, as at least it allows women into the club. No such luck for women
even in modern Orthodox Judaism.
No Health Benefits
I am not going to talk about the supposed “health benefits” of circumcision,
any more than I would merit the Creationist argument for a 6,000 year old
Earth with a response—there is no objective evidence that this is true. Yes,
some doctors have recommended circumcision as a way to reduce HIV
transmission, but many others have noted that better personal hygiene
would work just as well. Also, there are no objective studies on this,
comparing samples of people with similar hygiene habits. So I put this in the
“nothing else is working, so let’s try this” category. I think it’s also a way for
certain religious groups to avoid the discussion about condoms, which if
used make the whole argument a tremendous waste of time. Which would
you rather do to avoid HIV, cut off part of your penis or wear a condom?
So where does that leave us? Christians have no reason to continue this
barbaric practice, and it should be outlawed, just as would cutting of the
little finger, or smallest toes, or ear lobes, or any other body part of a child.
Muslims have it as a vague recommendation, and they should recognize that
it has no link with their core theology. It doesn’t mark them as Allah’s
chosen. It doesn’t help get them to heaven. It’s a recommended cultural
practice, whose time has passed. We know more now than we did then, so
it’s time to drop it, as doing so does not impact the core religious values.
Many mainstream Muslims do support this position (although more so in
connection with female than male circumcision).
Circumcision in Judaism
Lastly, we come to the Jews, and this is obviously an issue with them, since
their all-powerful YHWH seems incapable of knowing who are his chosen
people unless they cut off their foreskin. There is no mention of why this is
needed, or what spiritual transformation it engenders. In fact, there is no
explanation at all, just a “do it Moses, or I’ll kill you” sort of thing. It is a
symbolic demonstration of a dedication (you can’t say commitment, since
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