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Is God’s Command to Circumcise At Odds with Principles of Bodily Integrity?
As a staunch believer in bodily integrity, I have always struggled with God’s initial command to circumcise men and boys. This command made me wonder why God would command genital mutilation. Even though this practice was mostly limited to the Old Testament, it still troubled me that God would command this of all things. Though many sources say that circumcision is a reminder of God’s covenant with Abraham, I still find myself asking “Why circumcision?”, especially when taking into account the other rules the ancient Israelites had to follow.
Why I Think Circumcision, Especially Infant Circumcision is Harmful
In order to understand my perspective on male circumcision, it helps to explain the importance of the foreskin. It is a long tube of skin that covers the glans (head) and shaft of the penis. Its functionality is debated, but it contains mucosal glands similar to those in the eyes and mouth. The foreskin protects the glans, has specialized immunological functions, and aids in pleasuring both the penis-bearer and any sexual partners they may have. It contains a multitude of nerve endings that allow erotic and other sensation to occur.
Circumcision was found to affect the penilo-cavernosus reflex impossible or delayed in…
