Circumcision. As Pagans is this is practice that we should continue?

I have only one son, and when he was born I was not living as a Witch. Despite my feelings and own thoughts about the Universe and Deity, I was trying very hard to conform. So I was living as a Christian. Now, I grew up thinking it was totally normal to circumcise males, and when it was time for the nurse to come get my son I didnt question it. Until! I heard him wailing out in pain and when I confronted the nurses that is when they told me that they do not give anything for the pain, not even a local!

I was shocked! I personally feel that I let down my son by not being informed about the procedure and for not standing up for his rights. Today if I were to have another son I would not allow him to be circumcised. Reasons being: I feel that it is not necessary, we have much better standards of living, cleanliness should not be an issue, and I have no pact to make with the Jewish, Christian, or Islam god.

I also feel that as we spend so much time informing new mothers about the benefits of breast feeding we should also have a mandatory discussion regarding circumcision. Make sure that everyone is being properly informed. After that if the child is to be circumcised at least give the poor boy some medication!

I am interested in hearing what others have to think about this.

Replies are closed for this discussion.

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Rivenfae Wolf on July 10, 2009 at 5:12pm: Also, while tatoos have spiritual value they offer no health benefits. So...kinda different

It is and isn't diffrent.. people do get body mods for religous beliefs.. and some people count circumcision in that. so in that respect it isn't. Who here will say peircings are barbaric? tattooing? probably (might be wrong) no one.

Permalink Reply by Elspeth Morris on July 10, 2009 at 5:16pm: Yeah - and I know I'm being a bit anal! It's just, with all the ritual body modification that has taken place over the centuries (and continues today) the statement made me go "huh?!?".

And all things being equal, I guess if one HAS to be circumcised (for religious or other reasons), infancy is the time to do it! I just reject the notion that is HAS to happen. (uncircumcised husband and son - no issues - although I'm the one that usually yells "Don't forget to clean your penis!" at my son though the bathroom door! - geez, I thought that was the dad's job!)

Permalink Reply by By the Beat of My Own Drum on July 10, 2009 at 5:57pm: Still not addressing that I was speaking of the health benefits.

Permalink Reply by Mark on July 12, 2009 at 6:22am: ok, but i must be the decision of the person. That decision should not be made for them by someone else. I wouldn't want to miss body parts because someone else decided it was better for me.

Permalink Reply by AlanHeartsong on July 10, 2009 at 7:27pm: I have less of a problem with someone having their son circumcised in accordance with their religious beliefs than I do with the folks who have their son circumcised "just because".

Frankly, it wouldn't surprise me if it's hospital policy to circumcise boys just so they can charge more.

Permalink Reply by Edanna the Willow Witch on July 10, 2009 at 7:21pm: Since we have no religious/spiritual obligation to, I'd say it's entirely up to the mother to decide. Frankly, this has nothing to do with paganism in the least....

Edanna

Permalink Reply by By the Beat of My Own Drum on July 10, 2009 at 7:38pm: I think it has more to do with the father....after all...he could relate.

Permalink Reply by Andriel on July 12, 2009 at 6:41pm: The reason that the op asks as "pagan parents should we continue this" is because this custom is done largely by those who follow one of the Abrahmic religions...also in my mind I like to believe that pagans as a general rule are more open to critical thinking regarding issues such as this one.

Perhaps I am being naive again.

Permalink Reply by Rhianynn on July 12, 2009 at 1:31am: Id just like to comment on a few things people have said -
Circ for the sake of religion, is no excuse! People in Africa preform circa on young women for religion, & we get all bent out of shape, why then is it ok for Jewish people?
Also, someone mention sensation being more intence for an intact man, this is true, picture an index card, & that is how muck extra skin just teaming with nerve endings, is missing from the average grown man.
And, the logic that to do it to a baby as they wont remember it, well, why not get a tattoo then too? To me, this applies to ritual body changes also. If you spirituality calls for you to be circed, then YOU need to make the choice regarding YOUR own body!
As for infections, you really should look into the anatomy of the penis & the vagina. Both the penis with the foreskin, & the clitoris with the hood serve the same purpose. The home of millions of nerve endings designed to enhance sexual pleasure. The foreskin/hood are designed to cover the nerves so that they are not in constant contact with something, clothing, air, skin, skin, whatever.

How many of you have seen a circumcision on an infant? it's not pretty. It is an unnecessary custom.

R

Permalink Reply by Andriel on July 12, 2009 at 6:50pm: I have read every single post and would like to thank everyone for thier input. I really didnt expect so many responses.

After my own personal thoughts and reading the many responses, my personal opinion has not changed. I do still believe that circumcision is unnecessary as a general rule. If the procedure is done than imo it should be mandatory that the child recieve pain medication. To say that the infant does not feel pain is B.S.

For those who have listed health concerns as major reason, I understand where your coming from, however there was an example given earlier in the discussion that was very valid imo. And for those women out there, here is a way to explain it...many women fear getting breast cancer.

As a woman my breasts are important to me...to say it wouldn't bother me if I were to have them removed is a lie. If I were to go to the doctor with my daughter when she started developing breasts and say "I want these removed so she doesnt get cancer" my daughter would be taken into custody and state and I would be in mental ward. It doesnt make sense to me to have this procedure on a what if when so many have proven successfully that it isnt required.

Also my daughter is very petite, where as I am not. If it were the other way around, surely no one would agree that she were to have breast reduction just to look more like me?

I understand also that there are people who have loved ones where the procedure has become necessary later in life...but I dont believe that the numbers have been large enough to promote this procedure for all males.

Thanks again for everyone's responses.