Circumcision is a traditional religious or surgical practice consisting in the removal of the foreskin in men and the labia in women. In the latter case, the practice is often called not circumcision, but female genital mutilation or female genital mutilation, as it is a dangerous, painful and unjustified from a medical point of view procedures. In some countries, circumcision is prohibited.
Why is the procedure performed
In many cultures, the circumcision ritual is associated with initiation - the transition of a child from childhood to adolescence. Like many other rituals (painful tattoos, scarring, piercings in some tribes), circumcision should become a symbol of growing up. Thus, there are several reasons for the existence of the rite:
- Initiation. As a result, circumcision becomes a symbolic initiation into full members of society.
- Religious (practiced mainly among Jews and Muslims), denotes the dedication of a child to God.
- National, as a symbol of belonging to any nation (Jewish Brit-Mila).
It may be permissible to say that circumcision initially arose to regulate prohibited sexual practices and excessive sexual activity, as well as to prevent diseases and simplify hygiene procedures. Today, there are disputes about the legality and appropriateness of this procedure. For medical purposes, circumcision is performed to eliminate the anatomical features and deficiencies that prevent a person from leading a normal, healthy life.
Origin of tradition
There is no consensus among researchers about how the rite of circumcision appeared. But such actions are found in the culture of many nations and are most often associated with communion with God or growing up. For some peoples, this was a substitute for sacrifices, a tribute to the gods.
The rite of circumcision is found in many nations. These are the aborigines of Australia, various tribes of Africa, Muslim peoples, Jews and other peoples.
When did the rite arise?
Even Geradot in his "History" described this rite found among the Ethiopians, Syrians and Egyptians. He mentions that they all borrowed the ritual from the Egyptians. The first evidences of the rite of circumcision date back to the 3rd millennium BC and are Egyptian drawings describing the process. It is noteworthy that the figure depicts extremely primitive knives related to the Stone Age. This suggests that the ritual arose much earlier than it was attested. The ceremony was carried out both for boys and for girls (pharaonic circumcision).
Attitude in culture
From historical sources it is known that in developed ancient Rome, circumcised men were disdained, as the circumcision ritual was a relic of barbarism and was preserved only among wild tribes. However, this did not prevent the tradition from penetrating the homes of the Roman nobility and taking root there.
During the Spanish Inquisition, circumcision was common among Catholic monks.
In the 20th century, in Nazi Germany, the absence of foreskin among men became life-threatening, because on this basis Jews were exposed, not figuring out whether the procedure was carried out for religious reasons or according to the doctor’s testimony.
Circumcision is not considered a mandatory procedure in Islam these days. Islamic scholars have also issued a law prohibiting women from having surgery.
Despite this, male and female circumcision continues to be popular. According to some reports, more than 50% of all men are circumcised.
Judaism Circumcision Ritual
According to Jewish scriptures, Brit Mila became a symbol of the contract between God and the Israeli people. No one can say for sure why this particular procedure became mandatory for the Jews, but some researchers believe that it migrated from antiquity. This is an integral part of the transition to Judaism, and even adult men who want to convert to this faith must go through the rite of circumcision. In ancient times, both slaves and foreign guests who wished to attend religious holidays were subject to circumcision.
According to Jewish rites, newborn boys are circumcised on the eighth day of their life. Eight days are not chosen by chance. Firstly, this time is enough for the newborn to grow stronger for the procedure, and his mother regains consciousness after giving birth and was able to become a participant in the solemn initiation of the child to God. Eight days are also given so that the infant can survive the holy Sabbath, and through this he was ready to partake in holiness. From the point of view of modern medicine, this approach is fully justified, since a week is really enough for the child to be ready for surgery.
Jewish Circumcision
Circumcision is performed in the afternoon, usually done in the early morning to demonstrate to God his desire to fulfill the commandment immediately. Traditionally, circumcision is performed in the synagogue, but today the rite is performed at home. Previously, the ceremony could be performed by any family member (even a woman), but nowadays it is entrusted to a specially trained person with medical training (he is called "moel"). At home, circumcision takes place in the presence of ten adult male relatives representing the community. Also, the ceremony is allowed to be performed by surgeons in hospitals in the presence of a rabbi.
Initially, a sandak played a large role in the circumcision process - a man holding a child in his arms during the procedure. In Christianity, his role is closest to that of the godfather. In the middle of the 20th century, another concept appeared - quater. So they began to call a man bringing a baby to the ceremony. The quater (usually the spouse of the quater) passed him a baby from his mother, taking away from the female part of the synagogue.
“As he entered into an alliance, so let him enter the Torah, marriage and good deeds”
- Jewish wishes after the rite
After the ceremony, the baby is given a name, and the family congratulates the new member of the community and his happy parents.
What does circumcision mean for Muslims?
Removal of the foreskin is part of an introduction to Islam, a repetition of the path of the prophet Muhammad. According to Islamic theologians, this procedure is not necessary, but recommended and desirable for a Muslim.
There is no exact age for the procedure in Islam. Circumcision is recommended before adolescence, and preferably as early as possible. The dates of the rite among different peoples professing Islam vary. Turks hold a ceremony over boys aged 8-13 years, Arabs living in cities - on the 5th year of life of a child, Arabs from villages - later, at 12-14 years. Theologians recommend the 7th day of the life of the baby as the most desirable for the ceremony.
Islamic tradition of circumcision
Unlike Judaism, in Islam there are no detailed instructions on who and at what time should conduct the ceremony. There are no clear traditions on how and by whom the ceremony should be performed. Therefore, modern Muslims most often go to the hospital, where they can circumcise a child.
How is the procedure performed in women
What is the rite of circumcision in boys, imagine almost everything. But very little is said about female circumcision.
The operation involves the removal of the labia majora, labia minora, clitoral hood or clitoris. Sometimes involves the removal of the genitals completely. Due to the prevalence in Egypt, such operations are called "Pharaoh's circumcision."
Female circumcision is usually practiced in Islamic and African countries, where, due to an official ban by the authorities, it is carried out underground. Despite the fact that female circumcision is much more dangerous and difficult than male circumcision, often operations are performed by people without a medical education.
Such a procedure is very dangerous and entails the risk of infection, problems with the genitourinary system and even infertility.
How do female and male circumcision relate?
If we compare female circumcision with male circumcision, then operations performed on women can be compared with the removal of part of the penis or even complete removal of the organ. Therefore, this procedure is prohibited by the UN. Despite the fact that Muslims most often turn to circumcision, Islamic theologians urge parishioners to abandon it and even recognize it as sinful.
Doctors Attitude
Speaking about circumcision, we mean circumcision in men. The attitude to male circumcision among doctors is ambiguous. Some see in this procedure a cruel relic of barbarian times, others insist on its usefulness given. Scientific research does not fully confirm any of the points of view, showing that in each case the result of this operation may be individual.
Arguments for and against male circumcision
We can distinguish the following theses that are heard in disputes on this issue:
- Scientifically proven that circumcision reduces the risk of contracting AIDS because the absence of foreskin prevents the virus from lingering on the human body for a long time. But such a method as a means of prevention is appropriate only in poor countries with a low standard of living, medicine and hygiene (for example, in some African countries).
- Circumcision reduces the sensitivity of the glans penis, which solves the problem of premature ejaculation, but in some cases there are complaints of an almost complete loss of sensitivity.
- Male circumcision is not medically dangerous, but there is a risk of serious health problems if it is not performed correctly.
- Circumcision helps to maintain hygiene (especially if there are medical indications for removal of the foreskin), but in infancy, the flesh helps to protect the genitals from germs.
- According to the study, circumcision really helps to prevent cancer of the foreskin (according to some reports, this also protects the partner from cervical cancer), but the percentage of this disease is so small that only 900 can prevent the disease.
- Circumcision is best done in infancy, but in this case, the operation is contrary to ethical standards, since the child cannot control his body himself and decide whether he needs it.
