Circumcision

[jazzbird]

Did you have your male children circumcized? Why or why not? I haven't done any research on this yet, but I don't feel that it is medically or religiously necessary, yet it still seems to be the norm. When I brought it up to dh the other night he was pretty quick to change the subject as we were eating dinner and it seemed to make him squirm. Hopefully we will talk about it again in the future. His only response really had to do with the fact that the kid would be different from his friends. So what? I don't know. Maybe it is a male thing. Thoughts?

 

[katelyn]

At our last prenatal appointment, our midwife encouraged us to think about what we would do if we had a boy, "just in case" and also for future reference. Some people do believe that there are medical benefits to circumcision, but others are equally as adamant that there's really not. I asked my husband what he thought about it, and he said if we had a son, he would prefer not to have him circumcised. His reasoning was that if there is no concrete medical indication (and no religious inclination for us) to get it done, who are we to decide to cut off part of his body? For the most part I agree, but I told DH it would be his responsibility to make sure our son knew good hygiene, because that's my main concern in circumcising vs. not.

Also, I believe our midwife told us the current circumcision rate is only 60% in the US (hopefully I'm remembering that statistic correctly), so the "looking like everyone else" argument is getting to be less of an issue.

 

[selune]

both our boys are not. We chose to leave them intact as they were created. I believe the circumcision was a way for the Jewish people to be set aside as different from others, and as getiles and Christians there is no biblical call for it. I also have some friends who have had to have reconstructive surgery for there sons because of botched circs. As for hygiene issues, it's not very hard to keep clean.

 

[bliz]

Both our boys are. We read up and debated... and finally went for it, I can't even say why now.

However, a few months ago my father needed to have a circumscion done. He is 90 years old. The foreskin was drying out and shrinking, making sanitation an issue, not to mention comfort. And speaking of comfort... he didn't have much for several days!

 

[Katydid]

Both of our boys are. We believe that God gave us commands for a reason, and obviously, even if we can't see them there is a reason for it.

 

[sara elizabeth]

All three of my sons are circumcised. I didn't really like the idea of getting it done, mainly because I am very non intervention (had all the kids at home, no vaccinations, etc.) My husband, though, felt very strongly that it was something he wanted to get done. Since it's not something I personally know about and he does, that made the decision. We haven't had any problems at all with it, so I'm glad now that we made that choice. I have a friend whose son was not circumcised and she says that if she was doing it over he defininely would be. Of course, that's just one story.
As far as cost goes, ours were done in a local clinic for $60-75.
If you do choose to go the circumcision route I would encourage you to get it done on the 8th day after birth. It really does make a big difference on the amount of bleeding and pain the baby has. Our last was done when he was 6 days old (the other two were 8 days) and I could tell that it was not as easy for him. The way I understand it, is that blood clotting and pain tolerance peak right about 8 days.

 

[jazzbird]

Both of our boys are. We believe that God gave us commands for a reason, and obviously, even if we can't see them there is a reason for it.

Katy, that makes sense since I am assuming by your icon that you are Messianic. Personally, I believe that baptism has replaced circumcision in the New Covenant, so that part isn't really a consideration for me, but thanks for sharing your reasons for the procedure. Makes sense.

 

[Gwenyfur]

I have to say that my DH isn't circumsised as well as most of the men in his family...they're a clean lot and haven't had any adverse effects health wise. He's quite comfortable with it ... and if our youngest had been a boy instead of a girl he would not have been circumsized....after all God made men that way for a reason

 

[jazzbird]

All three of my sons are circumcised. I didn't really like the idea of getting it done, mainly because I am very non intervention (had all the kids at home, no vaccinations, etc.) My husband, though, felt very strongly that it was something he wanted to get done. Since it's not something I personally know about and he does, that made the decision. We haven't had any problems at all with it, so I'm glad now that we made that choice.

Interesting, as I am also anti-intervention when it comes to normal pregnancies. That is one of the reasons I have been thinking about this issue. I guess I feel similar to you in that if dh really doesn't like the idea after giving it more thought, then we will have our boys circumcised, if we have boys.

 

[jazzbird]

However, a few months ago my father needed to have a circumscion done. He is 90 years old. The foreskin was drying out and shrinking, making sanitation an issue, not to mention comfort. And speaking of comfort... he didn't have much for several days!

Yikes! That sounds most unpleasant! I wonder if that is very common in old age. I will have to look into that. Thanks for the info.

 

[BeanMak]

Neither of my sons are. They are 21 and 19 and never have complained of being "different." At the time, we read up on the issue, and felt that there was no compelling reason to do it, so a more compelling reason was to avoid surgery that is unnecessary on healthy tissue.

 

[Picture.Of.Obedience]

i guess i need to research it more too, since we are having a boy. i think we will go ahead and circumcise him though

 

[bliz]

All three of my sons are circumcised. I didn't really like the idea of getting it done, mainly because I am very non intervention (had all the kids at home, no vaccinations, etc.) My husband, though, felt very strongly that it was something he wanted to get done. Since it's not something I personally know about and he does, that made the decision.

I think this is a very important point! The father, who has a penis, had very strong feelings about the subject. I think those without a penis should defer to those with one, on this matter. The wife's view should certainly be taken into consideration, but you've got to defer to the male perspective!

 

[okiemommy26]

My son is circ'd and so is my hubby. I always thought my son would be if I ever had one because that is what I heard all my life in the first place but I left the final decision up to my hubby and he said he wanted him to be so we did.

 

[~Mrs. A2J~]

When I was pregnant with our daughter I did a lot of research on circumcision. Here is one site I found useful. We decided not to have our sons circumcised as we felt the risks of surgery outweighed any minimal potential health benefits.

I don't feel like the argument of fathers wanting their sons to look like them is reason enough to put their newborn sons through surgery. It's not until puberty that daughters start look like their mothers and I don't know of any psychological problems because of this. My brother was circumcised at 3 years of age for medical reasons and he never had any issues growing up "different" from our dad. In the US the circumcision rate is less than 60% so I don't believe there is any reason to worry about teasing in school either.

Both of our boys are. We believe that God gave us commands for a reason, and obviously, even if we can't see them there is a reason for it.

This was one area I really studied the scriptures on as even though we felt it not necessary to circumcise our sons medically, if God wanted us to do it we would. But I found many scriptures in the New Testament about not needing to circumcise our sons anymore. Here are a few:

Romans 2:25-29 - 25Circumcision has value if you observe the law, but if you break the law, you have become as though you had not been circumcised. 26If those who are not circumcised keep the law's requirements, will they not be regarded as though they were circumcised? 27The one who is not circumcised physically and yet obeys the law will condemn you who, even though you have the written code and circumcision, are a lawbreaker. 28A man is not a Jew if he is only one outwardly, nor is circumcision merely outward and physical. 29No, a man is a Jew if he is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a man's praise is not from men, but from God.

Romans 4:9-11 - 9Is this blessedness only for the circumcised, or also for the uncircumcised? We have been saying that Abraham's faith was credited to him as righteousness. 10Under what circumstances was it credited? Was it after he was circumcised, or before? It was not after, but before! 11And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. So then, he is the father of all who believe but have not been circumcised, in order that righteousness might be credited to them.

1 Corinthians 7:18-19 - 18Was a man already circumcised when he was called? He should not become uncircumcised. Was a man uncircumcised when he was called? He should not be circumcised. 19Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing. Keeping God's commands is what counts.

Galatians 5:6 - 6For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.

Galatians 6:15 - 15Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything; what counts is a new creation.



I just urge new parents to research and come to a decision they feel is best and not just go with something because they think it's the norm.

 

[Melbelle]

I got my son circumsized...

Gen 17:10 This [is] my covenant, which ye shall keep, between me and you and thy seed after thee; Every man child among you shall be circumcised.

Gen 17:12 And he that is eight days old shall be circumcised among you, every man child in your generations, he that is born in the house, or bought with money of any stranger, which [is] not of thy seed.

Gen 17:13 He that is born in thy house, and he that is bought with thy money, must needs be circumcised: and my covenant shall be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant.

Gen 17:14 And the uncircumcised man child whose flesh of his foreskin is not circumcised, that soul shall be cut off from his people; he hath broken my covenant.

Gen 17:23 And Abraham took Ishmael his son, and all that were born in his house, and all that were bought with his money, every male among the men of Abraham's house; and circumcised the flesh of their foreskin in the selfsame day, as God had said unto him.


There are plenty more verses on it...

 

[~Mrs. A2J~]

I got my son circumsized...

Gen 17:10 This [is] my covenant, which ye shall keep, between me and you and thy seed after thee; Every man child among you shall be circumcised.

Gen 17:12 And he that is eight days old shall be circumcised among you, every man child in your generations, he that is born in the house, or bought with money of any stranger, which [is] not of thy seed.

Gen 17:13 He that is born in thy house, and he that is bought with thy money, must needs be circumcised: and my covenant shall be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant.

Gen 17:14 And the uncircumcised man child whose flesh of his foreskin is not circumcised, that soul shall be cut off from his people; he hath broken my covenant.

Gen 17:23 And Abraham took Ishmael his son, and all that were born in his house, and all that were bought with his money, every male among the men of Abraham's house; and circumcised the flesh of their foreskin in the selfsame day, as God had said unto him.


There are plenty more verses on it...

I believe that these scriptures are refering to the old covenant. What is your view on the scriptures in the New Testament that say it is no longer needed?

 

[Melbelle]

I believe that these scriptures are refering to the old covenant. What is your view on the scriptures in the New Testament that say it is no longer needed?

I believe it us up the parent I don't believe God looks down upon it if its not done, but in my personal opinion I believe an uncircumsized man/boy looks really just but that is my op...

 

[~Mrs. A2J~]

I believe it us up the parent I don't believe God looks down upon it if its not done, but in my personal opinion I believe an uncircumsized man/boy looks really just but that is my op...

Sure, it's up to the parents and I don't think God looks down one way or the other. And everyone has their opinions on the look of a uncircumcised/circumcised male. But I was just wondering since you quoted scriptures from the Old Testament what you thought about the scriptures in the New Testament regarding circumcision.

 

[Dirac_Notation]

There is no medical reason for healthy boys to be circumcised. There is no religious reason for Pauline Christians to be circumcised. There is no cultural reason for most boys to be circumcised. So we opted not to circumicise our boys, lacking any compelling reason to subject them to unnecessary surgery.