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Pulling on Gloves

The Reasons for Circumcision: Tradition, Faith, and Wellness

Families choose circumcision for a variety of deeply personal reasons, primarily revolving around religious conviction and proven health benefits.

 

Religious Reasons

 

Most people circumcise for religious reasons.

  • Faith: Muslims, Jews, and many Christians believe that circumcision has been ordained in their religion. According to most Muslims, circumcision is a Sunnah, though some consider it obligatory.

  • Prophetic Tradition (Fitrah):

    Abu Huraira (RA) narrated that he heard the Prophet (SW) saying. "Five practices are characteristics of the fitrah (human nature): circumcision, shaving the pubic hair, cutting the moustaches short, clipping the nails, and removing the hair of the armpits." (Bukhari, Book #72, Hadith #779)

 

Health Benefits

 

Circumcision has clear health benefits and is recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) and other major bodies.

  • Hygiene: It prevents smegma from accumulating under the foreskin (prepuce), allows easy cleaning of the glans, and prevents the harboring of germs under the foreskin.

  • Reduced Disease Risk:

    • Circumcised adults are less likely to develop HIV, provided other recommended preventative measures are also observed.

    • Circumcised men are less likely to harbor and transmit human papillomavirus (HPV), which can cause cervical cancer in women.

  • Reduced Infection: Balanitis (inflammation of the glans) can be prevented, and urinary tract infection (UTI)reduced by circumcision.

 

Addressing Objections

 

Some object to circumcision on grounds such as it being unnatural or that the child cannot consent.

These arguments are rejected by those who support circumcision, who argue that:

  • Circumcision is not just a medical practice; it is a religious act.

  • Humans practice other practices, like cutting the umbilical cord, vaccination, cutting nails, and trimming hair (which animals don't do, and the child has no say in).

  • Complications of circumcision are infrequent.

References: 

Is infant male circumcision an abuse of the rights of the child? No

Male Circumcision, Penile Human Papillomavirus Infection, and Cervical Cancer in Female Partners

Circumcision for the prevention of urinary tract infection in boys: A systematic review of randomized trials and observational studies

American Academy of Pediatrics Recommends Circumcision

Circumcision Benefits Exceed Risks

Do the Health Benefits of Neonatal Circumcision Outweigh the Risks?

Wikipedia - Khitan (circumcision)

Wikipedia - Religious Male Circumcision

Wikipedia - Circumcision

Is infant male circumcision an abuse of the rights of the child?

Male Circumcision—Ethics guide

NHS Choices - Circumcision in boys

NHS Choices—Circumcision in men

Islam and Male Circumcision

Mom Loves Best - To Cut or Not to Cut? Choosing Circumcision

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