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Nine

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260. It's not always about religion.

Wed Aug 29, 2012, 08:44 PM

Aug 2012

Most male Americans my age are circumcised even though the majority were not required to for religious reasons. As posted upthread, circumcision of non-Jews and non-Muslims in this country started as an attempt to curb masturbation. I don't think anyone believes in that anymore, but circumcision continues because it's just what people are used to. And because of bad medical advice.

That ceremony you referred to is called a Bris, by the way, and that's also the name of the Seinfeld episode.

I don't believe there is any evidence that circumcision leads to long term psychological effects but anything is possible, I suppose. I think a stronger argument against infant circumcision is that there is simply no compelling reason for parents to perform a cosmetic procedure on their child before he can express an opinion about it.

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Benefits of male circumcision reconfirmed as rates decline [View all] Sgent Aug 2012 OP

... KG Aug 2012 #1

I can see the ad campaign. "Don't get sick. Trim your dick." nt valerief Aug 2012 #5

Don't be silly, slice that willy! Dash87 Aug 2012 #22

Am I wrong to laugh??? :-) spooky3 Aug 2012 #25

Don't be a cod, trim that rod! villager Aug 2012 #29

Don't be a fool, clip that tool! Arugula Latte Aug 2012 #81

It isn't wrong to snip that schlong. UnrepentantLiberal Aug 2012 #91

Someone! Quick! There's a Hackensack joke just waiting closeupready Aug 2012 #165

O femrap Aug 2012 #38

It doesn't make any sense to me and I doubt it's true. Nine Aug 2012 #45

+1 wordpix Aug 2012 #49

go femrap Aug 2012 #70

There is no "hormonal link" between a bit of foreskin and the brain. Codeine Aug 2012 #93

b femrap Aug 2012 #113

It's certainly as well documented as the effect on menstrual cycles that the moon bombing had. Warren DeMontague Aug 2012 #140

Moon bombing? When did that happen? I do remember people blaming excessive rain on moon landings yellowcanine Aug 2012 #154

An epic thread. Codeine Aug 2012 #177

Fl femrap Aug 2012 #127

I think it's crap Confusious Aug 2012 #57

v femrap Aug 2012 #131

losing a foreskin makes a man less able to bond with a woman? then its true. a man's roguevalley Aug 2012 #61

Not to mention that the man will mourn the loss of the foreskin for the rest of his life..... yellowcanine Aug 2012 #104

Utter codswallop. Codeine Aug 2012 #62

Intercourse is different, not sure about bonding unc70 Aug 2012 #89

U femrap Aug 2012 #130

This sounds like industrial strength woo to me. MadrasT Aug 2012 #95

+1 Epic woo. Crazy talk. nt hifiguy Aug 2012 #100

So femrap Aug 2012 #121

With all due respect, opinions on penises from nonmedical women Thor_MN Aug 2012 #96

po femrap Aug 2012 #119

Why is it a sin to eat lobster and pork? NickB79 Aug 2012 #141

e femrap Aug 2012 #143

Critical thinking is important. kiva Aug 2012 #101

A femrap Aug 2012 #117

Your source isn't an endocrinologist either, he's a fucking loon Codeine Aug 2012 #152

I wondered about that and the poster probably knows that. yellowcanine Aug 2012 #153

"Internet lecture"........"the gentleman cited studies but I didn't write them down." yellowcanine Aug 2012 #103

G femrap Aug 2012 #115

If you have sources cite them. Close-minded is making assertions without attribution. yellowcanine Aug 2012 #125

d femrap Aug 2012 #134

you should get slammed for that shit. cali Aug 2012 #108

Post removed Post removed Aug 2012 #114

F femrap Aug 2012 #128

Ya know - calling people who disagree "close-minded" is kind of rude. yellowcanine Aug 2012 #135

click femrap Aug 2012 #142

No ban... ElboRuum Aug 2012 #123

pi femrap Aug 2012 #126

Halfpasthuman.com? Codeine Aug 2012 #150

Does it make it any easier to shave? jberryhill Aug 2012 #2

Oh, Lordy.. If only I had a pitbull to hide behind at the Olive Garden while breast feeding openly. hlthe2b Aug 2012 #3

Chicken thread! Chicken thread! Lasher Aug 2012 #12

You leave your corn flakes out of it! hlthe2b Aug 2012 #14

And UTI's can occur without symptoms and cause permanent kidney damage. pnwmom Aug 2012 #4

eh WooWooWoo Aug 2012 #6

I have a good friend who converted to Islam and married a Muslim young woman. MADem Aug 2012 #20

That's because up until around 10 days old or so Panasonic Aug 2012 #39

A reliable link to back up that statement about no nerve endings? Crunchy Frog Aug 2012 #72

Nonsense dkhbrit Aug 2012 #116

That's been debunked Xithras Aug 2012 #139

If there's no nerve endings how do they feel that it is cold? 4th law of robotics Aug 2012 #145

Could be possible. GaYellowDawg Aug 2012 #169

You can provide sources that prove babies don't feel pain? 4th law of robotics Aug 2012 #170

Oh, wonderful, a poster who puts straw men in their subject line. GaYellowDawg Aug 2012 #174

The question was on whether or not it hurts the child 4th law of robotics Aug 2012 #180

That does not justify the straw man in the reply title. GaYellowDawg Aug 2012 #182

I was trying to stay on topic 4th law of robotics Aug 2012 #184

Bull. Warren DeMontague Aug 2012 #148

Eh... kenfrequed Aug 2012 #105

He did if he wanted to marry his bride. MADem Aug 2012 #110

It was a choice he made as an adult 4th law of robotics Aug 2012 #147

Well no--it wasn't a choice because he would have had to abandon his bride. MADem Aug 2012 #159

Unless someone put a gun to his head he had a choice to marry or not marry that woman 4th law of robotics Aug 2012 #160

Well, you might be one of the rare few people who thinks getting married is like buying a loaf of MADem Aug 2012 #161

You feel marriage is not a choice? 4th law of robotics Aug 2012 #162

The suggestion was that being forced to NOT marry was acceptable. MADem Aug 2012 #178

You say it wasn't a choice 4th law of robotics Aug 2012 #181

If you think "choosing" to marry or not, once a person is engaged, is an actual choice, I feel sorry MADem Aug 2012 #187

This is surreal 4th law of robotics Aug 2012 #190

male circumcision is no more mutilation than any surgery.... Green_Lantern Aug 2012 #194

If a doctor performed FGM would it not be mutilation? 4th law of robotics Aug 2012 #195

we do a lot of things without their consent for health reasons... Green_Lantern Aug 2012 #197

The health reasons for circumcision are largely being found to be bunk 4th law of robotics Aug 2012 #198

hygiene purposes... Green_Lantern Aug 2012 #200

Soap/water - heard of it? closeupready Aug 2012 #203

In the US, in 2012? Where could anyone possibly access such things 4th law of robotics Aug 2012 #206

Duh, of course. Excuse my stupidity - closeupready Aug 2012 #211

soap and water don't prevent all infections... Green_Lantern Aug 2012 #207

From your link: 4th law of robotics Aug 2012 #205

all you are proving is that there is not a medical consensus on the issue... Green_Lantern Aug 2012 #209

So if there is a pretty strong consensus that there aren't any real benefits 4th law of robotics Aug 2012 #212

let parents and doctors decide Green_Lantern Aug 2012 #219

And for my other example . . . 4th law of robotics Aug 2012 #221

It damn well is if, after reflection, I say it is. closeupready Aug 2012 #196

so you oppose all procedures done on infants? Green_Lantern Aug 2012 #199

If not medically necessary, I sure do. 'My body, my choice' closeupready Aug 2012 #201

there are plenty of doctors who think it is medically necessary.. Green_Lantern Aug 2012 #204

Most doctors take my position. closeupready Aug 2012 #210

then why does almost every ob doctor do circumcisions? Green_Lantern Aug 2012 #213

If you tell your doctor you don't want your kids vaccinated they will comply 4th law of robotics Aug 2012 #222

Why do they? I thought they were supposed to be specialists Crunchy Frog Aug 2012 #228

There are doctors in Egypt who believe the same thing about female genital cutting. Crunchy Frog Aug 2012 #227

I read once about pipoman Aug 2012 #28

Get a grip! xtraxritical Aug 2012 #66

What is a minor procedure in infants Warpy Aug 2012 #30

i think the question is, should it be the parents decision WooWooWoo Aug 2012 #35

There are no medical benefits to female circumcision, so this isn't comparable. n/t pnwmom Aug 2012 #43

Maybe they just need to look harder. Crunchy Frog Aug 2012 #83

While inflammatory kenfrequed Aug 2012 #133

"Circumcision - a surgery in search of a problem" closeupready Aug 2012 #166

What part of simple procedure in infancy, serious procedure later Warpy Aug 2012 #48

so "my body, my decision" WooWooWoo Aug 2012 #92

It only applies to females, not males. Crunchy Frog Aug 2012 #97

Yup. On this board, at least. closeupready Aug 2012 #167

Check out age of consent in your state Warpy Aug 2012 #136

"age of consent"? Really? Warren DeMontague Aug 2012 #149

Since they're not at age of consent, does that mean it's okay to have sex with them? Crunchy Frog Aug 2012 #229

I don't think possibly painful = serious or drastic Nine Aug 2012 #98

It's not a minor procedure. JackRiddler Aug 2012 #120

In infants, yes it is. GaYellowDawg Aug 2012 #172

Hysteria? The foreskin has more nerve endings than the clitoris ilikeitthatway Aug 2012 #237

Having your clitoris removed is more painful as an adult than as a child 4th law of robotics Aug 2012 #146

This message was self-deleted by its author 4th law of robotics Aug 2012 #171

Most adult circumcisions are done because of a medical complication riderinthestorm Aug 2012 #179

Minor? Um, no. ilikeitthatway Aug 2012 #236

I watched it done to my son. It obviously hurt like a son of a bitch. lumberjack_jeff Aug 2012 #250

Mohel's new profession: calsawals Aug 2012 #111

we have foreskin for a reason Enrique Aug 2012 #7

We have an appendix for a reason as well, contrary to what we were told once upon a 2on2u Aug 2012 #13

how about tonsils? wordpix Aug 2012 #51

Nowadays tonsils mostly stay in unless they interfere with breathing AngryAmish Aug 2012 #99

we have foreskin for a reason AlbertCat Aug 2012 #19

However, that reason may be less valid since the advent of wearing clothes. Psephos Aug 2012 #32

foreskin is purposeful calsawals Aug 2012 #112

I have that tattooed on my shaved private area jberryhill Aug 2012 #86

The science seems quite sound. hifiguy Aug 2012 #8

Yes, although from the article, it seems they are basing this analysis off a few studies in Uganda. antigone382 Aug 2012 #9

These were large-scale WHO studies conducted in different countries in Africa pnwmom Aug 2012 #17

These studies had scientific problems... My Pet Goat Aug 2012 #59

All study participants had the same counseling about safe sex pnwmom Aug 2012 #63

Post removed Post removed Aug 2012 #80

The French National Council on AIDS (2007) has stated Crunchy Frog Aug 2012 #242

Why is the medical consensus in the rest of the developed world not buying it? Crunchy Frog Aug 2012 #73

No, it isn't. Not even close. Please see the link below for explanation. idwiyo Aug 2012 #87

Science not that sound unc70 Aug 2012 #88

Please PM me with the link to your post. I would love to read it and don't want to miss it. idwiyo Aug 2012 #191

Not to mention the bland fondue.... 2on2u Aug 2012 #10

I'm gonna have to keep an eye on this thread! Time for a snack... LeftofObama Aug 2012 #11

Circumsized men sulphurdunn Aug 2012 #15

Doctors Charge $300 and hour + Tips. n/t Grassy Knoll Aug 2012 #16

I'd like to see comparisons with European countries, not Uganda, to see medical benefits. Mass Aug 2012 #18

The majority of European men -- indeed, the majority of ALL men, are uncircumcised RufusTFirefly Aug 2012 #21

No no no! Hydra Aug 2012 #24

You sound like my neighbor discussing global warming joeglow3 Aug 2012 #183

That's the problem with lazy science Hydra Aug 2012 #186

I'd like to see comparisons of countries with a high degree of personal hygiene Art_from_Ark Aug 2012 #31

That too.... Mass Aug 2012 #36

But their wee wees fall off at age 62. Hassin Bin Sober Aug 2012 #41

If you actually believe that, Art_from_Ark Aug 2012 #47

Is it a nice bridge? Will you take a check? Hassin Bin Sober Aug 2012 #50

Oh, I think it's quite obvious from the picture Art_from_Ark Aug 2012 #56

That's why their nursing home workers don't complain about it. Crunchy Frog Aug 2012 #75

ding ding, me too. wordpix Aug 2012 #52

Yes, but the men are so pale and wan and... Crunchy Frog Aug 2012 #74

Statistical outlier 4th law of robotics Aug 2012 #158

holy hell not this again iamthebandfanman Aug 2012 #23

Nothing like a good penis thread to liven things up Major Nikon Aug 2012 #27

Oh, this is going to be going on for awhile. Crunchy Frog Aug 2012 #230

Nothing is more important than preservation of the teeny tiny turtleneck. aquart Aug 2012 #26

... xchrom Aug 2012 #33

or as we prefer to call it, "the elephant trunk" wordpix Aug 2012 #53

And again if that sort of bullshit statement were made about fgm you would be out of here. Warren Stupidity Aug 2012 #58

Teeny tiny?! Codeine Aug 2012 #64

Except for the itty bitty clitties. Crunchy Frog Aug 2012 #76

Let's ask Anthony Weiner. Fuddnik Aug 2012 #34

And we are all experts on HIS thing. Hassin Bin Sober Aug 2012 #40

How come they cherrypicked the comparison. JackRiddler Aug 2012 #37

dam posts like this makes me miss the lounge..... madrchsod Aug 2012 #42

Many years ago when I was a nurse in OB delivery flying_wahini Aug 2012 #44

It is mentioned above Sgent Aug 2012 #46

"designed to" jberryhill Aug 2012 #54

you forgot to mention HankyDub Aug 2012 #65

Women dying in childbirth is not part of "intelligent design". Manifestor_of_Light Aug 2012 #252

having had some experience with old elephant trunk, wordpix Aug 2012 #55

From the report... My Pet Goat Aug 2012 #60

I think this study would have more relevance to practices in the US Emillereid Aug 2012 #67

The AAP Sgent Aug 2012 #78

Need to pay attention to the number needed treat to have even a small effect. Emillereid Aug 2012 #82

Post removed Post removed Aug 2012 #68

I wonder how quickly that post would get hidden Crunchy Frog Aug 2012 #85

Wonder how many people get papillomavirus (HPV) via oral n/t AlphaCentauri Aug 2012 #69

They should have their mouths cut out at birth for their own protection. Crunchy Frog Aug 2012 #90

At least they wouldn't blame uncircumcised men n/t AlphaCentauri Aug 2012 #157

They can have my sons' foreskins when they pry them from my cold dead fingers. Crunchy Frog Aug 2012 #71

Doctors' Circumcision Recommendations Influenced By Personal Factors, Study Finds Crunchy Frog Aug 2012 #77

More than Foreskin: Circumcision Status, History of HIV/STI, and Sexual Risk in a Clinic-Based Crunchy Frog Aug 2012 #79

"When bad science kills, or how to spread AIDS" by Brian D. Earp idwiyo Aug 2012 #84

Than you for this link unc70 Aug 2012 #94

One more reason for me to know that *my* penis is AWESOME! n/t Ian David Aug 2012 #102

Christopher Hitchens on circumcision Brainstormy Aug 2012 #106

Neonatal nurse writing on circumcision Brainstormy Aug 2012 #107

I don't see how anyone can support this cpwm17 Aug 2012 #129

My sons were alright during the procedure Nikia Aug 2012 #144

I actually laughed at one part of this GaYellowDawg Aug 2012 #173

Well it's a good thing you're circumcised cpwm17 Aug 2012 #189

Agreed. Fully. nt Union Scribe Aug 2012 #241

"<cut> " Remmah2 Aug 2012 #109

When will people stop treating this propaganda as though it were "news"? JackRiddler Aug 2012 #118

Cranking up the popcorn maker... ElboRuum Aug 2012 #122

We haven't had a Chuggo thread in a while... ElboRuum Aug 2012 #124

So condoms don't stop those things? Alduin Aug 2012 #132

I can only go on my on experience... Comrade Grumpy Aug 2012 #137

+1 not to mention -i like being cut. xchrom Aug 2012 #151

Weird thought, but not everything is about you. closeupready Aug 2012 #164

Gee, sorry for sharing. Comrade Grumpy Aug 2012 #185

The topic of this thread is not your penis. closeupready Aug 2012 #188

Yeah, and I get tired of anti-circumcision fanatics. Comrade Grumpy Aug 2012 #192

Favoring a form of penis with which boys are born is not closeupready Aug 2012 #193

Going on and on about a topic that excites a mere handful of people smacks of fanatacism. Comrade Grumpy Aug 2012 #220

On this issue, it's the tiny minority of fanatics who spew 99% of the venom. apocalypsehow Aug 2012 #244

Take your religious sideshow and hocus-pocus elsewhere. closeupready Aug 2012 #245

I'll take the voice of reason right where I please, thank you very much. apocalypsehow Aug 2012 #247

just when gonorrhea is becoming incurable. pansypoo53219 Aug 2012 #138

If the science is sound, then young men - Hell Hath No Fury Aug 2012 #155

Removing the penis entirely would eliminate STDs and unwanted pregnancies entirely 4th law of robotics Aug 2012 #156

that doesn't even make sense... Green_Lantern Aug 2012 #202

No it wouldn't 4th law of robotics Aug 2012 #208

notice all of that says to give parents the information and let them decide... Green_Lantern Aug 2012 #214

It actually says that circumcision is not advisable 4th law of robotics Aug 2012 #215

I personly don't care...leave it up to parents and their doctor.... Green_Lantern Aug 2012 #217

I would second guess anyone making permanent medical decisions 4th law of robotics Aug 2012 #218

I made my position clear and you parse my words.. Green_Lantern Aug 2012 #224

Or more often based on consulting their religious figure of choice 4th law of robotics Aug 2012 #225

"looks better" - well, there's a first for everything, I suppose. closeupready Aug 2012 #226

"His body, his choice." closeupready Aug 2012 #163

Q: how do you get a progressive to argue for religion trumping personal choice? 4th law of robotics Aug 2012 #216

Yeah, funny how that works. closeupready Aug 2012 #223

Except for medical emergencies, intentional amputation should always be ZombieHorde Aug 2012 #168

16 states' Medicaid programs don't pay for elective infant circumcision. Butterbean Aug 2012 #175

18 states. Crunchy Frog Aug 2012 #231

I suspected as much. It read that way. Thank you. n/t Butterbean Aug 2012 #243

I had daughters so in the end I didn't have to worry about this gollygee Aug 2012 #176

Anti-circ RN EllkayRN Aug 2012 #232

Thank you for sharing your perspectives and experiences on this thread. Crunchy Frog Aug 2012 #233

Excellent points from an informed source. Thank you and annabanana Aug 2012 #234

Baloney! All debunked, and licences ought to be stripped. ilikeitthatway Aug 2012 #235

Routine circumcision came to America thanks to a Christian fundamentalist ilikeitthatway Aug 2012 #238

"Plain Facts for Old and Young" by John Harvey Kellog. The scientific thinking Crunchy Frog Aug 2012 #239

Barbaric mutiliation with no good reason to do it. Only religious insanity. Manifestor_of_Light Aug 2012 #240

Whatever. kwassa Aug 2012 #248

She obviously thinks mutiliating her son is good, then. Manifestor_of_Light Aug 2012 #249

She obviously doesn't think it is mutilation. kwassa Aug 2012 #251

It IS mutilation no matter what she thinks. Manifestor_of_Light Aug 2012 #253

I don't think it is mutilation either. kwassa Aug 2012 #256

The same could be said for any kind of mutilation 4th law of robotics Aug 2012 #254

Civilized countries allow circumcision. kwassa Aug 2012 #257

And in this case they're wrong 4th law of robotics Aug 2012 #258

I've been silent on this issue long enough - and I know you are all dying to hear my opinion :) cabot Aug 2012 #246

People circumcise because it seems normal to them. Nine Aug 2012 #255

The origins of circumsism..... E_A_ Aug 2012 #259

It's not always about religion. Nine Aug 2012 #260

Info E_A_ Aug 2012 #261