Under what circumstances (no pun intended) is circumcision acceptable?

Stuie · February 28, 2003, 12:21

So as not to completely thread-jack the Death Penalty/Abortion poll, here's a new one:

When is circumcision acceptable?

Stuie · February 28, 2003, 12:27

And for the record, I feel that circumcision of newborns is unwarranted mutilation of the genitals. None of my sons has been circumcized; if that is a choice they make later in life so be it. I feel that my parents made a completely uninformed decision when they had my foreskin lopped off.

lord of the mark · February 28, 2003, 12:53

Quote:

Originally posted by Stuie
And for the record, I feel that circumcision of newborns is unwarranted mutilation of the genitals. None of my sons has been circumcized; if that is a choice they make later in life so be it. I feel that my parents made a completely uninformed decision when they had my foreskin lopped off.

I have friend who was born in Russia. He was not circumcised as an infant, as the state did not allow it (IIUC). When he moved to the free world he chose to become circumcized in accordance with his religion. I beleive he would have much prefered to have been circumcised as an infant.

Boris Godunov · February 28, 2003, 13:18

This subject started a very raging and venomous debate about a year ago that got many people banned for long periods of time. Be warned.

I think male circumcision may be medically necessary on rare occasions (Louis XIV, if I recall correctly, had it done as an adult because sex was somehow very painful for him). So that's another consideration. I have no idea about female circumcision ever being necessary.

Overall, I think male circumcision is unneccessary and would prefer it weren't practiced. But I understand the cultural importance, and wouldn't prohibit Jews and Christians from doing it.

I think the objections that it is "mutilation" and somehow permanently ruins the penis is overexaggeration. It certainly hasn't done me any harm!

Urban Ranger · February 28, 2003, 13:53

I would leave it as a personal preference for adults, unless medical conditions dictate otherwise.

SlowwHand · February 28, 2003, 13:57

There's a world of difference, literally, between circumcision on a male, and mutilation of a female.

Stuie · February 28, 2003, 14:01

Quote:

Originally posted by SlowwHand
There's a world of difference, literally, between circumcision on a male, and mutilation of a female.

Care to elaborate on the difference?

@Boris: Thanks for the warning. Let us all proceed with caution in this debate.

SuperSneak · February 28, 2003, 14:05

Ha ha! I'd cut them off indiscriminantly and make a wallet out of them.

SlowwHand · February 28, 2003, 14:10

Well Stuie, to be blunt; a man can still ejaculate when circumcized, a woman who has been carved up, can't.

Sava · February 28, 2003, 14:11

Uncut shlongos are weird... 'Nuff said...

Female circumcision? WTF is that?

monkspider · February 28, 2003, 14:13

Quote:

Originally posted by Sava
Uncut shlongos are weird... 'Nuff said...

Quote:

Female circumcision? WTF is that?

It is removal of the clitoris IIRC.

Sava · February 28, 2003, 14:15

I dunno, I'd have to see pics to compare the effects of female circumcision.

Dis · February 28, 2003, 14:16

oh great, another circumcisn thread

you guys made me feel like I'm missing out by being cut. I feel bad now

It was easier going through life and not knowing what I'm missing.

SlowwHand · February 28, 2003, 14:16

http://www.religioustolerance.org/fem_cirm.htm

Mutilation, not circumcision.

Dis · February 28, 2003, 14:18

in any case male circumsision causes less sensitivity in males and tramautic experiences makes babies grow up to be more sensitive to pain. That is proven.

But circumsision parts also can be grown into new skin for burn victims. So you will be helping other people.

Arrian · February 28, 2003, 14:20

I'm with Slow here. There is a world of difference.

I don't mind that I was circumcised at birth. Doesn't bother me.

-Arrian

Sava · February 28, 2003, 14:22

Quote:

in any case male circumsision causes less sensitivity in males and tramautic experiences makes babies grow up to be more sensitive to pain. That is proven.

That's a BAM if I've ever heard one.

SlowwHand · February 28, 2003, 14:22

Right. Sava had that done on his head, which explains some things.
KIDDING! Only joking, Sava. Don't go ballistic on me.
Threaten my danged cats or something.

Sandman · February 28, 2003, 14:25

I can't understand why anybody would do such a thing.
None of the arguments hold any water for me. It should not be left to the parents either.

Once somebody has grown up, then they can choose to cut bits of themselves off. I also don't think such practices should be funded by the state in any way.

Stuie · February 28, 2003, 14:26

Given that there is a world of difference, why does that make it ok to chop pieces off of newborn boys?

Jon Miller · February 28, 2003, 14:29

if it has no ill effects (which male cir seemsto) than there is no reason to not allow it for cultural reasons

MRT144 · February 28, 2003, 14:29

dissident, how is one to determine less sensitivity when they only have once instance to go on? the people wouldnt know if they were less sensitive or not would they?

Sava · February 28, 2003, 14:29

Don't worry Sloww, I'll spare you from my wrath

SlowwHand · February 28, 2003, 14:30

You can't see the difference, Stuie ?
Do you really miss that little piece of skin that much?
It hasn't stopped you from getting married and having children.
If circumcision is your most traumatic life experience, well dude, you have it made.

MRT144 · February 28, 2003, 14:33

i agree slowwhand, what a charmed life you lead if the worst thing that has happened is circumcision.

Sandman · February 28, 2003, 14:34

Quote:

Given that there is a world of difference, why does that make it ok to chop pieces off of newborn boys?

Eh? I'm against circumcising newborns. Damn, didn't make my post clear enough. Again.

Stuie · February 28, 2003, 14:37

That was a cross post, Sandman... I was attempting to address Slow and co. But given they have resorted to non-arguments, I guess I won't bother.

Spiffor · February 28, 2003, 14:40

Sloww :

Boris Godunov · February 28, 2003, 14:40

Quote:

Originally posted by Sava
Uncut shlongos are weird... 'Nuff said...

No they aren't. My first bf was uncut. Until then, I had always thought I would be grossed out by an uncircumcized penis. Well, I didn't even realize he wasn't circumcized until after we had already fooled around, because when its erect it can be hard to tell the difference.

It's only "weird" to people who aren't familiar with it. In Europe and elsewhere, being circumcized is "weird."

Dissident, there isn't all that much evidence that circumcized people have significantly less sensitivity than the uncut. And notions of any sort of "mental scarring" are pretty far-fetched.

Besides, you may have gotten laid more than you would have otherwise, because of the common prejudice against the uncut. Some of the girls you bagged might have freaked out otherwise.

SlowwHand · February 28, 2003, 14:41

Look. Personally, I couldn't care less if a male is circumcized as a baby or ever in his life at all.
I'm just saying, it isn't the same thing as "circumcizing" a female.

Ok? Go lament your lost skin.

Sava, you're freaking me, again.