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CIRCUMCISION

In whom also ye were circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ. Colossians 2:11

Is any man called being circumcised? Let him remain circumcised.Is any called in uncircumcision? Let him not be circumcised. Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God. 1 Corinthians 7:18-19

Circumcision is the most frequentlyperformed surgery in the United States. About 60% of newborn boys are circumcised in the U.S. The worldwide rate is less than 20%. The American Academy of Pediatrics nor the American Medical Association reccomend routine circumcision. There are, in fact, no medical reasons for routine circumcision. It is elective surgery and not medically justified.

Most parents probably do not even think of circumcision as surgery, but it is, and is very invasive. First the doctor pinches the baby's foreskin with 2 clamps. He then rotates the clamps to rip the foreskin from the glans at the end of his penis. This is very painful since the foreskin and the glans are attached much like our fingernails are attached to our fingertips. Then the doctor sews through the foreskin, pulling the thread tight and stretching the skin as far as possible. The foreskin is then cut up the middle. A bell-shaped metal device is forced under the cut foreskin and over the glans. The bell is fit into a steel plate, the skin is pulled tight, and the foreskin is crushed. The doctor then slices off the screaming baby's foreskin with a scalpel.

The helpless newborn baby who is subjected to this gruesome procedure is strapped to a cold, hard plastic board. He is powerless to escape the pain. And it is excrutiatingly painful for the baby. For even though an animal lab is not allowed to perform a procedure such as circumcision without anesthesia, most hospitals do. Research has shown that the pain experienced during circumcision alters a baby's neuropathways, causing the child to react more intensely to pain in the future.

There are many complications that can result from this invasive procedure. The most frequent complications are hemorraging and infection. In their 1999 position statement, the American Academy of Pediatrics also note recurrent phimosis, wound separation, concealed or buried penis, skin bridges, urinary retention, meatitis, meatal stenosis, cysts, meningitis, and partial penile amputation as possible complications. There have also been several reported deaths. After the surgery, the baby will be exhausted, fussy, and hard to calm. Breastfeeding can be more difficult for the next few days.

The right of a physician to amputate a healthy body part without the consent of its owner should be seriously questioned. The United States has outlawed the circumcision of girls and has even offered asylum to women and girls fleeing genital mutilation in their home countries. There is really not much difference between male and female circumcision, and yet we condone genital amputation for our little boys while believing that it is horrific and unacceptable for our little girls. To me this seems hypocritical.

CIRCUMCISION MYTHS

Circumcision prevents urinary tract infections:

It has never been scientifically proven that circumcision prevents UTIs. Boys very rarely even get UTIs. In 1996 the Isreali Journal of Medical Sciences concluded that circumcision may actually cause UTIs because of the bacteria introduced during the surgery.

Circumcision protects against sexually transmitted diseases:

The United States has the highest rate of sexually transmitted diseases in any developed nation, even though it also has the highest percentage of circumcised men. Using good hygeine, limiting the number of sexual partners, and practicing "safe sex" are the only known ways to effectively avoid sexually transmitted diseases.

Circumcision protects against penile cancer:

The American Cancer Society has said that circumcision should not be reccomended to prevent penile cancer.

An uncircumcised penis is less hygienic:

A normal penis with its foreskin intact requires no special care other than external washing. The foreskin actually protects the glans from contaminants, and should be left alone. It should never be forcibly retracted. The foreskin will retract on its own as the boy grows, usually by puberty.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Circumcision Resource Center

Doctors Opposing Circumcision

NOCIRC: National Organization of Circumcision Information Resource Centers

Attorneys for the Rights of the Child

ARTICLES:

Any Questions?

Horror Storiesliving with the effects of circumcision

In Memeory of the Sexually Mutilated ChildWarning: This one made me cry.