Circumcision By Sylvia Godoi
The topic
of circumcision has always caused great controversy around the world,
especially in countries that see it with suspicion, considering it an
unnecessary practice that attempts against the nature of man.
Circumcision
is practiced in Middle Eastern countries, where it is clearly oriented to a matter
of religion, including Islam, where it is practiced by most Muslims, Judaism,
where is a mandatory practice for over 4500 years, and Judeo-Christianity, where
it is believed that practice is closer to God and his commandments, is not a forced act, but, on the contrary, an
act that is done on a voluntary basis.
Whether is
considered a culture or a health topic, the circumcision has been practiced for many
years, as outlined in this fragment found on the web that relates, according to
the Bible, as God would have spoken to one of his most faithful followers,
Abraham , to teach him how and when circumcision was practiced as a
demonstrative act of the alliance between God and the Jewish people: "The
oldest practice is widespread in Judaism, whose realization is a mandatory
practice for 4500 years, when the patriarch Abraham was circumcised by a divine
order as the biblical texts and times of the stories. "[1]
"In
Western societies, especially the Anglo-Saxon countries like UK, Canada,
Australia and United States, circumcision is done for medical reasons, and
never by religion, excepted by Jewish people who live there.”[2]
As you can
take from this passage, there is another reason not yet addressed, the medical
approach. There are circumstances in which circumcision becomes a sensitive
issue and is required for the proper functioning of the body, and to prevent
disease. Clearly this approach is more objective, because the person does not
have complete freedom as to whether or not practice it, he must do it to
protect their own health.
"Today
circumcision is performed on the sixth day of life of the male. Among
Christians only performed in the Church of Ethiopia. Among Muslims is between
three and seven years. It is not prescribed by the Koran. This is a pre-Islamic
rite. In many black African tribes circumcision is very important as the climax
of a series of rituals that constitute the so-called initiation to life as a
young man. More than a hygienic operation, is a test of manhood in which the
child ceases to be such and is admitted to the adult community. As we see only
the attempt to define it is complex." [2]
In my
opinion I think that circumcision is a topic that is quite difficult to
criticize, there will always be debates about whether it is a practice oriented
to hygiene or mutilation of the male’s reproductive system, but I think the
decision is in hands of every man. But is more complex to criticize it if is part
of other countrie’s culture, because the act itself is not as important as the
social purpose of the same. For the hygienic purpose of the act itself, I think
the health and hygiene situation of countries where it is practiced today has
changed for good, and it is no longer necessary, has become just a ritual,
practiced without a base or a real reason. Whoever who says that is now necessary
have to consider that in the time it was implemented was a sensitive issue that
improve health and wellbeing of people, however, if someone decides or not
practice circumcision today, and this act is not part of his culture, that will
be only a senseless act, because the general health situation of the country
will let him preserve intact that part of his own body. But I repeat, if the
social importance of the act takes a major relevance, it is difficult to
criticize the act, so the controversy is far from over, however, everyone is free
to do with his body what he want.
References:
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